Alice Will

Dreams of Chaos #1

by Ashley Chappell

With her leaky powers and premature smiting problem, fourteen year-old Trotter was still just trying to get the hang of the demi-godding business when the apocalypse began. In a world where the gods have withdrawn from humanity, leaving mortals bitter toward magic, she finds herself torn between the human and the goddess in her. When the world begins to fade away and she becomes the prime suspect, her search to determine the cause and prove her innocence ends up revolving around a mysterious little girl named Alice. Then she discovers that not all of the gods had been as distant as they seemed...

Now, with everyone against her and the gods fighting amongst themselves, Trotter is on her own to save her world and stop a spiteful god from using Alice to destroy everything.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Paranormal, Magic

297 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 13, 2012

About the author

Ms. Chappell currently resides in Huntsville, AL with the love of her life. She is a contractor for NASA in the Rocket City and during her writing time her cats sometimes share her lap with her computer, should they choose to allow the usurpation at all. She is an avid lover of nature who enjoys climbing, camping, hiking and sailing.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Seckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very seldom does a writer make me want to read slower, but draw me toward the end so hard I want to skip pages. I mean it's like you want to enjoy every well structured phrase and bit of humor, but at the same time, you want to know how it ends. That's how I felt reading Alice Will. So many good things about this book. It's smart, it's funny, it's sad, it's action packed. Simply put, I am in awe. It's like Harry Potter with a divine twist!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Will (Dreams of Chaos #1)
By Ashley Chappell
4 stars

I think out of all the paranormal and fantasy books that I have read I seem to really enjoy Demi-God stories so I was really excited when I found a new one to read – plus it had cats in it too!!! I really enjoyed this story; I thought the author did a great job with the storyline and the pace of the story too. The plot was really good and kept my interest throughout. The characters that appeared in the story were really imaginative, well thought out and I can see YA in particular enjoying reading about them. The author’s descriptive language was also a good point for this book.
I particularly liked that the story felt unique, the gods chosen in particular weren’t ones that you usually see in stories which made it nice to read. There were some good twists and turns along the way and I could definitely see this book being a hit with YA who like fantasy books.
Overall a really good story, that is well written and enjoyable to read. I would definitely like to read more from this author in the future and be transported off to magical lands!

[Dennis Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel duty bound to say, up front, that this book is best read by “cat people” as opposed to “dog people”… like me. That aside, this book won me over. It didn’t even take that long for it to do so.


I’ve done a lot more reading of Urban Fantasy and Modern Fantasy of late, and so this book was a pleasant breath of fresh air as it took me back into a realm of the Fantasy genre I hadn’t been to in a while. While this is definitely Fantasy fare of the most classical kind it is not a rehashing of previous stories, a retelling of Tolkien, Weis and Hickman, Salvatore, or Eddings. In fact the author, Chappell, has provided us here with anything but. It's amusing, interesting, and engaging, providing us with vividly fleshed out characters that are not only believable and relatable but easy to become intellectually involved with.


I will not get into explanations of locations I enjoyed or characters I did (or did not) like, as I believe you should actually read the book for yourself. I wouldn’t recommend it to you, if I didn’t feel that way about it. I also will not dwell on the finer points that disappointed me, as that is subjective, and I know others who don’t agree with my assessments in that area.


What I will say is that when this book is good, which is 96.3% of the time… it is damn good. The world was rich, and while there were sequences that I will admit weren’t as good as others, I found myself so deeply bound to following the character’s lives I eagerly continued reading. I think of all the books I’ve read this year I would have to say this was the easiest and most enjoyable and relaxing read.


I will gladly return to follow any further adventures that Trotter has in store, as I would also gladly fork over a few dollars to follow Chappell’s forays into other genres of writing if she chooses to go in new directions. I am a fan of her skilled depictions of the complex as well as her grasp of humor. (It makes it hard to believe that this is her debut.)


Conclusion: Alice Will is definitely worth the time and money if you are a true fan of Fantasy fiction. You will not be disappointed.

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: ALICE WILL by Ashley Chappell
[DREAMS OF CHAOS #1]

First in a young adult fantasy series, ALICE WILL stars a fourteen-year-old girl named Trotter whose companion is a vocal feline named Prowler. Trotter happens to be a demi-goddess, and not yet too talented with it. When she discovers the world disappearing little by little, what can she do but step in, be suspected, try to prove herself--and in the process discover mysterious little Alice...

