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Following her best friend’s suicide, Alyson Carroll descends into the realm of Dreams and Nightmares. In her quest to find home, she discovers that Charlie might not truly be gone after all, but when she meets Oswin, the prince of Terra Mirum, Alys must face her own fears and raise an army against The Nightmare Queen, or surrender as the world of dreams is consumed by terror and darkness forever.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2013
20 people are currently reading
891 people want to read
About the author
Kiri Callaghan
11 books356 followersBorn from ink and stardust, Kiri Callaghan enthusiastically prods and catalogues the world around her. She’s driven by questions: the why’s and what if’s of life. Her peers call her fickle, seemingly unable to focus on a singular field of study. She reads, cooks, crafts, and games. Submerged in some new thing, she explores unexplained supernatural phenomena or how to make a proper cake pop. Kiri is a writer, singer, actor, and adventurer. Above all, Kiri is curious.
Kiri Callaghan currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Kiri Callaghan currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 24, 2013
Don't let reviews that talk about typos near the end of the book turn you away. The author acknowledged that she'd accidentally submitted an earlier draft to the Kindle store. That oversight has been fixed and the final copy is up.
September 20, 2013
Could have been...sublime. This is a very imaginative, heart-felt and basically adept take on Alice in Wonderland with a smidge of A Midsummer Night's Dream for spice and reference. I would have LOVED it, were it not for the increasingly frequent typos as the story progressed. The last third is riddled with them, with missing words, a butt-ton of tense mistakes within the same sentences, and even a few sentences that start and then just...poof.
WHERE was the editor? The proofreader? Gah, I'm disappointed. Nothing takes me out of a story faster or more thoroughly than a typo. One or two I can forgive but when they are countless, when they procreate like rabbits, it's really difficult to get back into the story.
It's a shame. The ending is rather lovely, but spoiled and despoiled by the shoddy proofing.
I also found myself wanting more: more depth, more detail, more length. That's probably a good thing, all told. I don't think any author likes to hear that they did too much and so killed the story by over-telling or over-working (like some of the rotted, overripe books in the library orchard--a truly clever and witty and FUN development that seemed quite glossed over).
I've read one short story by this author and had the same feeling: I want more. I can SEE so much more in her structure, in her ideas, but like that short story, this novella seemed to gloss over a lot of what was going on. Again, the ending would have remedied this, but damn the typos.
I would have given it four stars, but for the issues above.
Not mad I read it, not a waste of time, but still pretty disappointed in the overall presentation.
***Note: I will be giving this another go at some point because I received an "updated/corrected" version of the ebook from Amazon.
WHERE was the editor? The proofreader? Gah, I'm disappointed. Nothing takes me out of a story faster or more thoroughly than a typo. One or two I can forgive but when they are countless, when they procreate like rabbits, it's really difficult to get back into the story.
It's a shame. The ending is rather lovely, but spoiled and despoiled by the shoddy proofing.
I also found myself wanting more: more depth, more detail, more length. That's probably a good thing, all told. I don't think any author likes to hear that they did too much and so killed the story by over-telling or over-working (like some of the rotted, overripe books in the library orchard--a truly clever and witty and FUN development that seemed quite glossed over).
I've read one short story by this author and had the same feeling: I want more. I can SEE so much more in her structure, in her ideas, but like that short story, this novella seemed to gloss over a lot of what was going on. Again, the ending would have remedied this, but damn the typos.
I would have given it four stars, but for the issues above.
Not mad I read it, not a waste of time, but still pretty disappointed in the overall presentation.
***Note: I will be giving this another go at some point because I received an "updated/corrected" version of the ebook from Amazon.
August 31, 2013
I love reading retelling's of old school fairy tales, they are some of my favorite books. But I have never once been able to read one with an Alice in Wonderland theme, this being because I'm not much of an Alice in Wonderland fan.
