Twisted Wonderland. Il tiranno scarlatto Il romanzo

Disney Twisted-Wonderland. The Novel #1

by Jun Hioki, Yana Toboso (Illustrator)

Il primo capitolo dell'universo narrativo dedicato ai Disney Villains, dedicato alla Regina di Cuori di Alice nel Paese delle Meraviglie.

Il timido e impacciato Yuya non immagina certo che una banale giornata si trasformi in un viaggio inaspettato; senza capire perché, il ragazzo si ritrova al Night Raven College, un'accademia misteriosa di un mondo sconosciuto, dove studiano giovani dotati di poteri magici e personalità eccentriche.

Yuya, però, non ha alcuna abilità speciale e, in un luogo in cui la magia è tutto, lui è l'anomalia: nessuno riesce ad assegnarlo a uno dei sette dormitori e persino le sue scelte sembrano sfuggire a ogni regola. In più, per trovare la strada di casa Yuya dovrà affrontare Riddle, il temuto tiranno che impone ai suoi studenti regole tanto rigide quanto assurde, come quella che vieta di presentarsi a una festa di non-compleanno con una torta di castagne.

Tuttavia, quando la solitudine sembra inghiottirlo, Yuya incontra Grim, un tanuki con il sogno di diventare un grande mago e la tendenza a mettersi nei guai, e scoprirà che anche in un mondo dominato dai cattivi, si può trovare sé stessi.

Ispirato all'omonimo gioco, Il tiranno scarlatto è il romanzo Disney che accompagna il lancio della nuova serie animata Twisted-Wonderland, disponibile su Disney+.

Scritto da Jun Hioki e illustrato da Yana Toboso, il volume nasce dalla collaborazione con Walt Disney Japan e si inserisce nell'universo narrativo dedicato ai Villains Disney.

Genres: Fantasy, Manga, Light Novel, Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Video Games

445 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Twisted-Wonderland piece I haven't bounced hard off of, which means that I hope the next novel also gets an English translation. It isn't amazing, but it is interesting, and I like the slow realization that the people the school is holding up as great leaders...aren't. I may not have the warm and fuzzies for Disney right now, but I still had a good time reading this.

[Tabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS SO CUTE

[Martin Maenza · Rating 3 out of 5]

VIZ Media provided an early galley for review.

This is a straight-up novelization of the first four volumes of Yana Toboso's manga (the Book of Heartslabyul). The story combines well the elements of traditional manga/anime school settings with character elements and aesthetics from Disney classic animation. If you've read and enjoyed those manga (which I definitely did!) then you might also like revisiting the story in this prose form. For me, the artwork on the original really made this story extra special; there are a few tastes of that peppered here.

[el · Rating 3 out of 5]

ace & deuce they will never make me hate you

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been a long-term fan of twst, as I remember when the jp server wasn't even out yet, but I just recently finished this book and let me say it feels like a major improvement from the original game. Book one is rather short, and since it’s a visual novel it’s sometimes hard to see what characters are thinking or doing, but because of all the extra information you’re given, it honestly made me even more attached to the characters than I was before!

I loved the way Trey comforted Riddle after his overbloting, rubbing his back to remind him that he truly cares. Something we never see in the game. All the little added details made them feel more realistic. And while I wasn’t the biggest fan of the MC at first, he grew on me a bit as he juxtaposed Ace and Deuce so well, as if he was the voice of reason they dearly need at times. Even though he’s a bit of a scaredy-cat…

Twst has always had a soft spot because it’s been in my life for so long. Even though this book is not perfect, I think it does an amazing job at retelling the story in a way that keeps me (someone who’s read the main story in the game over 5 times) pleasantly entertained.

It made me very excited for book 2 which I already pre ordered!!

[✧₊⁎Haru • 🦦🪷⁎⁺˳✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

adattamento super carino e piacevole da leggere, ho molto apprezzato il fatto che siano stati aggiunte delle parti in più per dare più contesto alla storia ed hai personaggi!!

5⭐️

[Mahala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this was a lovely adaptation of the first part of the game that provided not only more lore about the world of twisted wonderland, but a more in depth look at the characters as well. With it being a visual novel game, it was sometimes hard to visualize and feel the tense emotions running throughout the story but this book handled them beautifully. I have seen not only Riddle, but everyone else in a new light that has made me love this story even more.