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Will: Dreams of Chaos Book 1 by Ashley Chappell is the first book in her Dreams of Chaos series. This is a young adult fantasy book that will keep you reading until the last page. This is my first story by this author and I enjoyed the fantasy characters and how easy flowing her writing style is. She created many different types of characters that kept the story engaging. They were connectable and lovable. They took me on an emotional roller coaster ride from laughter to compassion. They took me on some twists and turns that I didn't see coming and left me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what will happen next. This is the story of Alice and Trotter. They are two young girls trying to find their way through a world full of war. They both have powers, Trotter knows how his powers work but Alice has yet to find out about how powerful her powers are. What will happen when these two are faced with the suspension of causing harm to the human population? Is it possible that they will be the ones to save the world? One of the things I enjoyed most about this story is how in the beginning this author gives two different perspectives and then the farther you read, you get how they are connected. Alice has never really had a family nor has she ever felt loved. Then you have Trotter who really hasn't accepted her self. They both have some unique relationships with other characters in this story that was great to see. This author has created some unique secondary characters that bring life to this story and meaning that will pull at your heart strings. I know you will find a favorite character among them, like the cute kitty bears. I highly recommend this book. This story will take you on a journey of gods and creatures that you won't soon forget.

[A.G. Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Alice Will there was no way I couldn't give it 5 stars! If I could give it more then I would! Alice Will is a unique and intriguing fantasy novel. Chappel writes with wit, humor, and a touch of the bizarre. The world she has built around Chaos is dense and once you start reading you get completely immersed in the many layers of humans, gods, and mystical creatures. The main character, Trotter, is the hero our generation of young readers need. Not that she isn't a hero for all ages, but what she represents is so important. She has all the classic characteristics of bravery and self-sacrifice, but she's not broken from her past. Trotter uses the pain from her past wounds to propel her forward. On top of that, she is so full of love and humanity. She just has a big heart! And, Prowler, a magical cat, is one of the best supporting characters I've ever come across in a book. He's probably my favorite! There just isn't enough I can say about how wonderful this book is and I can't wait to read the next in the series!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...

Alice Will by Ashley Chappell is the story of a 14-year-old demigod named Trotter who is just coming into her powers. She’s going through an awkward preteen age, and that means she’s pretty bad at magic. She can’t even get the hang of using it to make her hair behave. Trotter has a talking cat named Prowler who serves as her guardian. Prowler is a noble kitty who has a good heart and loves seafood. One day Trotter does something really amazing with magic and makes an item from the past show up. That’s the moment that the apocalypse starts. People think it’s her, but it’s really not.

You see, this is also the story of Alice. Alice is just a little kid, and she’s an indentured servant at an inn. She’s starved and mistreated there, and she dreams of a better life. Alice is powerful too, but she doesn’t know it. She thinks she’s completely human. Then she starts realizing by accident that her wishes and desires can manifest and become reality. She starts out trying to improve her life, and like any six year old, she doesn’t realize that her actions have consequences. Her powers have been noticed by a sadistic god named Laramak who was imprisoned by Trotter’s father a long time ago after doing a lot of terrible things. Laramak sees Alice’s naivete as an opportunity for him to regain his powers and rule/destroy what’s left of the world.

Trotter is in a unique position to stop Laramak and save Alice (and the world). Part of the lore in Alice Will is that the gods had a war, and then they went through a period where they kept changing reality all the time. They saw life as interchangeable, and so it really didn’t bother them if they turned a human into a unicorn or threw people to all corners of creation, erasing and reshaping their existences. Of course, anyone living through that time would have had major problems. After the war ended, the gods decided that it would be better for everyone if they kept to their own realm, and let the humans live their own lives and make their own mistakes without interference. Alice and Laramak are in the human world. As a demigod, Trotter isn’t confined to either.

Sounds like an interesting premise, right?

And yet, I had a difficult time getting into the story, even though I came around somewhat by the end. It wasn’t that there was any one major thing that was wrong with the book, but rather a lot of little things that bugged me and could have been fixed with another round or two of edits. Take, for instance, an anachronistic Dr. Seuss reference. Alice Will is a completely different world than our own, so there should be no Dr. Seuss. And then there’s the running motif that the gods have no imagination, but then we see the gods crafting some rather creative monstrosities.

Alice Will has a lot of humor, but I didn’t think a lot of the jokes were funny. Now, that’s probably just me being weird, because I couldn’t get into Good Omens either and everyone tells me that that book is hilarious. I told my boyfriend that I was having a hard time getting the jokes, and he asked me tongue-in-cheek if maybe the real problem is that I’m a grumpy old lady at heart. There’s a fair chance that his assumption was accurate.

But as the book progressed, I started to get it. There were several parts of Alice Will that made me silently chuckle. Ursula and her teddy bears are a good example. When gods lose their worshipers, they fade away into something less than what they once were. Ursula was once a warrior goddess, but as people forgot the bulk of her story, she instead became the goddess of bears. Cute stuffed ones, apparently.

And I did enjoy many of Chappell’s anecdotes about the nature of stories/legends/gods/etc. Like this part, where Prowler is explaining to Trotter why the gods are so dangerous, even though they seem like nice people:

“They have no frame of reference for life! They live forever and can’t die. Therefore, they have no fear of death. Just because they created something that can die doesn’t mean they understand the concept of death at all. That’s what makes them so dangerous. They don’t actually intend to do anything outright evil, even though it seems that way.”