This is probably the only one I have ever read from start to finish and actually liked. Alys in this book isn't what I was expecting. I really liked how you got a feel for her and the kind of person she is before all the crazy stuff started happening to her. I grew to like her before she went down the train tunnel and by the end of the book really loved her. I was pleasantly surprised by all the different characters that show up as well, and it was interesting trying to figure out who was who really. I really liked the part with Mr. Grey and Mr Gray, it was silly but not to silly and it had me cracking a smile.
I also liked the concept of Terra Mirum, and though it isn't really explained great it was explained enough to get the idea of it. I liked the way the Fae were a part of it as well, and how they bought up things that were strictly Fae and not Alice in Wonderland.
The way everything unfolds keeps you interested in the story even when you know the gist of it already. I liked how Alys handled everything as well. She just kind of went with it and didn't sit around moaning and crying about how none of it was real, she just accepted and moved on.
I can say I wasn't really expecting the ending, though it really made sense that the Nightmare would be who it was. I do feel that the end of the battle was on the rushed side, but at the same time am okay with that. I would have liked this book to be longer as well, but that is just me being greedy. It really is the perfect length for the story it contains.
Would I recommend this book? Yeah, it was a pretty interesting read, and if you like Alice in Wonderland you will like this one.
http://zephyrbookreviews.blogspot.com/
This is probably the only one I have ever read from start to finish and actually liked. Alys in this book isn't what I was expecting. I really liked how you got a feel for her and the kind of person she is before all the crazy stuff started happening to her. I grew to like her before she went down the train tunnel and by the end of the book really loved her. I was pleasantly surprised by all the different characters that show up as well, and it was interesting trying to figure out who was who really. I really liked the part with Mr. Grey and Mr Gray, it was silly but not to silly and it had me cracking a smile.
I also liked the concept of Terra Mirum, and though it isn't really explained great it was explained enough to get the idea of it. I liked the way the Fae were a part of it as well, and how they bought up things that were strictly Fae and not Alice in Wonderland.
The way everything unfolds keeps you interested in the story even when you know the gist of it already. I liked how Alys handled everything as well. She just kind of went with it and didn't sit around moaning and crying about how none of it was real, she just accepted and moved on.
I can say I wasn't really expecting the ending, though it really made sense that the Nightmare would be who it was. I do feel that the end of the battle was on the rushed side, but at the same time am okay with that. I would have liked this book to be longer as well, but that is just me being greedy. It really is the perfect length for the story it contains.
Would I recommend this book? Yeah, it was a pretty interesting read, and if you like Alice in Wonderland you will like this one.
http://zephyrbookreviews.blogspot.com/
November 8, 2013
This book has a few flaws with regards to editing -- missing or misspelled words, that kind of thing. It detracts from what is otherwise a really compelling reimagining of the world of Alice in Wonderland. I am hopeful that subsequent books in the chronicles of Terra Mirum will be better edited if this first title is successful. It's got some beautiful descriptions and a very rich emotional depth alongside some very playful fairytale elements.
February 11, 2018
Alys is essentially a retelling of Alice in Wonderland with a great big dollop of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer night’s dream thrown in for good measure. An intriguing concept that works very well, I greatly enjoyed this book. The characters are fun, engaging and new. It's quite pleasing to try and figure out who is supposed to be whom. Alys, the eponymous main character, was someone I found myself liking very quickly and a great heroine. I'd very much like to read more books about her, so I am holding out hope for a sequel. There is certainly still room for one in the story. This doesn't need to be a one off.
Despite it being a fantasy adventure story, it deals with some very heavy themes such as suicide, depression, self-loathing, survivor's guilt, etc. The symbolism used was perfect and I loved how it was interwoven to be a part of the story rather than standing out and being pushed in your face.
The one down side the story had and the reason that I didn't give it the full five stars is that the pace is not entirely flawless. After a very good set up in the first act, the story suddenly starts rushing through its second act to the third which in itself was a bit short. Things had to go a bit quick and convenient at times to keep up. That was unfortunate but at the same time, when is it truly a bad thing when the one negative issue a book has is that you wanted more of it? Great book, highly recommended!
Despite it being a fantasy adventure story, it deals with some very heavy themes such as suicide, depression, self-loathing, survivor's guilt, etc. The symbolism used was perfect and I loved how it was interwoven to be a part of the story rather than standing out and being pushed in your face.
The one down side the story had and the reason that I didn't give it the full five stars is that the pace is not entirely flawless. After a very good set up in the first act, the story suddenly starts rushing through its second act to the third which in itself was a bit short. Things had to go a bit quick and convenient at times to keep up. That was unfortunate but at the same time, when is it truly a bad thing when the one negative issue a book has is that you wanted more of it? Great book, highly recommended!
December 5, 2017
Alys is a wonderful story to lose yourself in. Kiri Callaghan has crafted a living, breathing world with two distinct realms: Terra Mirum, the land many will recognize from Alice in Wonderland, and the realm of the Fae (woven of the fabric of Shakespeare and embroidered with threads of Coleridge.)
Dropped into this world is Alys, a young woman from a small town full of small minds. She flees from personal tragedy, only to have an accident that soon has her falling into this strange, new realm of faeries, Nightmares, and Dreams. Alys must face the Nightmare Queen with her new companions before she can return to her own world, as well as her own personal nightmares.
I'm particularly fond of the way the author breathes new life into territory already explored. There are characters, situations, and locales that could just as easily be found in Lewis Carroll's books and been right at home there. The homage is well done, a tip of the hat (perhaps with a bit of a wink and a nod) to Carroll and the Bard, yet still fully its own work.
I encourage you to purchase this book and take your own journey into Terra Mirum. It's well worth the trip, and I look forward to future visits in subsequent volumes of this series.
Dropped into this world is Alys, a young woman from a small town full of small minds. She flees from personal tragedy, only to have an accident that soon has her falling into this strange, new realm of faeries, Nightmares, and Dreams. Alys must face the Nightmare Queen with her new companions before she can return to her own world, as well as her own personal nightmares.
I'm particularly fond of the way the author breathes new life into territory already explored. There are characters, situations, and locales that could just as easily be found in Lewis Carroll's books and been right at home there. The homage is well done, a tip of the hat (perhaps with a bit of a wink and a nod) to Carroll and the Bard, yet still fully its own work.
I encourage you to purchase this book and take your own journey into Terra Mirum. It's well worth the trip, and I look forward to future visits in subsequent volumes of this series.
April 11, 2018
This was a compelling and dramatic recasting of "Through the Looking Glass," which wrestled with the issues of nightmare and dream, regret, and guilt, and powerlessness, and in the end, hope. I found that within the first ten minutes of reading, I was hooked, as this dreamlike fantasy unfolded not only for me, but for the characters as well. Even the use of 3rd person omniscient for the narrative added a dreamlike quality to it.
I don't want to give away any spoilers of course, but I will say that this story touched on some powerful themes with regards to suicide, survivor's guilt, paralysis in the face of fear, and in overcoming said fear. This is a wonderful book, and I enthusiastically recommend it.
I don't want to give away any spoilers of course, but I will say that this story touched on some powerful themes with regards to suicide, survivor's guilt, paralysis in the face of fear, and in overcoming said fear. This is a wonderful book, and I enthusiastically recommend it.
November 4, 2024
So, the Lewis and Carroll families suffer a tragedy, and Alys (Alice) takes the opportunity to start a new life. Unfortunately, she falls down a hole, meets a smiling cat, eats something that makes her small and something that makes her large. She fights, an evil queen, and goes on an adventure with Faye and Dreams. Somehow, this seems familiar and whatever it is, it must be from a Wonderland. Similarities aside to a popular story this was very well written the dialogue is great and the battle scenes were captivating. I enjoyed the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2017
This is an amazing drop down the rabbit hole into a steampunk fantasy world with Alys. Twists in the plot shift the story from the traditional Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" into a more adventurous, darker tale that leaves the reader wanting more.
Alys is a great play on Carroll's novel and a wonderful, enjoyable, easy read for steampunk lovers.
