Looking Glass

January 13, 2020
This mesmerizing collection of four novellas, each set in the dark, Alice in Wonderland–inspired universe of Henry’s Alice and Red Queen, brings readers back into the shadowy world of the City where grown-up Alice is determined to forge a place for herself and her new family. “Lovely Creature” introduces Alice’s sister Elizabeth, who possesses the same secret magic as her sister but refuses to follow in her footsteps. In “Girl in Amber,” Alice must confront her past, coming to terms with herself as the little girl who faced off against the Red Queen. “When I First Came to Town” reveals the origin story of Alice’s husband, Hatcher, this universe’s version of the Mad Hatter, telling of his early days as the best fighter in the City. “The Mercy Seat” sees Alice and Hatcher work together to defeat the malevolent leader of a magic-hating village in order to find a home of their own. These somber, occasionally disturbing novellas offer a mature take on the children’s story but balance the horrors of the City with hope. Henry’s fans will be happy to return to this world, but readers need not be familiar with earlier installments to appreciate this twisted take on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale.

March 1, 2020

Henry returns to her popular "Chronicles of Alice" series (Alice) with four novellas. The first is about Elizabeth, born to replace Alice, who had been sent to an asylum after her encounter with the Magician Rabbit. Elizabeth has powers of her own, but hasn't been told of them or of her sister. Can Cheshire teach her about the Jabberwock in time for Elizabeth to save herself? In the second tale, Alice encounters a house. Looking for shelter from a blizzard and separated from her man Hatcher, she finds it was a snare to trap magicians. Fortunately, Alice is perfectly capable of saving herself. The third story focuses on Hatcher, before he became mad, when he was the boxer Nicholas, fighting in the Old City. Will he beat the Rabbit-owned fighter, Grinder? The final story is about Alice and Hatcher finding their dreamed-of house by the lake to settle down. VERDICT Fans of the previous books will adore seeing the characters again and having loose ends tied up. Readers new to the series, however, will be as lost as Alice.--Jennifer Mills, Shorewood-Troy Lib., IL

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 15, 2020
Four interconnected stories follow the further adventures of the fascinating characters from Henry's popular Chronicles of Alice (beginning with Alice, 2015). In Lovely Creature," a pampered nine-year-old named Elizabeth wonders why everyone suddenly keeps calling her Alice and unwittingly wanders into a dangerous situation where the Jabberwock awaits. Picking up just after Red Queen (2016), Girl in Amber finds Alice lost in a snowstorm, separated from Hatcher, and taking refuge in a mysterious house, only to find it full of monstrous horrors; she must learn to control her magic in order to survive. When I First Came to Town is Hatcher's reminiscence of a time before meeting Alice, recalling how a talented but naive young fighter named Nicholas found and freed Hattie, his first love. Rounding out the escapades is The Mercy Seat, with Alice and Hatcher confronting a merciless obstacle lying between them and the peaceful place they have envisioned for their future. Each tale involves introspection, as if characters are looking into a mirror to find that which will bring escape and resolution. Fans will delight in discovering the unknown family backgrounds and future fate of Alice and her wild and bloody Hatcher.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)