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The Otherworlds #2
The Game of Hearts
Win the game, change your fate. Lose the game, lose your life.When Alice Liddell runs away on the night of her engagement party and stumbles into a shadowy pub on a forgotten street, she thinks her life is ruined. Her parents are furious, her reputation is destroyed, and her fall from society will be printed in all of London’s gossip columns. Then a mysterious stranger gives her an unexpected solution to all of her A yearly game inviting mortals into the land of Faerie to play the queen’s infamous Game of Hearts. To win is to gain a wish of your heart but to lose means sacrificing your freedom.Alice quickly realizes the game is far more intricate and deadly than she was led to believe and teams up with the rebellious and irreverent cat-shifter Ches. Together they must outwit the other players by solving the obscure riddles given as clues and get out of the queen’s enchanted hedge maze unscathed. It also means staying far away from Maddox, the queen’s champion player and Alice’s fiercest competition. He’s determined to win at all costs, but Alice suspects his motives may not be his own.The deeper Alice goes inside the world of cunning fae, bloodthirsty beasts, and vengeful queens, the more she fears that winning means betraying those closest to her. And in this Game of Hearts, Alice needs to guard hers.This 1920's Alice in Wonderland reimagining is the second book in the Otherworlds Trilogy and is perfect for fans of fairytale retellings with dark twists, atmospheric settings, and slow burn romance that's swoony, not spicy.
370 pages, Paperback
Published February 23, 2024
15 people are currently reading
973 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Millecam
4 books51 followersCourtney Millecam is a Young Adult Fantasy author who grew up being surrounded by books, siblings, and friends (real and imaginary). She traded the city life for a small town near the Rocky Mountains and loves exploring the outdoors. When Courtney isn't writing, you can find her: escaping into a good book, baking, drinking too much Dr Pepper, and spending time with her family.
Find Courtney on INSTAGRAM @courtmillecam or FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/courtmillecam
Find Courtney on INSTAGRAM @courtmillecam or FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/courtmillecam
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
March 8, 2024
If you're looking for your next YA fantasy adventure series look no further.
The Otherworld series takes on classic fairytales and spins them in a way I haven't seen done before. Book one tackled Peter Pan in a way I just adored. AND NOW Courtney is back with her latest installment, The Game of Hearts, which captures the heart of Alice and Wonderland while still feeling like its own unique and original story.
I loved diving deeper into Alice story and the desires of her heart. She wrestles with the pressures of her upbringing to the point where she thinks she might break. When she tumbles into an unforeseen adventure...it might just be the thing that will finally set her free.
This is a book full of quests, curses, and attractive rivals. I loved the friendship bonds and the whimsical magic that was a great juxtaposition for the more sinister parts of the book. The stakes were just high enough, the mysteries are unraveled with every page, and I had no problems binging this book to get to the end. There is this great pull for power, and the urgent need to set a kingdom free. I loved the feeling of desperation and urgency that accompanied each of these characters as they battled different circumstances to come out victorious.
This is romance light read and while I wished for more...knowing that there is a third book will tie me over until these characters can come together again!
THAT ENDING. I adore a good cliffhanger and this was fantastic. I was caught unaware and I am so excited to get that third book to bring the whole series together.
The Otherworld series takes on classic fairytales and spins them in a way I haven't seen done before. Book one tackled Peter Pan in a way I just adored. AND NOW Courtney is back with her latest installment, The Game of Hearts, which captures the heart of Alice and Wonderland while still feeling like its own unique and original story.
I loved diving deeper into Alice story and the desires of her heart. She wrestles with the pressures of her upbringing to the point where she thinks she might break. When she tumbles into an unforeseen adventure...it might just be the thing that will finally set her free.
This is a book full of quests, curses, and attractive rivals. I loved the friendship bonds and the whimsical magic that was a great juxtaposition for the more sinister parts of the book. The stakes were just high enough, the mysteries are unraveled with every page, and I had no problems binging this book to get to the end. There is this great pull for power, and the urgent need to set a kingdom free. I loved the feeling of desperation and urgency that accompanied each of these characters as they battled different circumstances to come out victorious.
This is romance light read and while I wished for more...knowing that there is a third book will tie me over until these characters can come together again!
THAT ENDING. I adore a good cliffhanger and this was fantastic. I was caught unaware and I am so excited to get that third book to bring the whole series together.
February 23, 2024
Thank you Courtney Millecam and Book of Matches Media for the gifted copy & eARC.
WHERE IS BOOK THREE.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This was incredible! There is absolutely no second book syndrome here. I thought everything was taken to the next level. The writing, the characters, the story, all of it.
I adored seeing all of the subtle allusions to Alice in Wonderland. It was so cleverly accomplished and had all of the elements I love in a retelling while still being a completely different story. I loved Alice and seeing her character growth throughout the book. She found her voice and deep dived into how strong she can be in the face of multiple trials.
And the side characters!! I’m especially partial to Ches. I loved his friendship with Alice. I feel like often with competition style plots the story can get bogged down in all of the different games, and this was not the case here. I loved how the sub-plots and the larger story kept moving forward. I loved the nods to where this series is going next.
Seriously an incredible read. I love so many things about this series!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Historical Fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
WHERE IS BOOK THREE.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This was incredible! There is absolutely no second book syndrome here. I thought everything was taken to the next level. The writing, the characters, the story, all of it.
I adored seeing all of the subtle allusions to Alice in Wonderland. It was so cleverly accomplished and had all of the elements I love in a retelling while still being a completely different story. I loved Alice and seeing her character growth throughout the book. She found her voice and deep dived into how strong she can be in the face of multiple trials.
And the side characters!! I’m especially partial to Ches. I loved his friendship with Alice. I feel like often with competition style plots the story can get bogged down in all of the different games, and this was not the case here. I loved how the sub-plots and the larger story kept moving forward. I loved the nods to where this series is going next.
Seriously an incredible read. I love so many things about this series!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Historical Fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
January 20, 2024
This was a really fun read! I absolutely adored the characters & loved the nods to Alice in Wonderland. Ches is an absolute joy, Alice was relatable and I loved watching her grow as a character and Maddox….well he’s complicated but I absolutely love him!
I really enjoyed the game aspect of it all! And that ending!!! Ugh my heart!!!! I need to know what happens!!!
I am loving the way Millecam writes retellings set in the 1920’s!!!! I can’t wait for more!!!
I really enjoyed the game aspect of it all! And that ending!!! Ugh my heart!!!! I need to know what happens!!!
I am loving the way Millecam writes retellings set in the 1920’s!!!! I can’t wait for more!!!
February 21, 2024
\\\\\ 4.5 \\\\\
Read if you like:
⋆ Fish out of water
⋆ Rivals to lovers
⋆ Dangerous game and lots of secrets
⋆ Instant friendships
⋆ Sweet heroine
⋆ Retellings
This book reminded me of a mix between Caraval and The Cruel Prince and I loved everything about it! The vibe was just so enthralling and the plot instantly got me intrigued, I just did not want to put the book down. Every character was absolutely endearing and I enjoyed following them so much. The sweet Alice slowly finding her voice throughout her adventure, the wonderful Ches who was so funny and easy to love and Maddox, my heart, he was a fascinating character from the start and with such depth. The dual POV was really helpful and made me love both MMCs pretty fast.
There was great tension between our characters from the start and it was fantastic. I loved that it was all so full of secrets and you never knew where this would take you. We learned much more about the characters' background stories as it went, which helped understanding who they are now. The slow burn was simply perfect and I enjoyed it so much.
I'm not the biggest expert on Alice in Wonderland's story so I don't know much about it but I still was able to appreciate all the references. I just love how such a story can be adapted into something else, and transformed into a whole other story but you still get all the glimpses and characters you already know with a twist. The time period being the 1920s was really interesting to me because it feels like it's a perfect mix between something truly historical and more modern so I really liked it.
I have to say though that I haven't read book 1 and it was a BIG MISTAKE. Not sure if I hallucinated that it was okay to read only book 2, or what, but I do not recommend doing this. It would have been much more enjoyable for me if I had started with book 1. I was a little lost with all the characters at first honestly and it was somehow confusing. And then, I'm pretty sure my jaw would have dropped to the floor with that ending if it was not that the first book is just so vague for me rigth now. And because I was so sure this was a book I could read as a standalone, I was also a little mad at that cliffhanger. Not a fan of it in general but especially when I think it's a standalone, haha. Not taking it out on the book though, do not worry, I'm very conscious that I'm the problem here.
