Wondrous

by Heather Fawcett

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A teenaged Alice returns to Wonderland and discovers that she may not be the main character she thought she was in this captivating sequel to Disney’s enduring classic Alice in Wonderland, from the New York Times bestselling author of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Wonderland is a world of Alice’s own. Or is it?

Years after her first tumble down the rabbit hole, Alice returns to Wonderland for good. As a young woman with limited options in 19th century London, only Wonderland can grant her the freedom she craves, like the chance to open a traveling magical tea shop.

Even though Alice expects madness from familiar faces like Hatter, Hare, and the Cheshire Cat, she doesn’t expect to meet another real-world teenager—one who claims she is the “true” Alice and the first adventurer to explore Wonderland. Soon, the Queen of Hearts’ soldiers capture both girls and bring them to the castle, and more startling truths come to dozens of other so-called “Alices” have appeared in Wonderland, too.

Based on a strange prophecy, the Queen believes one Alice is destined to save Wonderland from utter three ghastly mock dragons who have invaded from another realm. Whoever can stop the mock dragons will be named “The Alice” . . . while the others will be exiled, never allowed to return.

Determined to secure Wonderland’s future and her own, Alice sets out on a daring quest, equipped only with her enchanted tea set. Hesitant to trust any other Alices, she forms a tenuous alliance with a strange boy with a connection to the fearful jabberwocks of lore. But is Alice truly the Alice in Wonderland, or a mere footnote in another heroine’s story?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Retellings, Middle Grade, Fiction, Audiobook, Young Adult Fantasy

361 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2026

About the author

Hello! Welcome to my page.

I'm the author of books for adults and children, including Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Even the Darkest Stars, Ember and the Ice Dragons, The School Between Winter and Fairyland, and more.

I'm only occasionally on Goodreads, so if you want a more reliable way to get in contact with me, I'd recommend using social media (I'm on Instagram and Facebook) or the contact form on my website.

Review policy: I only review books that I love, which is why you'll only see 4 and 5 star reviews here. Because readers often ask me about my favourite books and authors, I'm aiming to use this page as a place to collect all of my recommendations.

Also, I am NOT the author of More Than a Mom: Living a Full And Balanced Life When Your Child Has Special Needs. I've asked Goodreads to remove it from my page several times but it keeps getting re-added. If you have questions about this title, please direct them to the other Heather Fawcett!

Reviews

[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 2 out of 5]

What do you do when your favourite author writes a new book? Well you read it upon receiving it, obviously 🥰

Heather Fawcett is my all time favourite author so this is bumming me out. I did not like this one. It has nothing to do with the writing, obviously (her writing is perfect) it’s just the sum of it.
I’ve loved a few Disney books I’ve read so far & love everything Heather Fawcett does so I was excited for this one.

But OMG ALICE IS THE MOST ANNOYING CHARACTER IN THE WHOLE WORLD. Why is she so high and mighty I cannot 😭 at 17, why do you think you’re so much better than everyone else !!!! Her wanting to gatekeep Wonderland too?? I mean, you’re literally deciding to stay there because the human world is despicable to you, how can you not imagine it being the case for other people? Her selfishness, condescension, arrogance, lack of empathy & self centredness was sending me OVER THE EDGE.

It was already difficult to overlook, so then you shoot me with that type of plot and I was just done for. Finding THE Alice of all Alice’s? A quest to know who was THE Alice of them all… and this unfortunately highlighted every single flaw Alice had, tenfold.

I think I’m just really letdown because there’s a difference between not wanting to fit inside the box society made for you & being a despicable human.
And this difference was not highlighted or used accordingly.
It’s like when someone is being super mean or rude & someone will say ; oh she/he just has a ‘big’ personality. lol no, they’re just mean. There’s a difference between having a ‘big’ personality and being rude. Same thing here. Her behaviour was just deplorable.

If the fact that she didn’t want to fit inside the box society made for her would’ve been explored in a better way, this could’ve been a winner. (Also, her lack of empathy towards her sister who had been forced to do what she didn’t want to do infuriated me).

[kira]

atp i'll probably read anything heather fawcett writes

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Wondrously fun, nonsensically magical, and filled with Alices running to their Wonderland.

Alice returns to Wonderland to escape an unwanted marriage to open a travelling tea shop. 
However, Wonderland has one too many Alice - teenagers taken from all over who were their own main characters in their stories. 

The Queen of Hearts dictates whichever Alice defeats the mock dragons will be crowned "The Alice" and be allowed to stay.

Alice does not think she’s the main character of her story, content to have tea parties with Mad Hatter and the Hare, occasionally crossing wits with the Cheshire Cat. Armed with only her tea set, she just wants to save Wonderland and carve her own path. She doesn’t want to be exiled to a life where she is forced to conform.

"Sometimes you must choose between a rock and a whirlpool—by which I mean, you can shatter or you can spin."

This book is fun, whimsical, and has an uplifting message. There’s even a sweet (very minor) romance sub-plot which I don’t want to spoil because it was a wonderful addition to the Wonderland lore.

Heather Fawcett is such a good author to capture the whimsy and nonsense of the beloved childhood tale. With her own takes on characters, her own twists on the plethora of retellings, and her heartwarming quest narrative.

The freedom to not know what the future held, to know it only as a house with infinite doors, where I could experiment, and make mistakes, and learn or fail to learn, made me almost sick with delight. It was the greatest gift anyone could have, and Wonderland had given it to me. My own world never could.