[Liberi Leggendo · Rating 4 out of 5]

La storia si apre con Yuya, un ragazzo timido e impacciato, lontanissimo dall’idea dell’eroe prescelto. La sua quotidianità viene stravolta senza alcun preavviso quando si ritrova catapultato al Night Raven College, un’accademia oscura e misteriosa in cui la magia è tutto… e lui non ne possiede nemmeno un briciolo. Questa anomalia lo rende immediatamente un outsider, incapace di essere assegnato a uno dei sette dormitori, ognuno ispirato a un celebre Villain Disney. Yuya diventa così lo specchio del lettore: spaesato, fragile, ma determinato a non scomparire.

Il cuore pulsante del romanzo è il Dormitorio del Rosso, dominato da Riddle, il tiranno scarlatto ispirato alla Regina di Cuori. Riddle è un personaggio memorabile: ossessionato dalle regole, inflessibile, temuto da tutti. Le sue imposizioni sono tanto assurde quanto inquietanti, e dietro il suo autoritarismo si avverte una tensione costante che rende ogni confronto carico di elettricità. Il romanzo riesce con grande abilità a mostrare come il concetto di “cattivo” non sia mai monolitico, ma nasconda ferite, insicurezze e una visione del mondo distorta.

Accanto a Yuya brilla Grim, un tanuki irriverente e pasticcione, con il sogno di diventare un grande mago. La loro amicizia nasce in modo spontaneo e diventa un’ancora emotiva fondamentale: in un mondo dominato da regole ferree, rivalità e magia oscura, Grim rappresenta la possibilità di sentirsi meno soli. È proprio attraverso questo legame che il romanzo lancia uno dei suoi messaggi più potenti: anche in un universo governato dai Villains, è possibile trovare la propria identità.

La scrittura di Jun Hioki è fluida, visiva e perfettamente in sintonia con le atmosfere del gioco e della serie animata. Le illustrazioni di Yana Toboso impreziosiscono ulteriormente il volume, donandogli un’estetica elegante e dark che cattura immediatamente lo sguardo e rafforza l’immersione narrativa.

Twisted Wonderland. Il tiranno scarlatto è una lettura coinvolgente, capace di conquistare sia i fan Disney sia chi ama le storie fantasy scolastiche dal tono più cupo e introspettivo. È un romanzo che parla di esclusione, di identità e di scelte, ricordandoci che non servono poteri straordinari per trovare il proprio posto nel mondo: a volte basta il coraggio di restare fedeli a sé stessi.

Un inizio magnetico per una saga che promette ombre, fascino e molta più profondità di quanto ci si aspetterebbe da un mondo “dominato dai cattivi”. 📚🖤

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

AHH I LOVE THIS BOOKKKK

(The only reason it’s not full five stars is because i’ve read the same story over and over lmao 😭)

But compared to the other media forms this comes in, i really liked the novel. I feel like they have a more in depth analysis and representation with Yuu but also with Riddle all the same. A lot of Riddle’s feelings were developed and explained very well, I felt very attached to this version of him. I also found it interesting to see how people had a view on his childhood after finding out about his mother.

THE OVERBLOT TAKES THE CAKE THO. Holy shit?!? It was so well written and creepy like almost horror/gore like and i love that!

[Sofi ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolute peak

[Cyyesz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if someone stumbles upon this book without knowing about the Twisted Wonderland game, I'd still highly recommend it.

I have read this story three times (once in game, in the manga, and now this novel), and every single time it's different, yet equally as entertaining.
The game gives you the voice acting, the mangas give you the visuals, and the novel gives you the details.
The thing I love most about these three stories is that in every series, the main character is different. I was fully expecting the confident main character from the mangas that always knew what to do to be the main character in the novel as well, but I was surprised to read the perspective of an extremely shy, introverted and unsure boy. This makes me believe that the writers are trying to put the reader into the story- to put every single player of the game into the books. Every main character has experienced the same tale, but they're different every time, and I love that so so much.
The fact that you're being put into Riddle's place in chapter 15 is also extremely well done. You're not an outsider, no, you ARE Riddle, experiencing his hardships. Reading his thoughts in this perspective really makes you live with him, and understand why he's the way he is. Also, the reason for Riddle's Overblot, in my opinion, is pretty realistic; having to be perfect because your parents say so. I can see this in a lot of younger people. Some parents are strict and want their child to do good, so they pressure them into getting perfect grades, and other times it are the children that don't want to disappoint their parents, so they make up that pressure of having to be perfect so that their parents can be proud of them. I can see both of these scenarios in Riddle.
The main character doesn't get a lot of development, but the small bit of development that is shown is so well-written. They don't change at all, yet they did dare to speak up to Riddle and fight with the others to get Riddle back to his senses, and that's a big development for a person like the main character.
Without a doubt a 10/10 book.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oggi sono qui per parlarvi di un'altra bellissima opera arrivata nelle nostre librerie e online.
Come sapete sono una grande amante del genere, quindi potevo mai farmela scappare? Assolutamente no.

