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The Balance #2
Queen of Nod
Alice hoped to find peace after the death of the Red Queen. Instead, she faces a new foe: a plague of madness that threatens to bring Nod to its knees, shaking the foundations of the afterlife. Forced to flee from her home and abandon her throne, she is led on a journey that has the potential to remake or break her.
From the forest world of the Fae to the expanse of the multiverse, Alice and Zee search desperately for a cure before it's too late. Along the way, they meet new companions and enemies - the powerful and deadly Magi, the changeling princess Maggie, and the Triad, a sinister trio of brothers who would stop at nothing to subjugate all they see.
The fate of Nod hangs in the balance, and the key might just lie in the one place Alice has never dared to go - the depths of her own mind.
From the forest world of the Fae to the expanse of the multiverse, Alice and Zee search desperately for a cure before it's too late. Along the way, they meet new companions and enemies - the powerful and deadly Magi, the changeling princess Maggie, and the Triad, a sinister trio of brothers who would stop at nothing to subjugate all they see.
The fate of Nod hangs in the balance, and the key might just lie in the one place Alice has never dared to go - the depths of her own mind.
- GenresFantasy
Paperback
Published November 20, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 14, 2019
She knew the storm would have to come, because without rain, there was no life, and without life, there was no meaning.
Once again the fate of Nod rests in the hands of Alice, now Queen of the realm. With hopes that her people can finally find the peace they deserve, a whole new threat bears down on the unsuspecting population, a threat that could tear apart the very fabric of the multiverse itself. Alice embarks on a quest riddled with monsters, pain, and sacrifice, in order to keep the promise she made to protect her people. She seeks aid and allies in unexpected places to prevail over the howling voice seeking refuge in the darkest corners of her mind. But is it enough or will all fall into nothingness?
Queen of Nod is a highly imaginative, creative, and immersive journey into madness. It's a cautionary tale of the repercussions faced when attempting to gain unwarranted and undeserved power, and how greed for more only leads to corruption and anguish. Of being comfortable with and confident in yourself, unwilling to change to appease others, and battling those parts of yourself you loathe, emerging the victor and becoming something new, even if the cost is great. While it may be easier to follow the examples of others, their paths may lead you astray, and the only way to prevent getting lost in the darkness is to follow your own heart.
"I think at this point we're all a little mad."
Snyder continues to amaze me with his exceptionally unique and surreal The Balance series with this eerie sophomore addition. Where I found Child of Nod to be a whimsical adventure, this story is more of an artistic, darker amalgamation of psychological thriller, epic and high fantasy, and horror. It’s beautifully poetic and metaphorical, while using fragments such as 'sunlight filtering through the leaves and branches like knives stabbing the gloom" and "rocks smoothed by gentle tide and time" to exquisitely bathe you in the surrounding world. References to folklore and mythology bring in a whole new understanding to the various aspects of the world without being explicitly exposed, often leading to the formation of your own interpretations and conclusions.
The characters are superbly complex, flawed, and forced to not only fight the monsters that stalk the dark, but the demons they carry within. Alice and Zee perfectly balance and influence each other, even though they initially appear to be polar opposites. While it's great to see familiar faces, new strange and exciting characters join the already colorful cast - there's never a dull moment along this adventure. The threat is chilling, urgent, and palpable, pulling influence from myths and Lovecraftian horror, making this impossible to put down. The settings we're dropped into are ghastly, often hellish nightmarescapes we have to pick our way through to find the light of safety. In all honesty, what could be more haunting and terrifying than an excursion into the human mind?
The thing they don't tell you about hunting monsters is it's always dark…The light reminds them of what they are.
I'm loving this series to pieces. It's weird and fantastical with splashes of humor, all while delving down the deep and dark rabbit hole of exploration of human nature. It's intelligent and eyeopening and tragic, yet hopeful for a brighter future. Queen of Nod has a little bit of something for everyone and I highly recommend giving it a try.
Once again the fate of Nod rests in the hands of Alice, now Queen of the realm. With hopes that her people can finally find the peace they deserve, a whole new threat bears down on the unsuspecting population, a threat that could tear apart the very fabric of the multiverse itself. Alice embarks on a quest riddled with monsters, pain, and sacrifice, in order to keep the promise she made to protect her people. She seeks aid and allies in unexpected places to prevail over the howling voice seeking refuge in the darkest corners of her mind. But is it enough or will all fall into nothingness?