The whole story might be considered too easy and convenient and predictable, but it was such a fun time even if the end was slightly lacklustre.

Arc gifted by publisher.

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[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wondrous 5/5⭐

The perfect blend of whimsy and fantasy.

Don't forget to follow me on YouTube, where I post all about my favorite clean books! https://www.youtube.com/@ItsRenity

✨Plot✨

Alice is back in Wonderland.

When Alice's parents are about to have her married to an old Baron, Alice runs away back through the rabbit hole to Wonderland. She starts a traveling tea shop, and life is perfect until holes start getting blasted in Wonderland. Black holes that are slowly destroying Wonderland.

Alice is captured by the Queen of Hearts and, along with dozens more girls and boys- all Alices- are told Mock Dragons are destroying Wonderland. Whichever Alice saves Wonderland will be named The Alice, and the rest will be exiled from Wonderland forever.

Alone, Alice sets out on a quest to save Wonderland, meeting new friends and enemies along the way, including a strange boy who she isn’t sure she can trust. Is Alice truly “The Alice,” or is she just a footnote in someone else’s story?

✨Characters✨

I LOVED ALICE. Though I do admit she didn't think about others' points of view sometimes and just did what was best for herself, she was still amazing. Jack was the best character by far.

Each character was distinct, and I enjoyed reading about them. I laughed several times aloud at what people had said.

✨Romance✨

A sweet side plot that just made me wanna go, "awwww"

✨Writing Style✨

Beautiful! I couldn't put it down; it was super fun, and I flew through it!

✨⚔️Action⚔️✨

Super entertaining and fun!

✨Magic System✨

The normal, hilarious whimsy of Alice in Wonderland.

✨Would I Recommend It?✨

Yes!! If you like fantasy or whimsy or Alice in Wonderland or adventure stories. Literally just read it!

[el (celestialbronz)]

my favorite author wrote a spinoff of my favorite classic story??? oh this is specifically for ME😭😭

[h i n d]

-dark but cozy sequel to the 1951 Disney film
-a travelling tea shop
-a monstrous love interest (can you guess which monster?)
-numerous hedgehog side characters

Heather Fawcett and Alice in Wonderland? I'm gonna eat this up

[BonniePB · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Curiouser and curiouser! Alice, now 18, doesn't feel like she belongs in the real world, so she escapes back to Wonderland. However, on this visit she's roped into a competition with other “Alices” in order to prevent the destruction of Wonderland. Even more curiouser: Jack the Jabberwock.

Wondrous is a sequel of sorts to both Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland books and Disney's 1951 animated movie. The aesthetic of Wonderland and many of its characters fit the animated movie, which is great—I'm a massive fan of that version. I loved Alice's companionable dynamic with the Mad Hatter and March Hare. The teacup magic was charming and fun. Fawcett is the Queen of Adorable Creature Companions; she aptly personifies croquet-ball hedgehogs in recovery and a blood-thirsty moth named Grackle. Alice’s team-up with Jack, and later Maria and Alex, to find the mock dragons drives the plot, which was paced well for the most part.

While she's a clever and proactive FMC, Alice could sometimes be rushing to be helpful and kind; other times, she was sassing the shit out of people and being standoffish. While I was initially unsure about her, ultimately I think she is a well-rounded character with a decent arc. Jack felt very much like he belonged in Wonderland, but I was also left with the impression that he and the romantic subplot were a bit undercooked.

A fun, light-hearted read, and perfect for any Alice in Wonderland fan.

[ezra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for this ARC!

“Wondrous” is Heather Fawcett’s sequel to Lewis Carroll’s original novels, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass and what Alice Found There”. The story is set several years after the latter novel, with Alice now a teenager craving freedom and hoping to escape the oppressive expectations of her family by fleeing to Wonderland, never to return again. Finally back in Wonderland, she expects the usual madness, but when she unexpectedly runs into another teenager from her own world the course of her future is altered irrevocably. The two girls are captured by the Queen of Hearts’ card soldiers, and brought to her castle. Waiting there are dozens of other Alices. They are then told of a prophecy – monsters have entered Wonderland from another world, and are in the process of destroying it. The only one who can stop them is “The Alice”. Most shockingly, the Queen announces that all the other Alices will be exiled from Wonderland, never allowed to return. And our Alice is determined to be the winner.

Honestly, this was perfect. If you have read any of Fawcett’s previous work, you probably could’ve guessed that she was going to be the perfect author to write this book, and you would've guessed correctly. While it has been a while since I read the original novels, I can still remember just how wonderfully kooky and charming they are, a vibe which Fawcett recreated perfectly.

All the most important characters we know from the original appear again, all their wonderfully mad selves. Alice has grown up some, being a bit more of an appropriate POV to read from as a young adult (and above) audience, but she is still just as lovely of a girl. There are also new characters, just as charming and fitting right in.

Really, I have nothing else to say. This was a fabulous read, and if you liked the original novels, you will absolutely love this too. Charming and funny and heartwarming, this was an absolute joy to read.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to Bonnier Books UK for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Despite being a big fan of Disney Classics, I have yet to find an official novelisation or continuation that I have truly enjoyed. On the flip side, I had yet to come across a Heather Fawcett book, be it MG, YA or adult, that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. When I found out that she would be taking on an Alice in Wonderland sequel, I really had hopes that this would be the one Disney novel I would enjoy. I am so sorry to say that it didn't turn out to be the case. This is by no means a bad novel, and I am clearly in the minority, but some things simply didn't work for me.