So that being said, I love that the first book is a Peter Pan retelling and now it mixes with Alice in wonderland and book 3 sounds like it will all mix even more together and I'm so curious to see where this will all go. Courtney Millecam is definitely an author I'll want to read more of!
Thanks to Hidden Hollow book tours and the author for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Read if you like:
⋆ Fish out of water
⋆ Rivals to lovers
⋆ Dangerous game and lots of secrets
⋆ Instant friendships
⋆ Sweet heroine
⋆ Retellings
This book reminded me of a mix between Caraval and The Cruel Prince and I loved everything about it! The vibe was just so enthralling and the plot instantly got me intrigued, I just did not want to put the book down. Every character was absolutely endearing and I enjoyed following them so much. The sweet Alice slowly finding her voice throughout her adventure, the wonderful Ches who was so funny and easy to love and Maddox, my heart, he was a fascinating character from the start and with such depth. The dual POV was really helpful and made me love both MMCs pretty fast.
There was great tension between our characters from the start and it was fantastic. I loved that it was all so full of secrets and you never knew where this would take you. We learned much more about the characters' background stories as it went, which helped understanding who they are now. The slow burn was simply perfect and I enjoyed it so much.
I'm not the biggest expert on Alice in Wonderland's story so I don't know much about it but I still was able to appreciate all the references. I just love how such a story can be adapted into something else, and transformed into a whole other story but you still get all the glimpses and characters you already know with a twist. The time period being the 1920s was really interesting to me because it feels like it's a perfect mix between something truly historical and more modern so I really liked it.
I have to say though that I haven't read book 1 and it was a BIG MISTAKE. Not sure if I hallucinated that it was okay to read only book 2, or what, but I do not recommend doing this. It would have been much more enjoyable for me if I had started with book 1. I was a little lost with all the characters at first honestly and it was somehow confusing. And then, I'm pretty sure my jaw would have dropped to the floor with that ending if it was not that the first book is just so vague for me rigth now. And because I was so sure this was a book I could read as a standalone, I was also a little mad at that cliffhanger. Not a fan of it in general but especially when I think it's a standalone, haha. Not taking it out on the book though, do not worry, I'm very conscious that I'm the problem here.
So that being said, I love that the first book is a Peter Pan retelling and now it mixes with Alice in wonderland and book 3 sounds like it will all mix even more together and I'm so curious to see where this will all go. Courtney Millecam is definitely an author I'll want to read more of!
Thanks to Hidden Hollow book tours and the author for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
February 23, 2024
Courtney Millecan did it again with The Otherworlds book 2, the Game of Hearts. She completely knocked it out of the park with this Alice in Wonderland retelling. I have never truly enjoyed anything related to Alice in Wonderland before this book. I said the same thing about Peter Pan before I read The Never Thief, book 1 in the series, which is why I had to read this one. I knew that if there was any author out there to make me enjoy something Alice in Wonderland related that it would be Courtney.
The characters were so likable and relatable. I loved watching sweet Alice find her voice and grew more confident by the end. I also loved Ches and Maddox. I really enjoyed the dual POV of Alice and Maddox. The world building was also great! I loved how it was set in the 1920s but it also felt modern at the same time. And that cliffhanger?! I am freaking here for it and I cannot wait for the next book in the series! I am so freaking excited to see what twists and turns we get to read next!
I would recommend The Game of Hearts to anyone who enjoys slow burns with no spice but still swoony, who enjoys fantasy’s and fairytale retellings!
The characters were so likable and relatable. I loved watching sweet Alice find her voice and grew more confident by the end. I also loved Ches and Maddox. I really enjoyed the dual POV of Alice and Maddox. The world building was also great! I loved how it was set in the 1920s but it also felt modern at the same time. And that cliffhanger?! I am freaking here for it and I cannot wait for the next book in the series! I am so freaking excited to see what twists and turns we get to read next!
I would recommend The Game of Hearts to anyone who enjoys slow burns with no spice but still swoony, who enjoys fantasy’s and fairytale retellings!
January 12, 2024
Fans of Alice in Wonderland won’t want to miss this book!
I loved The Game of Hearts and re-entering these 1920 fairytale retellings with a fae twist. The sinister plot and vicious villain, a magical competition set in the fae kingdom, and some fun nods to original Alice in Wonderland characters we love. In this book, we follow two new characters whose stories I am all here for. And Maddox…? Yes please! Give me all that swoon without the spice 😍
I loved The Game of Hearts and re-entering these 1920 fairytale retellings with a fae twist. The sinister plot and vicious villain, a magical competition set in the fae kingdom, and some fun nods to original Alice in Wonderland characters we love. In this book, we follow two new characters whose stories I am all here for. And Maddox…? Yes please! Give me all that swoon without the spice 😍
May 23, 2025
A fun and darker retelling of Alice in Wonderland. Join Alice, our friend from book 1, as she embarks on a deadly quest in the Winterland. Explore The Otherworlds and the various fae who inhabit them more deeply than our introduction in The Never Heir.
July 19, 2025
Clever take on Alice in Wonderland. Not sure why this one dragged for me a bit; might be because even as a child I preferred Peter Pan to Alice.
November 20, 2023
RTC. Still processing all of my thoughts, but this was a really great addition to the Otherworlds series! I loved learning more about Alice and meeting Maddox. And I also really need book 3 to know what happens next! More in depth review to come!
November 10, 2023
This was one of the best books I’ve read this year!
If you’re a fan of Alice in Wonderland, Heartless, or Caraval, I would highly recommend reading The Game of Hearts!
I’m absolutely in love with the characters (especially Ches🥰), and the way Courtney reimagines the world of Wonderland and it’s characters.
Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite stories, and I love a good retelling, and that’s exactly what we get here!
If you’re a fan of Alice in Wonderland, Heartless, or Caraval, I would highly recommend reading The Game of Hearts!
I’m absolutely in love with the characters (especially Ches🥰), and the way Courtney reimagines the world of Wonderland and it’s characters.
Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite stories, and I love a good retelling, and that’s exactly what we get here!
May 28, 2024
Did I ignore all other responsibilities to read an ARC from the Hidden Hollows Book Tour?
You bet I did.
In The Game of Hearts, Millecam welcomes the reader back into a world where there is a fine line between Otherworlds and the 1920’s England, and few people are able to move between them. Just as The Never Heir was a retelling of Peter Pan, The Game of Hearts is a brilliant and clever retelling of Alice in Wonderland.
The curious and determined protagonist, Alice, whom we’d briefly encountered in The Never Heir, narrowly escapes an engagement to someone who she feels nothing for. In her effort to prove that she can be unpredictable, she is inadvertently thrust into a game of wits after drinking a fae potion.
During the game, readers of The Game of Hearts will delight in the clever comparisons between the stories of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. The story is written in a dual point of view, between Alice and Maddox, a reluctant servant of Queen Verena who has a plan to rid himself of his bond with Winterland.
As a fan of Millecam’s work, I love how she delves deep into her character’s psyche, illustrating what drives them. Alice is a relatable and endearing character. I felt that her adventures in Winterland serve as a metaphor for the challenges and uncertainties one faces when making life long decisions. She is constantly second guessing her choices and comparing herself to what others would do.
Maddox is a deliciously written, complex character that I loved to hate. Parallel to Alice, he leads a life that is also comfortable but not of his choosing. He takes it upon himself to assist Alice through Winterland, even to his own detriment. The slow burn was a treat I had no expected but after reading Once Upon a Broken Heart, I definitely have a soft spot for mischievous boys with white hair.
Ches, loyal and stalwart to his cause, is enlisted as Alice’s guide but I could tell immediately that he was there to achieve his own goals. I loved his commitment to seeing Alice through the Game.
The end of The Game of Hearts is an epic cliffhanger that is sure to leave you devastated!
You bet I did.
In The Game of Hearts, Millecam welcomes the reader back into a world where there is a fine line between Otherworlds and the 1920’s England, and few people are able to move between them. Just as The Never Heir was a retelling of Peter Pan, The Game of Hearts is a brilliant and clever retelling of Alice in Wonderland.
The curious and determined protagonist, Alice, whom we’d briefly encountered in The Never Heir, narrowly escapes an engagement to someone who she feels nothing for. In her effort to prove that she can be unpredictable, she is inadvertently thrust into a game of wits after drinking a fae potion.