Queen of Nod is a highly imaginative, creative, and immersive journey into madness. It's a cautionary tale of the repercussions faced when attempting to gain unwarranted and undeserved power, and how greed for more only leads to corruption and anguish. Of being comfortable with and confident in yourself, unwilling to change to appease others, and battling those parts of yourself you loathe, emerging the victor and becoming something new, even if the cost is great. While it may be easier to follow the examples of others, their paths may lead you astray, and the only way to prevent getting lost in the darkness is to follow your own heart.
"I think at this point we're all a little mad."
Snyder continues to amaze me with his exceptionally unique and surreal The Balance series with this eerie sophomore addition. Where I found Child of Nod to be a whimsical adventure, this story is more of an artistic, darker amalgamation of psychological thriller, epic and high fantasy, and horror. It’s beautifully poetic and metaphorical, while using fragments such as 'sunlight filtering through the leaves and branches like knives stabbing the gloom" and "rocks smoothed by gentle tide and time" to exquisitely bathe you in the surrounding world. References to folklore and mythology bring in a whole new understanding to the various aspects of the world without being explicitly exposed, often leading to the formation of your own interpretations and conclusions.
The characters are superbly complex, flawed, and forced to not only fight the monsters that stalk the dark, but the demons they carry within. Alice and Zee perfectly balance and influence each other, even though they initially appear to be polar opposites. While it's great to see familiar faces, new strange and exciting characters join the already colorful cast - there's never a dull moment along this adventure. The threat is chilling, urgent, and palpable, pulling influence from myths and Lovecraftian horror, making this impossible to put down. The settings we're dropped into are ghastly, often hellish nightmarescapes we have to pick our way through to find the light of safety. In all honesty, what could be more haunting and terrifying than an excursion into the human mind?
The thing they don't tell you about hunting monsters is it's always dark…The light reminds them of what they are.
I'm loving this series to pieces. It's weird and fantastical with splashes of humor, all while delving down the deep and dark rabbit hole of exploration of human nature. It's intelligent and eyeopening and tragic, yet hopeful for a brighter future. Queen of Nod has a little bit of something for everyone and I highly recommend giving it a try.
March 18, 2023
There are spoilers ahead for Child of Nod. Alice was hoping to bring peace to the land of Nod after she defeated her sister and was crowned queen, but a plague of madness soon overtakes it and the neighboring lands. To save her new home, she flees first to the land of the Fae and then into the fractured worlds of the multiverse to make allies of Magi and gods. Trigger warnings: character death (on-page, graphic), graphic gore and body horror, severe injury, decapitation, dismemberment, fire, violence.
I was pretty on board for most of this book, and I felt it resolved some of the issues I had with the first one in its rather haphazard style of storytelling. The first half, probably more, follows a more linear timeline, and while it branches occasionally into the points of view of side characters, it’s still roughly following the overarching plot. It’s still a bit video game-like, in the sense that Alice has to pass through certain levels or trials before she can get where she’s going, but they’re interesting enough and showcase Snyder’s imagination, as grotesque as that can often be. (But let’s be real, I’m here for the gory horror aspect.)
Unfortunately, I was completely thrown off by the climax of this book. I just did not see it coming based on the previous set-up, and less in a plot twist way than a what even just happened way. I thought Alice was fighting for her queendom and the neighboring realms; at no point did I get the sense that the entire multiverse was at stake. From there, it felt like Snyder fell back into old habits of pasting in other mythologies without a lot of depth or connections just to finish the novel. There are earlier elements, like the Magi and the story of the Tower, that I thought were going to be important and just never come back into play.
There isn’t a lot of dialogue, but it leaves something to be desired. It struck me mostly as a lot of swearing, which is fine, but I wouldn’t call it a distinct voice for any of the characters. On the other hand, I did have a better sense of the characters this time, and by the end, I really enjoyed the bonds between Alice, Maggie, and Zee. I’m heartbroken for the author that the final book in the series was published in 2021, and now even my book-finding superpower can’t seem to locate a copy of it, even as an e-book. I hope it resurfaces at some point and I’ll be able to finish.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
I was pretty on board for most of this book, and I felt it resolved some of the issues I had with the first one in its rather haphazard style of storytelling. The first half, probably more, follows a more linear timeline, and while it branches occasionally into the points of view of side characters, it’s still roughly following the overarching plot. It’s still a bit video game-like, in the sense that Alice has to pass through certain levels or trials before she can get where she’s going, but they’re interesting enough and showcase Snyder’s imagination, as grotesque as that can often be. (But let’s be real, I’m here for the gory horror aspect.)
