Falling for the Mad King: A Fairy Tale Villain Mash-Up

To Win a Dark Heart

by Sydney Winward

A witch without magic. A king without a heart. A wonderland falling apart at the seams.

Ellie Strife never cared about getting caught as long as she got her revenge. But after she fails to cast her second curse on the king’s twelve daughters, she is banished to the Mad Lands—a place where logic ceases to exist, flower vases sprout legs, and the unexpected becomes the norm.

Rylan Rhapsody, the unpredictable King of Hearts, is a man who hides more than one secret behind his smile. Chaotic, charming, and powerful magic of his own, Rylan is just as likely to make you lose your mind with his babbling alone as he is to make another ridiculous decree.

After getting his heart stolen from him, quite literally, Ellie must help him get it back. She needs his heart to restore her stolen magic. Rylan needs her cunning to save Wonderland from falling into a state of destruction.

What begins as a reluctant partnership spirals into something unexpectedly love. But when their adversary makes their move on the chessboard, only one of them can pay the price. And in Wonderland, even love demands a sacrifice.

Falling for the Mad King is the sixth book in the To Win a Dark Heart series which retells fairytales as old as time, but this time it’s the villain’s turn to get a happy ending.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tale Retellings, Fairy Tales

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 20, 2026

Reviews

[Jaida ✨Obsessed with classics✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

˚༘⋆.˚༘⋆.˚༘⋆.˚༘⋆.˚༘⋆.˚༘⋆.˚༘⋆.˚༘⋆.˚༘⋆.˚༘⋆.˚༘⋆.˚༘

Now Playing ♡ Melanie Martinez - Mad Hatter
1:29 ──●── 3:59

Thank you to Sydney Winard for a free advance ebook copy of “Falling For The Mad King” in exchange for an honest review.

One thing I thought was really interesting about this book was that Alice was the villain and Wonderland was ruled by a king instead of the queen of hearts or red queen that typically is the monarch in Alice In Wonderland Retellings and of course in the original by Lewis Carroll. Some of the scenes in this book were so cute! I especially liked the teasing and banter between Rylan and Ellie. The wonderland setting was beautiful and I really liked the magic with the roses. Everything in this book was so whimsical and nonsensical, especially Ryan's friends' names; Gideon Glimmer, Piper Pixiewing, Luna Larkspur, Felix Flamewood, Julian Jester, Thaddeus Thimble, and Clio Clockchime. The ending was so perfect I loved it! I will try another book by this author in the future.

“𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘶𝘯. 𝘚𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘺-𝘥𝘪𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘯.”

The Characters
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ellie ~ She was great. I really liked her!

Rylan ~ he acted quite childish at times. And he was constantly doing stuff nonchalantly. But I really liked him regardless.

“𝘗𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯’, 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯’ 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘴. 𝘎𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯’ 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘶𝘮,”

What To Expect
🌹 Hate To Love
🌹 Alice In Wonderland Retelling
🌹 Romantasy
🌹The Twelve Dancing Princesses
🌹 Villain Gets The Girl

“𝘞𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯'𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥.”

Quotes
~~~~~~~
“Will you hand me your watch?” This question got him to spin around and stare at her incredulously. “One never gives another their watch. Asking for it is the equivalent of a marriage proposal.” Unbearable heat washed over her face, and she rested her hands on her cheeks to try to hide the raging fluster crawling across her skin. “I- I- I didn’t… Y- y- you’re not… I- I- I wasn’t…” But then a large grin flashed across his face before he laughed. “I was jesting.” Ugh. She wanted to hit him. And she just might have if he weren’t so skittish about people touching him. “You are the worst, do you know that?” “Pardon?” he gasped, placing a hand against his chest. “And here I thought you wanted to link arms and drink the wedding tea with me.”

“Ellie Strife, a flaring flopping flabbergasting gardener of a sorceress, was his Queen of Spades.”

“The information you want in exchange for a kiss. I’ve been told I’m a good kisser.” “By whom?” she laughed. Although her eyes didn’t roll, he’d still managed to elicit laughter from her. “You’ve been avoiding women for most of your life.” He winked and pulled out his pocket watch. “By you in about twenty seconds.” She rolled her eyes. And there it was. A point for him! “Nice try. That sort of charm doesn’t work on me.” He snapped his fingers dejectedly. “Can’t blame a madman for trying.”

“She leaned closer to Rylan. “You are despicable!” she hissed near his ear, water still dripping from her chin. “Have I told you that I love when you’re angry with me?” He grinned, the faintest hint of guilt in his eyes. She barely resisted stomping on his foot. Ridiculous king. She hated that she loved his teasing and his banter and his unpredictability. Everything about him went against her nature as a sorceress. She shouldn’t like him. Yet, she did. He was charming in the most maddening way.”

“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮, 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳, 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯’ 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳”

Content
~~~~~~~
❤️‍🔥Romance| Several Semi Detailed kisses, flirting, blushing, a hand kiss, a forehead kiss