During the game, readers of The Game of Hearts will delight in the clever comparisons between the stories of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. The story is written in a dual point of view, between Alice and Maddox, a reluctant servant of Queen Verena who has a plan to rid himself of his bond with Winterland.
As a fan of Millecam’s work, I love how she delves deep into her character’s psyche, illustrating what drives them. Alice is a relatable and endearing character. I felt that her adventures in Winterland serve as a metaphor for the challenges and uncertainties one faces when making life long decisions. She is constantly second guessing her choices and comparing herself to what others would do.
Maddox is a deliciously written, complex character that I loved to hate. Parallel to Alice, he leads a life that is also comfortable but not of his choosing. He takes it upon himself to assist Alice through Winterland, even to his own detriment. The slow burn was a treat I had no expected but after reading Once Upon a Broken Heart, I definitely have a soft spot for mischievous boys with white hair.
Ches, loyal and stalwart to his cause, is enlisted as Alice’s guide but I could tell immediately that he was there to achieve his own goals. I loved his commitment to seeing Alice through the Game.
The end of The Game of Hearts is an epic cliffhanger that is sure to leave you devastated!
March 31, 2024
This Exciting! Intrigue Filled! Absolutely Captivating and Deeply Emotional book was the absolutely perfect continuation of the Otherworld Trilogy!!! I always anticipate the middle book in a trilogy to create a lull in the story…to leave me a bit bored…and dare I say unimpressed.
However! However! The Game of Hearts had the entirely opposite effect!!! From the very first word of the very first page I found myself drawn in! Completely Bewitched by the seemingly new story that both created new and enticing endeavors, all the while, keeping us flying down a perpendicular path and headed for a collision with events and characters we met and fell in love with in Book 1–The Never Heir. The distinction and yet inclusion of both story lines was utter perfection and I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK THREE AND THE CONCLUSION TO DISCOVER ALL THE AMAZINGNESS THAT I’M SURE MILLECAM HAS IN STORE FOR US!
*Wipes away a tear*
Anyways…Alice cannot stand the thought that she must marry Henry and give up her dreams of Paris, beautiful dresses, and a fashion house of her own. She cannot stop thinking of Evie and Edmund and the rumors that swirl around them and their disappearances. So when she follows Charlie into the dark Forest and sees him unexpectedly disappear she realizes that things are nothing of what they seemed. Now with a chance encounter, a mysterious drink that reads “drink me”, and being awoken in a new and mysterious land filled with strange beings, deadly and dangerous creatures, an evil queen, new friends, a deadly game for your heart’s desire, and a handsome Prince that will either steal her heart or thwart her plans and win the game for himself, Alice discovers she is on a journey of a lifetime.
This book packed an emotional punch! It made me laugh…out loud…on more than one occasion, smile and rejoice, brought tears to my eyes in happiness and devastation, and left me sitting on the edge of my seat, completely awestruck, and NEEDING TO KNOW MORE!
I absolutely adored Charlie in The Never Heir…buuuuuut...I’m not gonna lie, Maddox walked in and completely stole my heart. What can I say, I like a tortured Hero and a tortured hero he was! And I loved every single minute he was written on the page.
But I also really really loved Alice in this book. I often don’t appreciate or relate to female characters as much. However, Alice and her determination to do what was right, as well as, do right by herself really resonated with me and I just enjoyed her so much.
And then there was Ches. He was awesome and sweet and the best kind of shifter and the lore behind him was so unique and intriguing and Millecam wrote him just right.
So yep…GO READ THE NEVER HEIR AND THE GAME OF HEARTS! They are epic, romantic, mysterious, fairytale inspired, emotional, creature filled, perfection and I recommend them to any and all fantasy lovers. Then can we can suffer together until book 3 finally releases.
However! However! The Game of Hearts had the entirely opposite effect!!! From the very first word of the very first page I found myself drawn in! Completely Bewitched by the seemingly new story that both created new and enticing endeavors, all the while, keeping us flying down a perpendicular path and headed for a collision with events and characters we met and fell in love with in Book 1–The Never Heir. The distinction and yet inclusion of both story lines was utter perfection and I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK THREE AND THE CONCLUSION TO DISCOVER ALL THE AMAZINGNESS THAT I’M SURE MILLECAM HAS IN STORE FOR US!
*Wipes away a tear*
Anyways…Alice cannot stand the thought that she must marry Henry and give up her dreams of Paris, beautiful dresses, and a fashion house of her own. She cannot stop thinking of Evie and Edmund and the rumors that swirl around them and their disappearances. So when she follows Charlie into the dark Forest and sees him unexpectedly disappear she realizes that things are nothing of what they seemed. Now with a chance encounter, a mysterious drink that reads “drink me”, and being awoken in a new and mysterious land filled with strange beings, deadly and dangerous creatures, an evil queen, new friends, a deadly game for your heart’s desire, and a handsome Prince that will either steal her heart or thwart her plans and win the game for himself, Alice discovers she is on a journey of a lifetime.
This book packed an emotional punch! It made me laugh…out loud…on more than one occasion, smile and rejoice, brought tears to my eyes in happiness and devastation, and left me sitting on the edge of my seat, completely awestruck, and NEEDING TO KNOW MORE!
I absolutely adored Charlie in The Never Heir…buuuuuut...I’m not gonna lie, Maddox walked in and completely stole my heart. What can I say, I like a tortured Hero and a tortured hero he was! And I loved every single minute he was written on the page.
But I also really really loved Alice in this book. I often don’t appreciate or relate to female characters as much. However, Alice and her determination to do what was right, as well as, do right by herself really resonated with me and I just enjoyed her so much.
And then there was Ches. He was awesome and sweet and the best kind of shifter and the lore behind him was so unique and intriguing and Millecam wrote him just right.
So yep…GO READ THE NEVER HEIR AND THE GAME OF HEARTS! They are epic, romantic, mysterious, fairytale inspired, emotional, creature filled, perfection and I recommend them to any and all fantasy lovers. Then can we can suffer together until book 3 finally releases.
February 18, 2024
Alice is soon to be announced as engaged to Henry, but she wants more now. What she wants to do is go to Paris and attend a fashion school and find someone else who makes her heart sing. As she’s going home one day, she sees Charlie and watches him disappear into a tree and bumps into a boy with strange hair and clothes, and runs off telling herself she’s not going mad.
Maddox has been serving his Queen and is now trying to find a way to get rid of the bonding spell she put on him. Queen Verena’s Game of Hearts is coming up and she decides to choose Maddox as her champion. He agrees on the condition that he can take a leave afterwards, which Verena agrees to allow him to leave for a month.
Alice “accidentally” finds herself in Winterland and attending the games and is determined to win to help Ches who is helping her through the games, rather than be selfish and only wish for herself. But the games are a bit more twisty and tricky than expected. And Alice cannot decide whether to trust Maddox or not when she learns his true identity.
That was such a long summary 😂 I tried to lessen it but there’s a lot that goes on in this book!
I love Alice in Wonderland, and so I always love reading a new retelling or book inspired by that book and this one is a new unique one!
We get to see some characters that we meet in the book like Ches, and the caterpillar Abe. I loved the twist with the game trying to find the White Rabbits and the missing looking glass. I just love little things like that that use parts of the original story and turn it into its own unique story.
Alice is a great character! I love how she grows in her confidence as the story continues from this meek very shy girl to someone who stands up for what she wants and believes is right. I loved her character development. I also loved her relationship with Ches! A little found family if you will! Their teamwork and dynamic was lovely and I love a good platonic relationship like that that’s done well!
Maddox is a bit of a mystery and of course throws you off a lot, but I knew there was more to him as the story progresses. I hope, well, I’m sure we will read more about him in the next book because I didn’t get enough!
There is a bit of romance and I will say it seemed a bit quick but maybe there’s more to it than what was explained in this book, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless!
I really enjoyed this retelling and I’m excited to see how the story continues since this one kind of just ended and left everyone in a lurch 😂
I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Maddox has been serving his Queen and is now trying to find a way to get rid of the bonding spell she put on him. Queen Verena’s Game of Hearts is coming up and she decides to choose Maddox as her champion. He agrees on the condition that he can take a leave afterwards, which Verena agrees to allow him to leave for a month.
