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Alison's Adventures in Time
Not yet published
Expected 27 Jan 26It’s the autumn of 2007 in London, England, and seventeen-year-old Alison Mayhew is terrified of what to make of the future. When she follows a mysterious man with a pocket watch, she finds herself there: over two hundred years into the future at the Kapilla Institute of Archival Accuracy.
But the future isn’t what she thinks. A dictatorial commander named Maria Radley has overtaken KIAA. Cue Operation Morning Sky. Alison, along with a motley crew of new friends, volunteers to aid in a plot to depose the institution’s tyrannical leader. Venturing back into Radley’s past, Alison must now find out where exactly Maria Radley went wrong—and she just might find her own path along the way.
Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, debut author Laura McAsh takes readers on a whimsical adventure of friendship and the perils of growing up in the first of this planned trilogy.
But the future isn’t what she thinks. A dictatorial commander named Maria Radley has overtaken KIAA. Cue Operation Morning Sky. Alison, along with a motley crew of new friends, volunteers to aid in a plot to depose the institution’s tyrannical leader. Venturing back into Radley’s past, Alison must now find out where exactly Maria Radley went wrong—and she just might find her own path along the way.
Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, debut author Laura McAsh takes readers on a whimsical adventure of friendship and the perils of growing up in the first of this planned trilogy.
276 pages, Paperback
Expected publication January 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.25 stars
ARC review
In this YA sci fi inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Alison is a 17 year old high school student struggling with all the big decisions to be made about her future. She soon realises there are much bigger things in store for her when she unwittingly follows a mysterious man through a hidden door and comes out 200 years into the future at the headquarters of Kapilla Institute of Archival Accuracy: a time travel investigative agency. Alison now has a pivotal role to play in a plot to depose KIAA's tyrannical overlord, Maria Radley, by travelling back in time covertly.
Alison definitely reminded me of myself at that age and I think her character is the perfect mix of the naivety of youth, that would make a person agree to something as unbelievable as this, and apprehension - I love how she didn't just immediately adjust to groundbreaking news like a lot of YA protagonists do. The highlight of this book for me is Alison and Maria's relationship developing when she goes back to find Maria as a girl. I love a villain origin story and this was quite literally a villain origin story with the all the devastation needed. I think Alison and Maria are innately very similar at heart and this story is about how circumstances and trauma effect the trajectory of a person's life. Overall I really enjoyed the cast and representation. We get like a tiny taste of found family which is one of my fave tropes but I would've liked more.
The first half was much more successful than the second half in my opinion. Taking the time travel out (because obviously there are going to be jumps in the plot), I found a lot of unnatural transitions between scenes and I was wondering "how did this chapter get from a to b". I also wish there was more backstory of characters other than Alison and Maria, especially the other "bad guys" because it made Maria feel out of place in the present day timeline. This is the first book in a new series and I'm on the fence about continuing the series but it will really depend where the story goes so I'm excited for a blurb at least!
ARC review
In this YA sci fi inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Alison is a 17 year old high school student struggling with all the big decisions to be made about her future. She soon realises there are much bigger things in store for her when she unwittingly follows a mysterious man through a hidden door and comes out 200 years into the future at the headquarters of Kapilla Institute of Archival Accuracy: a time travel investigative agency. Alison now has a pivotal role to play in a plot to depose KIAA's tyrannical overlord, Maria Radley, by travelling back in time covertly.
Alison definitely reminded me of myself at that age and I think her character is the perfect mix of the naivety of youth, that would make a person agree to something as unbelievable as this, and apprehension - I love how she didn't just immediately adjust to groundbreaking news like a lot of YA protagonists do. The highlight of this book for me is Alison and Maria's relationship developing when she goes back to find Maria as a girl. I love a villain origin story and this was quite literally a villain origin story with the all the devastation needed. I think Alison and Maria are innately very similar at heart and this story is about how circumstances and trauma effect the trajectory of a person's life. Overall I really enjoyed the cast and representation. We get like a tiny taste of found family which is one of my fave tropes but I would've liked more.
The first half was much more successful than the second half in my opinion. Taking the time travel out (because obviously there are going to be jumps in the plot), I found a lot of unnatural transitions between scenes and I was wondering "how did this chapter get from a to b". I also wish there was more backstory of characters other than Alison and Maria, especially the other "bad guys" because it made Maria feel out of place in the present day timeline. This is the first book in a new series and I'm on the fence about continuing the series but it will really depend where the story goes so I'm excited for a blurb at least!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I absolutely flew through this book — finished it in a day and immediately wanted book two right now. The time jump from 2007 London to the future hooked me fast, and the whole Kapilla Institute / Operation Morning Sky plot was way more fun and addictive than I expected.
I loved the found-family vibes, the Wonderland-inspired chaos, and how the story balances whimsy with darker themes without feeling heavy. Maria Radley was a genuinely interesting antagonist, and going into her past made the story even better.
Fast, imaginative, and super readable. I had a great time with this one and I need the sequel immediately.
I am grateful to the author and publisher for sending me this ARC
I loved the found-family vibes, the Wonderland-inspired chaos, and how the story balances whimsy with darker themes without feeling heavy. Maria Radley was a genuinely interesting antagonist, and going into her past made the story even better.
Fast, imaginative, and super readable. I had a great time with this one and I need the sequel immediately.
I am grateful to the author and publisher for sending me this ARC
January 19, 2026
“To the wanderers; know you are never truly lost.”
This book is a refreshing YA Fantasy take with a bit of a Sci-Fi twist on the classic story of “Alice in Wonderland”. I adored this read, and it’s something that I would recommend to both younger and older readers alike.
The characters are both compelling and likable, and the author did a really good job of breathing fresh life into a story we’re all familiar with. She really turned it into something that was her own.
This book is a refreshing YA Fantasy take with a bit of a Sci-Fi twist on the classic story of “Alice in Wonderland”. I adored this read, and it’s something that I would recommend to both younger and older readers alike.
The characters are both compelling and likable, and the author did a really good job of breathing fresh life into a story we’re all familiar with. She really turned it into something that was her own.
Review of advance copy received from Sonstiges
Thank you for the Arc for this very fun book.
I really loved to read about Alisons Adventure through time. I adored all the characters. Chester and Albert have my whole heart and i need them together. Like right now. They are so cute.
I loved the timey wimey stuff and this still captured a lot of whimsical.
I really loved to read about Alisons Adventure through time. I adored all the characters. Chester and Albert have my whole heart and i need them together. Like right now. They are so cute.
I loved the timey wimey stuff and this still captured a lot of whimsical.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
I had the pleasure of copy-editing this book for Contrarian Publishing and loved it so much! I can't wait to get a physical copy upon release!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews