The Wonderland Trials
Sara Ella
Dystopian Fantasy Fairytale Retelling
*sighs happily*
If any of you have been on my blog for any amount of time, you will have heard me mention Alice in Wonderland at least twice. I'm not afraid to admit it--I'm a Wonderland nerd, and proud of it.
But one sad thing about being such a rare breed is just that--we're a rare breed. And as such, there never seems to be that many good retellings of this beautiful classic that are good. Most of them tend to focus on the dark, mentally-gone-wrong side of Wonderland, which is just not how I see it at all. I grew up with this book, and I love it too much to read a book where Wonderland is portrayed as a refuge from Psych-ward escapees (not joking XD).
So, when one fine day in early June I stumbled across the cover to The Wonderland Trials, I went berserk. It had a lot going in its favour (it was a gorgeous cover, it was by Sara Ella, it was an Alice retelling, IT WAS SET IN ENGLAND). So, I preordered it.
And let me just say, it did not disappoint.
WHAT I LOVED
Out of everything in this book, my absolute favourite thing would have to be the characters. Alice was the perfect take on the original Alice Pleasance Liddel; she was fiery, she was clever and cunning, she was strong and brave and full of wit. Chess was UNBELEIVALY AMAZING. Sara managed to capture all the real charm and character of the Chesshire Cat, and stuff it all into one heck of an amazing love interest in the form of Chess Shire. When I say this guy was amazing, I MEAN IT. The way he speaks in riddles, his charming grin, his heart of gold . . . it all adds up to something amazing. 🥰 (Yes, I'm being a weird fangirl--give me a moment.) Blanche de Lapin was *chef's kiss* brilliant. She is exactly what I imagine the White Rabbit would be like. *applauds* Oh, yes, and the brilliant podcaster herself, Madi Hatter!! It was SO cool getting to see an American in the book, and the way she plays into the story is just lovely. She is the perfect Mad Hatter, and I'm all here for it. 🥰 And, of course, I couldn't leave off without passing an honourable mention to . . . Sophia, Willow, Jack, Knave, and Charlotte. These guys are so amazing, and I love them so much. 🥰🥰🥰
And then, aside from the characters, there was the sheer brilliance that is the plot. Sara is a genius, I'll say that right now. I NEVER would've thought to do an Alice retelling like she did this one. The entire storyline was so unique and perfectly Sara-esque, while still slipping perfectly into the feel that is rainy-blues-and-greys London and magical-wonderful-Wonderland that I love.
And that's not even touching on the writing style. Sara's writing style is like poetry, or water flowing from a creek in perfect time---not rushing, not stalling, but just going where it needs to get when it needs to. Let me tell you, that is not something easily done. But somehow, Sara does it magnificently.
Another thing that I love that doesn't necessarily have to do with the story itself, but it was a major comfort read in a time I very much needed it. I have severe family-separation anxiety, and I read this during a week when half my family was on the other side of the country. And reading this was like someone wrapping a fuzzy blanket around my shoulder and giving me a hug, all the while whispering, "it's okay." So now, whenever I need a pick-me-up, I pick up this book, flip it to my favourite scenes, and just . . . read.
And speaking of favourite scenes, did I tell you how much I ADORED the romance?! *squeal* Chess and Alice fit together like a glove on a rabbit, or a cork on a bottle. They are one of my favourite ships in the history of ever, and they are just TOO ADORABLE together. (*spoiler*) I got butterflies in my stomach when I read their love proclamation and kiss. 🤩 (*end spoiler*) Like, can all couples be like this? *sighs dreamily*
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
*crickets chirping* Umm . . . do I have to answer this question? Because the truth is nothing. I love this book with every fibre of my being, and nothing in it rubs me the wrong way or makes me uncomfortable or generally ticks me off.
Oh, wait, I got it: the fact that this is only a duology. *sobs dramatically* If authors drink reader-tears, they'd need a swimming pool to catch all mine (Olympic size 😉).
And that's a wrap! Thank you, guys, so much for tuning in to listen to me rant and rave about this lovely, lovely book. I enjoyed in immensely. 😉
Have you read The Wonderland Trials? Do you enjoy fantasy? IS CHESS THE BEST OR IS HE THE BEST? I'd love to know! <3
Cheers!