Alice “accidentally” finds herself in Winterland and attending the games and is determined to win to help Ches who is helping her through the games, rather than be selfish and only wish for herself. But the games are a bit more twisty and tricky than expected. And Alice cannot decide whether to trust Maddox or not when she learns his true identity.
That was such a long summary 😂 I tried to lessen it but there’s a lot that goes on in this book!
I love Alice in Wonderland, and so I always love reading a new retelling or book inspired by that book and this one is a new unique one!
We get to see some characters that we meet in the book like Ches, and the caterpillar Abe. I loved the twist with the game trying to find the White Rabbits and the missing looking glass. I just love little things like that that use parts of the original story and turn it into its own unique story.
Alice is a great character! I love how she grows in her confidence as the story continues from this meek very shy girl to someone who stands up for what she wants and believes is right. I loved her character development. I also loved her relationship with Ches! A little found family if you will! Their teamwork and dynamic was lovely and I love a good platonic relationship like that that’s done well!
Maddox is a bit of a mystery and of course throws you off a lot, but I knew there was more to him as the story progresses. I hope, well, I’m sure we will read more about him in the next book because I didn’t get enough!
There is a bit of romance and I will say it seemed a bit quick but maybe there’s more to it than what was explained in this book, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless!
I really enjoyed this retelling and I’m excited to see how the story continues since this one kind of just ended and left everyone in a lurch 😂
I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 23, 2024
I absolutely loved this enchanting, imaginative, and completely unputdownable retelling of one of my favorite classic stories - 𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦'𝘴 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘞𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥! This is the second book in Courtney’s 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥𝘴 series - which has quickly become my new favorite YA fantasy series. I adored book one - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗶𝗿 - but I enjoyed this one even more!! While 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 can be read as a standalone, there are some spoilers from book one, and since this series is just SO good I would highly suggest reading 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘳 first!! Both books are available on KU!
❄️ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 follows Alice, one of my favorite characters from book one, who through a twist of magic and fate finds herself in the land of the Faeries, where she must play the infamous Winterland queen’s Game of Hearts. If you win, you gain a wish of your heart, but if you lose, you sacrifice your freedom the Queen. Alice soon meets meets Ches, a cunning and rebellious cat-shifter with his own agenda. Ches agrees to be Alice’s guide during the game, in exchange for sharing her wish if they win. But their paths keep crossing with the handsome stranger Alice met in the mortal world - Maddox - who happens to be the Queen’s champion and her greatest rival. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Alice soon realizes in the game of hearts, the one she needs to protect most is her own.
♥️ While book 1 takes place in 1920s London, book 2 takes us to Winterland in the Faerie realm. The haunting, atmospheric setting had me feeling like I had fallen through the looking glass myself, and I savored every page! I loved all the nods to the original story which made Winterland feel familiar, yet still unique, and I had no idea what to expect at every turn in this topsy turvy world. The theme of friendship was so well crafted, as Alice grapples with her loyalty to Ches and the feelings she has toward Maddox, who is another wonderful, richly layered character. I was rooting for sweet Alice and lovable Ches the entire time, and the ending left me breathless! I think I may have picked up an easter egg towards the end that hints at the next retelling, but we shall see!! 😍
Thank you @BookOfMatchesMedia and @courtmillecam for the eARC!!
❄️ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 follows Alice, one of my favorite characters from book one, who through a twist of magic and fate finds herself in the land of the Faeries, where she must play the infamous Winterland queen’s Game of Hearts. If you win, you gain a wish of your heart, but if you lose, you sacrifice your freedom the Queen. Alice soon meets meets Ches, a cunning and rebellious cat-shifter with his own agenda. Ches agrees to be Alice’s guide during the game, in exchange for sharing her wish if they win. But their paths keep crossing with the handsome stranger Alice met in the mortal world - Maddox - who happens to be the Queen’s champion and her greatest rival. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Alice soon realizes in the game of hearts, the one she needs to protect most is her own.
♥️ While book 1 takes place in 1920s London, book 2 takes us to Winterland in the Faerie realm. The haunting, atmospheric setting had me feeling like I had fallen through the looking glass myself, and I savored every page! I loved all the nods to the original story which made Winterland feel familiar, yet still unique, and I had no idea what to expect at every turn in this topsy turvy world. The theme of friendship was so well crafted, as Alice grapples with her loyalty to Ches and the feelings she has toward Maddox, who is another wonderful, richly layered character. I was rooting for sweet Alice and lovable Ches the entire time, and the ending left me breathless! I think I may have picked up an easter egg towards the end that hints at the next retelling, but we shall see!! 😍
Thank you @BookOfMatchesMedia and @courtmillecam for the eARC!!
January 21, 2025
Book 2 in the Otherworlds series follows Alice Liddell. She's your average 1920's woman with the exception of wanting to be a fashion designer. But she is high society and has expectations from her family. She is engaged and expected to be a "trophy" wife when she meets Maddox, a strange man who appears in the park when she is following Charlie. After running out on her engagement party, she finds him again in a pub that seems a bit off. Refusing to be told what to do, she starts a chain of events that sends her into the Winterlands and the deadly Game of Hearts. Contestants compete for their chance to win one wish of their heart's desire, but if they lose they could very well lose their heads.
Alice is such a lovely character. While a bit meek at first, she really grows throughout the book. She keeps her wits about her and is determined not only to win, but to help others with her wish when she wins. She's smart but still makes mistakes. And although she makes mistakes, she definitely learns from them. Maddox is not what you'd expect. Being raised by the evil Queen you would imagine him to be as cruel as his brothers, but he is only being forced to be compliant. And Ches makes a wonderful guide for Alice. Despite his past, he is still willing to help and trust. And I love the type of magical being he is in this story.
There is something for everyone in this book! There is action, suspense, riddles, betrayal and magic. There are surprised and twists you don't see coming. The world building is absolutely wonderful! I am terrible at picturing books as I go, but the descriptions make it easy for me to stop and think about what it might look like! And the slow build up between Alice and Maddox makes it so believable!
This is an Alice in Wonderland retelling and it is done beautifully! It has all the main elements yet is still original. You are rooting for Alice the whole book and hoping she can save not only Ches, but Maddox as well. And the twist at the end! I most definitely did not see that coming and had been waiting the entire book to see if she would make it back! I am definitely excited for the final book in this series!
Alice is such a lovely character. While a bit meek at first, she really grows throughout the book. She keeps her wits about her and is determined not only to win, but to help others with her wish when she wins. She's smart but still makes mistakes. And although she makes mistakes, she definitely learns from them. Maddox is not what you'd expect. Being raised by the evil Queen you would imagine him to be as cruel as his brothers, but he is only being forced to be compliant. And Ches makes a wonderful guide for Alice. Despite his past, he is still willing to help and trust. And I love the type of magical being he is in this story.
There is something for everyone in this book! There is action, suspense, riddles, betrayal and magic. There are surprised and twists you don't see coming. The world building is absolutely wonderful! I am terrible at picturing books as I go, but the descriptions make it easy for me to stop and think about what it might look like! And the slow build up between Alice and Maddox makes it so believable!
This is an Alice in Wonderland retelling and it is done beautifully! It has all the main elements yet is still original. You are rooting for Alice the whole book and hoping she can save not only Ches, but Maddox as well. And the twist at the end! I most definitely did not see that coming and had been waiting the entire book to see if she would make it back! I am definitely excited for the final book in this series!
February 18, 2024
I read The Game of Hearts for a book tour hosted by the author and Hidden Hollow Book Tours. Thank you to both for inviting me along and for the gifted e-arc.
I read book 1, The Never Heir, last year and loved it. Authors who write fairytale retellings amaze me. When they take a story we all know, reimagine it, twist it up, and yet keep the same vibe as the original, it makes me love their work even more. Courtney Millecam does that with this series. Most of the characters you know from Alice in Wonderland are there, if not exactly the same. The setting is different. The story is different. But, you know that you are reading an Alice in Wonderland story. It pulls you in and keeps hold of you till the very end. And, now we need book 3 ASAP!
Alice is being pushed to marry someone she doesn’t love. She is always being told that she is so sensible. She is laughed at because of her dream of becoming a fashion designer. On the day of her wedding, she runs. And, because of events of the day, she ends up in another world entirely. One she can’t get out of the same way she got in. She is thrust into a game, a quest really, with the promise of winning a wish. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined what she was about to embark on.