Alys is a great play on Carroll's novel and a wonderful, enjoyable, easy read for steampunk lovers.
December 16, 2021
Alys is a modernized twist on Alice in Wonderland with classic whimsy and brand new wit. Descriptions of mundane things are done in an emotive way, personifying inanimate items and giving them the love they deserve.
I immensely enjoyed Callaghan's writing style and passion for story telling. I cannot wait to dig deeper into the series.
I immensely enjoyed Callaghan's writing style and passion for story telling. I cannot wait to dig deeper into the series.
February 7, 2022
absolutely wonderful book. the interactions between characters made it feel very human and relatable, as if I could put myself in Alys's shoes. the writing was captivating and I couldn't put it down. the Alive in Wonderland mixed with Midsummer's Night's Dream was a perfect balance and had just the right amount of everything. I absolutely loved it.
May 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! I love Smoke. I think this would have been better as at least a duology though so the world could be better explained and explored, some gusty recapped more in depth and more time to get to know the characters. Such a cool take on Alice in Wonderland.
January 7, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this. A protagonist dealing with a friend's suicide, an entry into obstensibly Alice in Wonderland, with dashes of far courts and Shakespeare for good measure. I was quite taken by the clever scenes, engaging characters, and vital action set pieces. I'd like more.
February 23, 2022
I love a good retelling, and Alice is always one of my favorites. I felt that this one was quite well done. I liked that it included the Shakespeare aspects as well as I also love those retellings, so that was a nice bonus. Maybe could have been a touch longer, but didn't drag, so that was good.
February 11, 2018
A book about dreams and nightmares in a modern Alice in Wonderland style. I liked it. Quick and light read.
May 15, 2018
Interesting retell
I like how the author merged a known fairytale with his story. It too, a bit to relate to the main character, however was quite engaging by the end.
I like how the author merged a known fairytale with his story. It too, a bit to relate to the main character, however was quite engaging by the end.
April 17, 2023
There were maybe two pages in the whole book that made me feel anything. Just another Alice in Wonderland rewrite. Super easy read though. That’s the only reason I finished.
October 6, 2024
A lovely read
Callaghan blends fantasy and Shakespearean elements so smoothly in this Alice in Wonderland-inspired piece. It makes me want to visit the world.
Callaghan blends fantasy and Shakespearean elements so smoothly in this Alice in Wonderland-inspired piece. It makes me want to visit the world.
January 12, 2023
Loves the Alice in Wonderland vibes. Also I want more Smoke!
November 25, 2022
So, 365 of 365 right now, yes, I'm reading at my aunts house after we ate. WTF REALLY THE JABBERWOCK KILLED CHARLIE.....I can't scream or shout right now. My nephews are under 13 years old, so. Just finished it, and why did you have to make it a dream, just why. So wow, there is action, sadness, dreaming, with two nightmares and one's a jabberwock itself. It's is a twisted Alice in Wonderland but an adult version. Ayls finds her strength through fighting a nightmare not one though but two. I love this book and when they get older im gonna have the oldest nephew read it. Now to get the second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2017
First a disclaimer: I know Kiri, however she does not know that I am writing this review. Knowing Kiri I also know that she would want my honest opinion, and not some fluff that I were to write just to make her happy.
Many people who will read this book will see the Alice in Wonderland\Midsummer Night’s Dream theme in it. I loved all of the Shakespeare references in this book, they tied in very well with the world that had been built to tell the story. The blending of the Fae and of the dream world fit seamlessly. Her idea of what the Fae world looks like sounds like somewhere I would want to go for a vacation.
I am not so sure about Terra Mirum, that is the land that Alys goes to where she meets the prince Oswin, Smoke, Robin, and a few others. I would like to know more about the characters of Smoke and Robin, from what little we find out about them, I bet they had a most fascinating life in the Fae. I want to know how Robin met Basir, how Smoke got away from the Fae.