And for all that I’ve talked about Trotter, it was Alice’s story that impressed me the most. Alice could be Cosette from Les Mis, or Cinderella, or Sara Crewe from A Little Princess. She’s the typical abused yet virtuous orphan girl. And yet, Alice isn’t waiting for a rescue. Instead of just going along with the hand fate dealt her, she changes the face of reality, and that’s pretty awesome.

In retrospect, I think my real problem with the book was that the Trotter/Prowler combo reminded me a bit too much of Sailor Moon.

I’m a bit older than the target audience for Alice Will, which is YA/middle grade, and some of the jokes that I didn’t find as funny were probably much more suited to a different age group. I’d encourage anyone who is considering reading the book to look around at other reviews, because the reader response to this book has been overwhelmingly positive.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I finally had the time yesterday/this morning to settle down and really dive into this book the way I haven't been able to do since I started it, and I finish the entire second half in two sittings. WHEW. I was hooked.

I have to say: I chose a bad time to start this book. Especially with new books and authors, I like to be able to sit down and really get immersed in the new style and story, and I generally end up plowing through it (sometimes out of sheer curiosity about how the author will manage). However, I started this book when the busiest part of school hit, so I had to take it just a dozen or so pages a day, starting and stopping, and sometimes going long enough between times I got to pick it up that how fast I was reading it would leave me struggling to remember what I had finished last time I let off.

But every time it would only take me a couple lines to find my way back into the story. Everything was distinct, and the world was a complex one but so easily and vibrantly explained that diving back in after all my brief hiatuses was no trouble.

Let me say first that it’s been a long time since I read a story from the third person omniscient perspective, so I wasn’t expecting that to be the style. At first, it threw me. But then I was so curious about what was going to happen and how all these storylines would tie together, that it ceased to bother me. And that’s saying something, because generally I cannot get on board with that style. The story would not have worked without this particular point of view (or it wouldn't have worked as well), because not only do we see Trotter and Alice and the gods, we see sweeping aerial scenes and Chaos, and in my opinion there would have been far too much jumping from character's mind to character's mind had omniscient not been the perspective. It worked, and I thoroughly enjoyed it in this book, so well done, Ms. Chappell!

I had a hard time deciding whether to classify this book as middle-grade or YA. There was some description or a curse word that had me leaning toward YA, but then some of the easy humor and the age of the characters seemed more middle-grade. Either way it was still a simple, good-old-fashioned fantasy. There were realms and magic and gods and mystical creatures, and the world was fed to you a little at a time so it never felt overwhelming. Ashley Chappell has an amazing imagination; I was sucked into the hilarious descriptions of the gods’ realms, the mode of transportation within Realm, and the unique magic surrounding the characters. With so many “demigod” stories out right now, Ms. Chappell’s book managed to never make the mistake of falling in with the rest of the genre; the gods were not Greek, the main character, Trotter, was not the only important and powerful one, and even the magic was not traditional. I didn't feel like I could guess everything that was going to happen, and I certainly didn't. There were surprises and reveals and plenty to keep readers on the edge of their seats!

My only wish for this story was that some of the scenes would be expanded. It was definitely not something to bring my rating down even a whole half-star, and honestly, I'm not sure it's something worth that .25-star reduction. But sometimes I would be so invested in the scene that was happening or coming up and I would have loved to see some of those be longer, more detailed, dived into further, but instead the story moved on. Now, the quick pace was one of the things that kept me so invested—the story never dragged, and I HUGELY appreciated that. Too many stories do.

As an author who's had to attempt some serious world-building myself, I'm awed by Ashley Chappell's ability to do so. Imagination flowed off the page, and everything was so unique and so fitting; it never seemed like she'd had to spend ages deciding how this or that particular piece of her world would appear. It flowed naturally, and she commanded every single bit masterfully, and that made Alice Will utterly enjoyable!


I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kayla Beck Kalnasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Bibliophilia, Please.

A lot of YA fantasy novels that I read these days seem to be dark or romance-based. Alice Will by Ashley Chappell is something refreshing that I've been missing lately - a whimsical fantasy novel in the vein of Diana Wynne Jones.

Now as to whether Alice Will itself is YA, it was kind of hard for me to put a finger on. There were times that it read like a middle grade novel because of the characters and humor, but the writing style definitely pushed it towards being something for a more advanced reader. There were a lot of descriptions that made for a slow build to action, and the word usage and writing style was certainly not juvenile most of the time.

The characters that I brought up a moment ago were very young and fun, and I think Prowler was my favorite. I don't care how they act or what the story is about, but if you give me a talking cat, it's going to be my favorite character. Period. For some reason, he reminded me a bit of Luna and Artemis from the old Sailor Moon TV show. Again, how could I not love a snarky cat?