The story is fast-paced. The game is a race to achieve the objective so it is in constant movement. There are twists and turns. There are fantastic creatures. The worldbuilding is so good. The temperature in my living room went down a few degrees while I read. I was immersed in this world and when I wasn’t reading it, I dreamed of it. I absolutely loved this book!
I highly recommend The Game of Hearts (and the entire series, starting with The Never Heir) to fans of high fantasy, epic fantasy, fairytale retellings, Alice in Wonderland, and high-stakes quests.
I read book 1, The Never Heir, last year and loved it. Authors who write fairytale retellings amaze me. When they take a story we all know, reimagine it, twist it up, and yet keep the same vibe as the original, it makes me love their work even more. Courtney Millecam does that with this series. Most of the characters you know from Alice in Wonderland are there, if not exactly the same. The setting is different. The story is different. But, you know that you are reading an Alice in Wonderland story. It pulls you in and keeps hold of you till the very end. And, now we need book 3 ASAP!
Alice is being pushed to marry someone she doesn’t love. She is always being told that she is so sensible. She is laughed at because of her dream of becoming a fashion designer. On the day of her wedding, she runs. And, because of events of the day, she ends up in another world entirely. One she can’t get out of the same way she got in. She is thrust into a game, a quest really, with the promise of winning a wish. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined what she was about to embark on.
The story is fast-paced. The game is a race to achieve the objective so it is in constant movement. There are twists and turns. There are fantastic creatures. The worldbuilding is so good. The temperature in my living room went down a few degrees while I read. I was immersed in this world and when I wasn’t reading it, I dreamed of it. I absolutely loved this book!
I highly recommend The Game of Hearts (and the entire series, starting with The Never Heir) to fans of high fantasy, epic fantasy, fairytale retellings, Alice in Wonderland, and high-stakes quests.
February 24, 2024
I received an eARC for this book in return for an honest review. My honest review? FIVE STARS, BABY!!! All opinions are my own.
“𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.”
Wow. Oh wow! I love a good retelling with twist and turns and nods to the original story. This one was a HIT! I loved all the hints and references to the original story while keeping true to a new tale. It was wonderfully atmospheric!!
I DO recommend reading The Never Heir first, however, because there are spoilers related to the first book included in this one. I also wish I had reread the first book because my memory of it isn’t great - but I do know it was a FAVE last year! So, I mean, it can kinda stand alone? But I don’t recommend it. 😉
The FMC’s character arc was fantastic. Alice is a 1920’s “elite” engaged to be married to someone she wouldn’t choose for herself. She runs away on the night of her engagement party and ends up in a twisted, ethereal otherworld called Winterland, playing a game that could grant her the biggest wish or make her a soldier slave for the queen Verena forever.
As she fights this magical battle for her life, she meets up with some seriously great characters - Maddox, Ches, Abe - just to name a few. And the villains?! I would grit my teeth every time the brothers popped into a chapter.
I feel like if I share some of my favorite parts it will only give the book away and I’m not gonna do that. But Alice “grows up” on these pages, getting a backbone, courage and self-awareness as she gets to know how brave she really is. She has a mind of her own and a voice to match.
Excellent. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Fantasy 🫧
Steam Level: Romance but no sex 💞
Trigger Warnings: fantasy violence, death of a sibling (off-page) 😢
“𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.”
Wow. Oh wow! I love a good retelling with twist and turns and nods to the original story. This one was a HIT! I loved all the hints and references to the original story while keeping true to a new tale. It was wonderfully atmospheric!!
I DO recommend reading The Never Heir first, however, because there are spoilers related to the first book included in this one. I also wish I had reread the first book because my memory of it isn’t great - but I do know it was a FAVE last year! So, I mean, it can kinda stand alone? But I don’t recommend it. 😉
The FMC’s character arc was fantastic. Alice is a 1920’s “elite” engaged to be married to someone she wouldn’t choose for herself. She runs away on the night of her engagement party and ends up in a twisted, ethereal otherworld called Winterland, playing a game that could grant her the biggest wish or make her a soldier slave for the queen Verena forever.
As she fights this magical battle for her life, she meets up with some seriously great characters - Maddox, Ches, Abe - just to name a few. And the villains?! I would grit my teeth every time the brothers popped into a chapter.
I feel like if I share some of my favorite parts it will only give the book away and I’m not gonna do that. But Alice “grows up” on these pages, getting a backbone, courage and self-awareness as she gets to know how brave she really is. She has a mind of her own and a voice to match.
Excellent. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Fantasy 🫧
Steam Level: Romance but no sex 💞
Trigger Warnings: fantasy violence, death of a sibling (off-page) 😢
March 11, 2024
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲: N/A
What a story! I loved every minute of this book. There wasn’t a single moment where I wanted to put the book down, and I even wish there were more pages! Especially with the way it ended!!!
I enjoy retellings, and this one was pretty perfect! Winterland (this book’s Wonderland) is filled with magic and whimsy, but is also dark and gritty. Alice finds herself in the middle of a twisted game where only one can win and the rest face a year of time sacrificed to the Queen’s army. As she navigates this unknown world, she finds herself entangled with Ches (a shape shifting fae who turns into a cat) and Maddox (a mysterious white haired boy who spends a little too much time in the mortal world). Ches and Maddox were both such interesting characters because I wasn’t sure if I could trust either of them, and that’s how I like it. Italy kept me in my toes the whole time. Every move to help Alice constantly had me questioning their motives and what it all meant for the bigger picture.
I also like Alice as a character. I could see how some people might call her naive because she is and that’s totally okay! She is a product of her upbringing. In 1920s London, she is expected to marry for her family. She is expected to do as she is told. And to be honest, she doesn’t have a lot of experience in the real world! It would only make sense for her to be a little naive! However, she is cunning! She can solve a riddle like Jon other, which was great to see. The whole game was like one big puzzle, and Alice had to fit the pieces perfectly together.
And then we have the last 10% of the book that had me gasping, my heart was pounding, and I didn’t know what was going to happen! I can’t spoil anything, but just know I was shocked and thoroughly exited for the next book to see how everything plays out.
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲: N/A
What a story! I loved every minute of this book. There wasn’t a single moment where I wanted to put the book down, and I even wish there were more pages! Especially with the way it ended!!!
I enjoy retellings, and this one was pretty perfect! Winterland (this book’s Wonderland) is filled with magic and whimsy, but is also dark and gritty. Alice finds herself in the middle of a twisted game where only one can win and the rest face a year of time sacrificed to the Queen’s army. As she navigates this unknown world, she finds herself entangled with Ches (a shape shifting fae who turns into a cat) and Maddox (a mysterious white haired boy who spends a little too much time in the mortal world). Ches and Maddox were both such interesting characters because I wasn’t sure if I could trust either of them, and that’s how I like it. Italy kept me in my toes the whole time. Every move to help Alice constantly had me questioning their motives and what it all meant for the bigger picture.
I also like Alice as a character. I could see how some people might call her naive because she is and that’s totally okay! She is a product of her upbringing. In 1920s London, she is expected to marry for her family. She is expected to do as she is told. And to be honest, she doesn’t have a lot of experience in the real world! It would only make sense for her to be a little naive! However, she is cunning! She can solve a riddle like Jon other, which was great to see. The whole game was like one big puzzle, and Alice had to fit the pieces perfectly together.
And then we have the last 10% of the book that had me gasping, my heart was pounding, and I didn’t know what was going to happen! I can’t spoil anything, but just know I was shocked and thoroughly exited for the next book to see how everything plays out.
February 23, 2024
♟️♟️♟️♟️♟️/5
I don’t think I’ve read a book that kept me this much on my toes and biting my nails in a long while!
In this Alice in Wonderland retelling, CM did a phenomenal job at keeping us guessing on what was going to happen next. I was so intrigued by this unique Winterland world and the workings of it, that I sometimes forgot how perilous Alice’s journey was. In tGoH, we get to explore more about Alice’s story and what her heart desires. I related to her so much when it came to the pressure she was under and how she felt like she was going to snap or break at any moment. But then she gets sent into The Otherworld and dare I say…she gets set free?
This world was full of whimsy and magic. It had attractive rivals, high stakes, curses, danger, mystery, and a tad bit of romance. And if that doesn’t keep you on the edge of your seat, the fun characters and extreme danger they were put in just might make you binge this book to find out who wins or loses this Game of their heart’s desire.