🤬Language| Drat,

🗡️Violence| attempted murder, holding knife to throat,

🏳️‍🌈LGBTQ| none

✝️Religion/Spirituality| Ellie is a sorceress and she casts spells and curses,

🍷Alcohol/Drugs| None.

⚠️Other| death of parents,

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this book, I didn’t know what to expect. A super whimsical kingdom, quirky characters, and strange magic? Sure. But what really hooked me was the banter. The enemies-to-more tension. The way these two slowly start catching feelings when they absolutely do not want to... perfect!

Rylan has had his heart stolen, and without it, his health is fading and Wonderland itself is falling apart. Ellie has lost her powers and been banished to Wonderland, where Rylan happens to be king. Neither of them is thrilled about working together, but they don’t really have a choice. She needs his heart to get her magic back, and he needs her to save his kingdom. Time is running out, and someone is actively trying to make sure they fail.

What made this story so fun was watching two people who couldn’t stand each other slowly start to care, and then start to worry about what happens after all of this. Their feelings grow, get messy, and are constantly tested by danger, and impossible choices. The chemistry sneaks up on you, and suddenly you’re way too invested, even with all the strange happenings in Wonderland.

This had cozy vibes, tons of banter, sarcasm, and a romance that completely worked for me. I’ve never been an Alice in Wonderland fan, and somehow this still became my favorite book in the series so far.

I need to read more by this author now.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Lisa Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have now received ARCs for just about every book in To Win a Dark Heart, a multi-author series of villainous fairy tale retellings. Among the ones I've read so far, Falling for the Mad King by Sydney Winward is my favorite. This book does an excellent job of bringing two troubled souls together to improve each other's lives for the better with a touch of whimsy and magic. The book combines Alice in Wonderland with "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," two stories that often lack clearly defined villains, allowing the author to create her own protagonists. Parts of it resembled Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, one of my favorite romantic TV shows of all time, but it is very much an original story.

Falling for the Mad King takes place primarily in Wonderland and introduces a villainous incarnation of Alice. The book follows the story of Rylan, the Mad King, an original character whose personality is a mix between the Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts, leaning more toward the former. He meets his match in Ellie Strife, a sorceress who cursed twelve princesses to dance every night in a vengeful act against their cheating father. She is punished by being stripped of her powers and exiled to Wonderland. After growing closer to Rylan, she agrees to help him recover his heart from the devious Alice.

Though these characters are meant to be villains, they are extremely likable from the start. Rylan comes off as silly and frivolous at first, but it is clear that he takes his duties as King of Wonderland seriously, doing his best to protect his subjects from his enchanted roses except in situations where he feels it would benefit him or the kingdom. Ellie was hurt by a previous betrayal and thought she was getting revenge on the king who scorned her by cursing his daughters. She is a sympathetic character who feels lost without her powers in Wonderland and learns to open herself up to Rylan's kindness. They are an excellent match who make each other better people through their actions and words.

Most villainous retellings lean on darker or more mature themes, but this book was surprisingly light and whimsical thanks to the Wonderland setting. Rylan's obsession with rhyming creates some welcome humor and levity for the story, while Ellie's stunted powers eliminated any threat she may have posed. The choice to create a Mad Hatter-inspired villain instead of the intimidating Queen of Hearts gives the story a lighter overall feel than some of the others in the To Win a Dark Heart series. It's the perfect book for someone looking for a villainous retelling but doesn't want to read about villains.

Falling for the Mad King is a charming addition to the To Win a Dark Heart series, offering a whimsical and lighthearted take on villainous fairy tale retellings. Sydney Winward's colorful characters, witty dialogue, and inventive world-building make for a spellbinding romance that will leave you rooting for these troubled souls. If you're looking for a story that subverts traditional villainous tropes and celebrates the power of love and redemption, this book is a must-read.

