If the intention of this was to make me feel like I was also losing my mind in Wonderland, then congrats, you succeeded. I'm certainly mad now. Mad I didn't DNF this at any point because I did not know what was going on AT any point. Nothing made sense, and if that was also the intent ... well, no thanks ever again.

3/5

I enjoyed that this book had the same whimsical feeling as the original Alice in Wonderland story, however, this book was pretty confusing. I had a hard time understanding the different timelines and connecting to the characters. Overall, I loved the fact that this was a queer retelling of the classic, but I wish the storyline was less confusing.

Thank you NetGalley and Disney Audiobooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Word of caution: this story sometimes does not make any sense and is super confusing (as one would assume with anything Alice in Wonderland adjacent) and this is WAY more bloody and violent than I had anticipated.

I almost DNF'd this novel close to the start because there's a scene with the saint Cater Pillar that was super violent and disturbing. If you are squeamish, this may not be the best novel to read.

The whole "we are all mad here" is taken to a whole other level in this novel. I think a part of me kept hoping for a redemption arch for Caro Rabbit and Iccador Alice Sickle... that they would somehow flip their cruel and vicious natures...

I can't say I 100% understand this novel. I did love how clever some of the names were and how witty some of the remakes of the characters were. I think the remake of Cheshire Cat was the best part.

The breaking of the 4th wall with direct addresses to the reader by the "narrator" made this novel even more jarring and confusing. I also kinda loved it. I liked the inclusion of Korean into the story as well.

Beware... Caro and Icca are violent and engage in violent acts. The crow witch and the darkness are always drawn together, but also seem to be drawn to tear each other apart.

Also - the time skips add to the madness. You really need to pay attention to the dates... and how many saints are left.