The only thing I struggled with in this book was who I wanted to win. I ached for Alice, Maddox and Ches and I wanted all three of them to win. But there must only be one. And the complete desperation and urgency I felt really locked me in. All of their lives were on the line at every single moment and the stakes kept getting higher and higher for them. The need to set the world free, but to save themselves, save each other, and save the kingdom were at a crossroads. If you win, which option do you choose?
This book was the best struggle I ever experienced and I so can’t wait to join our heroes in the next installment when it’s time. Because that cliffhanger ending just about did me in, and MY heart is now on the line.
If you like YA adventure filled with found family, fantasy, and light romance, then this series should be your next read asap!
I don’t think I’ve read a book that kept me this much on my toes and biting my nails in a long while!
In this Alice in Wonderland retelling, CM did a phenomenal job at keeping us guessing on what was going to happen next. I was so intrigued by this unique Winterland world and the workings of it, that I sometimes forgot how perilous Alice’s journey was. In tGoH, we get to explore more about Alice’s story and what her heart desires. I related to her so much when it came to the pressure she was under and how she felt like she was going to snap or break at any moment. But then she gets sent into The Otherworld and dare I say…she gets set free?
This world was full of whimsy and magic. It had attractive rivals, high stakes, curses, danger, mystery, and a tad bit of romance. And if that doesn’t keep you on the edge of your seat, the fun characters and extreme danger they were put in just might make you binge this book to find out who wins or loses this Game of their heart’s desire.
The only thing I struggled with in this book was who I wanted to win. I ached for Alice, Maddox and Ches and I wanted all three of them to win. But there must only be one. And the complete desperation and urgency I felt really locked me in. All of their lives were on the line at every single moment and the stakes kept getting higher and higher for them. The need to set the world free, but to save themselves, save each other, and save the kingdom were at a crossroads. If you win, which option do you choose?
This book was the best struggle I ever experienced and I so can’t wait to join our heroes in the next installment when it’s time. Because that cliffhanger ending just about did me in, and MY heart is now on the line.
If you like YA adventure filled with found family, fantasy, and light romance, then this series should be your next read asap!
July 18, 2024
Hm. I don’t know how to articulate my thoughts on The Game of Hearts. In theory, I should have loved this book. A “fairytale [retelling] with dark twists, atmospheric settings, and slow burn romance that’s swoony, not spicy.” What’s not to love? However, it was all quite lackluster. :( The game in question didn’t feel as high-stakes as intended, and the characters were all wishy-washy, excluding Ches, whose friendship with Alice was heartwarming. Admittedly, I sympathized with Alice’s struggles as well as admired her character development. She embodied Ms. Millecam’s sentiment “that strength comes in many forms, and you can discover new parts of yourself while still holding on to the parts that define you.” <3 Regarding the romance, I don’t understand why Alice and Maddox harbor feelings for each other when, arguably, they barely spent any time together, and Maddox is irritatingly inconsistent (I understand the explanation for the inconsistency between his heart and his behavior, yet I think the execution of it made him less likable). Perhaps some of my dismay with The Game of Hearts stems from the fact that I didn’t read The Never Heir, the first book in what’s to be a trilogy. Maybe I’d appreciate this book more if I’d read that first…My favorite part of the book was definitely the cliffhanger in which elements of The Never Heir make an appearance, and upcoming plot points are disclosed. Though I was disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I expected to, I will be reading the first book and the forthcoming conclusion to the trilogy, also I still recommend reading The Game of Hearts despite my criticisms. You might very well love this tale. 🤍
February 15, 2024
I absolutely adored the first installment of The Otherworlds Series and could hardly wait to get my hands on book two, The Queen of Hearts. I was so excited when this book landed in my inbox that dropped everything and started reading immediately!
I was instantly transported to The Queen’s Game of Hearts where hedge mazes hide treacherous traps, food and drink can transport you to other realms, and your life can depend on how quickly you can solve riddles.👀 All in all, it’s an Alice In Wonderland retelling at its finest.
From page one, I found myself instantly drawn to FMC, Alice Liddell. She is polite, mostly follows the rules, and is desperately wishing for a new path in life. Through The Queen’s Game of Hearts and a few new friends, Alice gained a ton of confidence and really grew into a self-assured and capable young woman. I loved that she learned to stand up for herself. 🫶
I also immensely enjoyed all the little Alice In Wonderland easter eggs sprinkled throughout the pages. It was really clever how the author included classic characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and the Caterpillar! It was so fun to see these characters in a new light. If you’re a fan of the classic fairytale, you need to read The Queen of Hearts!
In the pages, you will find:
👑An unhinged Queen
⚔️A dangerous game
🐈A cat shifter bff
🔎A Mysterious Hedge Maze
❓Riddles
💞A twist on classic characters
❤️ Clean romance
🕰️ 1920’s London
🕵️ Clues regarding what classics take the third installment will feature!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
I was instantly transported to The Queen’s Game of Hearts where hedge mazes hide treacherous traps, food and drink can transport you to other realms, and your life can depend on how quickly you can solve riddles.👀 All in all, it’s an Alice In Wonderland retelling at its finest.
From page one, I found myself instantly drawn to FMC, Alice Liddell. She is polite, mostly follows the rules, and is desperately wishing for a new path in life. Through The Queen’s Game of Hearts and a few new friends, Alice gained a ton of confidence and really grew into a self-assured and capable young woman. I loved that she learned to stand up for herself. 🫶
I also immensely enjoyed all the little Alice In Wonderland easter eggs sprinkled throughout the pages. It was really clever how the author included classic characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and the Caterpillar! It was so fun to see these characters in a new light. If you’re a fan of the classic fairytale, you need to read The Queen of Hearts!
In the pages, you will find:
👑An unhinged Queen
⚔️A dangerous game
🐈A cat shifter bff
🔎A Mysterious Hedge Maze
❓Riddles
💞A twist on classic characters
❤️ Clean romance
🕰️ 1920’s London
🕵️ Clues regarding what classics take the third installment will feature!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
February 24, 2024
I honestly forgot what happens in the first book and that did not hinder my enjoyment of this book!!
This one was so good!!! At first I was confused about who Maddox was because I for some reason thought he and Ches were the same but I was totally wrong and that got fixed once it was described that Ches had dark hair and it wasn't white like Maddox 😅. I really liked Ches, he was seriously one of my favorite characters and based on the ending I am hoping we see more of him maybe but it's hard to tell.
Maddox was seriously so over the place because of his loyalties but he did kind of.make up for it where he needed to but dang I was hoping he acted a little differently in the end, he wasn't bad per say but I wish his will was a little stronger, then a again its a little ambiguous what happened so maybe he did go against Verena(?)
At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like Alice but once she started to defy others expectations and go with what she wanted I really came to like her! She was pretty resourceful and truly just needed to see that she doesn't have to follow the will of others and once she realized that she really started to thrive. I wonder if she's gonna see the others again and what might happen if she sees Edmund because of certain events.
Overall I loved this!! The different nods to the big Alice in Wonderland characters was so cool, especially Abe and the books he has. The story was really good and I gotta reread Never Heir so I understand some of the reference I should know 😅.
This one was so good!!! At first I was confused about who Maddox was because I for some reason thought he and Ches were the same but I was totally wrong and that got fixed once it was described that Ches had dark hair and it wasn't white like Maddox 😅. I really liked Ches, he was seriously one of my favorite characters and based on the ending I am hoping we see more of him maybe but it's hard to tell.
Maddox was seriously so over the place because of his loyalties but he did kind of.make up for it where he needed to but dang I was hoping he acted a little differently in the end, he wasn't bad per say but I wish his will was a little stronger, then a again its a little ambiguous what happened so maybe he did go against Verena(?)
At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like Alice but once she started to defy others expectations and go with what she wanted I really came to like her! She was pretty resourceful and truly just needed to see that she doesn't have to follow the will of others and once she realized that she really started to thrive. I wonder if she's gonna see the others again and what might happen if she sees Edmund because of certain events.
Overall I loved this!! The different nods to the big Alice in Wonderland characters was so cool, especially Abe and the books he has. The story was really good and I gotta reread Never Heir so I understand some of the reference I should know 😅.
August 19, 2024
I was in a small slump and wanted the perfect wonderland kind of mood read.
