The Looking Glass Wars

By Frank Beddor

Dial Books/Penguin Group, Hardcover, $17.99, 358 Pages.

Her Aunt Redd murdered her parents. Her friend Dodge hides her under a banquet table and her protector, Hatter Madigan, bears her away and jumps with her into the Pool of Tears, a gate to many places on our world. She lands in central London, he in Paris. Now Princess Alyss Heart, small child and heiress to the Wonderland throne is stranded alone on Earth. She must survive the streets, endure an orphanage, deal with an adoption and cling to the memories of her Wonderland Heritage.

She confided her problems to the Reverend Dodgson who writes badly distorted version which angered her greatly, but did eventually attract the attention of Hatter. But her problems get worse. The Redd’s Assassin Cat is seeking her and she and Hatter flee back to Wonderland where she meets again her childhood friend Dodge, now a rebel against Redd.

Can Alyss, still a young person, rally supporters, defeat Redd, and rebuild Wonderland to its former glory?

The novel is a marvelous skewed version of Lewis Carrol’s tale. All of the old characters are present. The multi-lived [Cheshire] Cat is the Assassin. Bibwit Harte, a giant white Albino, is the royal tutor. The nobles are suited as Diamonds, Clubs and Spades. Redd has mostly eliminated the Hearts. Hatter Madigan is obvious.

The story is consistent, fast-paced and wonderful. Recommended. - Gary Swaty