Unfortunately, I was completely thrown off by the climax of this book. I just did not see it coming based on the previous set-up, and less in a plot twist way than a what even just happened way. I thought Alice was fighting for her queendom and the neighboring realms; at no point did I get the sense that the entire multiverse was at stake. From there, it felt like Snyder fell back into old habits of pasting in other mythologies without a lot of depth or connections just to finish the novel. There are earlier elements, like the Magi and the story of the Tower, that I thought were going to be important and just never come back into play.
There isn’t a lot of dialogue, but it leaves something to be desired. It struck me mostly as a lot of swearing, which is fine, but I wouldn’t call it a distinct voice for any of the characters. On the other hand, I did have a better sense of the characters this time, and by the end, I really enjoyed the bonds between Alice, Maggie, and Zee. I’m heartbroken for the author that the final book in the series was published in 2021, and now even my book-finding superpower can’t seem to locate a copy of it, even as an e-book. I hope it resurfaces at some point and I’ll be able to finish.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
November 26, 2018
Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!
I read and reviewed the first book in The Balance series, Child of Nod, earlier this year and was deeply impressed by this darkly imaginative take on the classic Alice in Wonderland story. In this series, Alice wakes up to find herself not in Wonderland, but in Nod, a corrupted fairy tale land where she also discover that she is, in fact, dead. In Child of Nod we got to know Alice as she discovered exactly where she was and what her purpose was, and now in Queen of Nod we get to follow Alice as even more challenges befall her as she takes on her role as queen.
As a sequel, Queen of Nod did not disappoint me in the slightest and is just as imaginative and sinister as the first book. I wasn't entirely sure where the story would pick up in the sequel or what the main plot conflict would be (and I won't give spoilers), so I was very pleased to see the direction that Snyder did choose to take the story. One of my favorite aspects of the first book was the inclusion of so many different hints of different myths and classic stories that popped up in various places, and I was so glad to see that this continued in this book. The pacing in this book also felt slightly faster than Child of Nod, and it seemed as though there was a bit more action overall in this book, which was a great addition. The world-building was expanded even more and there are a myriad of new creatures and beings introduced that I loved, although at times it did feel a bit overwhelming to remember everything.
In Queen of Nod, we get a closer look in the inside of Alice's head, as that is where one of the main sources of conflict for this book lies. This was done with such an interesting perspective that added some extra depth to Alice's character and allowed me to dive further into the darkest parts of Nod along with her. Although we got to know Alice quite well in the first book, I didn't fully connect to her at the time and this book seemed to expand her character just enough to really help me feel more connected to her.
There are plenty of gore and horror elements in this book, so do keep that in mind if you feel are sensitive to that sort of content. That being said, none of these elements are done in an excessive or unnecessary manner--it all seemed to fit the story and the specific event taking place at the time really well, and I appreciate Snyder's taste in that aspect. I also really enjoyed the way that the narrative tends to jump around at times between different (and sometimes unexpected) characters, especially since each one's voice felt very distinct from the other. There is oftentimes a dreamlike quality to the narrative that adds an extra element of intrigue to the storytelling.
I love my stories dark and creepy, and that is one reason why I have enjoyed these books as much as I have. Snyder manages to tell a story that is endlessly creative and full of wonder, yet also incredibly dark, unsettling, and full of grim realities and frightful events. It speaks to something very real about our world and how this darkness seems to exist everywhere.
Overall, I've given Queen of Nod four stars! If you have an open mind and like some creepy Alice-inspired retellings or just some quirky, creative stories in general, then I encourage you to check these stories out.
Child of Nod review
I read and reviewed the first book in The Balance series, Child of Nod, earlier this year and was deeply impressed by this darkly imaginative take on the classic Alice in Wonderland story. In this series, Alice wakes up to find herself not in Wonderland, but in Nod, a corrupted fairy tale land where she also discover that she is, in fact, dead. In Child of Nod we got to know Alice as she discovered exactly where she was and what her purpose was, and now in Queen of Nod we get to follow Alice as even more challenges befall her as she takes on her role as queen.