We follow an older Alice who has been in and out of Wonderland since her original adventure. She feels closer to Wonderland than to her own world, where she feels alienated by people who find her fantastical tales too outlandish. When her parents want to force her into an arranged marriage, she decides to go to Wonderland for good. Once there, she finds that some 50-odd other Alices have also come to Wonderland, and there is to be a competition to determine who can be THE Alice.

Starting with what I did appreciate, Heather Fawcett's prose has the right kind of whimsy for a story set in Wonderland. There is tea magic, which also works nicely with the beautiful cover. I also really enjoyed the romance. In a sense, it does have an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, but it is largely sweet, albeit a little unusual. Alice's love interest was one of the more interesting characters in this book. I also liked that the Cheshire Cat was fairly prominent.

As for what didn't work for me, I didn't actually like the premise. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the whole setup of having multiple Alices and a competition to choose one true Alice didn't appeal to me at all. On the one hand, it made our original Alice not overly likeable; for a lot of the time, she comes across as self-centred and has a gatekeeping attitude towards Wonderland. A character can and should have flaws, but something about this rubbed me the wrong way, and I never felt that the Alice from the original Disney movie, nor the original novel, had this characteristic. Most of the other Alices aren't better, though, in a way, some treat this competition like they're in The Hunger Games.

Although I enjoyed the prose and generally enjoy both MG and YA, I do prefer my books to be one or the other. I often felt as though this book couldn't decide if it was MG or YA. Maybe Alice's story doesn't translate well to an older setting, at least, a lot of the original Wonderland characters didn't feel like the same characters in this sequel. I also didn't understand why Alice was such good friends with the Mad Hatter or the Hare. Yes, a lot could have happened between the events of the first book and this sequel, but it still felt like a rather random connection.

Last but not least, these kinds of stories often have a character learn or grow to be stronger than their issues or flaws. A major theme of this novel was Alice both disliking and mistrusting her world. She dismisses the idea that the other Alices face the same problems she does. The latter does get addressed, but I felt as though the entire conflict around Alice disliking her own world was not addressed in the slightest. The book was well-paced throughout, except that the ending felt quite rushed because it does virtually nothing to address this conflict, which has been present since the opening chapter.

I am truly sorry that I did not enjoy this more, and I'm sure there will be plenty of people who will enjoy it. Fawcett remains one of my favourite authors, and this less-than-stellar book won't change that.

[Eternity's Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Fawcett has, yet again, done nothing but impress me and bring utter delight with her cozy adjacent and wonderful writing style.

I always adored Lewis Carroll's Wonderland books, loving the whimsy and nonsensical nature of them, and I found Heather managed to perfectly capture the style of these books and Lewis's writing, while adding her own flare to it and expanding upon the world and characters.

We obviously get to return to see some of our favourite beings from Wonderland in the form of The Chesire Cat (my favourite), the Mad Hatter, the Hare, the Queen of Hearts and more, while also being introduced to some lovely new additions that blended into the world seamlessly, easily coming across like something from the original books.

I loved seeing Alice grown up and ready to make a path for herself, accepting that being odd is perfectly acceptable and conforming yourself for others comfort isn't required. I also loved how self aware Alice is throughout the book, being able to acknowledge her jealousy and how illogical it made her want to be.

The overall plot was fun and I loved the magic around it being based around tea and communication.It was cool seeing the expansion to the lore of Wonderland and it made me think back a lot on the originals with fun little throw backs scattered throughout.

While a YA read, this, like the original stories, definitely works for all ages to read and was such a fun time.

It did leave me with one question though. Why is a raven like a writing desk?

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It's like I said," the Cat said. "We're all a little mad here."

This was such a fun book! Alice has returned to Wonderland - this time forever.

Alice decides that she would prefer to live in Wonderland rather than her own world. She returns to Wonderland and opens Alice's Traveling Tea Shop. While traveling, she is taken to the Queen of Hearts by her knights only to find all the other Alice's have been brought back to Wonderland. The White Queen had previously made a prophecy that an Alice in blue (or is it a blue chalice) will save Wonderland. Now all of the Alice's are trying to save Wonderland from the mock dragons. Whichever Alice does so will be able to stay in Wonderland while the others will have to go back to their worlds and the rabbit holes will be sealed up forever.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Alice in Wonderland. The only thing about the book that made me pause is that I don't think Alice would have mixed up the tea cups (I'm purposely being vague here). But then again, as Alice says "You were right - I am mad!"

[Chad ✨️ (chadreadsrom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wondrous has done what not a lot of 'alice in wonderland' inspired books haven't. A genuine continuation of the story where it felt natural and similar to the original writing. Heather Fawcett has given us the humour and whimsy of wonderland again, with a sub plot of a YA romance. We met so many familiar characters, with the addition of new ones too. Having Alice have magic of her own through the teacups really elevated the plot and the story.

"You love Wonderland. Even though it terrifies you."
"Of course I do, I'm an Alice" 🫖🐰

As someone who owns like 20 copies of Alice in Wonderland and loves the story and the movies (not the Tim Burton ones unfortunately) this was perfect for me. I hope it will bring younger fans back to the classic as well. It was just so fun to read.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you PRH Audio for the gifted copy of this audiobook (all opinions are mine)!

