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Alice
Christopher Robinson didn’t deserve what happened to him. Then again, almost no one does… Christopher was a simple man with a simple to make sure his charges at Woodrow Children’s Asylum were as healthy and happy as possible. Not an easy task, and running out of medicine on the stormiest night of the year didn’t make it any easier. The car accident made it impossible. Now stranded on a nearly-deserted island with no clue as to how or why he and one of his patients were brought there, Christopher’s goal has get the child and himself out of Wonderland. Faced with the cruel inhabitants of the island and his own dwindling sanity, Christopher must find a way to escape before he becomes a victim of one of the island’s many lunatics... or joins them.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2016
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 9, 2021
I’m never sure if it’s a compliment or not when I start to get vibes of different things when reading a book, but damn, this book really decided to target my love for all things Silent Hill.
ALiCE follows Christopher Robinson, an orderly at Woodcrow Aslyum for Children. Christopher tries his best with taking care of the children at the asylum, making sure they’re happy, cared for and safe, but after a very terrible storm, Christopher isn’t sure he’ll be able to keep himself alive, nevermind taking care of the children.
The thing I really enjoyed about this book was the wacky, bizarre and grotesque town and its inhabitants. I think that's why I was having such intense Silent Hill vibes, such small details were bringing me back to my childhood, which I find absolutely endearing. Christopher having the scalpel, the monsters within the island, the cast of characters who weren’t all there with themselves. It was such a cool aesthetic and I had a blast reading it.
I also loved the little songs and such that we’re scattered through the book, especially ‘Oh, cook the man up.’
I think my only issue (which wasn’t even a big issue) is that sometimes the writing felt a bit flat or repetitive, but it has a whole lot of heart, it’s character driven, the plot is dark and the twists were really intriguing.
ALiCE is a twisty, unreliable & grotesque story that has a wonderful and worrying cast of characters, interesting monster design and mixes what I love about horror with Alice in Wonderland.
3.5 stars.
BLOG | INSTA | TWITTER
ALiCE follows Christopher Robinson, an orderly at Woodcrow Aslyum for Children. Christopher tries his best with taking care of the children at the asylum, making sure they’re happy, cared for and safe, but after a very terrible storm, Christopher isn’t sure he’ll be able to keep himself alive, nevermind taking care of the children.
The thing I really enjoyed about this book was the wacky, bizarre and grotesque town and its inhabitants. I think that's why I was having such intense Silent Hill vibes, such small details were bringing me back to my childhood, which I find absolutely endearing. Christopher having the scalpel, the monsters within the island, the cast of characters who weren’t all there with themselves. It was such a cool aesthetic and I had a blast reading it.
I also loved the little songs and such that we’re scattered through the book, especially ‘Oh, cook the man up.’
I think my only issue (which wasn’t even a big issue) is that sometimes the writing felt a bit flat or repetitive, but it has a whole lot of heart, it’s character driven, the plot is dark and the twists were really intriguing.
ALiCE is a twisty, unreliable & grotesque story that has a wonderful and worrying cast of characters, interesting monster design and mixes what I love about horror with Alice in Wonderland.
3.5 stars.
BLOG | INSTA | TWITTER
November 18, 2019
This story is not for the faint of heart. Delve deep into the terror of psyche and of nightmares in the world of ALiCE.
The tale takes the common elements of Alice in Wonderland and spins them into a distorted story that questions sanity. Is it a dream? Are you a dream? Am I? Is there any escape from this madness?
ALiCE follows the protagonist, Christopher Robinson as he awakens in a hospital and finds himself on an island of no escape, full of nightmares while searching for one of the children at the Asylum - Mickey, a disturbed boy with few friends. He meets many interesting and terrifying individuals - Morgan the cop, Matthew the Deli Owner, Mary & Joseph and their creepy dolls, Able the gardener, and of course...Michael, the terrifying, manipulative man that appears at all the wrong moments at all the right times.