As a sequel, Queen of Nod did not disappoint me in the slightest and is just as imaginative and sinister as the first book. I wasn't entirely sure where the story would pick up in the sequel or what the main plot conflict would be (and I won't give spoilers), so I was very pleased to see the direction that Snyder did choose to take the story. One of my favorite aspects of the first book was the inclusion of so many different hints of different myths and classic stories that popped up in various places, and I was so glad to see that this continued in this book. The pacing in this book also felt slightly faster than Child of Nod, and it seemed as though there was a bit more action overall in this book, which was a great addition. The world-building was expanded even more and there are a myriad of new creatures and beings introduced that I loved, although at times it did feel a bit overwhelming to remember everything.
In Queen of Nod, we get a closer look in the inside of Alice's head, as that is where one of the main sources of conflict for this book lies. This was done with such an interesting perspective that added some extra depth to Alice's character and allowed me to dive further into the darkest parts of Nod along with her. Although we got to know Alice quite well in the first book, I didn't fully connect to her at the time and this book seemed to expand her character just enough to really help me feel more connected to her.
There are plenty of gore and horror elements in this book, so do keep that in mind if you feel are sensitive to that sort of content. That being said, none of these elements are done in an excessive or unnecessary manner--it all seemed to fit the story and the specific event taking place at the time really well, and I appreciate Snyder's taste in that aspect. I also really enjoyed the way that the narrative tends to jump around at times between different (and sometimes unexpected) characters, especially since each one's voice felt very distinct from the other. There is oftentimes a dreamlike quality to the narrative that adds an extra element of intrigue to the storytelling.
I love my stories dark and creepy, and that is one reason why I have enjoyed these books as much as I have. Snyder manages to tell a story that is endlessly creative and full of wonder, yet also incredibly dark, unsettling, and full of grim realities and frightful events. It speaks to something very real about our world and how this darkness seems to exist everywhere.
Overall, I've given Queen of Nod four stars! If you have an open mind and like some creepy Alice-inspired retellings or just some quirky, creative stories in general, then I encourage you to check these stories out.
Child of Nod review
July 1, 2020
The Balance series is not something you should start out of order - if you want any of it to make sense you should start with Child of Nod. Upon the defeat of the Red Queen follows yet another trial for Alice. The madness that descends upon Nod is even more widespread and deadly than the original problematic Red Queen - because it doesn't stop with Nod, it spreads. There wasn't a return of the Red Queen or much more of an explanation of her and her ties to Alice, which I suppose I'm alright with. I still feel like as a villain she fell a little short and the explanation was left at "it's her nature" than anything else. Again as in the previous book we see characters from folklore, fairy tales and mythology which is interesting to see how they're incorporated together with Nod. Alice grows to accept her ever-changing fate and is forced to come to terms with a lot throughout Queen of Nod.
The mentions of other works (various formats) and quotes are a nice touch - specifically Aladdin and The Wheel of Time, which I happen to be a fan of both. As far as being a retelling, in my opinion the series doesn't show a lot of Alice in Wonderland. Sure you can draw some comparisons to events, characters etc. but overall it isn't similar. If you are hoping for a retelling of Alice that follows Alice in Wonderland or Alice Through the Looking Glass then that is not this book or series. Zee; who is a much darker version of the Mad Hatter, is often the comedic relief for Alice and often quips with content from our "reality". Each person that Alice meets serves a purpose to the story although it may not immediate.
As I mentioned previously with the Red Queen regarding knowing more about her and her actions in the first book the same applies to the three brothers in this one. Another thought - I honestly don't remember the brothers being called "the Triad" in this book at all, if they were it didn't stick. Aside from one of the brothers their backstories didn't feel like enough. I hope that the next book spends a little more time fleshing out the motives and background on the enemies as it does Alice and her companions.
I just wanted to mention the covers. Both sets that I've seen are beautiful but I believe that the covers chosen for publication under The Parliament House better fit the books than the covers before. The previous covers would lead me to believe that The Balance series contained more elements of Alice in Wonderland than it actually does. They too are beautiful though - they remind me of the artwork for American McGee's Alice and Alice: Madness Returns.
I'm not sure where Alice's path will lead to after this book but it seems to be a theme that as soon as she's fixed one issue it only springs forth something that's even worse. If/when a third book is written I will definitely be reading it. I would recommend this book/series to readers who enjoy Alice in Wonderland, mythology, retellings, dark stories and fantasy. Thank you to publisher - The Parliament House - for the gifted ARC and the opportunity to read this book, all opinions are my own.