If Heather Fawcett writes it, I’m going to read it. However, I’m always skeptical of spin-offs/sequels/prequels of my favorite classics because… they’re classics! As Alice in Wonderland is one of my all time favorites, and Heather Fawcett is one of my favorite authors, I had no idea what to expect from this. Wondrous was a total surprise home run for me, I was shocked when I finished and thought…. Wow, that was a 5 star read. In Heather I trust!

Wondrous is set years after Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, when teenage Alice goes back for another adventure in Wonderland. So, it’s considered a sequel. Heather Fawcett flawlessly captures the whimsy and fantasy of the original Wonderland books while incorporating her own unique style and flare. This was perfectly paced and her writing was imaginative and absolutely gorgeous. It was cozy and endearing and suited this story perfectly.

The addition of new characters from Alice’s world and pop ins from original characters we know and love made me invested in the story for sure. I loved how much depth this added to the universe and of course, the adventure aspects were thrilling. This had all the riddles and whimsy I would’ve expected and more! I don’t want to give too much away because I was living for the surprise of it all. You’ll just have to read and see where the story takes you.

I absolutely ADORED the narrator! Elizabeth Knowelden nailed the voice of Alice. Her tone, her pacing, the way she phrased the prose and riddles. I’m so glad I read this on audio, it really helped bring my imagination, Alice, and Wonderland to life! Just another reason this book and audio production is absolutely 5 stars for me.

Overall, this was absolutely fantastic. I continue to be blown away by Heather Fawcett’s talent, imagination, and writing style. If you’re a fan of Alice, you NEED to read this! Thanks again to PRH Audio, Wondrous is out in the world for you to enjoy and obsess over (like me)!

[The Nightwatch Desk · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Years after tumbling into Wonderland, Alice decides that it's time to return. She's determined to carve a place for herself inside her new home.

While establishing her travelling tea shop, Alice discovers that other 'Alices' have begun appearing. She's quickly thrust on a quest to save the world, while forming a tentative alliance with a strange boy.

🫖Young Adult Fiction
🍵Portal Fantasy
🫖Alice in Wonderland Retelling
🍵19th Century
🫖Quest & Adventure
🍵Friendship
🫖Romance Subplot

'Wondrous' is a quirky and whimsical continuation of 'Alice in Wonderland.' I'm not drawn to Disney content, so I picked this up solely because of the author. She has such a charming style, which suited the strange world down the rabbit hole.

I was thrown straight into things without too much exposition about what came before. The plot is a little bizarre with Alice competing (against other human children named Alice) to complete a prophecy by killing the ‘mock dragons.’ It was enjoyable even thought it took a bit too long to get going.

Alice's friendship and romance with Jack (the Jabberwock) was full of unexpected moments. The rest of the characters were also interesting and suited the setting. But I'm not sure that the messaging was as purposeful as it could've been.

[Emily Pankhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netgalley Review

Grab your favourite beverage and a comfy blanket to get ready for this truly magical return trip to Wonderland! 


The magical nonsense that oozed from this book was perfect. It was so authentic that I was instantly transported back to Wonderland, revisiting places and characters both old and new. I loved the odd nod to the original stories and felt that this new story fitted in perfectly. 


The author took us on the Wonderland journey using long chapters with pretty sketches at the top. The long (and sometimes split) chapters allowed us to get fully immersed in the magic and whimsy before moving on. I looked forward to returning to the story at each reading session. 


There was a good flow between the chapters and an excellent pace. There was always something going on that kept me engaged and wanting to find out what was going to happen next. 


The characters brought friendship and nonsense to the story. Alice was, as expected, selfish and rude at times, but overall wanting the best for Wonderland. There were some heartwarming and thought provoking moments dotted throughout the book which was nice. 


I enjoyed getting reacquainted with old characters and discovering new ones. Every one fit in perfectly and they were a joy to read about. I liked that there were some darker, sadder moments to balance out the magic and whimsy. They grounded the story well. 


Finally we come to the settings. They were magical. There were wonderful details throughout that transported you straight to Wonderland. I was sad when the story ended as I could have carried on reading it. 


Overall the perfect sequel to the original books, full of authentic, magical nonsense that is the very essence of Wonderland.  I highly recommend giving this a read.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally trust Disney books anymore because I've come across so many duds, but I saw Heather Fawcett's name on this one and I just knew it would be good.

AND I WAS RIGHT!

This was great! If you want a Wonderland book that feels like it's set in OG Wonderland with OG (only a bit older) Alice, this is your book. It's a bit darker, but in the sense that Alice is older and has a more mature perspective/ability to see it rather than Wonderland actually being different (/ aka very much darker and way different than what was originally written about) (not that there's anything WRONG with those kinds of stories.... they're fascinating!)

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wondrous was such a fun read. I was a little nervous going into it because Alice in Wonderland is such an iconic story, but I actually really enjoyed being back in Wonderland.

I liked the idea of Alice choosing to stay in Wonderland now that she is older and setting up her travelling tea shop. Seeing her as an eighteen year old rather than the young girl from the original was really interesting. The idea of there being multiple Alices and the prophecy was a fun concept, and it was exciting to see how everything came together.

The Wonderland atmosphere was still strange and chaotic, which I loved. I also enjoyed the characters, especially the dithery Mad Hatter and the Hare, who was so unpredictable and constantly getting himself into trouble.

I especially liked seeing Alice find somewhere she actually feels like she belongs. It made the story feel a little more meaningful than just another adventure.