𝑨𝑻𝑻𝑬𝑵𝒁𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑬 𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑰𝑳𝑬𝑹 𝑬 𝑺𝑪𝑳𝑬𝑹𝑰 𝑫𝑨 𝑭𝑨𝑵 𝑺𝑼𝑷𝑬𝑹 𝑭𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑵~

" Odio la parola limiti, farò sempre di tutto per superarli. "

Yuya vive serenamente la sua vita da studente a Tokyo. Una sera, mentre sta aspettando il bus per rientrare a casa, una carrozza trainata da cavalli neri sembra investirlo... e poi il buio.
Quando riapre gli occhi si riscopre rinchiuso in una bara, ancora vivo! Disperatamente riesce ad aprirla e al di fuori non trova un cimitero bensì... una sala piena di specchi e bare galleggianti, ricolma di diverse entità incappucciate.
Un uomo in maschera da corvo gli si avvicina e sorpreso dal suo atteggiamento stranito, gli spiega che è stato portato dallo Specchio Magico di Grimilde al Night Raven College, una scuola per possessori di magia e futuri grandi Maghi e Stregoni. Yuya, sorpreso, spiega allora che lui non possiede alcuna magia e il panico si impossessa della sala: com'è possibile che lo Specchio abbia portato lì, un essere umano? Dire Crowley, l'uomo in maschera e Preside del Raven College, chiede allo Specchio di rimandarlo a casa ma quando l'incantesimo parte... si blocca perché pare che Yuya non abbia un posto dove tornare e nessuno conosca il Mondo e la città di cui lui parla! Dato che purtroppo non c'è altro da fare, Dire Crowley decide di farlo restare in attesa di una soluzione.

" D'altronde sono un'anima gentile! "

Il Night Raven College è una scuola che si divide in sette dormitori, ognuno dei quali ispirati a uno dei villains Disney (che a quanto pare vengono osannati e la loro storia... alquanto ribaltata da un punto di vista villain anziché eroe):

• Heartslabyul - madrina la Regina di Cuori
• Savanaclaw - padrino Scar
• Octavinelle - madrina Ursula
• Scarabia - padrino Jafar
• Pomefiore - madrina Grimilde
• Ignihyde - padrino Ade
• Diasomnia - madrina Malefica

Ognuno dei vari personaggi che Yuya conosce al Raven College è ispirato a uno dei canonici Disney ma nel volume Il Tiranno Scarlatto dedicato al Dormitorio di Heartslabyul, conosceremo principalmente quelli provenienti dal mondo di Alice, come l'Housewarden Riddle Rosehearts che non è chiaramente detto ma è un discendente della Regina di Cuori sicuramente, se non proprio il figlio ma per qualche motivo Disney ha deciso di lasciare l'ispirazione e basta.

" Sei pronto per la tua condanna? Il verdetto arriverà dopo. Un'ultima parola? Tagliati la testa! "

Riddle gestisce il Dormitorio con tirannia e durezza. Se solo osi infrangere una delle 810 regole della Regina di Cuori, il suo incantesimo "Tagliargli la Testa" ti mette un collare a forma di cuore al collo che ti blocca la magia per un periodo non definitivo.
Secondi di Riddle sono Trey e Cater. Yuya si ritrova ad avere a che fare con loro perché per varie circostanze stringe amicizia con Ace e Deuce, due ragazzi del primo anno che non ne combinano una buona: danno totale quando Ace mangia una fetta della crostata che Trey ha preparato per la consueta festa di non compleanno del Dormitorio.