I should talk a bit about Alys and Oswin, but I am not sure that I can without giving away the plot of the book. Oswin comes into his own in this book, but he has more room to grow. Alys seems to be about the age of 19 or 20 when all of this takes place and she overcomes much in this book.
I do have a confession to make – I read Alice in Wonderland and did not like it. I tried to read Through the Looking Glass and managed to get just a few chapters into it but they are not my favorite. I read Alys in a day and enjoyed it very much. This book has a subtitle that included the word “Chronicles,” that means there will be more. I want them out now so I can read them now.
Many people who will read this book will see the Alice in Wonderland\Midsummer Night’s Dream theme in it. I loved all of the Shakespeare references in this book, they tied in very well with the world that had been built to tell the story. The blending of the Fae and of the dream world fit seamlessly. Her idea of what the Fae world looks like sounds like somewhere I would want to go for a vacation.
I am not so sure about Terra Mirum, that is the land that Alys goes to where she meets the prince Oswin, Smoke, Robin, and a few others. I would like to know more about the characters of Smoke and Robin, from what little we find out about them, I bet they had a most fascinating life in the Fae. I want to know how Robin met Basir, how Smoke got away from the Fae.
I should talk a bit about Alys and Oswin, but I am not sure that I can without giving away the plot of the book. Oswin comes into his own in this book, but he has more room to grow. Alys seems to be about the age of 19 or 20 when all of this takes place and she overcomes much in this book.
I do have a confession to make – I read Alice in Wonderland and did not like it. I tried to read Through the Looking Glass and managed to get just a few chapters into it but they are not my favorite. I read Alys in a day and enjoyed it very much. This book has a subtitle that included the word “Chronicles,” that means there will be more. I want them out now so I can read them now.
July 2, 2017
What a beautiful, beautifully written book. What a joy to read. I haven't cried that much because of a book in quite a while, and I have never been so grateful for it. For anyone who's lost a dear friend, a loved one...this book is for you. It's everything you wish you would have had with them before they were gone. For any lover of the classics, Shakespeare in particular, this is the book for you.
I cannot say enough how much I admired how cleverly and beautifully the words struck me. And the imagery!
*tiny spoiler ahead*:
An orchard of books!! I'll say again....AN ORCHARD OF BOOKS. As an avid reader, this spoke to me on such a profound level. To be able to walk among a forest of books and pluck them from the ground or from a low hanging branch...what a dream. This scene was wonderfully constructed. Such a profound love of the written word was conveyed here. *fangirling*
This is such an amazing combination of all the best novels and plays. And it wasn't confusing! You would think drawing inspiration from so many places would be overwhelming or without direction, but this plot was cleverly mapped out and so well done.
In terms of the characters, I was so pleased. I felt that if I had met these people in person it would have been such a pleasure to watch them interact. The connection between Alys and Oswin develops slowly, which I like. There was no instantaneous zing. They admired each other from the start, but it begins with a steadily building friendship, then leads to trust and affection, and eventually a deeper connection that makes them reluctant to separate.
There are so many little moments in this book that I came to treasure. Too many to list here, and I don't want to spoil anything, but again...WOW.
Please read this. Please. This is a book written by someone who understands suffering and the strength it takes to live after they've been through the ugliest parts of life. There was so much power in this book. I feel better for having read it.
I cannot say enough how much I admired how cleverly and beautifully the words struck me. And the imagery!
*tiny spoiler ahead*:
An orchard of books!! I'll say again....AN ORCHARD OF BOOKS. As an avid reader, this spoke to me on such a profound level. To be able to walk among a forest of books and pluck them from the ground or from a low hanging branch...what a dream. This scene was wonderfully constructed. Such a profound love of the written word was conveyed here. *fangirling*
This is such an amazing combination of all the best novels and plays. And it wasn't confusing! You would think drawing inspiration from so many places would be overwhelming or without direction, but this plot was cleverly mapped out and so well done.