This was such a fun and magical read. I would definitely recommend it to other Alice in Wonderland fans.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute and I like reading Heather Fawcett's writing

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

I love this author’s other work and I love Alice in Wonderland so this seemed like an ideal read. I wasn’t disappointed.

This very much draws on Disney’s Alice in Wonderland but it creates a new story. We do follow Alice of course, and we do see many recognisable characters. But there’s plenty of new stuff too. In fact, there’s a whole bunch of new Alices!

Our Alice has a dangerous mission and it’s a race to get it done. There was something fun stuff here. I particularly liked the teacup magic. It felt thematically so right, but it added something new and fascinating to the story.

I also really liked details like the hedgehogs and where we see the familiar characters from the original. There’s one character in particular that draws on the wider story and original books and goes through a really interesting character arc. Thoroughly enjoyed that part.

A lovely, adventurous read.

[Julie · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

It took me a little bit to get into this book, perhaps because the part at the beginning is in the "real" world which is a bit boring. I also was wondering, do we really need a sequel to Alice in Wonderland? But then I got caught up in some of the magic of this book. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite childhood stories and this is a good homage of aging her up a little bit, and seeing how her life could be in Wonderland. I thought once the plot got going it was a lot of fun.

[Gracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley Review-

*may contain spoilers*

Why is a raven like a writing desk? Why is a river like a tea cup?

Alice in wonderland has always had a special place in my heart, it literally became an escape for me through my darkest times.

This was a whimsical adventure with all our favourite characters and also some new ones. Every ‘Alice’ were unique in their own way but yet all sharing one thing in common, wanting freedom from the real world or Upland as it is called.

I liked how Alice found her own path and used it for her strengths and that even though she wanted to do things on her own she found a sisterhood and possibly love also.

There were moments where I did feel lost at times, but I guess that’s wonderland for you.

All in all a fantastic edition to the never ending stories of wonderland.

[mythsandmargins · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ If you’re a fan of Lewis Carroll’s original book, this will be a treat for you. Heather Fawcett is the perfect choice for this continuation of the Wonderland series, bringing her unique style of whimsy and just a touch of darkness to the original tale and characters.
The writing was true to the style of Alice in Wonderland whilst maintaining the authors own voice.
I loved the addition of Jack and found family element of the book. I was hoping Alice might have a bit more gravitas in this version as I’ve always found it to be a bit bland of a character. This part didn’t quite hit the mark for me but I still overall enjoyed delving into this new adventure in Wonderland.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnier Books and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alexxandra · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Curiouser and curiouser indeed, it’s a bit hard to pin down my feelings on this. There’s elements I like, but that doesn’t necessarily make for a satisfying whole.

First off, this felt like about 3 differently toned stories in one with only a bit of transitional overlap. There’s the cozy yet gently touching on deeper emotional beats in the beginning, the contextually world bending adventure in the middle that strangely feels like blandly average fantasy, and then an internally driven somewhat resolution that still leaves way too many threads dangling at the end. If I were to draw an outline of it all, I could see it being fleshed out in a cohesive and amply progressing plot, but this didn’t have that consistency to do so. Wonderland is purposefully a place beyond our Upland logic, but that doesn’t mean you can use it as an excuse for throwing things haphazardly together.

I’ve always been a huge fan of the original books and most related media, and have been thoroughly immersed in it, so I did appreciate the ways in which this was able to do things like canonize more of Through the Looking Glass into Disney’s lore. Knowing Wonderland so thoroughly, I can also acknowledge how hard it is to try to expand that world in a way that feels true to form. A lot of adaptations and reimaginings struggle with that, especially in trying to set some sense of off-kilter reasoning or rules. One example that stuck out to me specifically, the stated fact that every citizen in Wonderland needs a job/purpose? Pray tell what the Cheshire Cat’s is then other than convenient plot device? It’s admitted some jobs are arbitrary, but who exactly is policing this because no royalty we come across seems to be concerned. It may somewhat coincide with Alice’s inner turmoil, but this “rule” could’ve been entirely omitted without issue. Just say she wanted to do her tea business for fun and let the prophecy’s chaos act as that motivating fear of being forced out.

Along the same lines of that ever present struggle to world build in Wonderland, is having a certain understanding of the original text. Primarily, how both books (and animated film this continues) are about a child struggling to understand the world around her as strict characters and customs in her own world are reflected in her dreams through satire to highlight how absurd such conventions truly are to the audience. When you age up Alice, it’s easy to lose that basis and how to keep her unique personality intact. We all know she’s curious, but she has moments of both passivity and rebellion. As much as she enjoys her adventures overall, delighting in the fun break from her privileged but limited position, she can also become frustrated and overwhelmed and say “no” when she’s at a limit. It’s important to strike that balance between being flexible with the evolving environments while also maintaining agency. Even in her late teens you can keep those basic principles while updating her frames of reference and adapting the kind of things in her life she now has to wonder about. What this was trying to focus on (and is common in sequel settings) is an older Alice feeling trapped and out of place in Upland and seeking a sense of freedom and home in Wonderland instead. Sure, we’ve seen that a bunch, but the themes you can play with there are the “why” she feels other. She’s escaping arranged marriage, what are her thoughts on marriage as a whole? Similarly, she didn’t want to fit that role, but insists on creating a solid one for her in Wonderland, when she probably could just as easily continue endless tea parties with the Mad Hatter, March Hare, and Dormouse as long as she just calls herself their assistant or something. The fear of being forcibly removed from her dream home, does it reflect purely her feeling like a pawn to be traded away like Dinah was or is there an underlying sense of her knowing harsh immigration/colonization rulings coming from growing up in the British Empire’s height? We brush upon her privilege compared to the other Alices, and I know this is somewhere between middle grade and YA, but that last point could’ve had some legs.