To an extent, Christopher is a sleeve, which is exactly the type of protagonist needed for this type of story. The reader spirals with him and meanders in the same confusion while wanting what he wants. Avalon does an amazing job in pulling us along with Christopher and leaving an air of trepidation in his wake.
Now I can't finish this review without raving about the ending! Without going into spoilers, let me say that it was not something I was expecting! So if you think this will be your typical Alice in Wonderland ending, think again.
But as I said, it's not for the faint of heart. So be wary, be careful...and as Avalon writes towards the end: sleep well.
The tale takes the common elements of Alice in Wonderland and spins them into a distorted story that questions sanity. Is it a dream? Are you a dream? Am I? Is there any escape from this madness?
ALiCE follows the protagonist, Christopher Robinson as he awakens in a hospital and finds himself on an island of no escape, full of nightmares while searching for one of the children at the Asylum - Mickey, a disturbed boy with few friends. He meets many interesting and terrifying individuals - Morgan the cop, Matthew the Deli Owner, Mary & Joseph and their creepy dolls, Able the gardener, and of course...Michael, the terrifying, manipulative man that appears at all the wrong moments at all the right times.
To an extent, Christopher is a sleeve, which is exactly the type of protagonist needed for this type of story. The reader spirals with him and meanders in the same confusion while wanting what he wants. Avalon does an amazing job in pulling us along with Christopher and leaving an air of trepidation in his wake.
Now I can't finish this review without raving about the ending! Without going into spoilers, let me say that it was not something I was expecting! So if you think this will be your typical Alice in Wonderland ending, think again.
But as I said, it's not for the faint of heart. So be wary, be careful...and as Avalon writes towards the end: sleep well.
November 5, 2019
Let me start off this review by saying that I’m a massive fan of horror. I will read almost any horror novel that I can get my hands on, so when I saw this one, I eagerly dove right in. This is a creepy, engaging read with compelling characters, several disturbing scenes, and five final chapters that will leave you reeling. As I got closer to the end of the book, I found myself reading more slowly because, although I was eager to find out what came next, I didn’t want the book to end.
Two caveats: one, this book is not for the squeamish or easily terrified. Two, I feel the cover is a bit too simplistic for the book and does not do an adequate job at conveying the story’s tone. Overall, I devoured this book and encourage anyone else who loves horror to pick it up now.
Two caveats: one, this book is not for the squeamish or easily terrified. Two, I feel the cover is a bit too simplistic for the book and does not do an adequate job at conveying the story’s tone. Overall, I devoured this book and encourage anyone else who loves horror to pick it up now.
July 24, 2019
After reading ALiCE, I think it’s safe to say that this one has set the bar pretty high. Avalon’s talent for writing is clear – bringing a bunch of unusual characters to life and expressing their thoughts, feelings and emotions flawlessly.
The story flows well and has a really creepy feel about it throughout – something a horror book must have in my opinion! I’m really excited to read more of Avalon’s stories of different genres.
I wrote a more in-depth review of ALiCE over on my blog: https://aquintillionwords.com/2019/07...
The story flows well and has a really creepy feel about it throughout – something a horror book must have in my opinion! I’m really excited to read more of Avalon’s stories of different genres.
I wrote a more in-depth review of ALiCE over on my blog: https://aquintillionwords.com/2019/07...
March 27, 2019
A lot of media likes to play with characters you hate to love and love to hate but, nah. These take the cake. Nearly every character I immediately grew attached to is not what they seem, but that is some *damn good writing* to make you feel immediately repulsed by some of the things they go through. Description is never played to be overly gratuitous, but it’s very matter of fact. This happened! That happened. It's not played up for emotional response, and as a result, the emotional responses are pretty much guaranteed.
It’s an absolute guessing game the entire novel, and frequently I caught myself thinking, ‘k, wait; can’t be this because this’ but admittedly, some of the more obvious reveals at the end should have smacked me in the face–but didn’t, because it’s so easy to be wound up in the rest of the everything going on that… how do you begin to form even half opinions about what’s happening, when things move at a lightning pace, and before you know it you’re reading about Christopher’s next nightmare?