Something truly unique about Alice Will is the mythology. There are gods and magic, but they aren't any that you typically see. You know, original, not Greek or formulaic fantasy goodness. It is always refreshing to enter and explore a new world, but at the same time, it can be frustrating when the pace slows. (It's slow for me when I don't know what's going on.)

Alice Will by Ashley Chappell was a fun book to read, and I think it will be a hit for teens who enjoy a more romance-free fantasy novel. I think fans of Jones' Howl's Moving Castle and Neil Gaiman's Stardust will enjoy reading this book.

- 3.5/5 Stars -

To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received a copy of the novel from the author through TLC Book Tours in exchange for an unbiased review. It has in no way affected the outcome. All expressed opinions are awesome, honest, and courtesy of me.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Will by Ashley Chappell is a Young Adult fantasy novel that was a fantastic read! I really enjoy books that are full of magic, demons, and goddesses and Alice Will delivered on all counts along with a fourteen year old heroine who can definitely kick some butt when she needs to! I was drawn into this book from the start with the world building, characters, and vivid imagery that made me feel as though I was a part of the book itself. One thing for sure – Ashley Chappell has quite the imagination!

We have fourteen year old Trotter who is a demi- goddess with Prowler, the talking cat (which I loved). We also have almost seven year old Alice who is just a lonely little girl working as a servant. Yet there is something about Alice… Now Trotter knows she has magical abilities. The only problem as she sees it is that she can’t manage to get her magic to work properly and more often than not causes herself more problems by using it. However when the world as she knows it begins to crumble she learns that it is she who is to save it. Really??? She doesn’t think so. She can’t even get her magic to work! Yet as she begins her adventure she also begins to learn just how powerful she actually is and just how Alice has been changing the world around herself.

I don’t want to give away any of this story because that would just ruin a good adventure for someone else. I do want to say how fresh and fun this book was though. Trotter is a great character and she had me laughing more than once and Prowler her cat is just a hoot! Yet there is also a deeper element of emotion in this book that shows the value of believing in yourself and in what is right and good. There are twists and turns, scary monsters, and secrets unfolded that are sure to hold any reader captive.

I’d say this book falls between middle grade and young adult as both could enjoy it. And as you all know I’m neither at my age and I thought it was a great story. I’m excited as I’m going to be reviewing the second in the series called Tilt next week. I can’t wait to get back to Trotter’s world and see what she’s up to next! Recommended for young and old readers especially those who love a good old fashioned fantasy novel that is really well written and exciting!

[Sara Oxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Will: Dreams Of Chaos by Ashley Chappell a four-star read that will whisk you away. Alice and Trotter are both very complex characters, they each face different difficulties but, in some ways, they face the same. This is a great young adult fantasy series, it has the best qualities of the genre, showing us the difficulties young people face and how together they can share the burden. This has great highs and depths that will have laughing and then feeling despair and compassion. This shows us a great start to what I hope is a great series, I haven’t read the author before, but I will be keeping an eye out now. This is a great story, of powers and gods and worlds that will keep you in suspense and surprise you at every turn.

[Vanessa Eccles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is well-written and highly imaginative. Its wit, suspense, and vivid descriptions of both characters and place leaves readers in awe. My favorite quote from the book perhaps explains what makes story telling so powerful: "Some stories are told to celebrate memories. Some stories are told to transform them. Sometimes a story describes something so terrible that people need to forget the horrific events that entailed the original story and over time the story gains a hero, a new twist, or even a happy ending. It isn't long in the retelling that the terrible memory is no longer a memory at all, and becomes no more real than a child's fairy tale." (80) This story is captivating because the author truly knows what great stories are made of and has the talent to create them. I can't wait to read what else comes from the mind of Ashley Chappell.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good old-fashioned fantasy ala Lord of the Rings. It's a rollicking adventure with nail-biting suspense tempered with humor. Alice and Trotter, the two main characters, stumble through the story trying to solve problems much too complicated and dangerous for a couple of little girls, and I often ended up cheering for them as they dealt with monsters, evil spells, bad weather, nasty gods, a reality that is never quite what it seems, and a weird cat that used to be... It's a solid adventure. The author has a deep grasp of human (and cat) nature and, and her characters are very real as a result. I rarely finish fantasy stories, but I was pulled into this one and enjoyed it to the satisfying end. Recommended.

[Steven Peeples · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that my preferred genre is not fantasy nor am I a young adult. This didn’t keep me from immensely enjoying the book however. It was chance that put this book in my hand and am glad for it. Although this is Chappell’s debut book the articulation of her unlimited imagination is apparent by the intricate world and characters she conjures. My most favorite parts of the book and the author’s strong suit I think are the battle sequences. These scenes at the apex of conflict keep you at the edge of your seat and never fail to deliver resolution and gratification for the reader’s investment.

