To Escape a Wonderland by Cece Louise

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

To Escape a Wonderland

by Cece Louise

Series: Shattered Tales #3, Forest Tales #5
Published by Jabberwocky Tales on October 10, 2023
Genres: Fairy Tales Folklore Fantasy
Pages: 220
Format: Kindle
Source: the Author
Goodreads
BookBub
Storygraph
Get Your Copy at: Amazon
Also in this series: Desperate Forest, The Jabberwocky Princess, Mazarine, In a Dark, Dark Wood

What if Alice was trapped in Wonderland?

Alice once fell in love with the wrong man and paid a devastating price. Now she hides a dark secret and will stop at nothing to discover what happened to the sister she left behind. Bayne, a former knight, only wants a fresh start after his service almost cost him his life—and his mind. He certainly isn’t expecting a run-in with a thieving maidservant from his prior kingdom to change everything.

When the two are captured by outlaws and forced to partake in a traitorous plot, they end up lost in a perilous enchanted land with no way out. They must learn to trust each other—and themselves—if they hope to be freed from a twisted world where nothing is what it seems.

But the clock is ticking and some riddles have no answer. Can they escape before it’s too late, or will they be trapped in a land of madness forever?

To Escape a Wonderland is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romance, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

To Escape a Wonderland by Cece Louise has Alice and Bayne trapped in Wonderland and trying to escape.

Will Alice and Bayne get out before they are driven mad?

Alice

Alice was a maid for Princess Opal before she left to go in search of a sister that she longed thought was dead. She encounters Bayne, and he decides to keep Alice company on her way back. I love Alice and Bayne in all the forms they show each other throughout the story. Alice has baggage that she doesn’t want anyone else to know. Not only that, but she has a deep, dark secret that she knows will keep her from experiencing joy ever again.

Bayne

Sir Bayne was the head knight of Fernshire until he quit because of his recent bout of madness from looking into the Jabberwocky’s eyes. Not many people know much about Bayne, and that’s because, much like Alice, he keeps people at arm’s length away. He blames many things that went wrong with his family on himself instead of focusing on the good. Bayne tries to do the same with Alice, but it becomes impossible when, thanks to his knightly ways, he pops back into the world he escaped from to save Alice. Except if they don’t find a way to escape without the help of a Jabberwocky in the real world, then they might both be doomed to stay put in that world, going mad.

The slow-going romance between these two is awesome. I loved their banter and how they tried not to cross that line.

Five Stars

I am giving five stars to To Escape a Wonderland by Cece Louise, and I’m recommending it. Ms. Louise brought another exciting tale to her Forest Tales series, and I loved being back with some familiar characters. I have always loved how Ms. Louise can put a new spin on a fairy tale that makes it unique to her world but makes sure it still fits in with what she has already established.

I loved seeing what happens to the people who have looked into the Jabberwocky’s eyes and not be eaten by the Jabberwocky. It’s a thrilling place, that’s for sure. I loved the elements from the Alice in Wonderland tale that made it into the book while still being true to the story. Ms. Louise did a fantastic job, and I can’t wait to see what else she does.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of To Escape a Wonderland by Cece Louise.

Until the next time,

Happy Reading!

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2023 Goodreads RC

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