I don’t read a lot of horror–'cause I’m picky, ‘cause I find a lot of it unnecessary violence for the sake of it–but I’m… very wowed by this. There are references to other horror franchises, that are very well done, and sometimes so subtle I start wondering if it’s intentional, like they’re that incredible. Often, I find references to be shoehorned in, but that's never a concern here.
The entire book felt like someone was watching me read over my shoulder, and, anyway, hi, I really recommend it if you’ve a mind for an excellent horror novel with excellent storytelling. I really, *really* enjoyed this.
It’s an absolute guessing game the entire novel, and frequently I caught myself thinking, ‘k, wait; can’t be this because this’ but admittedly, some of the more obvious reveals at the end should have smacked me in the face–but didn’t, because it’s so easy to be wound up in the rest of the everything going on that… how do you begin to form even half opinions about what’s happening, when things move at a lightning pace, and before you know it you’re reading about Christopher’s next nightmare?
I don’t read a lot of horror–'cause I’m picky, ‘cause I find a lot of it unnecessary violence for the sake of it–but I’m… very wowed by this. There are references to other horror franchises, that are very well done, and sometimes so subtle I start wondering if it’s intentional, like they’re that incredible. Often, I find references to be shoehorned in, but that's never a concern here.
The entire book felt like someone was watching me read over my shoulder, and, anyway, hi, I really recommend it if you’ve a mind for an excellent horror novel with excellent storytelling. I really, *really* enjoyed this.
March 24, 2019
Alice is a story that was packed full of twists and turns. I was kept guessing the whole time. It had scenes of horror and suspense. And, moments of freaking me out which never happens. For that alone I give this story 4.5/5.0 ⭐️. It’s refreshing to read a story with an authentic story. Chills you to the bone. Also, it makes you question the characters’ morality. If you like horror that is keeps you scared, pick up a copy today!
August 8, 2021
I’m going to start this off by saying that a large chunk of this book portrays queer (assumed to be) mentally ill people as debased cannibals and rapists. The chunk of explanation at the end let’s some of the characters off the hook, as it’s proved they literally were not in control of their actions, but the majority of them were just, less extreme.
That being said, I didn’t really like how anticlimactic the ending was. I knew something strange was going on, but having it so the whole thing was fake and going to happen again and again? The little bit of character development that did exist gets erased by the narrative with that ending.
I also couldn’t tell if Michael and Mikey being the same person was supposed to be a twist or not because the second Officer Morgan drug Michael into the station I was like “oh yeah, so that’s Mikey.” The other thing that threw me off was the chapter art at the beginning, mostly cause the style was so dissonant with the text.
I did like all the shout outs to Alice in Wonderland there were, and trying to figure out who represented who and what was going to be brought up next. The story itself also kept me pretty engaged the whole time, dropping hints about the ending (Prima makes a reference to “every time [Christopher] comes this happens”) and the continuous repetition of the number 317. I also did appreciate the list of content warnings at the top of the book.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to anyone, as it was pretty confusing the whole way through, but I do appreciate the work that went into it and the idea behind the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
That being said, I didn’t really like how anticlimactic the ending was. I knew something strange was going on, but having it so the whole thing was fake and going to happen again and again? The little bit of character development that did exist gets erased by the narrative with that ending.
I also couldn’t tell if Michael and Mikey being the same person was supposed to be a twist or not because the second Officer Morgan drug Michael into the station I was like “oh yeah, so that’s Mikey.” The other thing that threw me off was the chapter art at the beginning, mostly cause the style was so dissonant with the text.