[E.M. MacCallum · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Alice Will" is rife with humour, drama and a multitude of relationships that I loved exploring. I doubt there's a single person who couldn't relate to Alice's loneliness or Trotter's desire to know the truth.

As the story progresses we are pulled along with Trotter and her best pal, and talking enchanted cat, Prowler. They face some great triumphs and sadness in their quest to save Realm. Then there is the sad and yearning life of little Alice. Her need for acceptance in the world is almost palpable.

There was plenty of action and a roller coaster plot that kept me glued to the pages. The storytelling is flawless. I couldn't find anything I didn't like and enjoyed every twist and turn.

[Tammy Theriault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total mixture of Monty Pythons, Labrynth, Alice in Wonderland, and Harry Potter. I loved every minute of reading the book and took my time enjoying the amaZing descriptions!!

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so it took me over a year to finish this book - I started in February 2018, and it's May 2019 now. I read heaps of books between starting this one and finishing it, of course, but despite this book coming and going from my life while remaining unread, I didn't want to give up on it. Despite how hard it sometimes felt to make progress with the read, I really did enjoy the book whenever I picked it up again.

The book is set in a world that is so richly built, and so unique, that I frequently felt amazement at what I was reading. I could picture the scenes vividly in my mind but I also had to really suspend belief here and there, or maybe it was more a case of expanding my mind to accommodate what I was reading about. It's a complicated world, or rather, set of worlds, and while they each have their own rules, they're also all interconnected and reliant upon each other.

There are serious moments, and there are ridiculous, amusing moments. I laughed quite often but also felt rage when bad guys were doing bad things. I was proud of Trotter and her resolve to do what had to be done. I was also proud of the other characters who played their parts. Despite what I said earlier in a comment about not being big on talking cats, I grew rather fond of Prowler, and felt exasperated for him and some of the things he had to put up with. ;) I'm glad he got his seafood buffet at last though!

Some little details about the world of DoC that I loved:

- There's a Hostage Crab!
- There are teddy cats! Nuts
- There's a guy called Barry Metric
- There's a desert called the Soggy Desert
- There's a mountain range called the Prawn Mountains

Some fave quotes:

“I’m a little busy at the moment!” he complained through a mouthful of teddy bear.

This time she didn’t even notice the childish décor and the sad bear cub Poo-Poo grumbling at the teddy cat that kept trying to climb up his back.

The bed was covered from end to end with small mewling teddy bears similar to the one that Ursula had been clutching in her parlor, and in all different colors.

Again, most of the city shut down and everyone celebrated by giving each other, in addition to confused looks, chocolate covered hard-boiled eggs, which nobody ate, and had city wide duck hunts. Not that they shot the ducks, of course. They simply hid them in various cupboards, alleys, and trees while the children tried to find them. Getting them to not quack was the trick.

“What’s a cat got to do to get a drink around here?” he asked irritably.

To conclude, I think I may have to read on with this series. But the thought scares me, in case it takes me another 1+ yrs to read the next one. Maybe I'll give things a rest & return to the matter later.

[Anantha Rusum · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world in on the verge of war. The Gods are all set to fight against each other. A young demi-God, Trotter, who does not know her lineage and powers, finds herself in the middle of this epic battle, and before she realizes, the onus is on her to save the world.
There is the realm, the world of Gods and there is Aevum, the common world. There is a wedge, which connects these two worlds together. Gods are not supposed to cross the wedge and meddle in the life of humans, as per the signed Accord. But one demi-God, Alice breaches this accord by unknowingly tapping into her powers and alters the course of the world. This wakes up all the dormant Gods, both good and evil. Evil tries to reach out to Alice to change the course of events further and bring back the God of war, who had been tricked and trapped by the other Gods to maintain peace in the world. Now the good Gods reach out to fourteen-year-old- Trotter, to use her powers to stop Alice and the evil Gods, who are all set to seek their vengeance and destroy the world.
This is a typical fantasy young adult plot, but every book varies based on how the author constructs her plot and pours her imagination into the characters and the settings. I really liked the fantasy element in this book and how all the mythical creatures are described. The talking cat, the watching Falcon, the grotesque mermaids, and dangerous demons. There is the Canvas which holds the memories of one and all, a backdrop on which everyone can paint their own memories. So, the Gods who have access to this Canvas, can go back and forth and change the course of the World. All they have to do is to fiddle with a memory of someone, which can trigger a whole new set of actions. I loved this concept and the imagination is brilliant.
But I did feel a disconnect with the characters themselves, I felt they did not grow on me as much as I expected them to, at the beginning of the book. The destination matters and so does the journey. The relationships Trotter or Alice forge in their journey, do not seem deep as there is a constant rush to reach the end. Considering that the book is just about more than 300 pages, it falls trifle short to capture the huge appetite of the author. Too much happens in a very short span of time, and before you realize, you are at the climax. I felt there was not much need to tie up all the loose ends in this book. The author should have let somethings be, to be taken on in the subsequent books of the series. In the books of a similar genre, like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson or His Dark Materials, the loose ends are not tied till the very end of the series. Leaving this apart, the book is a very enjoyable read.
To summarize, a brilliant piece of work which triggers the reader’s imagination. I am very curious to read the second book, to see where this magical world leads to.