[Orangetails · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting to read a story where the King of Hearts and the sorceror (or in this case, sorceress) from the 12 Dancing Princesses get together, but after reading this, it actually makes some semblance of sense. But not too much because these are the Mad Lands, after all (otherwise known as Wonderland).
For starters, I thoroughly enjoyed Rylan's character, although I think he needed a cooler name. He was delightfully quirky and scary without being totally heartless...well, mostly. He was sweet, funny, and unpredictable without losing any of his charm. I enjoyed all of his chapters to the fullest. Ellie, by contrast, was practical and cynical, so it was quite a surprise to see her warm up to Rylan and his home. However, her sanity grounded his levity, and his laissez-faire attitude loosened her obssessive focus. They made quite a good match—my only complaint is that they seemed to fall too quickly into love, but again, it's Wonderland. All things are possible.
Story-wise, I liked how the search for Rylan's heart was the focus. We don't need a grand plot to appreciate the world building and character arcs. However, I think there could have been a dash more enemies-to-lovers here because of how they both want the heart back. My biggest complaint with the story was the lack of explanation regarding Alice. Alice as a villain sounds SO COOL, and her reasoning seemed valid...we just never get proof to back up her claims. She claims Rylan is a tyrant, but he doesn't appear like one. So, was she the mad one? Or was she right, and Rylan underwent a huge character arc we didn't get to see? I think it was a big missed opportunity to even include just a little bit of that story. It would have made more sense to make Rylan more villanious—it would have been brought him closer to Ellie (since she, too, was rather villainous) and given him a good reason to grow into the person he is at the end of the book.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book. It's fun and quirky with enough of a storyline to carry you through without it overshadowing the characters. Would recommend for a villainous romance that's not too dark!

[~ • { Elizabeth } • ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

👑🌹🐇 ARC Review: Falling for the Mad King by Sydney Winward
⭐ 4.5/5 Stars — a whimsical, aching Wonderland romance where chaos hides devotion and love costs everything
Falling for the Mad King feels like tumbling headfirst down the rabbit hole teacups rattling, roses whispering, and your heart never quite landing where you expect.
🕯️ Ellie Strife is a witch without magic and a woman exhausted by grief. Banished for revenge she never finished, Ellie arrives in Wonderland guarded, bitter, and afraid to hope. Love has only ever brought her loss. Yet beneath her sharp edges is a heart still aching to be seen.
👑 Rylan Rhapsody, the Mad King of Hearts, is chaos wrapped in charm. He rhymes when he’s nervous, lies when flustered, dances like joy itself, and hands out absurd punishments with a grin. With black hair, golden eyes, and a stolen heart, he is anything but mad and everything Ellie never expected. He is sunshine. She is storms. And he falls first.
✨ Wonderland bursts with color and wonder: green and purple roses, bubbling water traps, mazes of dusty halls, rackleberry tarts, and teacups brimming with warmth. Disguised as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Ellie and Rylan race against time to reunite him with the heart of Wonderland before it kills him.
🌙 What makes this story shine is its tenderness. Rylan never touches Ellie until she is hurt. He gives her safety before affection. And slowly, gently, he helps her release the resentment she’s been carrying alone.
🌹If you love:
🐇 Wonderland retellings
👑 Sunshine MMC × grumpy FMC
🌹 Soulmates & fate-bound love
💜 Age gap romance (she’s older)
🫖 Whimsy with emotional depth
⚠️ Content Warnings:
• Blood & injury
• Death of a parent
📖 Final Thoughts:
Sydney Winward delivers a heartfelt, imaginative romance that proves madness and magic often hide the deepest love. Falling for the Mad King is about choosing joy after grief and learning that sometimes the enemy isn’t the king it’s the past you’re afraid to release.
— Elizabeth

[Ilona Nurmela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh, one of my faves in this series! An absolutely unpredictable, whimzical and fantastic mashup retelling of Alice in Wonderland and 12 Dancing Princesses - loved it!

Rylan Rhapsody’s heart is stolen at his unbirthday party and then a sorceress called Ellie lands in his lap, eager to garden his magic roses, what can ossibly go wrong in Mad Lands?

What if Mad Lands had a Mad King of Hearts, not a queen? What if Alice was the villain? What if Wonderland aka Mad Lands couldn’t exist if the king had no heart and it was just stolen (and not figuratively, either)?