The mentions of other works (various formats) and quotes are a nice touch - specifically Aladdin and The Wheel of Time, which I happen to be a fan of both. As far as being a retelling, in my opinion the series doesn't show a lot of Alice in Wonderland. Sure you can draw some comparisons to events, characters etc. but overall it isn't similar. If you are hoping for a retelling of Alice that follows Alice in Wonderland or Alice Through the Looking Glass then that is not this book or series. Zee; who is a much darker version of the Mad Hatter, is often the comedic relief for Alice and often quips with content from our "reality". Each person that Alice meets serves a purpose to the story although it may not immediate.
As I mentioned previously with the Red Queen regarding knowing more about her and her actions in the first book the same applies to the three brothers in this one. Another thought - I honestly don't remember the brothers being called "the Triad" in this book at all, if they were it didn't stick. Aside from one of the brothers their backstories didn't feel like enough. I hope that the next book spends a little more time fleshing out the motives and background on the enemies as it does Alice and her companions.
I just wanted to mention the covers. Both sets that I've seen are beautiful but I believe that the covers chosen for publication under The Parliament House better fit the books than the covers before. The previous covers would lead me to believe that The Balance series contained more elements of Alice in Wonderland than it actually does. They too are beautiful though - they remind me of the artwork for American McGee's Alice and Alice: Madness Returns.
I'm not sure where Alice's path will lead to after this book but it seems to be a theme that as soon as she's fixed one issue it only springs forth something that's even worse. If/when a third book is written I will definitely be reading it. I would recommend this book/series to readers who enjoy Alice in Wonderland, mythology, retellings, dark stories and fantasy. Thank you to publisher - The Parliament House - for the gifted ARC and the opportunity to read this book, all opinions are my own.
January 13, 2021
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: As with Book 1, imaginative, multilayered tale weaving lots of literary and mythological references into a fresh story. Evocative prose.
Cons: The many (often disjointed) worlds and characters will set your head spinning, at least until a second read. Also, this one ends with a half-cliffhanger.
WARNING! Contains many elements of horror and gore.
Will appeal to: As with Book 1, both the young and the adult reader seeking a strong, dark-but-poetic example of revisited and enhanced tropes.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I received this book from Curiosity Quills in exchange for an honest review. To be more precise, I specifically requested a review copy. That didn't affect my opinion and rating in any way. All the books I've received from CQ so far have come with no strings attached, and it's always a pleasure for me to work with them and discover more (sometimes underrated) gems.
MIND OVER MATTER
The first installment of this series was a self-enclosed story - so the possibilities for the sequel were endless. What the author decided to do was challenge Alice and her friends with a deadly plague (because you can actually die more than once...otherwise it would be too easy 😉) spread by a new enemy, though a character from Book 1 resurfaces and ultimately becomes an enemy too. We meet an older (well, virtually, because of course one can't age in the afterlife) and stronger Alice in this book - and I'm talking about inner strength here, since her powers have a unique source (and a non-replenishable one at that), and she has to reach inside her mind and draw on her intelligence and willpower in order to use them. And mind you, your average powers are good and all, but this is a really refreshing perspective. Then again, Alice's own mind harbours an enemy, along with an old ally. For a while, the book alternates between her quest for help and her pursuit of the bad guys, and her struggle to eradicate the thing in her brain, making for some interesting scenarios (both gruesome and funny, also thanks to the ally who's along for the ride in Alice's head). [...]
Whole review here.
Pros: As with Book 1, imaginative, multilayered tale weaving lots of literary and mythological references into a fresh story. Evocative prose.
Cons: The many (often disjointed) worlds and characters will set your head spinning, at least until a second read. Also, this one ends with a half-cliffhanger.
WARNING! Contains many elements of horror and gore.
Will appeal to: As with Book 1, both the young and the adult reader seeking a strong, dark-but-poetic example of revisited and enhanced tropes.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I received this book from Curiosity Quills in exchange for an honest review. To be more precise, I specifically requested a review copy. That didn't affect my opinion and rating in any way. All the books I've received from CQ so far have come with no strings attached, and it's always a pleasure for me to work with them and discover more (sometimes underrated) gems.
