The untold adventures of Alice - excuse me, Alyss - in Wonderland continue in Frank Beddor's second novel, Seeing Redd, in The Looking Glass Wars series. While Alyss's devilish Aunt Redd was banished to the oblivion found in the Heart Crystal, the reigning queen of Wonderland has begun to reconstruct her fallen land and bring peace to her people once again. However, as with every good-and-evil story, darkness lurks in the corners of light, waiting to pounce at the least expected moment.
But this time, that darkness (I am speaking of Redd here, by the way) is gathering a few comrades to help make a cleaner sweep of the kingdoms.
In attempt to return to her place at Queen of Wonderland (and perhaps pick up a few more lands along the way), Aunt Redd begins seeking an entrance into the Looking Glass Maze, which, upon completion, delivers to the victor a great increase to their imagination's strength. However, unable to access the Maze through her own means, she seeks, and unexpectedly finds, the knowledge she needs to gain the power she seeks.
Meanwhile, the distant droves of Boarderland is being ruled by the devious King Arch, who, in attempt to bring Alyss's former bodyguard Hatter Madigan under his allegiance, kidnaps Madigan's newly-discovered daughter, Molly, who also used to serve as Alyss's protector.
The story takes unexpected turns and twists as Redd recruits Earth residents that possess unusual and plain creepy Black Imagination-powered abilities and techniques, including the control of skeletons and the (and I use this term loosely) art of live autopsies. With a scarily expanded army backing her up, Redd vows her return to the throne, even with Alyss's powerful imagination standing in the way.
Beddor masters the art of suspense in this book, leading the reader through a series of paths that give the reader not one clue to how the book will close. The expanded knowledge on Redd's past and her removal from the inheritance of the throne develops the character to her fullest extent, but not necessarily in her favor. The more developed her character is, the more wicked she becomes. The book ends with a few select, unexpected losses, but on a note of future continuation. But with Beddor currently working on bringing the current books to the silver screen, it may be a while until the war truly sees an end.
- T.C. Robson
myspace.com/tcrobson
But this time, that darkness (I am speaking of Redd here, by the way) is gathering a few comrades to help make a cleaner sweep of the kingdoms.
In attempt to return to her place at Queen of Wonderland (and perhaps pick up a few more lands along the way), Aunt Redd begins seeking an entrance into the Looking Glass Maze, which, upon completion, delivers to the victor a great increase to their imagination's strength. However, unable to access the Maze through her own means, she seeks, and unexpectedly finds, the knowledge she needs to gain the power she seeks.
Meanwhile, the distant droves of Boarderland is being ruled by the devious King Arch, who, in attempt to bring Alyss's former bodyguard Hatter Madigan under his allegiance, kidnaps Madigan's newly-discovered daughter, Molly, who also used to serve as Alyss's protector.
The story takes unexpected turns and twists as Redd recruits Earth residents that possess unusual and plain creepy Black Imagination-powered abilities and techniques, including the control of skeletons and the (and I use this term loosely) art of live autopsies. With a scarily expanded army backing her up, Redd vows her return to the throne, even with Alyss's powerful imagination standing in the way.
Beddor masters the art of suspense in this book, leading the reader through a series of paths that give the reader not one clue to how the book will close. The expanded knowledge on Redd's past and her removal from the inheritance of the throne develops the character to her fullest extent, but not necessarily in her favor. The more developed her character is, the more wicked she becomes. The book ends with a few select, unexpected losses, but on a note of future continuation. But with Beddor currently working on bringing the current books to the silver screen, it may be a while until the war truly sees an end.
- T.C. Robson
myspace.com/tcrobson
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