Confession time: I have a review of one of Elizabeth ("No, not the deceased star of Bewitched") Montgomery's earlier books that I jotted down over a year ago, and have not yet posted. I felt bad I didn't like it as much as others did in their reviews, and I couldn't quite put my finger on why.
Then, I received a copy of Twisted, the start of Ms. Montgomery's new series. I read it and I really liked it! The author blends two famed fantasy realms together in this series Oz and Wonderland to tell a different tale than either of their original authors could have imagined.
In my opinion, Ms. Montgomery captures the spirit of L. Frank Baum's Oz series, albeit with a bit more mature an edge than some of Mr. Baum's works I can't see Santa Claus making a guest appearance in this series, for example. The author never actually says "Oz " (I don't think), and the young woman acting as our protagonist goes by "Dee" rather than "Dorothy", but we all know who she is. (NOTE: Legally, Mr. Baum's works are available for derivation however, the 1939 movie is not. SO, one can allude or directly reference one as long as it does not bring in the other which is quite the slippery slope. This may explain the author's reticence to be direct.) The new characters she introduces would fit in quite well in one of Mr. Baum's original works to the point where I am assuming that they are new characters, but would not be surprised had they been taken from one of the later Oz books!
Wonderland is not quite how I remembered it. The land that Ms. Montgomery describes is a darker place than I pictured from reading Lewis Carroll (or from watching the Disney cartoon, which of course being a Disney cartoon was brightened up a bit). Still, the tone set in this land is actually appropriate and explainable, based upon the behavior of the Red Queen and her subjects.
All in all, an interesting and mostly enjoyable literary effort. I'd encourage our author to return to this / these world(s) and tell us more tales of Dee, the Hatter, and the rest. (And, I think I'm finally ready to post that original review, which I have tucked aside waiting ...)
RATING: 4 stars
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for a promise of a prompt and honest review. I provided no guarantees of any reaction, positive or negative, only my usual commitment to do so in a civil and polite manner.
Then, I received a copy of Twisted, the start of Ms. Montgomery's new series. I read it and I really liked it! The author blends two famed fantasy realms together in this series Oz and Wonderland to tell a different tale than either of their original authors could have imagined.
In my opinion, Ms. Montgomery captures the spirit of L. Frank Baum's Oz series, albeit with a bit more mature an edge than some of Mr. Baum's works I can't see Santa Claus making a guest appearance in this series, for example. The author never actually says "Oz " (I don't think), and the young woman acting as our protagonist goes by "Dee" rather than "Dorothy", but we all know who she is. (NOTE: Legally, Mr. Baum's works are available for derivation however, the 1939 movie is not. SO, one can allude or directly reference one as long as it does not bring in the other which is quite the slippery slope. This may explain the author's reticence to be direct.) The new characters she introduces would fit in quite well in one of Mr. Baum's original works to the point where I am assuming that they are new characters, but would not be surprised had they been taken from one of the later Oz books!
Wonderland is not quite how I remembered it. The land that Ms. Montgomery describes is a darker place than I pictured from reading Lewis Carroll (or from watching the Disney cartoon, which of course being a Disney cartoon was brightened up a bit). Still, the tone set in this land is actually appropriate and explainable, based upon the behavior of the Red Queen and her subjects.
All in all, an interesting and mostly enjoyable literary effort. I'd encourage our author to return to this / these world(s) and tell us more tales of Dee, the Hatter, and the rest. (And, I think I'm finally ready to post that original review, which I have tucked aside waiting ...)
RATING: 4 stars
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for a promise of a prompt and honest review. I provided no guarantees of any reaction, positive or negative, only my usual commitment to do so in a civil and polite manner.
