Thoughts.com Blogs - The Beginning

Confessions of a Librarian-In-Training

Well, this is my first post. I started this after an incident the other day that gave me a bit of a thrill. I gave my first book review to a patron at the library I worked at. It was great to know that people valued my opinion even though we were complete strangers. It was an interesting type of bond, and I would love to have that rush again. Instead of waiting for another patron to ask, I decided to set up this blog so that my avid reading can benefit others than my immediate friends and family. So here it is, my first book review:

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

With the final installment of Harry Potter coming to a close, I needed something new to fill the gaping hole in my soul that had been perfectly complete for the past eight years. I was woeful, depressed, and seemingly empty. However, upon noticing the cover of a book called "Seeing Redd" that had an enchanting witch-looking character on it with flaming red hair and a red dress that had what appeared to be flesh-eating roses on it, I picked it up. Reading the back got me all hot and bothered. It was a story that supposedly was the "truth" about Alice in Wonderland (actually spelled Alyss) as opposed to the "myth" of Lewis Carroll's making. I was positively giddy to see this take on a childhood favorite. Yet, I noticed that it was part of a trilogy and was then on a quest for the first book. It is called simply "The Looking Glass Wars." With a bronze-like cover that has semi-card looking robots marching on the front, I couldn't resist. I was not disappointed to say the least.
This book follows the journey of Alyss Heart (heir to the throne of Wonderland). Her Aunt Redd was originally denied the throne, making it go to Redd's younger sister and Alyss's mother Genevieve. As life is celebrated in the country's capital Wondertropolis, Redd created a diabolical plan using her powers of imagination to create herself devastating weapons and gather an army that easily takes over Wonderland. Queen Genevieve and King Nolan are murdered, leaving Alyss alone with her extremely capable bodyguard, Hatter Madigan. They flee through a portal that leads them to earth where they are separated for a number of years. However, once they are reunited, they find a way back into Wonderland to help lead a rebellion against Redd. Are they victorious? Does White Imagination triumph over Black? You can find that out for yourself. However, know that it is indeed a trilogy. This book packs a creative world that would make poor Mr. Carroll's jaw drop. I laughed, cried a little, and was on the edge of my seat. I honestly could not put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a love of imagination, fantasy, wonder, and over course action-adventure (provided mostly by Hatter Madigan's razor blade top had, wrist blades, and knife-supplying back). ENJOY!