In terms of the characters, I was so pleased. I felt that if I had met these people in person it would have been such a pleasure to watch them interact. The connection between Alys and Oswin develops slowly, which I like. There was no instantaneous zing. They admired each other from the start, but it begins with a steadily building friendship, then leads to trust and affection, and eventually a deeper connection that makes them reluctant to separate.
There are so many little moments in this book that I came to treasure. Too many to list here, and I don't want to spoil anything, but again...WOW.
Please read this. Please. This is a book written by someone who understands suffering and the strength it takes to live after they've been through the ugliest parts of life. There was so much power in this book. I feel better for having read it.
July 19, 2015
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Alys?
"J'aime beaucoup ce conte et je profite une fois de plus de ses 150 ans pour l'explorer sous différentes formes."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Alyson ne le sait pas encore mais elle est une "rêveuse", l'une des rares personnes à pouvoir faire le lien entre le monde des rêves et le notre. Alors qu'elle vient de perdre son meilleur ami et décide de changer de vie, elle va justement basculer dans cet autre univers qui vient de perdre sa Reine, assassinée par un cauchemar, et a bien besoin de son aide."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"S'il est dur d'écrire une austenerie tant le niveau est élevé, il me parait encore plus compliqué de se risquer dans le monde d'Alice au Pays des Merveilles. Doit-on rester dans la folie de l'auteur ou essayer de faire de l'oeuvre quelque chose de cohérent? Étant donné que ce n'est pas ma première lecture dans ce domaine, je peux vous dire que je penche nettement pour la deuxième solution. Effectivement, les chapitres les plus intéressants de ce livre sont les premiers, qui se déroulent dans notre monde. Je ne dis pas que la suite est mauvaise mais franchement, elle n'apporte pas grand chose parce que s'il s'agit de réimaginer un univers fantastique, je ne vois pas l'intérêt, celui de Lewis Carroll n'a besoin d'aucun ajustement, merci. Je suis consciente d'en demander beaucoup mais celui qui arrivera à concilier une histoire plus réaliste avec l'univers d'Alice aura tout mon respect!"
Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"Je pense qu'il existe plusieurs tomes et honnêtement, je ne crois pas lire la suite. J'ai donc grandement apprécié que l'auteur nous offre malgré tout une fin digne de ce nom."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
"J'aime beaucoup ce conte et je profite une fois de plus de ses 150 ans pour l'explorer sous différentes formes."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Alyson ne le sait pas encore mais elle est une "rêveuse", l'une des rares personnes à pouvoir faire le lien entre le monde des rêves et le notre. Alors qu'elle vient de perdre son meilleur ami et décide de changer de vie, elle va justement basculer dans cet autre univers qui vient de perdre sa Reine, assassinée par un cauchemar, et a bien besoin de son aide."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"S'il est dur d'écrire une austenerie tant le niveau est élevé, il me parait encore plus compliqué de se risquer dans le monde d'Alice au Pays des Merveilles. Doit-on rester dans la folie de l'auteur ou essayer de faire de l'oeuvre quelque chose de cohérent? Étant donné que ce n'est pas ma première lecture dans ce domaine, je peux vous dire que je penche nettement pour la deuxième solution. Effectivement, les chapitres les plus intéressants de ce livre sont les premiers, qui se déroulent dans notre monde. Je ne dis pas que la suite est mauvaise mais franchement, elle n'apporte pas grand chose parce que s'il s'agit de réimaginer un univers fantastique, je ne vois pas l'intérêt, celui de Lewis Carroll n'a besoin d'aucun ajustement, merci. Je suis consciente d'en demander beaucoup mais celui qui arrivera à concilier une histoire plus réaliste avec l'univers d'Alice aura tout mon respect!"
Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"Je pense qu'il existe plusieurs tomes et honnêtement, je ne crois pas lire la suite. J'ai donc grandement apprécié que l'auteur nous offre malgré tout une fin digne de ce nom."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
October 17, 2017
I've always been a fan of the Wonderland books - departing quickly from the Disney versions into the surrealities painted by Carroll. They always felt more like pop culture arthouse pieces, loosely (if that) connected by the faintest of narrative threads. Since their publishing, various studios have tried to craft that narrative where none truly existed, and to be fair I gave little hope for them to succeed.