I did like all the shout outs to Alice in Wonderland there were, and trying to figure out who represented who and what was going to be brought up next. The story itself also kept me pretty engaged the whole time, dropping hints about the ending (Prima makes a reference to “every time [Christopher] comes this happens”) and the continuous repetition of the number 317. I also did appreciate the list of content warnings at the top of the book.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to anyone, as it was pretty confusing the whole way through, but I do appreciate the work that went into it and the idea behind the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2019
ALiCE starts out harmless enough: Christopher Robinson is an orderly at Woodrow Children’s Asylum - and practically the only level of care the children experience. He has his routines for making the work - and the children’s lives - as easy as possible. Until a car accident one night sends him to a mysterious island that he can’t seem to escape.
What a creepy fall read this was! From beginning to end, ALiCE was a non-stop thriller filled with scary locations and terrifying characters, and they were all definitely mad there. I enjoyed how Avalon Roselin took typical Disney characters and was able to put such a dark spin on them. It created an exciting - albeit scary - take on a story we all know so well.
The plot was fast-paced, and actions flowed from one instance to the next. From beginning to end, ALiCE really only takes place in a matter of days (if that). With each high-risk scene, the reader is pulled deeper and deeper into Christopher Robinson’s nightmare, and we find ourselves asking almost immediately: will he ever escape?
While I loved the dark and creepy story, I found myself struggling to understand the entire plot. Yes, Christopher is trying to escape Wonderland and save Mickey, but it felt like he went nowhere. Trial after trial, Christopher manages to just barely escape, but ultimately I don’t feel like he learned anything from his experiences. He either escapes by luck or is saved by another unfortunate character... which sets off the next trial. Realization only seems to dawn on Christopher at the very end of the story, when we realize the focus of this story is actually on someone you don’t expect.
While ALiCE has earned points for creativity and a gripping scare factor, I do think the plot is the only place where the story falls short.
What a creepy fall read this was! From beginning to end, ALiCE was a non-stop thriller filled with scary locations and terrifying characters, and they were all definitely mad there. I enjoyed how Avalon Roselin took typical Disney characters and was able to put such a dark spin on them. It created an exciting - albeit scary - take on a story we all know so well.
The plot was fast-paced, and actions flowed from one instance to the next. From beginning to end, ALiCE really only takes place in a matter of days (if that). With each high-risk scene, the reader is pulled deeper and deeper into Christopher Robinson’s nightmare, and we find ourselves asking almost immediately: will he ever escape?
While I loved the dark and creepy story, I found myself struggling to understand the entire plot. Yes, Christopher is trying to escape Wonderland and save Mickey, but it felt like he went nowhere. Trial after trial, Christopher manages to just barely escape, but ultimately I don’t feel like he learned anything from his experiences. He either escapes by luck or is saved by another unfortunate character... which sets off the next trial. Realization only seems to dawn on Christopher at the very end of the story, when we realize the focus of this story is actually on someone you don’t expect.
While ALiCE has earned points for creativity and a gripping scare factor, I do think the plot is the only place where the story falls short.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2021
I've enjoyed my fair share of Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired stories, and this one slots in neatly with the rest. If you're a fan of American McGee's Alice and its nightmarish take on Wonderland, Avalon Roselin's ALiCE will likely appeal as well -- here again is a tale of darkness, madness, and a great deal of puzzles to ponder. But don't worry, this isn't the same old story; there's plenty of new twists and imaginative details here, not to mention a wholly fresh set of characters with secrets to plumb.
Christopher Robinson is a bit of an empty vessel, a reader insert there primarily to have the world happen to and around, but I wanted a bit more from him. I wanted more, too, from the texture of the "real world" before things start to go especially sideways. I found it hard to connect with the story in the beginning, without a clear idea of exactly what time period this was set in or what degree of realism to expect, and without much of anything to hold onto it took me a while to really engage with the story. Once things start to slide deeper into the dark and weird, though, the story does pick up quite a bit.
Christopher Robinson is a bit of an empty vessel, a reader insert there primarily to have the world happen to and around, but I wanted a bit more from him. I wanted more, too, from the texture of the "real world" before things start to go especially sideways. I found it hard to connect with the story in the beginning, without a clear idea of exactly what time period this was set in or what degree of realism to expect, and without much of anything to hold onto it took me a while to really engage with the story. Once things start to slide deeper into the dark and weird, though, the story does pick up quite a bit.