[Alex of Yoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I acquired this book from a friend of a friend at a convention, and I really, really want to like it more than I did. It had a lot of potential and great concepts, but I think it got ahead of itself.

Trotter is a 14 year old girl with a secret: she's a demi-god with powers most people would dream of having! But with her mother dead and her divine father absent, she's been left with no one but an enchanted cat to call family. Far away from her, a little girl named Alice also has a secret: a diary hidden beneath an old tree and a wish for a better life. One of them is about to trigger what could be the end of Reality as they know it, but they'll have to work together if they want to keep from losing everything they've ever known.

I can't tell you how pleased I am to finally be reading a teen fantasy with NO ROMANTIC INTERESTS. It's GREAT. I think there needs to be more novels out there where kids aren't defined by their raging hormones or need for a lover. That stuff is great, but it often becomes trite, overpowering, and unrealistic (at best, abusive at worst) in many teen/YA fantasies. It's so refreshing to not have that here! I liked the concepts of the gods and the differing realms (it felt very D&D inspired to me), and I liked the message of being careful what you wish for.

As a whole, though, I think it needs work. The writing is very choppy and there's far too much exposition in some places and far too little in others. The world felt hastily built and there wasn't enough back story or emotional connection with any of the characters. I had lost interest by the middle of it. It definitely needs fleshed out. It has a good skeleton idea to it, but I walked away scratching my head at the ending. It also has a number of editing mistakes. So, I think a good once-over would be helpful. It needs more foreshadowing, gentle world-building and exploration, and much more character development. I think it tried to do too much with too little.

There is fantasy violence, but nothing concerning. It's definitely appropriate for a middle-high schooler who loves fantasy. Unfortunately, it didn't hook me enough to make me want to continue the series. It's got some really fun ideas, but it explodes them onto the page instead of reveals them. Maybe the other books in the series help make it better, but, again, I'm not invested enough in the plot or characters to read more.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

a brilliant read about how small changes have great consequences. Trotter lives in a world where magic hides from humans. one day when she is repaying a friend for a favour, she transports a seashell from centuries ago. realising she is in danger, she searches to find some answers and revert the damage she created. on the way, she meets powerful gods and goddesses and learns how to control her powers to use them against a powerful threat that is emerging from the dead.
Meanwhile, a little girl wishes for happiness and a family, not knowing she is altering reality as she does. desperate for friends and a family, she delves deeper into her powers and causes trouble. but when danger arises, will she and Trotter be able to defeat it together before its too late?
a brilliant read. well developed plot. well developed characters, especially in Alice who ahd her talents but also her loneliness and wish for a family which was heartwrenching. Prowler was hilarious as a grumpy talking cat. Trotter was well written wit her strengths but also vulnerabilities as she grows to accept her powers. a range of strong characters in a wide range of magical worlds full of stunning visual detail. I especially adored the detail of Erovs cave, crystal palace, and spinechilling sea monsters. also the waterfall and the statue place was stunning in detail and vivid natural colours. I also loved the contrast of white and black for chaos and the canvas. an amazing example of world building. I loved the range of gods and goddesses, each with their own emotive backstory and vivid kingdom in Realm. I also enjoyed the unsual twists such as Ursula as a huntress and a mix of mythologies and demons for Laramak god of wat. his associate monsters were beautifully described and gave me goosebumps, with a spooky castle straight out of a gothic novel. Overall, a stunning novel and I would give it five stars.

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Will: Dreams of Chaos Book 1
By: Ashley Chappell
5 out of 5 stars

The story Alice Will: Dreams of Chaos Book 1 by Ashley Chappell is a YA/Fantasy book. It is a story that has action, danger, and magic. It is a book that hooked me from the beginning and I got lost in it until I had read the final page. I loved reading about the different characters, creatures, and gods that inhabit the worlds described. You also read about stories that have happened in the past. I loved the character of Trotter. She is a teenage demi-goddess who finds herself being watched and also a suspect in what is currently happening in her world as magic is involved. This starts her on a journey where she searches for the truth to how and why her world is being torn apart. Along the way, Trotter makes many discoveries. Will they help her to better understand what is happening? Will Trotter be able to stop the destruction of her world? I enjoyed reading about how Trotter’s character changes as the book progress. While some of her actions and responses to situations she faces are consistent with her being a teenager, she also shows she has an inner strength as well as compassion for others. I also loved the character of Alice. Although just a young girl she shows that there is more to her than meets the eye. Those around her are surprised at what she can do. There is also someone that is watching her as well and wants to use her and her gifts to help themselves. Will they succeed? One of the reasons that I enjoyed this book so much is the attention to detail that is given to both the storyline and the background of the characters. This is the first book I have read by the author. She has written a wonderful story with amazing characters. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to see what direction it takes. Don’t miss out on reading this story.

[Naomi Valkyrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Will is the first book in the Dreams of Chaos series. It doesn’t take long for this book to draw you in. There are may colorful characters and a great story line; it will keep you entertained from beginning to end. While reading the book I was particularly struck by the way the author was able to weave the idea of the empty void of Chaos holding all possibilities. I also really liked the way the book speaks about the concept of the mind being what creates reality. I have worked with both of these concepts spiritually and it is great to see them woven into a novel. I think this story will be a great way to introduce these ideas to my kids when they are a little older.

My favorite character in the series so far is Prowler. I love his sarcasm and wit. He brings great humor to the story with his antics.

Trotter is a teenager with powers she is reluctantly getting acquainted with. Although, living among humans who aren’t fond of magic is a great motivator to not really try to use them at all. The problem with that is, because she isn’t using them, her powers are leaking out and she’s having difficulty controlling them. She happy just going about her day like a normal person and not using powers, but apparently, she’s not going to have much of a choice.

When the world as she knows it begins to experience changes, Trotter is accused of being the one that started it. It was a case of wrong place, wrong time, but fear does strange things to people and now Trotter has to find the true source of the imbalance. Enter Alice. War is coming…and Trotter is the key to stopping it.

Intrigue. Laughter. Sadness. Chaos. Connection. Imagination. It’s a roller coaster you never want to stop riding.

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Will by Ashley Chappell is a brilliant fantasy story that follows two girls, Alice and Trotter, who both have incredible powers that they don't fully understand or know how to control. They live in a world of gods and magic where their powers attract a lot of attention. It's the first book in the Dreams of Chaos series.


I've really enjoyed reading this book. The fantasy setting has something of a Neil Gaiman feel to it, with elements that also bring to mind Lewis Carroll and Douglas Adams. It's very whimsical and at times surreal - a real treat for the imagination!


Alice and Trotter are both great characters. Their powers allow them to shape their realities according to their wishes and fantasies. Trotter is more hesitant with her powers - as she is older she's had more experiences of things going wrong. And she has Prowler - a talking cat who tries his very best to stop her doing anything dangerous!


The story has plenty of mysteries to unravel and threats to worry about. The narrative shifts frequently between different strands of the story, often leaving the reader on a slight cliffhanger.


I’d definitely recommend this to fantasy fans looking for something new to read. I'm already thinking of friends I could get it for! It's a great story, brilliant setting and loveable characters. A solid 5 stars from me!

[Erica Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Will: Dreams of Chaos Book 1
By Ashley Chappell

Who would have thought that two girls would have teamed up in the end to help save the world? Ashley Chappell did and did it beautifully. At first the story is a little hard to read due to being written in the third person, but once you get past that point it was smooth sailing. Chappell writes so vividly that you feel as you are in her world cheering Trotter and Alice on. You must give this story a chance and you will not regret it.

Trotter is starting to become a demi-god and really trying to get a handle on her powers. She is a brave young woman who is willing to fight evil whenever she gets a chance. She understands that her world is changing and will need to change with it. Alice is a young girl who never felt love from anyone. She has been a slave throughout her short life. Trotter and Alice crossed paths and that was the making of the great team. The evil god is in a tyrant and it appears as if Trotter and Alice need to conquer him to save the world. This world is like no other. There are different landscapes and creatures. Chappell does an amazing job to keep everything so real just as if you were in the story with Trotter and Alice. So settle down and get cozy because you are not going to put this book (or kindle) down.

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Will (Dreams of Chaos #1) by Ashley Chappell was an epic fantasy thrill ride that had me hooked from start to finish.

I love mythology, this take on the mythical world was unique and I loved every minute of it. Trotter, she's my girl. For being only 14 she was mature beyond her years, but still kept that childlikeness. I loved everything about her, strong, smart, witty, and fun. She wasn't going to let anything stand in her way from clearing her name.

This book was fun, so much fun. There was this quirkiness to it that kept the pace going. The plot stayed on point, and the writing was detailed, luscious and rich. The world building was fascinating, I felt like I was there, it moved in my head like a movie. I am hook on this series, and I have a feeling it's going to on my top ten list, and right up there next to my other favourite mythical reads.

My final thoughts, this book is worth the read. It's worth you taking the time to get lost in this magical word of gods, goddesses, magic and of course, fighting to save the world. Trotter will wiggle her way into your head, your heart and make you apart of her world.