MIND OVER MATTER
The first installment of this series was a self-enclosed story - so the possibilities for the sequel were endless. What the author decided to do was challenge Alice and her friends with a deadly plague (because you can actually die more than once...otherwise it would be too easy 😉) spread by a new enemy, though a character from Book 1 resurfaces and ultimately becomes an enemy too. We meet an older (well, virtually, because of course one can't age in the afterlife) and stronger Alice in this book - and I'm talking about inner strength here, since her powers have a unique source (and a non-replenishable one at that), and she has to reach inside her mind and draw on her intelligence and willpower in order to use them. And mind you, your average powers are good and all, but this is a really refreshing perspective. Then again, Alice's own mind harbours an enemy, along with an old ally. For a while, the book alternates between her quest for help and her pursuit of the bad guys, and her struggle to eradicate the thing in her brain, making for some interesting scenarios (both gruesome and funny, also thanks to the ally who's along for the ride in Alice's head). [...]
Whole review here.
January 9, 2019
A Worthy Sequel, (or, really, Continuation)
In "Child of Nod" we were able to reimagine "Alice in Wonderland" as a dark, violent, and twisty tale of a land somewhere between life and death. A lot of the fun was in seeing the distorted parallels between the book and the original "Alice". That book had an open ending, although all the plot threads were tied up.
This sequel picks up where the first book left off, in that Alice is now Queen and things have more or less settled down. Things stay settled down for about three pages, and then Nod is invaded by another horror, Alice is off on a desperate quest, and we must travel through increasing bizarre worlds and planes of existence as Alice finds friends, fights foes, and tries to save Nod.
The writing remains top notch; some individual set pieces are perfectly balanced between horror and awe, and the dialogue is always fresh, clever and compelling. Alice picks up a few new allies who add a good deal to the adventure, and those adventures are compelling. That said, since the first book pretty much exhausted the "Alice in Wonderland" connection, this book is more of a general fantasy quest adventure that just happens to involve a heroine named "Alice". It could have been longer or shorter, and because it was basically a multi-verse dungeon crawl it could have ended in any one of a dozen ways. The actual ending was satisfying, but not especially compelled by the story that preceded it.
The upshot was that I enjoyed this very much, but mostly as the equivalent of an expansion pack that added a few new quests to the game. The real appeal was being back with Alice and Zee, and enjoying Alice's powerful refusal to ever give up or ever play the sap for anyone. Good stuff.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
In "Child of Nod" we were able to reimagine "Alice in Wonderland" as a dark, violent, and twisty tale of a land somewhere between life and death. A lot of the fun was in seeing the distorted parallels between the book and the original "Alice". That book had an open ending, although all the plot threads were tied up.
This sequel picks up where the first book left off, in that Alice is now Queen and things have more or less settled down. Things stay settled down for about three pages, and then Nod is invaded by another horror, Alice is off on a desperate quest, and we must travel through increasing bizarre worlds and planes of existence as Alice finds friends, fights foes, and tries to save Nod.
The writing remains top notch; some individual set pieces are perfectly balanced between horror and awe, and the dialogue is always fresh, clever and compelling. Alice picks up a few new allies who add a good deal to the adventure, and those adventures are compelling. That said, since the first book pretty much exhausted the "Alice in Wonderland" connection, this book is more of a general fantasy quest adventure that just happens to involve a heroine named "Alice". It could have been longer or shorter, and because it was basically a multi-verse dungeon crawl it could have ended in any one of a dozen ways. The actual ending was satisfying, but not especially compelled by the story that preceded it.
The upshot was that I enjoyed this very much, but mostly as the equivalent of an expansion pack that added a few new quests to the game. The real appeal was being back with Alice and Zee, and enjoying Alice's powerful refusal to ever give up or ever play the sap for anyone. Good stuff.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
November 19, 2018
My thanks to Curiosity Quills Press for an eARC via NetGalley of this second book in The Balance series.
I will not say too much about the plot so as not to spoil anything about how ‘The Child of Nod’ concludes. Suffice to say that after a period of respite, Alice’s adventures continue with a fresh threat that brings new allies and adversaries as well as some returning characters. Revenants (posh zombies) join the ranks of encountered creatures.
It’s a complex, imaginative world. I will admit that I did on occasion feel a bit overwhelmed by the leaps from world to world. It’s rich in description and has a high level of violence and gore in places. I would certainly class it as horror/fantasy.
C.W. Snyder recently advised his readers on Twitter to put on their ‘Dali glasses’ and this seems sound advice as both novels have a surrealistic dream-like narrative. Of course, the Land of Nod is associated with the mythical land of sleep as well as being the Biblical East of Eden.