October 31, 2019
Well this one has kept me guessing the whole time. It’s definitely set a high standard, with the scenes of both horror and suspense. I really have found myself annoyed that life has interrupted my reading of this beauty.
This is definitely well paced and at times I found myself thinking of the Silent Hill films. I have been completely hooked by this one. The writing style completely captured my attention and I have loved it.
This is my first read by this author, but I am already excited for more. This has been a wonderful read and although away from my preferred genre- this is definitely a five star must read.
This is definitely well paced and at times I found myself thinking of the Silent Hill films. I have been completely hooked by this one. The writing style completely captured my attention and I have loved it.
This is my first read by this author, but I am already excited for more. This has been a wonderful read and although away from my preferred genre- this is definitely a five star must read.
May 14, 2022
I loved this book! I go into everything I read without actually checking out other reviews for it, because I like the surprise. And I'll be honest, I've had this book on my shelf for a while and it's just taken me ages to actually get it read. It was such a good book, I wish it had been higher up on me 'read fast' list! I went into it expecting more 'Wonderland' vibes... But the fact that it instead had even more influence from a horror setting was such a treat. It was riveting, creepy, and a book that I would highly recommend!
July 8, 2020
Perfect for fans of silent hill. This book had a lot of elements of Alice in wonderland with a much darker twist. It may not be a perfect read, and the ending is really what kind of threw me off. But other than that it was a fast pace book with a lot of disturbing scenes that any horror fan can appreciate. I would love to see a sequel!
June 28, 2020
One of my favorite books. This is literally what got me into the horror genre. I’m actually rereading it right now. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes the horror genre, or even if you don’t. Just, read this book please.
November 15, 2022
A must-read for fans of whump and horror. This is a great one if you just want to watch a character get absolutely put through the ringer. Whatever you're afraid of, you'll definitely find it here!
February 12, 2020
Book Theme Song: Wyrd by Glass Animals
If anything scares you, it's probably featured in this book. Keep that in mind because that includes things that could be potentially triggering. Themes of extreme violence, mental illness, and trauma are explored.
Despite having a variety of horror environments and tropes, the story never feels cluttered, and there is a good explanation for the eclectic-ness of Wonderland. The plot and setting is very reminiscent of video games like Silent Hill and Amnesia. The story and mystery is well paced and keeps you guessing.
The protagonist has a simple motivation but a very relatable one that makes him likeable. The other characters have an effectively creepy blue-and-orange morality going on that makes them unpredictable.
The ending still leaves a lot of things unanswered and the epilogue further confuses things. I like that everything's not wrapped up in a neat bow because that means the horror lingers after the book is done, but the confusing timeline is somewhat jarring. That's my only major problem with the story though. Otherwise, even as someone who is not a horror fan, this was an enjoyable read even if I had to set it aside a few times because some scenes got intense. I'd recommend it to people who like surreal horror and don't mind gore.
If anything scares you, it's probably featured in this book. Keep that in mind because that includes things that could be potentially triggering. Themes of extreme violence, mental illness, and trauma are explored.
Despite having a variety of horror environments and tropes, the story never feels cluttered, and there is a good explanation for the eclectic-ness of Wonderland. The plot and setting is very reminiscent of video games like Silent Hill and Amnesia. The story and mystery is well paced and keeps you guessing.
The protagonist has a simple motivation but a very relatable one that makes him likeable. The other characters have an effectively creepy blue-and-orange morality going on that makes them unpredictable.
The ending still leaves a lot of things unanswered and the epilogue further confuses things. I like that everything's not wrapped up in a neat bow because that means the horror lingers after the book is done, but the confusing timeline is somewhat jarring. That's my only major problem with the story though. Otherwise, even as someone who is not a horror fan, this was an enjoyable read even if I had to set it aside a few times because some scenes got intense. I'd recommend it to people who like surreal horror and don't mind gore.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews