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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Seeing Redd

by Frank Beddor

I love that there are so many books available and in so many different genres. We have the freedom to branch out and enjoy the best of the creative world, not just in books but in art, furniture, vehicles, television, movies, and food. Creative is the perfect word to describe my most recent completion.

I read the first book in this series, The Looking Glass Wars, two year ago and loved it. I encouraged my daughter to read it and she loved it. She has laid claim to the book! Which I actually don't mind because I don't tend to reread very often, but she might. Besides one of the joys of being a mom is watching your child's library and love of books grow.

When Seeing Redd arrived in the mail a few weeks ago she was ecstatic. Lucky for me she was 'into' another book so I was able to read it first.
Alyss of Wonderland’s rule has only just begun and already those who prefer chaos to peace are threatening to destroy everything worth imagining. Trailed by newly appointed Royal Bodyguard Homburg Molly, Alyss does her best to keep pace with the spiraling, non-stop demands of being Queen while attempting to evade Molly for a few private moments with Dodge. Alyss’s life is already a challenging mix of duty, love and imagining when a series of phantom sightings set fire to an urban myth of her Imperial Viciousness’s return and have everyone… Seeing Redd.
Has Redd somehow freed herself and her chief assassin, the Cat, from the confines of the Heart Crystal to challenge her niece once again? If not, then who has resurrected Redd’s brutal footsoldiers, the Glass Eyes, and set them loose to attack Wonderland on all sides?
Battles rage, looking glasses explode and the Alyssians are once again uniting to defend White Imagination in this fast-paced second book in The Looking Glass Wars trilogy.
It's not necessary to have read Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to enjoy this splendid take-off. I have but my daughter has not and it doesn't seem to diminish her enjoyment of the book. The story of Alice is so well known and the characters are familiar. We already know the evil Queen of Hearts, we just didn't know that she is Alyss's aunt Redd.

I would classify this trilogy as science fiction more than fantasy. The alternative world of Wonderland is quite the scientific marvel especially when compared with Alice's quiet life as the daughter of the Dean of Christ's church in 1860's England.

10 comments:

Staci said...

I have these books on my middle school library shelves and most of the kids who have read it really enjoyed it,but I never knew about the connection with Alice's Adventure so that will be a cool way to get them to read that book also!!

Lexi said...

For some reason, this sounds like a video game to me. But it still sounds like something I'd like to read.

jenclair said...

I've heard about The Looking Glass Wars, but haven't read it. Sounds like it may be time to start this series!

Jill said...

I have heard so many great things about this series - I really must get to it soon. Nice review!

Kailana said...

I was thinking the other day I really should read this book. I read the first book quite some time ago.

Framed said...

The cover looks marvelous. I may have borrow these books from Katie if I ever get caught up.

Booklogged said...

Staci, I don't know that your encouraging your middle school students to read Carroll will work. The books read entirely differently.

Lexi, the whole idea of these books would make a fun video game. I wonder if Beddor has thought of that.

Jenclair, as always it would be great to hear your thoughts about this series.

Darla, I think it's so creative.

Kailana, I probably enjoyed the first book more, but I liked this one a lot, too.

Framed, is there such a thing as 'caught up'? My copy of Fatal Grace arrived today, but it will be on hold for awhile. :(

Jeanne said...

My 12-year-old son and I thought the first one, The Looking Glass Wars, dragged the pace a little, especially towards the end, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this one or not. Maybe I will, since you liked it.

Ladytink_534 said...

I wish the third one would hurry up and come out! I seriously love this series!

Anonymous said...

I'm with TInk, the third book needs to come out already! I read the grahic novel associated with the stories Hatter M which was a fun read, I hope there is more to his story as well as the main trilogy.