Take my high recommendation that this book, this series is will make you obsessed. From the first word until the last, you will read this book in one sitting and you will be begging for more.

Happy Reading

-E.A. Walsh

[Katie Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Will by Ashley Chappell is the exciting story of 14 year old Trotter and her quest to save the world, and clear her name in the process.
From a young age Trotter learned that she was a demigoddess and that with this came amazing, and sometimes frightening, abilities. Born into a world where the gods have removed themselves from the world and magic is looked at with fear and suspicion it is only natural that when the world begins to tear itself apart due to magic that all eyes would turn to her as the cause. Determined to clear her name and stop the apocalypse Trotter sets out on a quest and eventually meets a young 6 year old girl named Alice, a girl with powers so similar to her own that it can’t be a coincidence. As the two set out they will discover a plot from a mad god that threatens to burn the world to ash around them.
This was a fun book to read. While I’m not a huge mythology fan the original creatures and characters in this book really drew me in. Ms. Chappell definitely knows how to paint a picture with her words and I could easily picture her world as it came to life before my eyes with every word I read. The plot was fast paced but also lent itself to good character development and world building. A strong four star rating for a good start to a new series.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Will by Ashley Chappell is a brilliant, well imagined young adult novel. The main characters are a fourteen year old girl and a six year old girl, something which for me only made the story more interesting.

Trotter, a young Demi-goddess, is trying to get to grips with her powers. Something which is much easier said than done. To make things even more difficult the apocalypse begins. With the gods fighting between themselves Trotter finds herself right at the heart of the blame for the chaos reigning around her.
Alice is a young girl who has effectively been a slave for her whole life. With powers similar to Trotter’s their paths soon cross.
Throw in an evil god hell bent on destroying everything and you soon have madness that Trotter and Alice have to try and contain.

What a book this was. By at all what I expected from the description, although on reflection I couldn’t honestly say what I had expected. This book took you on such a ride while also being easy to read. I loved the fact that the two main characters were young girls. They were so well written that I instantly fell in love with both of them.
Not an author I had read before but one I will be keeping my eye on in the future.

[Candida Furbush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Will (Dreams of Chaos book 1) by Ashley Chappell is a wonderful, well written story. This book is full of imagination, and creative, unique creatures!! I absolutely fell in love with this story and its characters!!
Trotter, who is 14 and Alice, who is 6, they are both demi-goddesses and have so much riding on their shoulders. Alice is so young she doesn't know how to use her magic, or how powerful she truly is. She has already been through a lot in her young life, but given what she's been through she is a wonderful little girl. Trotter is a strong and smart young lady with an awesome feline friend named Prowler. I love the relationship between these two characters. I fell in love with this story!! Once I got into it I couldn't put it down!! I got lost in the magical world that this author sends you to. There is adventure, fun, and some moments that will have you biting your nails on the edge of your seat!! This is the first time I have read anything from this author and I look forward to reading more!! I am now hooked on this series. I highly recommend this book to all young adult readers, and readers who are young at heart, you will not be disappointed!!!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Alice Will is the first book in the Dreams of Chaos series by Ashley Chappell. It is a whimsical Young Adult fantasy full of magic, spells, gods, mystical creatures, different realms, good vs. evil… and lots of surprises and twists to be discovered in this sweet adventure.
Trotter is a 14-year-old demi god living in the mortal realm. She’s going through a bit of an awkward stage and having trouble controlling her magical powers. Circumstances she had nothing to do with end up throwing her into an adventure she could never have imagined, where the world is at stake and it will be up to her to save the day.
The author did a great job creating a rich and unique world, and building a backstory, myths and in-depth lore around her imaginative tale. The character development is great, I particularly loved Prowler who is Trotter’s snarky, talking guardian cat. He really lifted the whole story for me.
The story is aimed at Young Adults, but I found that much of the humour was more suitable for preteen/middle school. I still enjoyed the story, but it’s definitely more suited to a younger audience.

Thank you, Ms. Chappell!

[Natalie Hanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Will – Dreams of Chaos Book 1 Ashley Chappell
I love a young adult novel and this one was no exception. Full of Gods, goddesses, monsters and fabulous creatures from Ashley Chappell’s imagination, it was a joy from start to finish.
The main character Trotter being 14 years old and having a cat for sidekick were a really inventive idea. This really appealed to my 14-year-old who is devouring the book now that I’ve finished! The author builds a world that is fantastical but believable. The main characters Trotter and Alice are realistic as they do have the fears other young girls might have, but they are also very brave, taking on challenges children of their age normally wouldn’t encounter.
The worlds are so well described that you can imagine yourself there, walking through the market place with the characters, brushing shoulders with these people.. I loved the more quirky creatures too, it was impressive that the author is not relying on ancient legends, but creating her own. Overall this was a great book that I’d thoroughly recommend for fans of this genre and I will look out for book 2.