I could not put this one down. The darkness of obsession, the madness of being unable to touch a single being, the sneaky magic of roses, the treachery, the dialogue, the pace and wonderful characters - it was all sublime. One of the most imaginative, dark and twisted retellings of Alice in Wonderland I’ve ever read. Loved how steadfast Ryland was, yanking Ellie out of her obsession with the man who jilted her, offering quirky dialogue and adventure to distract her, all the while, ofc, searching for his heart. The doubts, the suspicions, the fears on their way; and the pink bubbly emotions rising through them were so delish! Loved Ellie’s can do attitude - I mean, offering to tend a garden when plants died at her neglect was a survival tactic. Also loved how the author managed to pull a Carroll - write a Wonderland retelling just as whimsical, absurdist and heartwarming as the original tale. But don’t take my word for it - read it yourself.

Fave quotes:
- Best devious plan: “The easiest way to get someone to do what he wanted? Make them fall in love with him.”
- Best proposal: “ You can curse people here, too, you know. Everyone needs a hobby.”

Recommended for lovers of dark but clean mixed gen (NA more than upper YA) mashup retellings, especially of Alice in Wonderland and other tales mixed in for fun.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't able to read this in one sitting, but every time I had to put the book down, I kept thinking about it! The world building was great, the character development was deep (except for Alice...not sure where she got her "the king is a villain" opinion), and the twists and turns in the plot were engaging.

I'm learning to enjoy enemies-to-lovers, but this particular book reminded me why it isn't my favorite trope--every time the Mad King spoke, Ellie got a headache, even to the very end. I have a hard time understanding how she could even contemplate falling for someone who gave her a headache every time they spoke! The book overall could have used a bit tighter editing (dangling modifiers and such), but it wasn't so prevalent to detract from the story. Content warning for dark magic--I read an arc (and didn't get the full blurb) and didn't realize the female main character was a sorceress and that both characters used dark magic throughout the book. I would have passed on this one had I known. (Since I received an arc, I wanted to finish the book to give it a full review. The dark magic part would be my only reason not to reread this book, and since magic is a "me" thing, not an objective negative, I didn't take off stars for the rating.)

Mashups can be tricky, but I felt like there was enough of the Dancing Princesses story to warrant this being more than just an Alice in Wonderland retelling. I did very much enjoy all the upside-down and inside-out Easter eggs from Alice in Wonderland. Definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes an unexpected angle to a popular fairy tale and who doesn't care about the magic aspect.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the whimsically dangerous world of Wonderland, a sorceress bent on revenge will have to team up with the Mad King to have any chance of returning to her homeland…but how is Ellie, a lone sorceress without her powers going to accomplish her purposes when partnered with madness itself, or rather himself?

King Rylan of Wonderland, the King of Hearts, was quite the character. The perfect mashup of the Mad Hatter with a sprinkle of the Queen of Hearts’s ruthlessness, Rylan had Ellie and even me on the brink of madness. His logic is like Swiss-cheese, constant in its ability to make one want to roll their eyes, which Ellie understandably does a lot of. I love their character growth in the beginning of their relationship, with both of their consciences realizing the depth and hurtful impact their actions had on those around them.

The world-building was also done wonderfully. I felt like I was in Wonderland with all of the crazy and creative monsters/landscapes described in the book. This was an excellent retelling of Alice in Wonderland, with plot twists and banter to bring such pleasant chaos it’s no wonder why the saying, “Off with your head”, is so commonly said in Wonderland.

If you are searching for a unique retelling of Alice in Wonderland paired with the 12 Dancing Princesses, chaotic banter, villain redemption arcs, plot twists, a relucntant partnership, and a dash of magical madness, pick up this book now!

[LeeEllen Belcher (Caw) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing and heartfelt no-spice retelling! The whimsical world-building was vibrant and incredibly descriptive. I especially enjoyed the redemption arcs that both villains went through, and how they intertwined beautifully. The banter and chemistry between King Rylan and Sorceress Ellie were absolute perfection. The author took the magic of Wonderland and spun it in a refreshing new way, supported by a cast of delightful side characters (except for the true villain of their stories).

When Alice steals King Rylan's actual heart, Wonderland begins to crumble, and he starts slowly dying. His only hope is to find her and retrieve it before she finds a way to destroy it.
Meanwhile, Sorceress Ellie has been exiled to the Mad Lands with her magic bound for cursing her first love after his betrayal centuries ago. When she's sent to the king of Wonderland, she soon discovers that he's just as mad as the realm he rules and has powerful magic of his own.
As they reluctantly join forces to save his life and return her powers, they begin falling for one another, even if they're too busy bantering to admit it.
Once they come to terms with their own villainous pasts, will they learn to trust themselves and each other?

I received an Advanced Reader Copy with no expectation of a review. All opinions are my own.

[Twinkle.butt.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh. My. Gosh. If you’re looking for a book that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat while making you question your life choices (in a good way, of course), then Falling for the Mad King is your new obsession. I’m talking chaos, secrets, and a love story that’s anything but ordinary.

First off, let’s talk about the Mad King. He’s charming, unpredictable, and oh so dangerous—just the way I like my royalty. Think you've seen crazy before? Think again. The King’s mind is a maze of madness, and yet… you can’t help but be drawn to him. Like a moth to a flame, I’m not even mad about it. And the romance? Oh, it's deliciously complicated. The chemistry between the two main characters is electric—every look, every word feels like it's sparking something explosive. But here's the kicker: you’re never quite sure if this love will heal or destroy. It’s a constant battle of heart and mind, and I’m here for every. single. page.
Sydney Winward really nails the tension between “Is he gonna snap?” and “Can I trust this love?” Add in some insane plot twists, a few dangerous alliances, and a whole lot of drama, and you’ve got a book that you cannot put down

Thank you Booksprout and Booksirens for the arc

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling for the Mad King is a deliciously wicked romp through a fairy tale world where villains are charming, romance is dangerous, and nothing is quite what it seems. Sydney Winward flips the script, inviting readers to root for the “bad guys” while indulging in slow-burn romance, treachery, and dark humor.

At the heart of the story is the Mad King himself — unpredictable, magnetic, and delightfully unhinged. His chemistry with the heroine is charged, messy, and utterly addictive, giving rise to moments of tension, longing, and playful menace. Every interaction feels like a gamble, where surrendering to desire could be thrilling or ruinous.

Winward’s worldbuilding combines familiar fairy tale elements with a darker, morally gray twist. Villainous characters, tangled schemes, and unexpected alliances create a rich, immersive setting that balances danger, humor, and romance in equal measure.

[Saydi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love fairytale retellings, and this one didn't disappoint. This is such an imaginative book and it being about the villains made it even more intriguing. All the characters and places were very unique but still recognizable as being related to the original fairytales. There was a lot of nice, detailed descriptions of the locations, characters, and the creatures.

I absolutely love Rylan. He felt more like a mad-hatter type character, but as he was the mad king it was very fitting. I also really liked his and Ellie's relationship progression, as well as her character arc. The supporting characters were also fun, and they added a lot to the story.

I was very happy to read this book, and I will definitely read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that I finished this book in day, right after reading Jes Drew's Falling for the Sorcerer…

I don't think I am able to express how good these books are. But this book in particular, I have never read a retelling of Alice in wonderland, and I've read a lot of retellings.

It was expertly done. The ignorant evil king for a good reason was so good and the grumpy sorceress was the cherry on top. The world building was exceptional, I felt like I fell right down the rabbit whole into the world. The FMC's character growth and eventual if not slightly vengeful forgiveness was tear jerking. The magic system was simple and perfect for the crazy upside down world of wonderland and the cute gold retriever MMC… heheheheh. Oh I am obsessed.

Also all the references to other fairy tales??? Stroke of genius.

I received this book as an ARC from book sirens.

[Tonia Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a engaging read. Decently written characters though to me they could have been a little better fleshed out. Like why do characters do what they do? Why do they feel the way they do? What made them that way? The king could have been a little more…. mad. Like nothing about him was truly mad like the mad hatter or march hare or dormouse. He had a few eccentricities but that was all. It all was moving along nicely and then the end felt so rushed. Overall it was an okay read, but could have been much….muchier (lol).

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a strong sixth entry in the To Win a Dark Heart series, it uses the Alice in Wonderland and 12 dancing princesses in a way that I was hoping for based on the description. I enjoyed getting into the villainous twist in this and how the romance was used for the storyline. Sydney Winward was able to weave something that I was looking for and enjoyed how well it uses the supernatural romance element to this book, and cared about the characters. This book left me wanting to read more in this series and can't wait for the rest of the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mary Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful read! I loved the twist on the classic Wonderland with King Rylan Rhapsody ( love the name.) as the King of Hearts, considered Mad, but he's just a quirky, very lovable character. Ellie Strife is our connection to the Twelve Dancing Princesses, as she is the sorceress that cursed them for a very interesting reason. With Ellie banished to Wonderland, the fun for us begins! The relationship of Rylan and Ellie is so entertaining! There are other fun minor characters and yes, Alice is a baddie!
Can't forget the roses! This book is a great read for all ages!