001. Devi correre alla massima velocità per sempre e rimanere sempre nello stesso posto.
023. Non bisogna mai portare un gatto a un evento formale.
025. Il 5 di ogni mese deve sempre esserci un tea party.
053. Gli oggetti rubati devono essere sostituiti.
063. Coloro che fanno arrabbiare la Regina a corte devono correre attraverso un labirinto inseguiti da soldati di carte.
089. Non mangiare mai una crostata senza il permesso della Regina.
153. L'unico tè che puoi bere la sera è la tisana.
186. Non mangiare mai un hamburger il martedì.
228. I fiori nei giardini non devono mai essere raccolti il mercoledì.
249. I custodi dei fenicotteri devono indossare abiti rosa.
256. Vietato bere limonata zuccherata al miele dopo le ore 20.00
271. Entro quindici minuti dal termine del pranzo bisogna lasciare la tavola.
304. Nei giorni in cui un riccio starnutisce, tutti i soldatini di carta devono cantare insieme una canzone.
339. La bevanda dopo il pasto è il tè al limone con due zollette di zucchero.
346. Il croquet non deve essere giocato dopo le 17:00.
372. Se un fungo dal cappello rosso germoglia il lunedì mattina, le rose del giardino devono essere bianche.
412. Quando vedi un paio di occhiali che si muovono nella foresta, non tornare mai indietro per la strada da cui sei venuto.
434. Se vedi un bruco alto esattamente sette centimetri, devi recitare una poesia al suo scopritore.
469. Quando si organizza una festa per nuovi amici, bisogna decorare con rose rosse e bianche.
529. Se mangi una bistecca in una notte di luna piena, un gatto deve suonare il violino dopo.
562. Non si deve mai portare una crostata di castagne a un tè per un non-compleanno.
648. Devi lavarti i denti 2 volte la sera in cui mangi il tacchino.
703. Chiunque arrivi secondo in un torneo di croquet deve servire il tè alla regina il giorno dopo.

Ma perché Riddle è così tiranno e non riesce ad essere più flessibile? Tutto è dovuto all'influenza di sua madre che sin da bambino lo ha educato con tirannia, impedendogli di mangiare, giocare, ridere, divertirsi, pur di essere esteticamente perfetto e super intelligente.
Un legame importante che Riddle ha celato nel suo cuore è quello con Trey e Chen'ya (che però è in un'altra scuola - quella degli eroi). Scioccato da quanto accaduto da bambino a causa del suo legarsi ai due ragazzi, Riddle decide di allontanarsi da chiunque e anche quando ritrova Trey al Raven per quanto ne soffre cerca di tenerlo lontano (LORO DUE LA MIA SHIP DEL CUORE). Sarà proprio grazie a Yuya se il passato verrà a galla e superato.
Insomma, ragazzi, non credo di aver mai fatto una recensione così lunga ahahah io gioco a Twisted Wonderland (perché c'è un gioco mobile oltre a manga panini e anime su Disney+) da anni e quando Giunti ha annunciato che avrebbe portato i romanzi in Italia, ho tipo pianto (ho davvero pianto, si ahah).
Vorrei parlarne ancora di più e di più e di più devo fermarmi quindi amen ahah
Spero davvero di avervi convinto a leggerlo e recuperarlo perché vi giuro che non ve ne pentirete. Twisted Wonderland affronta temi attuali come l'accettazione di sé, i problemi familiari e tanto tanto altro. Disney con quest'opera ha centrato in pieno!
Inoltre le illustrazioni sono della bravissima Yana Toboso (Black Butler) e all'interno del romanzo trovate anche un bellissimo segnalibro overlay (qui potete vedere gli interni: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNR1WeJEE/)

[Eu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ Media for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Disney Twisted-Wonderland: Rose-Red Tyrant by Jun Hioki and Yana Toboso is the novel adaptation of the Twisted-Wonderland mobile game. This arc, the Heartslabyul plotline, draws heavily from the Disney animated version of Alice in Wonderland, though other Disney references are scattered throughout the book, the game, and the world. The isekai light novel follows Japanese high schooler Yuya Kuroki as he is suddenly spirited away to Night Raven College, a prestigious magic academy. Magicless and with no way to return home, Yuya, or 'Yu' as he is called, must 'settle' into the whirlwind ride that is his new campus life. Along the way, he encounters Grim, a cute but feisty monster who aspires to become a mage; Ace, Deuce, Trey, and Cater, students from the Heartslabyul campus dorm; and Riddle Rosehearts, the tyrannical Heartslabyul dorm warden. Chaos and adventure ensue from day one, so there is never a dull moment here!

Rose-Red Tyrant follows pretty much the same plotline as the Twisted-Wonderland: Book of Heartslabyul manga, but with one significant difference--the narrator. While in the manga, the protagonist is an athletic, charismatic leader of his (original) high school kendo team, in this version, Yuya is a shy loner, a latchkey kid who has difficulty forming social connections. While these choices were likely meant to simulate the game's player character as much as possible, I personally think the novelization's choice of narrator is the better one, because it allows for more character growth throughout the book, alongside the more iconic NPCs and antagonists. The novel is also a better choice for readers who are less familiar with the game, because it includes more details about the world and the lore compared to the manga adaptation, including more tidbits about the other dorms on campus. While the manga's greatest strength is the visual aspect of the storytelling, several illustrations from the manga also appear in the novel. Both adaptations pair well together, but if selecting only one, the novel is the more in-depth option. The ending of the novel also introduces a clearer connection to subsequent arcs, whether they are released as manga, light novels, or both.

