Wonderland

Starred review from September 13, 2019

Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has inspired seemingly endless interpretations, and yet original takes are still surprisingly possible, as proven by the stories in this new anthology of original works by some of the most prominent sf/fantasy/horror writers of the day. Ranging from Westerns and sf to horror and historical, each entry intrigues. In M.R. Carey's "There Were No Birds to Fly," two unexpected characters from Alice stalk their prey in a terrifying alien invasion built on personal fears. Juliet Marillier's "Good Dog, Alice!" features Alice the dog as the heroine, saving her mistress from an abusive situation. Jonathan Green makes hunting the Jabberwocky into a medieval quest in "The Hunting of the Jabberwock," while Laura Mauro sends her character Airi from Osaka to the world of "The Night Parade," complete with yokai (supernatural creatures). Each work selected by O'Regan (The Last Ghost and Other Stories) and Kane (Lunar) expertly captures the ominous absurdity of Carroll's original.

VERDICT This collection is not to be missed. Highly recommended for Wonderland aficionados as well as general fans of fantasy, sf, and horror.--Katie Lawrence, Grand Rapids, MI

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