OH DID THIS NOT DISSAPOINT
The original twists on the age old classic were delightful, and creative. Rather it be the riddles, or a cooky and intriguing spin on characters like the hatter, or the caterpillar, there was always something new with the heartwarming "old"
Also the characters were each very vivid and unique, no personality felt like a cookie cutter of the other. Instead each had amazing moments to shine and be unique. Also, their chemistry with eachother were done quite well.
One little wish would be that we could have seen Maddox and Alice have just a few more scenes together to build their bond - BUT considering they were forced to be rivals, the scenes theu did have were done with thought.
One thing I especially loved about the writing of Alice that she was consistent, and that her hobbies were a part if her. Wanting to do fashion school wasn't just a exscuse for a motive. She found interest in art shops, in drawing even with the chaos going on. So many books just have a hobby for convenience, but this, all of her breathed life into the story.
The pacing was lovely, and kept you guessing what would befall Alice at every turn.
The description and prose was whimsical and nicely immersion, but I personally would have adored even more of it. For a few scenes I was left drawing a blank on where they were.
All in all I loved this book, it was filled with adventure and heart, and many lubes that made me go "awwww!"
And very good, real, themes that came across.
OH DID THIS NOT DISSAPOINT
The original twists on the age old classic were delightful, and creative. Rather it be the riddles, or a cooky and intriguing spin on characters like the hatter, or the caterpillar, there was always something new with the heartwarming "old"
Also the characters were each very vivid and unique, no personality felt like a cookie cutter of the other. Instead each had amazing moments to shine and be unique. Also, their chemistry with eachother were done quite well.
One little wish would be that we could have seen Maddox and Alice have just a few more scenes together to build their bond - BUT considering they were forced to be rivals, the scenes theu did have were done with thought.
One thing I especially loved about the writing of Alice that she was consistent, and that her hobbies were a part if her. Wanting to do fashion school wasn't just a exscuse for a motive. She found interest in art shops, in drawing even with the chaos going on. So many books just have a hobby for convenience, but this, all of her breathed life into the story.
The pacing was lovely, and kept you guessing what would befall Alice at every turn.
The description and prose was whimsical and nicely immersion, but I personally would have adored even more of it. For a few scenes I was left drawing a blank on where they were.
All in all I loved this book, it was filled with adventure and heart, and many lubes that made me go "awwww!"
And very good, real, themes that came across.
February 22, 2024
“𝚆𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎, 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚝𝚎. 𝙻𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎, 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎…”
💛💛💛.75 / 5
»»————-✼————-««
Review:
I really enjoyed this book! One of my favourite things about The Game of Hearts is how Courtney included and referenced Alice in wonderland. All her characters were so authentic but also managed to incorporate the quirks and traits that made the original story so thrilling. But not only that, Courtney managed to include events that happened on the original story but twist and turn them to make them her own.
This is the first of Courtney’s books that I have read, and while I still enjoyed reading it as a stand-alone I think the whole reading experience would have been even better if I had read The Never Heir first, I’m definitely going to read book one before book 3 releases!
This book was slow to start but once it hit the 25% mark became fast paced and addictive and definitely made me stay up late on more than one occasion! The cliffhanger has left me hanging and I absolutely need to know what happens next!
I love the world building, I felt like I was trapped in some kind of haunted version of Wonderland alongside Alice, and I can’t wait to find out how they resolve all the problems caused by the Queen. This has definitely been one of my top Retellings and I’m gunna keep thinking about it for a while!
For lovers of:
- Alice in Wonderland
- Fairytale Retellings
- Rivals to Lovers
- Slow Burn
- Magical Competition
- 1920s London
- Fae
- Tending to Wounds
💛💛💛.75 / 5
»»————-✼————-««
Review:
I really enjoyed this book! One of my favourite things about The Game of Hearts is how Courtney included and referenced Alice in wonderland. All her characters were so authentic but also managed to incorporate the quirks and traits that made the original story so thrilling. But not only that, Courtney managed to include events that happened on the original story but twist and turn them to make them her own.
This is the first of Courtney’s books that I have read, and while I still enjoyed reading it as a stand-alone I think the whole reading experience would have been even better if I had read The Never Heir first, I’m definitely going to read book one before book 3 releases!
This book was slow to start but once it hit the 25% mark became fast paced and addictive and definitely made me stay up late on more than one occasion! The cliffhanger has left me hanging and I absolutely need to know what happens next!
I love the world building, I felt like I was trapped in some kind of haunted version of Wonderland alongside Alice, and I can’t wait to find out how they resolve all the problems caused by the Queen. This has definitely been one of my top Retellings and I’m gunna keep thinking about it for a while!
For lovers of:
- Alice in Wonderland
- Fairytale Retellings
- Rivals to Lovers
- Slow Burn
- Magical Competition
- 1920s London
- Fae
- Tending to Wounds
February 23, 2024
I received The Game of Hearts in return for an honest review from the author.
I love Alice she's a sweetheart and when she debated staying in the dream with her brother who had passed away my heart went out to her. I feel like if I was in her shoes I don't know if I would have been able to leave. I loved Ches he's such a great character and companion for our girl Alice. I was a little unsure about Maddox but as the story progressed and we got to really know him I started to really like him.
I've always been obsessed with Alice in Wonderland it's my favorite retelling and I have such fond memories of my grandmother reading it over and over to me. I knew the moment I heard that this one was a Alice retelling I had to sign up for. My only regret is I didn't realize I needed to read the first one and will need to go back and read the first story. Gosh the ending eeek. I can't wait for the next one to come out and tie up all the loose ends.
This is my first book by the author but she nailed it out of the park. The storytelling is beautifully done I was captivated right from the start. I ended up devouring The Game of Hearts in one afternoon because I had to know how it would play out. I loved this unique retelling of Alice in Wonderland and think the author did a fantastic job! I loved every moment of the story. Highly recommend if your a fan of Alice in Wonderland I recommend reading the first. One of my favorite books of 2024 so far!
I love Alice she's a sweetheart and when she debated staying in the dream with her brother who had passed away my heart went out to her. I feel like if I was in her shoes I don't know if I would have been able to leave. I loved Ches he's such a great character and companion for our girl Alice. I was a little unsure about Maddox but as the story progressed and we got to really know him I started to really like him.
I've always been obsessed with Alice in Wonderland it's my favorite retelling and I have such fond memories of my grandmother reading it over and over to me. I knew the moment I heard that this one was a Alice retelling I had to sign up for. My only regret is I didn't realize I needed to read the first one and will need to go back and read the first story. Gosh the ending eeek. I can't wait for the next one to come out and tie up all the loose ends.
This is my first book by the author but she nailed it out of the park. The storytelling is beautifully done I was captivated right from the start. I ended up devouring The Game of Hearts in one afternoon because I had to know how it would play out. I loved this unique retelling of Alice in Wonderland and think the author did a fantastic job! I loved every moment of the story. Highly recommend if your a fan of Alice in Wonderland I recommend reading the first. One of my favorite books of 2024 so far!
February 24, 2024
Fun & Fast Paced with Great Characters
Quote:📖
“Verena keeps all of us in chains. Some are just more obvious than others,”
Thoughts: 💡
I was quickly drawn in and kept me on the edge of my seat. Alice’s plight to be seen and respected for her own wants and desires is a struggle I think a lot of people can relate to, watching her find her mettle in the dangerous and deadly games made me proud. I also adored Maddox and Ches, they had heartbreaking struggles of their own and Maddox in particular was in a difficult situation.
The rivals to lovers, slow burn romance was brilliant but didn’t feel like the central plot point. With that said it was still really enjoyable with a hint of steam.
Fun Bits:
⚜️ Alice In Wonderland Retelling With Fae
⚜️ Once Upon A Time in Wonderland Vibes
⚜️ London’s Roaring 20s Portal Fantasy
⚜️ Wonderful, Loveable Characters
⚜️ Dastardly Evil Villainess (Queen of Hearts)
⚜️ Fast Paced and Really Exciting
Important Note:✨
This is the second book in the series, you don’t need to read the first book to understand this one, but it does help. It does tie into the first book in the epilogue.
Stats:📊
YA (No Spice)
Characters: 💙💙💙💙💙
Historical Fantasy: Retelling, Portal Fantasy, Magical Competition, Fae Royalty, Rivals to Lovers, Winterworld
Third Person, Past Tense, Dual POV
⚠️: Violence & Death
Quote:📖
“Verena keeps all of us in chains. Some are just more obvious than others,”
Thoughts: 💡
I was quickly drawn in and kept me on the edge of my seat. Alice’s plight to be seen and respected for her own wants and desires is a struggle I think a lot of people can relate to, watching her find her mettle in the dangerous and deadly games made me proud. I also adored Maddox and Ches, they had heartbreaking struggles of their own and Maddox in particular was in a difficult situation.