One minor downside to the novelization, however, is the flashback chapter. Because of the visual aspect of the manga, this section transitions easily in the graphic novel adaptation. On the other hand, the sudden third- to first-person narration in the novel may be a little jarring if the reader isn't' expecting the switch. Other than that, the novel flowed more smoothly than the manga.

Overall, this was a quick, easy read, best suited for YA and middle grade audiences, though anyone who enjoys Disney and Twisted-Wonderland--or even just Alice in Wonderland vibes--will probably enjoy this. Apart from Twisted-Wonderland, Yana Toboso is also known for her popular shounen manga, Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji, and her vampire one-shot, RustBlaster. Another game to book adaptation of note is Alice in the Country of Hearts by QuinRose.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing as this is a novelization of a game and manga series, this will end up a little different from my other reviews- as well as heavily biased and very long, so, apologies in advance.

Twisted Wonderland has been one of my most prominent interests for over a year now, so being able to read it as an actual novel has been incredibly exciting. I rarely find myself excited and invested in a book in the way I get excited about anime and video games, which made this a special treat.

For one thing- While the novel only covers the Heartslabyul chapter, it was much more in-depth than the game or manga itself. Most of the quotes were pulled directly from the game itself, so there was little difference in the plot itself, but the writing was incredible. While it’s hard to match the in-game voice acting, the character interactions feel much more real when described in full compared to the limited in-game graphics, and the novel format gives each character a chance to shine a bit more as individuals than they did in-game.

And, oh god, the plot. Of course, this all applies to the game itself as well, but reading the novel was only another reinforcement of how wonderful Twisted Wonderland is. The characters are all incredibly interesting as individuals, and very well-written. All of the characters featured in the Heartslabyul chapter (which takes up the entirety of the novel) have conflicting personalities and aspects to them, and the duality of their actions and motivations is insanely engaging. I literally cannot emphasize enough how well done the characters are- each has such a vibrant personality, and their connections and interactions together only bring to life their individuality.

While the novel was incredibly true to the game, there were some differences- and the deviations I noticed were quite endearing, the main one being Yuya, the main character. For those who don’t know, the manga adaptation of Twisted Wonderland features three different versions of Yuu, the player, as well as the in-game version having their own personality. The novel also had it’s own version of Yuu, named Yuya (Yu for short, as per the ‘Yuu’ title), and out of each and every version of Yuu, Yuya has by far been my favorite. Compared to those featured in the manga, Yuya was the most canon compliant to the game, and frankly more enjoyable. In my opinion, his reactions to showing up in Twisted Wonderland were more realistic than in the manga, and he was simply easier to sympathize with.

All in all, I enjoyed this much more than I expected when i bought it. I can’t say readers unfamiliar with Twisted Wonderland as a game would enjoy it the same, but it feels like a must-read for long-time players of the game. This review is most definitely biased, but for someone who was already enamored with the characters and story, this may have been my favorite read this year.

[Aqua · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of this franchise since Scarabia was released on the Japanese servers in 2020, and I've really enjoyed it. In some ways, it even surpasses the game itself. Honestly, I’d recommend this over playing the game. The MC actually has a personality, unlike the game’s self-insert character who’s as dynamic as a tuna can. The characters are more fleshed out, the worldbuilding is richer, and the dialogue flows more naturally. Plus, it confirmed some of my headcanons, like the idea that the characters speak an English-like language in-universe, which the player hears as Japanese. Although, that concept has its own plot holes (like, if that’s true, how does the player understand everyone when they leave campus?).

That said, the story still has some issues. For one, it starts in the first person, switches to third person, and then goes back to third after an overblot event. It’s jarring if you’re not prepared for it. And then there’s the MC, Yuya. I love the concept of a quiet pacifist who learns to stand up for himself, especially in contrast to the passionate, selfish, and ambitious NRC students. However, Yuya’s aversion to conflict doesn’t make sense. The reason he’s a pacifist with no friends, hobbies, or interests is just that he hates conflict—and that’s it. Usually, characters with that kind of intense aversion have a traumatic backstory, like an abusive home or a rough neighborhood. Take Yugi Muto from Yu-Gi-Oh!—his pacifism makes sense given his tough upbringing. Yuya, however, seems to come from a loving family in a good neighborhood and never had any major issues with bullying, so it’s unclear why he’s like this. He might have anxiety, but even that doesn’t seem to fit. Yuya also comes across as whiny, selfish, and passive-aggressive, which makes it harder to root for him. But of course, this is subjective, so your experience may vary.