Until I read Alys.
Callaghan has managed, I feel, to accomplish what so many others have attempted to do - to paint a throughline in the dreamlike meanderings of a series of books which have over time embedded themselves so deep into the pop culture everymind. Kiri's tale of a young woman struggling to endure and pass through wordless tragedy and sorry, only to find herself entangled in a mostly-physical snare of nightmares made real finds a contemporary structure well rooted in the present. In despair, we turn to the one thing that offers itself so completely to our drowning souls - fear. And all too soon, we find ourselves deeper than darkness, tumbling down that rabbit hole left vacant from the hopes and happiness we feel has been wrested from ourselves.
The weight, the weariness - Callaghan paints these true with each scene, casting each twist and interaction with a clear knowledge of what such sadness does to us when we are likewise visited - - and yet, instead of being weighed down ourselves, we find a sort of sympathetic and vicarious freedom in watching the events unfold before us.
It is a journey of shadows, safely enfolded in our author's eyes, and given back to the world at the end/start of her tale.
I am unabashedly excited for the next chapter in this story, but first, I must have some tea. A bit of lemon, a small spoon of honey, left to steep in the mid-day sun.
Until I read Alys.
Callaghan has managed, I feel, to accomplish what so many others have attempted to do - to paint a throughline in the dreamlike meanderings of a series of books which have over time embedded themselves so deep into the pop culture everymind. Kiri's tale of a young woman struggling to endure and pass through wordless tragedy and sorry, only to find herself entangled in a mostly-physical snare of nightmares made real finds a contemporary structure well rooted in the present. In despair, we turn to the one thing that offers itself so completely to our drowning souls - fear. And all too soon, we find ourselves deeper than darkness, tumbling down that rabbit hole left vacant from the hopes and happiness we feel has been wrested from ourselves.
The weight, the weariness - Callaghan paints these true with each scene, casting each twist and interaction with a clear knowledge of what such sadness does to us when we are likewise visited - - and yet, instead of being weighed down ourselves, we find a sort of sympathetic and vicarious freedom in watching the events unfold before us.
It is a journey of shadows, safely enfolded in our author's eyes, and given back to the world at the end/start of her tale.
I am unabashedly excited for the next chapter in this story, but first, I must have some tea. A bit of lemon, a small spoon of honey, left to steep in the mid-day sun.
November 14, 2016
I don't often feel my input is needed for most books, but I could not help myself with Alys. I cannot speak highly enough about this story. Sometimes it's difficult to put away your cares and truly delve into the world that you hold in your hands but that was not the case here. When I finished reading it, I oddly enough, felt as if I was waking from a dream, it took me a moment to readjust to reality, as any great book will do to you.
I have always felt that a truly great story doesn't just paint a picture for you, it places you directly in that picture. From the very first pages of Alys, I didn't feel like I was reading a book, or even looking at someone's work of art, I was there. I felt what it was like to be walking through Terra Mirum and I wasn't just a fly on the wall. I was experiencing this with Alys, I was feeling what she felt, that is the mark of a truly great piece of writing.
I am about to embark on my third re-read of Alys, and if you haven't read it yet, I think you should drop whatever you are doing, grab a copy and live this remarkable story. Plus, you are supporting a truly wonderful human being if you choose to do so, no one deserves your support more.
I have always felt that a truly great story doesn't just paint a picture for you, it places you directly in that picture. From the very first pages of Alys, I didn't feel like I was reading a book, or even looking at someone's work of art, I was there. I felt what it was like to be walking through Terra Mirum and I wasn't just a fly on the wall. I was experiencing this with Alys, I was feeling what she felt, that is the mark of a truly great piece of writing.
I am about to embark on my third re-read of Alys, and if you haven't read it yet, I think you should drop whatever you are doing, grab a copy and live this remarkable story. Plus, you are supporting a truly wonderful human being if you choose to do so, no one deserves your support more.
