Alice: Through the Glass Darkly

by Hargrove Perth

Emma Alice Peterson lives a very sensible life in turn of the century New York procuring rare objects for her employer, Bradley Livingston. When Emma is placed on a steamer bound for London, in search of the famed looking glass and original manuscript of Alice in Wonderland, she discovers that the novel was not a nonsensical fairy-tale at all. She is confronted by a strange man named Mordecai Hatter who appears obsessed with the lot at the auction house, a man who then later offers his business card after losing the auction with a cryptic warning. Emma's life quickly spirals out of control as her existence is put in danger shortly after the auction ends, and she discovers Mordecai Hatter might just be her only hope of survival, and that her entire life might have been an elaborate lie to save the place once known as Wonderland from a perilous end. Filled with steam powered horses, strange machines, and magic, Emma Alice discovers the Shadowlands, the place once known as Wonderland, a haunting shell of what so many knew and loved as her destiny slowly unfolds. Will Emma regain her memories before the Baroness Red and the Shadowcaster destroy what remains of Wonderland? Can she return to the life once known as Alice?

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2017

About the author

Hargrove Perth is an award winning author of fantasy, paranormal, horror, and para-romance. A virtual night-owl and lover of all things horror related, Hargrove finds inspiration in the most unlikely places. A penchant for research and a dedication to creating literary indulgences that the reader is unable to forget, Hargrove spends a great deal of time researching the larger than life characters of history to formulate characters unforgettable, despised, and strangely adored. She also writes erotica under the persona of Angelique Dark. 2014 Author of Year Historical Horror Dark Days Remy Broulette Double Decker Books Awards. Nominee Author of Year Horror for Coven Wives and Fantasy Miss Crabtree's School for Unnaturals. 2011 Most Prolific Author of the Year AKG Magazine.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exceptionally fun book to read especially for 'Alice in Wonderland' fans and also those who enjoy reading steampunk fiction. The author's imagination knows no bounds, and Hargrove takes the reader from, the turn of the century New York and back to London searching for specific objects that will be auctioned there. Emma's life will be turned upside down and leave her with more questions than answers.
"Emma Alice, do not be sad, no tears, for ours is a life of adventure... that I cannot accomplish without you."
"He was handsome by any standard of the day, and Emma had loved him all her life."
"Rumors began to circulate that a direct descendant of Lewis Carroll was about to hold an estate auction to raise money for charity."
"She slowly raised her eyes to meet Mordecai Hatter and promptly fainted."
Hold on to your seat for a wild ride aboard steam-machines with grand twists and turns, battles of wills and emotions you will not see coming!

[J.A. Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

JA Stone

First and foremost, taking on Alice in Wonderland is not an easy task. This is like covering a Whitney song: You better come ready to sing. Here, Hargrove Perth nails it to the wall. The descriptions are accurate and so vivid, I found myself immersed in the world within moments. I could feel the environments. Perth's style is sharp, and definitively turn of the century. I love the little things like Emma Alice carrying a Blunderbuss, and the Earl Grey tea. Second, throughout this book I was continually telling myself what a good movie it would be. Right now, edgy takes on old standards are all the rage and Alice Through the Glass Darkly is brilliantly done. And the devices...that is the coolest, the suspension of disbelief stemming from the realities of steam pressure and mechanical wizardry of the time. Well done Perth, well done.

[Adrienne Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative story

I really like the story in this book. I really like the characters and the interaction between the couples in the book. However, everyone has two names and I did not read the first book in the series so I got very confused about who was who a few times. I also found that there were a couple of times the story spoke of relationships (sisters brothers mothers etc.) where I had no idea who they were speaking about. A family tree or introduction of the characters in the beginning of the book would’ve solve that. The uniqueness of the retitling of Allison Wonderland was refreshing. I loved the clockwork automatons!

[P.J. Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a fantastical reimagining of the Lewis Carroll classic 'Alice in Wonderland'. Hargrove Perth has recreated the tale in her own unique style mixing elements of fantasy, steampunk, and adventure.
In this story, Emma is placed on a steamer bound for London, in search of the famed looking glass and the manuscript of Alice in Wonderland. Emma discovers that the novel was not a nonsensical fairy-tale at all and that Wonderland is her future and her past. All she has to do is defeat the evil Baroness Red.
This is a wonderful, quick-witted story which I highly recommend.

[Torfinn Ingolfsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it.