If you're a Disney fan like I am, you'll enjoy this franchise. Just don’t expect cameos from famous Disney characters like you would in Kingdom Hearts. All of the canon Disney characters in this universe are historical figures. Treat it more like a series like Once Upon a Time, a modern AU starring a bunch of morally grey, complex characters based on beloved villains—think Six of Crows' Dregs.

[Saerval · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having both played the game and read the manga, I'm quite familiar with this story. That said, I'd heard good things about the novel's adaptation, so I was eager to pick it up and give it a read. All in all I think it's the most detailed version of the story, able to have more in-depth descriptions of scenery and character emotions than the game or even manga can.
My one major problem with it, however, is the writing style. The book can't seem to decide what level of reading it wants to be, going from wonderful detailed sentences like
"Before my eyes was a beast so large I could tilt my head back until it ripped clean off and still not see the end of it." and "All his outburst did was make more people look at him again, and the pressure of those countless pairs of eyes was almost enough to crush him to dust." one second.
The next second we get clunky sentences like "Yuya, Grim, and the ghosts got down to business cleaning the building that was far larger than he'd imagined." and "White, floating, and see through; Yuya and Grim were definitely staring at a ghost."
While I don't expect every sentence in a book to be a masterpiece of writing, there's a lot of back-and-forth between styles that it pulled me out of the story and made it difficult to get through sometimes. There's also two moments where a character that is not present in a scene is named to be speaking.
I have to believe this is due to Disney not caring much about the quality of the English translations, which is really a shame. I think overall it works really well as a novelization, but it feels like I'm reading an advanced copy, not a fully finished, edited book.
Regardless, I do think it's worth reading either as your first experience of the story or as a fan simply because I think the extra details I mentioned earlier and general length allowed to the story does well in it's favor. You get a more complete look at the events that other forms of media simply can't do in the same way as a book.

[shu.m · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You are truly the fairest one of all."
I've finished this novel months ago, and finally I'm here with my review, as everything is better than dealing with my thesis I guess?
Anyway- what can I say? Since I've started playing in the far 2020, I've always thought Twisted Wonderland would've been perfect as a book more than a visual game. And was I wrong? This novel proved me right.
There are a few differences to the game, but nothing so big as the story is still very much enjoyable. I've really liked all the little details and scenes added to the novel, but the main strength of the book is definitely Yuu.
Forget the bland self-insert you get in the game, or his counterparts in the mangas. Novel Yuu is the real deal: he's presented as a very shy individual who doesn't like conflict, unable to stand for himself, who later will become an important asset as he's able to bring out the best out of everyone involved.
Also?
He's smart!!
In the game, Yuu realizes the dreams he has are about the same people depicted in the statues in front of the school (aka, the Sevens), only in book...five?! While this Yuu, thank goodness, realizes it immediately. He knows those figures are familiar, as he reminisces the fairytales of his own world. This was such a nice touch, because the obtusity of the in-game Yuu is very frustrating for the majority of time.
I really hope we will be able to see every book of Twisted come to life in this format, because this novel was great, and a splendid addiction to the majestic universe of Twisted Wonderland!

[SakurAribooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Che cosa faresti se un giorno ti trovassi in una scuola di magia, ma non avessi nessun potere? Questo è quello che è accaduto al giovane Yuya, un giapponese che si ritrova, non sa per quale motivo, al Night Raven College, una scuola per stregoni. Le sue vicende si intersecheranno con altri studenti con cui si ritroverà a vivere avventure pericolose, divertenti, ma soprattutto importanti per ognuno di loro e che lasceranno svariati insegnamenti.
Non è semplice essere diversi dagli altri, soprattutto in un mondo che ti ha accolto per una qualità che non possiedi. La scuola è divisa in diversi dormitori e in questo volume, Il Tiranno Scarlatto, andremo a conoscere meglio quello della Regina di Cuori, Heartslabyul.
La trama del volume è molto interessante, ci permette di scoprire un mondo diverso dal nostro, con molte assonanze. Le vicende sono intriganti e divertenti, ma anche molto profonde e stimolanti. Il volume è adatto sia a ragazzi dai 14 anni in su, sia ad adulti che vogliono una storia che richiamerà moltissimo le storie Disney, in una chiave differente e ricca di citazioni. La scrittura è fluida e i personaggi ben caratterizzati, ognuno di loro ha una personalità, modi di fare e di parlare, esigenze che traspaiono in ogni pagina e dialogo. Il volume è inoltre arricchito da meravigliose illustrazioni di Yana Toboso che ci mostreranno scene del volume e i meravigliosi personaggi.
Recensione estesa sul blog sakuraribooks.it, anche su instagram e tiktok

[Haleigh Gravgaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose-Red Tyrant delivers a wonderfully magical adventure that transports readers into the spellbinding world of Night Raven College. Yuya Kuroki’s journey from an ordinary life to an extraordinary realm is full of charm and intrigue. The vibrant, whimsical setting is a feast for the imagination, populated by memorable characters with distinct personalities.