September 7, 2013
I want more and I want it now.
And that right there is the highest piece of praise I can ever give a book. Even if I had no more to say about it that would be enough I would think. I love the original Lewis Carroll Alice stories, I've said that several times in every other review I've written of an Alice adaptation, I've read many of those, and I've enjoyed them very much. I thoroughly enjoyed Kiri's adaptation, not only did she beautifully render a new modernised vision of Alice and Wonderland, she also skillfully wove in not only one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, but also found a way to mention King Arthur! And I must say I absolutely adore Smoke as a reinterpretation on the Cheshire Cat, who has always been a particularly favourite character of mine.
I really hope that a second book in this series is forthcoming soon because I want to see what happens, with as optimistic a cliffhanger as this book ended on how could I not?
And that right there is the highest piece of praise I can ever give a book. Even if I had no more to say about it that would be enough I would think. I love the original Lewis Carroll Alice stories, I've said that several times in every other review I've written of an Alice adaptation, I've read many of those, and I've enjoyed them very much. I thoroughly enjoyed Kiri's adaptation, not only did she beautifully render a new modernised vision of Alice and Wonderland, she also skillfully wove in not only one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, but also found a way to mention King Arthur! And I must say I absolutely adore Smoke as a reinterpretation on the Cheshire Cat, who has always been a particularly favourite character of mine.
I really hope that a second book in this series is forthcoming soon because I want to see what happens, with as optimistic a cliffhanger as this book ended on how could I not?
March 7, 2015
I quite enjoyed this novel. I cried in the beginning because it starts with a tragic event. Without spoiling anything, it reminded me of a similar tragic even that happened in my life. I immediately saw and understood what Kiri Callaghan was doing here, catharsis. I heard about her family tragedy and I understand. I am a fan of Kiri, I always watch her videos, I got very excited when I found out she wrote a novel. I love the Alice in Wonderland novel and different adaptations are always attractive to me. At first I had trouble keeping up with certain characters and names, I got a little lost and confused. Was that intentional? I really liked it how the world of Lewis Caroll, Coleridge and Shakespeare were merging. I know Kiri is a Shakespeare fan and so am I. In conclusion, a fairly well written book with an 'Alice' character that kicks ass!
October 18, 2013
This book was a fantastical story of a modern girl named Alyson (Alys, for short) who is able to hear and see things that most humans cannot. She's called a "Dreamer." She ends up, by a series of events, in a world where dreams live, form, play out. The beings in this place all visit humans in their sleep and all have different roles to play--some not as nice as others, as she finds out when she gets caught between Dream and Nightmare. Kiri Callaghan's writing is superb. A lot of "Alys" is reminiscent of "Alice in Wonderland" but also quite different in a variety of ways. I like the similarities and the differences, and the imagination in some of these scenes is truly fantastic!
August 19, 2018
"Alys" is a wonderful modern adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland" with a bit of Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" thrown into for flavor. It is compelling, witty and very heartfelt. I'd probably have given this book 5/5 if it wasn't for the sloppy editing that was quite distracting at times.
Edit (ha!): Just finished re-reading "Alys", the official edition by Doce Blant Publishing. Now properly edited I could finally enjoy the story without distractions. The second time around, it's still a compelling read and if you like Fantasy, you should definitely pick up a copy. It's gonna be worth it.
Edit (ha!): Just finished re-reading "Alys", the official edition by Doce Blant Publishing. Now properly edited I could finally enjoy the story without distractions. The second time around, it's still a compelling read and if you like Fantasy, you should definitely pick up a copy. It's gonna be worth it.
November 24, 2017
This book surprised me! While reading relatively new authors, I never know what to expect - but I keep my opinions open till the end. I was pleasantly surprised! The story was engaging and vivid. Good pacing and I did not have time to wander. This was a twist on "Alice in Wonderland" with a present day setting. At the end of each chapter and found myself excited to start the next! Nice work Kiri!
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