I did like the idea of lots of people across time having similar experiences as Alice, and that both giving a sense of kinship, but also jealousy at the realization of not being as singularly unique. It could’ve been explored and drawn out more evenly, but ends up being first pushed aside then brought back in the final leg in a speed run of tying things up. Instead we get a tame but still present romance with Jack that I kept hoping would not be fulfilled. I don’t really think it needed to be in there, allusions to attraction would’ve been a fine limit, but the full confirmation did make me roll my eyes. Meanwhile, the implication that citizens of all kinds may have been transformed into their current state was both incredibly interesting and somewhat horrific, but then gets completely dropped. Of all the threads I would’ve wanted closure on, THAT would be the one I’d want. Does that mean everyone used to be an Uplander and the “stories” theory is false? For a moment I thought the final full circle moment would be that all the Alice’s become the Wonderland denizens by means of Time working differently. Perhaps our Alice becomes the White Queen, Alicia the Queen of Hearts, etc. I can’t imagine this getting a sequel though, so instead it’s left hanging in the air.

Overall, there are charming moments that feel in theme, but don’t really go the distance that they could have to pull this into something grand. Fun, but makes my head tilt for non-intended reasons. Don’t know what I would’ve expected from this, but something’s missing to make it “more”

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really, really love Heather Fawcett's Emily Wilde series. I count them among my favorite books. I also thought her witchy Anne of Green Gables retelling The Grace of Wild Things was fantastic. However, Wondrous is the second new Fawcett novel in 2026 (the first being Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter) that I was let down by. I read this book *because* I'm a big fan of the author. I've never been a big Alice in Wonderland person. I re-read the Lewis Carroll novels prior to tackling this, so the originals would be fresh in my mind (I had not read them since 1998). This was a lot of whimsy and nonsense to soak in over the course of three days, especially for a person like myself who isn't really big into whimsy or nonsense.

Wondrous was fine. I'm going right down the middle with three stars. Heather Fawcett continues to have excellent prose and a way of writing stories that is approachable and warm while never sliding over the line into being saccharine. Her work has far too many eldritch and spooky influences to truly be "cozy" in my opinion, and that's one of the best things about her. Wondrous is a well-written novel with some very fun and clever ideas in it (especially the tea magic). The original Lewis Carroll books are bizarre. If you haven't read them recently, it's important to note how far they stray from our modern understanding of "a novel" (especially Through the Looking-Glass). They are largely unconcerned with things characterization and plot. Fawcett found a great way to keep the general feeling and tone of Carroll, while giving the book the engine and more straightforward storytelling most of us prefer and need in present day.

However, the book just never really came together for me into something I loved. I wasn't wild about the plot about a bunch of girls from our world competing to defeat mock dragons and be named "the true Alice." It reminded me of those late 2010s Alice films with Johnny Deep, which tried to make the story "epic." For some reason, this plot brings out the absolute worst in Alice. I'm sad to say that I didn't really care for Fawcett's version of this character. She spends a great deal of this book being selfish, jealous, unwilling to share, standoffish and cool towards incredibly nice people who are just trying to be her friend. I don't know why Alex and Maria (both of whom were great) kept trying to befriend and ally themselves with her, when she kept shutting them down. Alice is incredibly down on our world, but her tragic backstory is that she's a rich girl with a boring life laid out for her including an arranged marriage to an older man. That sucks but...have some perspective. She *kind of* gets better over the course of the book, but she does continue to always and only think of herself.

The romance with Jack was too swift and too YA for me to enjoy it, but I can see how it would be cute for others. I did like his little moth, and I liked how Jack remained "not quite human" even as the story went along. He was one of the better parts of the books, though it was odd when he described Alice as "kind" when I didn't see that as one of her defining characteristics, in either the original stories or here. The characterization of the classic Wonderland characters varied. I thought this Cheshire Cat was pretty much spot on but the Mad Hatter and the March Hare were...unrecognizable? Tell me I'm not crazy to think that they were written as if they were an elderly queer couple. Cool, apart from the interspecies thing, and the fact that they were nothing like the Hatter and Hare we've seen before...

Perhaps one of my problems here is that I don't really think Wonderland feels like that great a realm, or a fantasy place I would personally want to live in or make my home. It's too bizarre and paradoxical and cruel--I'm definitely far more interested in Narnia. Oh, speaking of...a few theories are postulated here about what Wonderland "is" including the idea of it being a place where storybook characters go--and Alice mentions more than once that the hollows the mock dragons create look like burned paper (at once point, with writing on them). Are they inside a book? I guess it's all just topsy turvy and any and all guesses could be true at once.

[Sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine. I’m sure other people, especially fans of Heather Fawcett, will love it. But it wasn’t my, shall we say, cup of tea.

There have been several YA book adaptations of beloved childhood media recently- Barbie, Pixie Hollow, and now, Alice. I’ve had mixed opinions on the ones I’ve read so far, so I went into this one aware that it might not meet child-me’s standard of perfection, but vowing to give it an honest chance.