Yuya’s challenges, especially his lack of magical abilities, make him an incredibly relatable and endearing protagonist. His determination to find his place despite the odds brings warmth to the story, and his interactions with the colorful cast of students are both entertaining and heartfelt. Each character adds their own flavor to the narrative, from the bickering classmates to the mystical creatures that roam this twisted world.

The world-building is impressive, with plenty of detail that draws you into this enchanting and mysterious setting. Even with moments of slower pacing, the story maintains its momentum through its charm and creativity. Fans of reimagined Disney tales and fantasy adventures will love this fresh take on familiar characters, offering a delightful escape into a world where magic and mystery collide.

[Giorgia Saolini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devo ammetterlo: avevo alte aspettative per Il tiranno scarlatto, e sono state tutte superate. Questo primo romanzo di Twisted Wonderland, dedicato al dormitorio di Heartslabyul, riesce a fare qualcosa che il gioco, pur bellissimo, non poteva permettersi: farci entrare davvero nella mente e nel cuore dei personaggi. Jun Hioki trasforma l’esperienza del mobile game in una storia completa, con ritmo, emozione e una profondità che sorprende anche chi conosce già ogni battuta del capitolo originale.

Quello che più mi ha colpita è come tutto sembri più vivo. Il protagonista, spaesato e senza poteri magici, diventa una presenza concreta, con pensieri e fragilità che nel gioco si intuivano soltanto. Riddle Rosehearts, con la sua ossessione per le regole, appare finalmente come un personaggio tridimensionale, diviso tra autorità e bisogno di essere accettato. E l’atmosfera di Heartslabyul così elegante, rigida e un po’ folle prende vita in modo meravigliosamente dettagliato.

Il ritmo del romanzo è più disteso, ma mai noioso: ogni scena aggiunge qualcosa, ogni dialogo ha un peso. Le emozioni sono più autentiche, e la tensione cresce pagina dopo pagina fino al climax finale, che riesce a commuovere anche chi sa già come andrà a finire. Rispetto al gioco, il libro ha il grande vantaggio di poter esplorare i pensieri, i silenzi, gli sguardi, tutto ciò che sullo schermo scorre troppo in fretta.

La scrittura è scorrevole, ironica quando serve e intensa nei momenti giusti. Le illustrazioni di Yana Toboso aggiungono poi quel tocco raffinato e dark che è il marchio di fabbrica di Twisted Wonderland. In definitiva, Il tiranno scarlatto è un must per chi ama la serie, ma anche una splendida porta d’ingresso per chi non ha mai toccato il gioco. Un romanzo che intrattiene, emoziona e fa venire voglia di tornare subito a Night Raven College.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever wanted a Black Butler–meets–Disney combination with a Wonderland twist? Disney Twisted-Wonderland: Rose-Red Tyrant delivers just that—an elegant, mysterious, and slightly chaotic dive into the Heartslabyul dorm, ruled by the fiercely rule-obsessed Riddle Rosehearts. Inspired by the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Riddle’s world is all about order, roses, and very little patience for nonsense (unless it’s strictly by the book).

The story is packed with moody drama, rich character dynamics, and a touch of dark fantasy flair. We follow the protagonist Yuu, who, let’s be honest, is an absolute wimp—but that vulnerability actually works, grounding the more eccentric elements of the world and letting the classmates personalities shine even more through the power of friendship!

The artwork by Yana Toboso is stunning as always, with illustrations that perfectly capture the stylish, Victorian, gothic vibe of the story.

If you’re into anime aesthetics, Disney reimaginings, or simply want to get lost in a twisted Wonderland with a side of tea and tyranny, this is your kind of read.

[Selma Khalil · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

As someone who has been playing the game since 2022, I will say that the light novel does such a good job at covering the in-game story well, adding additional details that may not have been covered or explored in the game, like, for example, Trey's unique magic and how it fully works, or certain things about Deuce and him previously being a deliquent and how he tries so hard to get past that even being hinted at as soon as we meet him.