The worlds of ‘The Balance’ contain many references to myth, legend, literature, and popular culture. It is a rich playground for Snyder’s imagination and creativity. I look forward to reading future books in the series. The cover art by Eugene Teplitsky is stunning.
Well done to Curiosity Quills Press for publishing a writer such as Snyder, who embraces the weird and quirky and yet provides a story and characters that remain relatable. (Not just weird for weirdness’ sake).
I will not say too much about the plot so as not to spoil anything about how ‘The Child of Nod’ concludes. Suffice to say that after a period of respite, Alice’s adventures continue with a fresh threat that brings new allies and adversaries as well as some returning characters. Revenants (posh zombies) join the ranks of encountered creatures.
It’s a complex, imaginative world. I will admit that I did on occasion feel a bit overwhelmed by the leaps from world to world. It’s rich in description and has a high level of violence and gore in places. I would certainly class it as horror/fantasy.
C.W. Snyder recently advised his readers on Twitter to put on their ‘Dali glasses’ and this seems sound advice as both novels have a surrealistic dream-like narrative. Of course, the Land of Nod is associated with the mythical land of sleep as well as being the Biblical East of Eden.
The worlds of ‘The Balance’ contain many references to myth, legend, literature, and popular culture. It is a rich playground for Snyder’s imagination and creativity. I look forward to reading future books in the series. The cover art by Eugene Teplitsky is stunning.
Well done to Curiosity Quills Press for publishing a writer such as Snyder, who embraces the weird and quirky and yet provides a story and characters that remain relatable. (Not just weird for weirdness’ sake).
October 16, 2018
CW Snyder packs creativity and energy into a fantasy story that grips and holds on. Page leads to page.
Snyder handles the fantasy deftly, balancing characters who stir interest and a full-fledged world.
Snyder handles the fantasy deftly, balancing characters who stir interest and a full-fledged world.
October 18, 2018
Queen of The Nod waa a fascinating tale about Alice facing a new evil foe attacking Nod. Along her journey to find a cure she meets good and evil creatures. The book was well written and had interesting characters. I enjoyed this wonderful fantasy.
December 10, 2018
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book better than its predecessor and it was just as action packed. I really enjoy how the author incorporates content from various myths, legends, and fables. This book focuses on Alice (as in a much darker Alice in Wonderland) and her attempt to restore balance to the Land of Nod as Corvax tries to destroy it. A myriad of new characters are introduced including a possible new love interest. The only thing I disliked was that I found it difficult to keep track of what was happening and where when Alice was tossed from world to world, or in her head.
Zee's senses of humour kills me. I found myself literally laughing out loud on multiple occasions. Please make sure he sticks around.
Like the last one, this book ended on a cliffhanger and I'm really curious to see what direction the author decides to go in with the next installment. Looking forward to it.
I liked this book better than its predecessor and it was just as action packed. I really enjoy how the author incorporates content from various myths, legends, and fables. This book focuses on Alice (as in a much darker Alice in Wonderland) and her attempt to restore balance to the Land of Nod as Corvax tries to destroy it. A myriad of new characters are introduced including a possible new love interest. The only thing I disliked was that I found it difficult to keep track of what was happening and where when Alice was tossed from world to world, or in her head.
Zee's senses of humour kills me. I found myself literally laughing out loud on multiple occasions. Please make sure he sticks around.
Like the last one, this book ended on a cliffhanger and I'm really curious to see what direction the author decides to go in with the next installment. Looking forward to it.
June 30, 2020
Queen of Nod is the second book in the balance series by C W Snyder. I was given a copy of this book to review by Parliament Press, and having read the first book ‘Child Of Nod’ earlier in the year I could not wait.
This series is a fantastic dark and twisted spin of one of my favourite childhood book, Alice in Wonderland. In book 2 it follows Alice in her new role as queen, who now embarks on a desperate quest to keep her people safe and protected.
Drawing upon unlikely alliances, and with the return of some of the characters you came to love in book one such as Zee, will Alice succeed?
Like the first book there are lots of creepy and gory scenes with sinister twists that gives this book a feel of a beautifully twisted nightmare. It’s incredibly imaginative, creative and original. I have never read anything like this.
I’d recommend to all readers who love dark fantasy/ fantasy books.
This series is a fantastic dark and twisted spin of one of my favourite childhood book, Alice in Wonderland. In book 2 it follows Alice in her new role as queen, who now embarks on a desperate quest to keep her people safe and protected.