I’ll start with the negative, which I hate to do because I did really try ti like this book. My main issue is that Alice felt so emotionless. She mentions her cat, Dinah, who was taken away by her parents as punishment for refusing to marry a rich old man, but also as an incentive for if she were to agree. Alice tells us this with no emotion, neither regarding the loss of her beloved cat, or the betrayal she should feel from her parents for doing such a thing. Alice doesn’t seem to feel anything at all toward her parents. As someone who is no contact with a parent, I can tell you it’s not a decision that’s made lightly; it’s extremely painful and I have spent years processing that grief, the grief and betrayal I feel toward that parent for not loving me as they should, the pain of them discarding you like an object- Alice shows none of that, which I think would have really redeemed her character and made her more real and relatable. She just up and leaves in the night, and never seems to feel one way or another about it. She leaves because her parents are infringing on her freedoms, so she leaves. End of story. She leaves behind her niece and sister, who she seems to love, but does so easily and without looking back. She lacks any empathy for her sister, who actually was married off to a rich man. Slight spoilers, but many people die in this book, a lot of them we assume to be children/young people; and Alice just sort of states it as fact, with zero emotion.

One thing I will say I liked about this book is that other authors might’ve gone over the top with heavy references to the source material, to the point where it feels like a reunion of the original cast of characters just saying their catch phrases over and over again. I think Fawcett did a great job at creating an original story with existing characters and universe, especially one as wacky and reality bending as Lewis Carroll’s work. It’s a daunting task, one Fawcett handled very well. I liked the writing style itself, thought the action scenes were exciting and well written, and thought the magic system was well developed and interesting. I also thought the cover art was beautiful.

In terms of the characters, I didn’t feel any particular way about most of them, but perhaps that’s because Alice didn’t seem overly attached to any of them, and, being our narrator, that made it hard for me to care. Also because of the nature of the plot, since we don’t spend a ton of time with them. I will try to avoiding spoiling anything about Jack, but I did find their relationship to be endearing and I enjoyed reading it, but there’s something about it that I can’t quite put my finger on that made me feel sort of weird. I think the vibe Fawcett was going for with Jack was the whole “looks like a black cat, is actually a golden retriever” thing, which was there, but also Jack just felt super young to me? And also as our narrator, Alice is telling us what’s happening between them, but I didn’t feel it at all. I sometimes will read a book where the romance is sort of a secondary plot and I’m not quite sure until they kiss weather we’re supposed to be seeing them as budding friends or budding lovers, and that’s how I felt here. I didn’t believe that Alice or Jack felt anything more than friendship for the other person.

[bookish_zebra_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something wonderfully comforting about returning to a world you have loved for years, especially when it feels as though there are still new corners to explore. Wondrous brought back all the whimsy, absurdity and peculiar magic that made me fall in love with Wonderland in the first place, and I had such a lovely time revisiting it.

Years after her first adventures, Alice returns to Wonderland, only to discover that its future is threatened by mysterious creatures and that she is not the only girl claiming to be the true Alice. With Wonderland's fate hanging in the balance, she must embark on a new adventure, make unexpected allies and discover what it really means to belong in a story.

Heather Fawcett has yet again impressed me with her writing. She captures the wonderfully nonsensical spirit of Lewis Carroll's original stories while bringing her own distinctive flair to the world. The result feels both nostalgic and delightfully new, with familiar characters alongside new additions that fit seamlessly into Wonderland.

I particularly loved seeing Alice as a young woman, finding her own path and learning that she doesn't have to conform to other people's expectations. She's an interesting, imperfect character, and I appreciated her self-awareness and the way she navigates her own feelings. The returning characters were a joy to see again, and the new ones added plenty of personality and charm. The magic system, centred around tea and communication, was such a fun idea, and I loved the little nods to the original stories scattered throughout the book.

The writing is whimsical and engaging, the adventure is entertaining, and the whole story has that lovely, slightly mad quality that makes Wonderland so special. There is also a sweet romantic thread that adds another layer to the story, although I would have enjoyed seeing it developed a little further.

My only real reservation is that a few elements could have benefited from a little more depth, but that didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the adventure. This is a story that understands the magic of Wonderland without simply trying to recreate what came before.

Wondrous feels like a love letter to a much-loved classic, full of charm, imagination and just the right amount of nonsense. I finished it with a smile and a renewed appreciation for a world that never quite loses its ability to surprise us. A delightful read for fans of Alice, old and new.

** Recommended for:** Fans of Alice in Wonderland, whimsical fantasy, magical adventures and retellings that honour the spirit of the original while bringing something new to the table.

**Content warnings:** Parental pressure, forced marriage, peril and threats of exile.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Pun intended, this book was truly wonderful!

As a massive fan of Alice in Wonderland in all its formats (but mostly the original book and Disney's 1951 movie), this book made me so happy. Every page was like an overflowing teacup of whimsy, I couldn't wait to take the next sip of madness.

Alice is older, but still has her curiosity and thirst of adventure, and Heather Fawcett did such an excellent job of writing Alice to be older but still having her childlike wonder. The beloved characters such as the Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat make so many appearances in this book, and I loved that they weren't just pushed aside in favour of new characters- though we did get plenty of those too, as well as new Wonderland lore. Everyone felt perfectly mad, none felt off or mischaracterised which was one of my biggest worries.