[Raeleane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling for the Mad King is the 6th book in the Fairy Tale Villain mashup series by Sydney Winward. The world building is delightful and keeps you on the edge of your seat. There is intrigue, suspense, and romance. The characters are well written with a serious chemistry between them, also makes you wonder if they will work out. Windward definitely knows how to keep her readers captivated. I absolutely enjoyed this story as well as all the other mashups in this series. I highly recommend reading the book and the series!!

[Ashlyn Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I instantly fell in love with these characters. They were so unique and set on their own schemes that it made for a perfect spiral of fate. The dual POV was exactly what this book needed with such dynamic characters. The plot moved quickly but was far from short of details and a complex setting. Both worlds built around the characters were perfect, explaining their pasts and characteristics so well.
Thank you for the arc!

[Adena Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madness, Wonderland is all madness, but boy, did it make Ellie's plight chaotically funny. I must have something in common with Rylan to find the way Ellie was flailing around, trying to find logic in Wonderland antics, enjoyable. The romance between them snuck up on me and smacked me upside the head with its sweet inevitability. I surprised myself with how much I like this mad mashup; hopefully other readers will agree.

I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[tre.wandereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

was pleasantly surprised to like this as much as i did. i mean, i really aimed to like it. but it exceeded my expectations! it was a somewhat retelling of alice in wonderland but with a dark hero trope. it was very whimsical and the flow of the story was really well done. the writing was light and very engaging! i really liked the characters and the story itself. kudos to the writer for a fresh take!

[emeraldragonlady (Maddie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a twisted book. Both villains are pretty villainous, and I can say that part way through the book I started rooting for them. It definitely fits the Alice in Wonderland world of their world being kind of chaotic, but I definitely puts into perspective when they go back to the real world and things are not that way and it’s like well Why should not be that way. I definitely liked this villainous retelling and if you are an Alice Wonderland fan, you would like this too.

[H J Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Falling for the Mad King' is an enticing and wacky tale set in Wonderland. It has a strong setting which both delights and confounds. It is well written with a strong tone, detailed characterisation, and intriguing mysteries driving the story forward. It is very enjoyable.
I recommend it to fantasy and 'Alice in Wonderland' fans. I also recommend checking out the entire series.

[Lj · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you might expect from a story inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the book is full of charming chaos and unexpected twists. 'Wonderland' is not my favourite story so I was expecting not to be too fond of this one, but it is so well written with such well crafted characters that it quickly drew me in and kept me reading to the end.

I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.

[Patience · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure what it is about Alice in Wonderland and its retellings that attracts me so much. Something about the edge of insanity and literally having no idea what will jump out next sucks me in. 😆 This book was no exception. The world building was delightful. The main characters complemented each other well.
I would rate for ages 17 and up for romance.

[Martelize Schütte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and characters are crazyy!!🤣 Ellie tries to keep her head while Ryan fully lost it! He is babbling one second then being serious. So unpredictable! I love how they needed each other to achieve their revenge. Also how Ryan is rhyming when he is stressed 😂I love how much Wonderland is so much different and illogical! This was one wild roller coaster ride! 😍

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down one of my favorite Alice in Wonderland retelling! I love the Fairy Tale Villain mashup! A fantastic adventure not to be missed!

I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely wonderfully chaotic and upside down in the most delightful, wonderland worthy way.

It was everything I have wanted in a wonderland retelling, woven into a story of redemption. Getting lost to find one's self.

I can't imagine any other wonderland books topping this!

[Lilithya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Although the concept is good and the ambientation is rich with diferent references to various fairytales, I wasn't able to cheer or root for the characters.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep, I have definitely fallen for the Mad King!

This story had vibes like the TV show Once Upon a Time and not in just the two fairytales combined way.

This story made me laugh and swoon. It had me on the edge of my seat and ripped out my heart a time or two.

[Morgan (youarethelibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun version of Wonderland! I wanted to know more about Rylan’s friends.
Rylan’s sense of mischief exasperating Ellie while also exciting her and thawing her heart was the best.

*I received an eARC from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.