THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS
Title: Blood of Wonderland
Author: Colleen Oakes
Series/Standalone: The Queen of Hearts Saga (Book #2)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling
Pages: 336
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2017
Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The former Princess of Wonderland was lost."
"The queen will rise.
Dinah has been exiled from Wonderland. The vicious father she always feared has framed her for the brutal murder of her brother and turned the kingdom against her.
Now hiding in the lush and mysterious Twisted Wood with only her war steed at her side, Dinah is faced with a choice. She could leave Wonderland forever or return and fight her father for her throne- a fight she knows would only result in bloodshed.
When a chance encounter with one of her father's long-lost enemies brings Dinah more allies than she ever could have imagined, war starts to feel inevitable. But before Dinah can lead her people into combat, she must confront certain truths about her heart and her destiny- no matter how dark those truths may be.
Revolution is rising in Wonderland.
Dinah's battle has begun."
My Rating: 3/5
I remember really liking this book the first time that I read it, but upon rereading it I found that this book was just a bit of a filler book for the trilogy. And that's something that happens during most trilogy series in YA or just trilogies in general. I was curious to see how someone who had everything handed to her would survive in the wild and she just wouldn't have if there weren't people who wanted things from her. I suspected that was the case both times, but I totally forgot about how Cheshire made his appearance and announcement. He's so unbelievably power hungry and he just creeps me out. All these things being said I think that this retelling is really interesting in the way that it brings aspects of the original tale to life in a new light (the caterpillar).
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Blood of Wonderland
Author: Colleen Oakes
Series/Standalone: Queen of Hearts Saga (Book #2)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings
Pages: 336
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2017
Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The former Princess of Wonderland was lost."
"The queen will rise.
Dinah has been exiled from Wonderland. The vicious father she always feared has framed her for the brutal murder of her brother and turned the kingdom against her.
Now hiding in the lush and mysterious Twisted Wood with only her war steed at her side, Dinah is faced with a choice. She could leave Wonderland forever or return and fight for her throne- a fight she knows would only result in bloodshed.
When a chance encounter with one of her father's long-lost enemies brings Dinah more allies than she ever could have imagined, war starts to feel inevitable. But before Dinah can lead her people into combat, she must confront certain truths about her heart and her destiny- no matter how dark those truths may be.
Revolution is rising in Wonderland.
Dinah's battle has begun."
My Rating: 4/5
This is the second instalment in the Queen of Hearts Saga and it was very interesting to see where the story left off based on the dramatic ending of the first novel. I loved this retelling because it was so different than other retellings I've read and it follows the making of a "villain" (I think). Which is something that I'm always down for! At some points, it was a little cringeworthy (some cliches were a little over the top) I really enjoyed the changes in the characters throughout this book and the introduction of new characters to the Wonderland world. I also enjoyed the further exploration of Wonderland and seeing different aspects of the topsy turvy world.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
I finally picked up the second instalment... way to go me.
This series is going in such an interesting direction. While the Queen of Hearts Saga is obviously a retelling, it has elements of the story worked in in clever ways. This being said, this middle novel just seemed like it was trying to make a bridge to the end of the story.
And while I understand the need branch out from the castle and explore the tipsy-topsy world of Wonderland and to see a change in our main character. These two changes are what really carried the story for me. Aspects of this story reminded me of the journey tales in other fantasy novels.
Characters:
Dinah: She has changed so much as a character throughout these first two books. Changing from a spoiled brat who was more than a little naive. To learn how to be skeptical of those around her and continuing on a journey to become a warrior and a leader. I'm interested to see how she handles a war as well as relations with those she's met along the way.
Wardley: I kind of forgot about him. I know that we're supposed to love him, but I don't really care about him all that much. That being said, when he broke Dinah's heart you could see the distinct change in their relationship and her demeanour I see how that was necessary for her to become who she was meant to be.
Morte: Not really an animated character. He proved a good point about most of the things in Wonderland, you can't own them. They are of their own nature.
Sir Gorran: I like him. He's feisty and loyal and a little crazy. That being said, I'm worried that I am putting too much faith in him. I think that he would make a top advisor if he's not a scheming jerk.
Mundoo: I really liked the way he held his ground with Dinah, letting her know that he would not kneel to her and let her be their leader of his people was a strong power mood.
Cheshire: I still don't trust this crazy freak. I don't think that he's her dad. I really think that he's manipulating her and he needs to go if she's gonna win this war.
Moments to Remember:
Pg. 92
"'Let me stand. I said, let me stand!' She rolled over quickly, which caused him to lose his balance. Then she grabbed hold of the Spade's leg and dug her teeth into his calf.
He let out a yell and hopped away. 'Yeh bit me! Who bites someone?'"
Moments to Remember: "The question was who would she be when she got here."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