The story takes a bit to get going, but around 20% into the book the true adventure begins, with precarious situations and many, many cups of tea (a necessary thing in my opinion). I really enjoyed Alice's bravery as she tries to save Wonderland in her own way, as usual straying from what she 'should' do to doing things in her own way, and it still works. Her trust in herself, wondering if she's truly *the* Alice was a great emotional aspect of the book. We see her waver and be distrustful, she isn't always perfect, but she learns and tries to make amends.

There's a hint of romance, and I really enjoyed it. I do think Alice and Jack could've had more romantic moments as a lot just felt platonic, but for a YA/ middle grade Disney book it made sense. Still, their bond felt true and quite amusing at times.

The only thing that felt led to a dead end was Alice's ending. It seems there's no repercussions or ties to her old life, and I would have liked to see if she misses or finds a way to bring her sister and niece to Wonderland? If she ever makes trips home? Does she talk things through with her parents?

Overall, this was a sequel (mostly to the 1951 movie, with references to Through the Looking Glass) that I can happily say lived up to the original. It takes true imagination to tackle this, and I just really had such a lovely time back in Wonderland!

4/5 🌟

[A Pixie Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Help, I have a crush on a Jabberwock. No further information will be given at this time 😂

This was simply delightful. I had such a wonderful time falling down the rabbit hole and spending time in Wonderland, and I am now extremely jealous of all the wonderful tea flavours Alice carries around with her🫖

There is SO much whimsy packed into this book, but what I loved most was how Heather Fawcett captured the strange, philosophical nature of Wonderland. There were moments where it genuinely felt like I had stepped back into the world I knew from childhood, with all its absurdity, curiosity and slightly unsettling logic. And then there was this little exchange that absolutely stuck with me:

“You aren't a monster.”
“Depends on who you ask. That's often the case with monsters.”

EXCUSE ME??? 🥹

I particularly loved the idea of there being multiple Alices, and the realisation that our Alice wasn't the first/only Alice to find herself in Wonderland, and I had a lot of sympathy for her around tht. I also adored the whole concept of one Alice being “the Alice”, and the whole competition to find out who deserved the title of Alice.


I will admit that I sometimes struggled to picture the characters. I think my brain was expecting something closer to the classic Disney animated versions, but kept stubbornly replacing them with the Tim Burton live-action cast instead😂 Not necessarily a bad thing, just apparently where my brain wanted to take me!

This was also my first Heather Fawcett book, although I knew I recognised her name but wasn't sure where from, and now I can safely say Emily Wilde has just shot up my TBR.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!

[Jowls & Java - Bulldog Book Reviewers · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
🎧 (Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden; 5/5 🎤)
Themes/Tropes: Alice in Wonderland retelling, found family, believing in yourself, choosing kindness

Firstly, a big thank you to PRH Audio and Heather Fawcett for the opportunity to do an Advanced Listener Copy review! I am a HUGE fan of Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series, but Alice in Wonderland is my FAVORITE childhood book. When I saw this book came out, it is an understatement to say I was excited!

Now, onto the book. This follows Alice, whose family has punished her for the past year for raving about her trips (one year prior, for her latest trip) to Wonderland. They were forcing her to marry a Baron who was more than twice her age. Now, Alice is running away from home to return to Wonderland for keeps and to start a new life with her hedgehog named Hedge Witch. Once she arrives and starts her new life, she finds out that there are MANY Alices from all over the regular world and the Red Queen has tasked them with finding and stopping these mock dragons destroying Wonderland. The one who completes this will be named THE Alice and the rest will lose their worldly access to Wonderland. Alice meets many friends along the way that help on her mission. No spoilers from there.

In true Heather Fawcett fashion, the characters and story she creates are incredibly quirky, but lovable and relatable. I loved how she stayed true and honored the real story, while creating characters and paths that fit right in as if they’d always belonged. I really enjoyed this story. Now, even though Alice is 18yo in this book, it is still written for those 12+, so bare this in mind. It will not feel quite like the Emily Wilde or more adult fantasies.

The narrator did a beautiful job capturing the different characters and the heart of Alice’s character. Would definitely recommend the audiobook, if you enjoy that format.

[Evie · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

When I saw this in Waterstones I had to pick it up straight away. Alice in Wonderland and written by Heather Fawcett! I only bought this book today and yet it didn't take me long to start reading it. And now I have finished it and loved each and every page.

things I liked:
-I loved the amount of Alice in Wonderland references there were throughout. Alice in Wonderland is my favourite movie so whenever I see a reference it always makes me giggle and really excited. I also love how the book refers to the cartoon Alice in wonderland rather than the live action. The cartoon has always been my favourite so I loved seeing all the references to that (e.g. the flowers and Mary-anne)
-I enjoyed the balance between the relationship and the action. The book had a perfect blend of both where the romance did not stray too far away from the main idea of it being a sequel to Alice in wonderland
-I loved all the witty remarks and comebacks throughout the book. they had me giggling and kicking my feet throughout
-Jack. He's just such a cutie.

things I didnt particularly like:
-I just wish the book was longer. it felt like all the small moments where we really get to see and understand the characters were rushed to the more action moments. I loved this book so much that I could have easily read 500-600 pages of Alice
- The ending was a bit off to me, especially the last two chapters. I cant figure out if its because I felt the ending was stretched and therefore slow pacing, or if its because the extra stuff at the end all happened so quickly that it could be done in more chapters.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I will definitely be re-reading this against soon. If you are a massive fan of Alice in wonderland (like me) then I highly recommend reading this book. It will feel like you are back in wonderland again with a new magical story.