The rivals to lovers, slow burn romance was brilliant but didn’t feel like the central plot point. With that said it was still really enjoyable with a hint of steam.
Fun Bits:
⚜️ Alice In Wonderland Retelling With Fae
⚜️ Once Upon A Time in Wonderland Vibes
⚜️ London’s Roaring 20s Portal Fantasy
⚜️ Wonderful, Loveable Characters
⚜️ Dastardly Evil Villainess (Queen of Hearts)
⚜️ Fast Paced and Really Exciting
Important Note:✨
This is the second book in the series, you don’t need to read the first book to understand this one, but it does help. It does tie into the first book in the epilogue.
Stats:📊
YA (No Spice)
Characters: 💙💙💙💙💙
Historical Fantasy: Retelling, Portal Fantasy, Magical Competition, Fae Royalty, Rivals to Lovers, Winterworld
Third Person, Past Tense, Dual POV
⚠️: Violence & Death
December 20, 2023
I loved The Never Heir earlier this year, so I was excited to be spending time in this fairy tale world again with The Game of Hearts. Courtney Millecam's writing is so captivating, and she creates such a detailed fantasy world within a 1920s historical setting so well. Even though she writes retellings, I know I'm going to be reading something original and fresh every time.
I'm not a huge Alice in Wonderland fan, so it's amazing that I enjoyed this story so much! I loved how elements of the original story show up in the competition plot. There's tons of tension in wondering who Alice can trust and what will happen after each decision she makes. The plot moves along quickly, and the ending is absolutely crazy!
The romance is captivating as well. It's a true rivals-to-lovers slow burn, and even though I wanted more forced proximity with them, I enjoyed each scene we got. I bet there will be more to come with their relationship, and I'm excited to see what the next book brings! Overall, this is a great companion novel to The Never Heir, one I think readers who like retellings will enjoy.
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4
Thank you, Courtney Millecam, for the arc!
Releases Feb 23, 2024
I'm not a huge Alice in Wonderland fan, so it's amazing that I enjoyed this story so much! I loved how elements of the original story show up in the competition plot. There's tons of tension in wondering who Alice can trust and what will happen after each decision she makes. The plot moves along quickly, and the ending is absolutely crazy!
The romance is captivating as well. It's a true rivals-to-lovers slow burn, and even though I wanted more forced proximity with them, I enjoyed each scene we got. I bet there will be more to come with their relationship, and I'm excited to see what the next book brings! Overall, this is a great companion novel to The Never Heir, one I think readers who like retellings will enjoy.
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4
Thank you, Courtney Millecam, for the arc!
Releases Feb 23, 2024
February 11, 2024
The Game of Hearts is second in the Otherworlds series by Courtney Millecam. It can definitely be read as a stand alone (which I’ve done) but it does contain some spoilers for book1.
I really love fairytale retellings, and I especially love how Millecam has done this Alice in Wonderland one! From the world building to the characters it was beautifully written and captivating, I seriously struggled to put this book down at times 😂
I loved this version of Alice, she’s very relatable in terms of her struggles and her reactions to the Winterlands. Her relationships with the other characters felt natural and her romance storyline felt like it happened at a realistic pace for the story. And Maddox is the kind of MMC that you are really rooting for in the end, because his situation is really not ideal and we love a complicated and broody fae princess around here ❤️
As wonderful as Alice is, I think my favourite character has to be Ches! I really enjoyed the is take on the Cheshire Cat and his personality and how he treats Alice. He just sounds like the kind of friend that everyone should have.
This fairytale retelling was truly special and I am now off to go and read the first in the series and patiently wait for the third to be released!
I really love fairytale retellings, and I especially love how Millecam has done this Alice in Wonderland one! From the world building to the characters it was beautifully written and captivating, I seriously struggled to put this book down at times 😂
I loved this version of Alice, she’s very relatable in terms of her struggles and her reactions to the Winterlands. Her relationships with the other characters felt natural and her romance storyline felt like it happened at a realistic pace for the story. And Maddox is the kind of MMC that you are really rooting for in the end, because his situation is really not ideal and we love a complicated and broody fae princess around here ❤️
As wonderful as Alice is, I think my favourite character has to be Ches! I really enjoyed the is take on the Cheshire Cat and his personality and how he treats Alice. He just sounds like the kind of friend that everyone should have.
This fairytale retelling was truly special and I am now off to go and read the first in the series and patiently wait for the third to be released!
February 17, 2024
4.5 stars
I received an advance e-copy for review.
If you love retellings, YA fantasy, competition storylines, character growth or magical settings—add this book to your list!
The Game of Hearts is the second book in the Otherworlds trilogy and is a reimagining of Alice in Wonderland set in the 1920s with faeries and a deadly competition to win the wish of your heart. This book hit right at my sweet spot for retellings: a story that has plenty of its own unique elements to stand on without relying too heavily on the source material but with lots of fun nuggets and nods to the original that are so exciting to come across.
I loved the character growth and arc for Alice in this book. She is not your standard fantasy tough girl and is a good hearted and fairly timid person who has great ideas and intentions but has been too scared to stand up for herself and what she wants. I found her personality relatable and her journey believable as she slowly leans more into her strength and trusts herself.
I loved the small hints to book 3 that are woven throughout as well and I’m very excited about what story it will be retelling and how this book set things up for the final installment.
Trigger/content warnings: some light violence and injuries. Steam level is kissing.
I received an advance e-copy for review.
If you love retellings, YA fantasy, competition storylines, character growth or magical settings—add this book to your list!
The Game of Hearts is the second book in the Otherworlds trilogy and is a reimagining of Alice in Wonderland set in the 1920s with faeries and a deadly competition to win the wish of your heart. This book hit right at my sweet spot for retellings: a story that has plenty of its own unique elements to stand on without relying too heavily on the source material but with lots of fun nuggets and nods to the original that are so exciting to come across.
I loved the character growth and arc for Alice in this book. She is not your standard fantasy tough girl and is a good hearted and fairly timid person who has great ideas and intentions but has been too scared to stand up for herself and what she wants. I found her personality relatable and her journey believable as she slowly leans more into her strength and trusts herself.
I loved the small hints to book 3 that are woven throughout as well and I’m very excited about what story it will be retelling and how this book set things up for the final installment.
Trigger/content warnings: some light violence and injuries. Steam level is kissing.
February 17, 2024
~~ I RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS AN ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST OPINION ~~
"In the game of hearts, Alice needed to guard hers."
I've always loved the story of Alice in Wonderland, ever since I was a kid, and after discovering my love for the fae thanks to the bookish world, this was the best crossover I never knew I needed!
It felt so much like Alice in Wonderland, but so different at the same time! The world building and the world itself were stunning, I loved the history and the story behind everything going on.
I loved the characters, Alice had grown so much throughout this book, her relationships with Ches and Maddox grew into beautiful stories that just made me so connected to the characters, I kept wishing for an end that benefited every single one of them!
I seem to have a thing for books about games and trials, I just can't resist them, and this one was no different! It was action-packed, intriguing, fascinating, I just loved following this story!
The end left me wanting more! I just want to go back to this world and find out everything there is to know about it, every ending of every character's story. I'll 100% be looking for more from this series!
"Oftentimes, the prettiest things in life are also the deadliest."
"In the game of hearts, Alice needed to guard hers."
I've always loved the story of Alice in Wonderland, ever since I was a kid, and after discovering my love for the fae thanks to the bookish world, this was the best crossover I never knew I needed!
It felt so much like Alice in Wonderland, but so different at the same time! The world building and the world itself were stunning, I loved the history and the story behind everything going on.
I loved the characters, Alice had grown so much throughout this book, her relationships with Ches and Maddox grew into beautiful stories that just made me so connected to the characters, I kept wishing for an end that benefited every single one of them!
I seem to have a thing for books about games and trials, I just can't resist them, and this one was no different! It was action-packed, intriguing, fascinating, I just loved following this story!
The end left me wanting more! I just want to go back to this world and find out everything there is to know about it, every ending of every character's story. I'll 100% be looking for more from this series!
"Oftentimes, the prettiest things in life are also the deadliest."
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