Drawing upon unlikely alliances, and with the return of some of the characters you came to love in book one such as Zee, will Alice succeed?
Like the first book there are lots of creepy and gory scenes with sinister twists that gives this book a feel of a beautifully twisted nightmare. It’s incredibly imaginative, creative and original. I have never read anything like this.
I’d recommend to all readers who love dark fantasy/ fantasy books.
July 2, 2020
Books that have Alice in Wonderland twists in them have always taken my heart. I've loved these retellings since as long as I could remember and C.W Snyder just takes the cake on this one for me.
Using the world we know as Wonderland and putting that afterlife twist into it was just amazing and unique to me. I'm so happy that we got to dive deeper into the world of Nod prior to the death of the Red Queen
Alice continues to be a very badass character in this series as she takes on new adventures with Zee,discovering new characters in the world of Nod.
Using the world we know as Wonderland and putting that afterlife twist into it was just amazing and unique to me. I'm so happy that we got to dive deeper into the world of Nod prior to the death of the Red Queen
Alice continues to be a very badass character in this series as she takes on new adventures with Zee,discovering new characters in the world of Nod.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2020
I enjoyed Queen of Nod almost as much as Child of Nod. It was a half a star difference, and really the only reason for that was I was a little lost at the beginning of the book with the introduction of the new characters. Overall this was a 4.5 star read for me!
The plot is solid and moves right along, and the characters are phenomenal, creepy, mad, and very likable! I love that there are lessons that Alice and other characters learn throughout the books, it really gives that classic fairytale feel to it. I think the blend of multiple stories and myths adds to the dark and intricate world that CW Snyder has built, especially with the real world and other worlds intertwined. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, but I'm afraid I don't want it to end!
The plot is solid and moves right along, and the characters are phenomenal, creepy, mad, and very likable! I love that there are lessons that Alice and other characters learn throughout the books, it really gives that classic fairytale feel to it. I think the blend of multiple stories and myths adds to the dark and intricate world that CW Snyder has built, especially with the real world and other worlds intertwined. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, but I'm afraid I don't want it to end!
July 4, 2020
Thank You Parliament House Press for a copy of this book.
Queen Of Nod is the follow on from Child Of Nod a dark and twisted version of Alice In Wonderland. This one had me hooked like book one, in queen of nod Alice has to save her people from a dangerous foe, we get a lot of new worlds and characters in this one which was great but Alice and zee are still my favourites. it was and dark and twisted as book one which I loved and im looking forward to the next one!
Queen Of Nod is the follow on from Child Of Nod a dark and twisted version of Alice In Wonderland. This one had me hooked like book one, in queen of nod Alice has to save her people from a dangerous foe, we get a lot of new worlds and characters in this one which was great but Alice and zee are still my favourites. it was and dark and twisted as book one which I loved and im looking forward to the next one!
February 20, 2019
I'm not going to lie, there is a ton going on in this book. If you have never read the first book, STOP, go back, read the first book. This is not one of those series where you may be able to figure out what is going on by starting in the middle of the series. If you're like me and read the first one, but it's been a while, I would recommend going back and reading the first one before starting this one. I didn't do that, and there were times when I was confused just because I couldn't remember all the details of something that was now playing a much greater role.
If you want a series that you can just casually read that takes little to no effort on your part to understand, this is not for you. This series requires you to think and remember the details that were mentioned before. Like I said, there is a ton going on. If you want something that takes a story that everyone, well most people anyway, already know really well and turns it into something that has a deeper more thought provoking meaning, give this series a try.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Author: C.W. Snyder
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication Date: November 20th 2018
If you want a series that you can just casually read that takes little to no effort on your part to understand, this is not for you. This series requires you to think and remember the details that were mentioned before. Like I said, there is a ton going on. If you want something that takes a story that everyone, well most people anyway, already know really well and turns it into something that has a deeper more thought provoking meaning, give this series a try.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Author: C.W. Snyder
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication Date: November 20th 2018
January 23, 2019
The Queen of Nod is once again mix of all kind on fantasy adventure stories. Besides Alice in wonderland and all the other stories I probably do not know, were two links that especially stood out for me – Westlife’s second season and Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.
The fantasy in this story is remarkable and even if it gets too dark sometimes, it’s still enjoyable till the end.
The fantasy in this story is remarkable and even if it gets too dark sometimes, it’s still enjoyable till the end.
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