Jabberwock's Crown

Looking Glass Chronicles #3

by R.V. Bowman

She thought Wonderland couldn’t get any worse. She was wrong.

When Alice stepped through the Looking Glass, she expected to go home. Instead, she’s still stuck somewhere in Wonderland. Worse, she’s surrounded by angry Fae, accusing her of a crime she didn’t commit.

Trying to prove her innocence is anything but easy with the Fae king’s advisor trying to keep her locked up, and the Fae prince thinking she’d make an excellent pet.

When Chess shows up, Alice’s relief is short-lived — he didn’t come for her. Instead, he’s on his own desperate quest for a Fae artifact that will keep the Red Palace beast at bay.

But the Fae won’t give up the prize until their culprit is caught. So, Alice and Chess will have to capture the real villain if they want to keep the Red King from losing his mind and the Red Prince from losing his throne.

And if they play their cards right, they might defeat the Red Queen for good and get a happily ever after for themselves, too.

Join Alice on a final adventure down the Rabbit Hole in the last installment of The Looking Glass Chronicles, a fantasy retelling of Alice in Wonderland for YA readers.

Genres: Retellings

579 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2024

Reviews

[Karina's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back at it, book 3. I love how all main characters always find a way to cross paths when there separated, that's my favorite part of the story because it feels like its all coming together. This book, to me, was lot more emotional than the last two because a lot of it was just draining, especially for teenagers. Zander on the verge of losing his throne, Chess being betrayed by his father, Alice not even making it home, and Citirine not being able to be with Zander (star-crossed lovers trope). It's just, i want to cry for them, especially for Alice and Citirine because they don't deserve the pain (MY QUEENS!) I'm sad for Zander and Chess too, but their problem is they don't want to fix it, the girls are trying and staying hopeful while there being depressed (understandable, but come on guys i believe in you). The only thing i would say i don't like is that the king is still cursed. I mean it makes sense story wise, reading it, but the way book 2, 'Jabberwock's Champion', ended with Alice last seeing the king's eyes turn red, i thought it would've been like Lyssandra pretending to be the king and that she actually ended up killing him or him already being dead or maybe he was the actual evil, worse than the Red Queen herself. That would make Lyssandra a good queen or better than the king at least because she would've cursed him to be a minotaur so Wonderland can be better off i guess (not like she was better) and that could've opened up her redemption arc or hero in disguise arc. Also it would give Zander and Citirine the opportunity to FINALLY be together, but anyway that's my idea. Ooh maybe a special alternative ending (wink* wink*) Ms. Bowman. Anyway, totally loved the series and where can i find me a Wickle?! (he's adorable)

[Caroline Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: A Satisfying Conclusion to a Beloved Adventure

I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of this novel, and it was absolutely worth the wait! After the intense cliffhanger from the previous book, I couldn’t wait to see how the story would unfold, and this book delivered on every level. From the moment Alice was a child on the streets to her journey through Neverland, Wonderland, and beyond, it’s been a captivating ride—and this final installment ties everything together beautifully.

Without giving away spoilers (you need to experience it for yourself!), the novel wraps up all the storylines surrounding Alice, Chess, Zander, the Queen, and the King. It’s like catching up with old friends—you know the characters so well that each chapter feels like rewatching a beloved TV series. The pacing is a bit of a slow burn, but it gives you time to savor the depth of the characters and their evolution over time.

While I didn’t devour this book quite as fast as the one with the Labyrinth, it still had me saying, "just one more chapter" late into the night. If you’re a fan of retellings, this series is a must-read, and each installment somehow manages to top the last. The author’s ability to weave together familiar tales with fresh twists keeps me coming back, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

Overall, this novel is a perfect conclusion for long-time fans and a testament to the power of a well-told retelling. Highly recommended!

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of my favorite series to read ever. And the ending just rounded everything out very nicely. There are sad moments, happy moments, and funny moments. The banter is on point, the twists and turns, and the cliffhanger moments at the end of almost each chapter, just kept me reading and I just couldn’t stop until I was finished. The issues that stemmed from the start that were concerning were resolved by the end after many tense and unsure moments, and it all just made for such a riveting read.

I also really love this world and the characters, and couldn’t stop reading just to check on them 😜

This series I will always continue to reread. It has my favorite female MC, my favorite slow burn romance and I also love Alice in Wonderland, and that’s good enough for me. I also loooove and absolutely adore Chess 😍

And I may just have to get a cat to call Wickle one day.

And all I ask is for novellas or side stories of some of the characters we met in here because there were hints of things by the end that I just want to know more and see what happens to them all after this story.

I cannot recommend this series enough. If you just love Alice in Wonderland, then you definitely need to read this. And if you don’t, well, you should read it anyway!

Thank you to the author for the gifted e-copy 🥰 all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kenzie Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

*SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW*
TEAM GROW THIS SERIES A HUGE FANDOM!!!!
I loved this book! It was well written and I read it all in one day lol.

Chess and Alice are sooooo cute, OMG I'm dying! And then whenthey ended up getting married!!!! I need a novel that expands the futures of Rommy and Alice! I wanna know where there realationships go!

But I absolloutley adore over the way Chees calls Alice love! This part OMG, "Chess chuckled. 'I'm afraid not, love. We have a prisoner to take back to my uncle, but I've always wanted to stride around with a beautiful woman in my arms.'" The realationship was the BEST THING EVER!!!!! I need more of it! Chess and Alice were like so cute. I laughed so har when Wickle in Jaberwook's Champion started calling Chess Alice's mate. And eventually she went with it. And the when Larkspur did it too! And when Larkspur mentioned getting an ivataion to their wedding. I want an invatation too 😍😍😍 !

I'm so sad Citrine died though. I cried after reading that scene. Of course it was right after she and Zander thought they might have a chance 😭😭😭. I kept wanting to say put a potion in the box that will make Citrine come back to live when it becomes powerful.

Overall, it was so good and I couldn't put it down. Litteraly. LOVED IT!

[Kimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing series and story!

I’m so sad to see it come to an end. But it was wonderful reading it. An awesome roller coaster ride for sure. I love the main characters. So much has happened. I cried at a certain moment reading this last book. I don’t want to spoil anything but oh my heart strings definitely were pulled when reading what happened at that point. It was soooo sad! Lots of new characters and introducing of others who were mentioned but not introduced until now too and action and surprises twists and turns throughout. So good! Cheshire totally stole my heart too. I love happy endings. My favorite but the ones that comes with tragic lost makes it even more bitter sweet. Just perfect.

I highly recommend this story.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has been a sweet, enjoyable adventure. It’s light, clean and perfect for young adult readers.

Thank you, R. V. Bowman for this arc.

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite book in this series. I was entertained the whole time and could barely put it down!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bowman’s version of Alice is one of my favorite ever. She is kind and clever, but also fierce and loyal and loving. She learns she has magical gifts - healing powers and the ability to talk to creatures in Wonderland - and utilizes them to do good and gather new friends. And Chess. Well Chess is definitely among those characters I’d be excited to go on an adventure with… if I wasn’t terrified a romp through Wonderland would actually kill me 😂 He’s amazing and I love all of their shared interactions.

This last book in the series also allowed Alice to venture into other parts of Wonderland realm… traveling to the Faelands and meeting both the Fae royals and other creatures inhabiting those lands. We got to meet the other side of Chess’s family and learn more about his heritage.

Curses resurface, loyalties are tested, the crown is in peril and somehow Alice becomes integral to defeating the Red Queen and putting things to rights. Bowman infuses this last book with humor, romance, action and some grief. It was truly a deep delve into both the characters and the world they’re inhabiting. I was deeply engrossed throughout and couldn’t have asked for a more satisfying ending.