I did enjoy the point of view as well for Riddle and his backstory--it being told in his point of view really further emphasized his struggles of wanting to please his mother and believing that rules are what establish order, yet having that conflict of also just wanting to be a kid. I also notice the motherly references in his scene with his overblot--which, even though it's subtle, it's such a nice detail.

Only aspect where it loses points is that it does a lot of world building, which, given it's the first volume, that's natural, but it takes too much time in the plot of the novel at times, I feel like, especially with the yuu of this novel, who also seemed a little too flat at times. Also, a few translation errors at times, like a few times my copy had a misprint of Trey or Deuce talking to himself, which confused me before I had to re-read it again and realize another characters name was meant to be there.

Overall very good novel and adaptation, cannot wait to read Savannaclaws when it is released in the U.S.

[Casso Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novelization of a game/manga arc so I'm grading it a bit lighter than I would otherwise. It does a good job of telling the Wonderland ARC with a few changes from the manga and the game. Most of it is the protagonist/narrator. The personality has changed from confident, sweet and very Mary Sue to a kind of nerdy loner, and it works fine. It's a bit weird but it works within the story.

Overall, this was a quick, easy read. As someone who has played the game it wasn't anything very new to the story/world. Yuya does his thing with the Heartsaybul dorm, and it follows along through the first few chapters/events of the game. I did like how they tried to detail things as it was adapting a visual media, and we got more of the characters inner thoughts. The heart boys are very fun and unique characters so I'm happy the novelization kept them as close as they could to the source material.

Overall, it was fun for fans of the game and anyone who likes Alice in Wonderland inspired media.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

How am I supposed to adequately give a review worthy of this? At present I'm not sure I could. There's so much I want to cover here, so much additional richness this novelization adds to the story of Twisted Wonderland (while still giving you the story very closely to how it's handed to you in the actual game,) that I don't feel I'm properly up to the task, given it took me almost a month exactly to finish reading this.

What I will say for now is: read it. Please. While the manga isn't a bad introduction to the story for those unwilling or unable to play the game, this novel (and the others that will follow) are so much better and closer to the game itself. Please give this a chance. It's excellent and fun, and very well-written and well-translated.

[H.C. Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as Twisted Wonderland adaptations go, I think this is the weakest one I’ve seen/read. Maybe it’s because protagonists like Yuya aren’t ones I jive with much, but I think the heart of the issue is that it doesn’t do too much different from the game? Sure, some of the scenes and dialogue are a little different, but overall it doesn’t deviate much from the game or do anything particularly novel with the page space it has. I’m sure other people are very happy with it being a near-exact replication of the game’s version of the story, but :/

[Brielle jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY BOYSSSSSS!!! I absolutely love the anime and game so as soon as I saw this book I just had to get it. I loved getting more of Yuu’s perspective on things and how their development with all of the characters went.

But this Yuu. SERIOUSLY GROW SOME BALLS DUDE! I GET YOU HATE FIGHTING BUT STILL! I’m an introvert and I still would’ve said something in those situations! And as much as I love all the characters. SOMETIMES THEY JUST NEED A GOOD OL PUNCH IN THE FACE! IT BUILDS CHARACTER TRUST ME!

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quirky, has lovely voice and just makes all the characters come to life. I have read some of the graphic novels in this series, and where the graphic novels don’t always connect things, this book does. It is just a lovely read and even if you have read the graphic novels, I would still suggest picking up this novel. Thank you so much to Viz Media and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

[Nikolai !! (Haitus)]

Pre-read.・゜-: ✧☾
WHOOHOOO WOOOHO HO HOOOOOOO I'M SO HAPPYYYYYYYYY!!!! I love that there's a game, mangas, AND now novels for this series !!!! I'm like being fed because I can't buy the official plushes or figures yet since they're from Japan and don't have enough money for that (esty I believe in you) but I'm so excited to see if we're getting a new Yuu or they used Yuuken again (you can tell I didn't read the synopsis to see if we did or didn't)

[Iza Brekilien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Est-ce que c'est le roman jeunesse de l'année ? Non.
Est-ce que ça m'a fait plaisir de retrouver les personnages de mon jeu préféré, bien que je connaisse déjà l'histoire après en être arrivée au chapitre 7 (dortoir de Diasomnia) du jeu et avoir lu les mangas ? Que oui !!!!
Vivement la suite et l'histoire de Leona !

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting I would love this so much! A flawless story with interesting characters, mysteries that are waiting to be answered in the next novel and an adorable grumpy sidekick!
For readers who are new to English language it has a tones of idioms and phrasal verbs. Which is great for practice!