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The Looking-Glass Curse #1
Wicked Wonderland
Dive through the looking-glass into a Wonderland that’s lush, exhilarating… and deadly.
Five steps to getting over a nasty break-up:
1. Inherit a mini-castle from your reclusive grand-aunt.
2. Fall through a mirror into a decadent upside-down world.
3. Get to know the smoking-hot locals. Prickly Hatter. Playful Chess. And the passionate White Knight… Wait, what was I talking about? Oh, right.
4. Discover you possess powers that could win a rebellion against a tyrannical queen.
5. Keep a tight hold on your head—and your heart.
When I tumbled into Wonderland, I only wanted to escape the epic mess my life had become. I'm not sure I can trust anything in this bizarre, intoxicating place. But the three incredibly enticing men I’ve met here might need me even more than anyone back home ever has.
Maybe a little heroism is all it’ll take to heal my wounds and theirs. As long as the Queen of Hearts doesn’t come for our heads first…
*Wicked Wonderland is the first book in a medium-burn reverse harem series that reimagines Alice in Wonderland. If you love spirited heroines, hot men with secrets to spare, and worlds full of unexpected delights and horrors, step through the looking-glass today!*
Five steps to getting over a nasty break-up:
1. Inherit a mini-castle from your reclusive grand-aunt.
2. Fall through a mirror into a decadent upside-down world.
3. Get to know the smoking-hot locals. Prickly Hatter. Playful Chess. And the passionate White Knight… Wait, what was I talking about? Oh, right.
4. Discover you possess powers that could win a rebellion against a tyrannical queen.
5. Keep a tight hold on your head—and your heart.
When I tumbled into Wonderland, I only wanted to escape the epic mess my life had become. I'm not sure I can trust anything in this bizarre, intoxicating place. But the three incredibly enticing men I’ve met here might need me even more than anyone back home ever has.
Maybe a little heroism is all it’ll take to heal my wounds and theirs. As long as the Queen of Hearts doesn’t come for our heads first…
*Wicked Wonderland is the first book in a medium-burn reverse harem series that reimagines Alice in Wonderland. If you love spirited heroines, hot men with secrets to spare, and worlds full of unexpected delights and horrors, step through the looking-glass today!*
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2018
838 people are currently reading
1725 people want to read
About the author
Eva Chase
124 books3,783 followersEva Chase lives in Canada with her family. She loves stories both swoony and supernatural, and strong women and the men who appreciate them. You can visit her online at www.evachase.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
January 21, 2024
I love Through the Looking Glass retellings, however the characters in this one fell flat.
What kind of wonderland has a cautious not-mad Hatter and sensible Chesire not-cat.
The Door Mouse is a teenage girl whose parents passed away and the Hatter character is raising her!? Who thought the Mad Hatter character would make a good role model for a teenage girl!? Eve Chase that's who.
The balderdash way of talking and fanatical nonsense that is the bread and butter of Wonderland was missing from this retelling.
Some things stuck to the original Alice in Wonderland version of the tale,
The caterpillar character ran a nightclub/drug den, so that was sort of on point.
There are still mushrooms that make you grow and shrink,
The Queen is Mad and chops people's heads off and still has red roses all over the palace gardens,
There was a mirror portal and a tiny door.
This could have used some more wonderland-inspired creativity.
Story Premise: The Queen has stolen time in Wonderland and the beloved characters need to set it free, and now they finally have a chance to do so after the "Alice" character finds her way through the looking glass into Wonderland.
This probably would have worked better as a Tween/YA adventure, minus the Why Choose romance which was very tame so far. Just some kissing among the FMC and three Wonderland MMC's.
The audiobook was fine, there's always either not enough or too many narrators to pull off a WhyC? novel well. Either we need just one very good narrator who can do multiple male and female voices or we need more than two narrators who read chapters together like a screenplay. Anything in-between those options ends up confusing. Sometimes I listen to a WhyC? audiobook and have no clue who the MMCs even are by the end of it. However this was not nearly as bad as some of the other ones I've listened to, the narrators did a decent job and I had minimal issues telling characters apart.
What kind of wonderland has a cautious not-mad Hatter and sensible Chesire not-cat.
The Door Mouse is a teenage girl whose parents passed away and the Hatter character is raising her!? Who thought the Mad Hatter character would make a good role model for a teenage girl!? Eve Chase that's who.
The balderdash way of talking and fanatical nonsense that is the bread and butter of Wonderland was missing from this retelling.
Some things stuck to the original Alice in Wonderland version of the tale,
The caterpillar character ran a nightclub/drug den, so that was sort of on point.
There are still mushrooms that make you grow and shrink,
The Queen is Mad and chops people's heads off and still has red roses all over the palace gardens,
There was a mirror portal and a tiny door.
This could have used some more wonderland-inspired creativity.
Story Premise: The Queen has stolen time in Wonderland and the beloved characters need to set it free, and now they finally have a chance to do so after the "Alice" character finds her way through the looking glass into Wonderland.
This probably would have worked better as a Tween/YA adventure, minus the Why Choose romance which was very tame so far. Just some kissing among the FMC and three Wonderland MMC's.
The audiobook was fine, there's always either not enough or too many narrators to pull off a WhyC? novel well. Either we need just one very good narrator who can do multiple male and female voices or we need more than two narrators who read chapters together like a screenplay. Anything in-between those options ends up confusing. Sometimes I listen to a WhyC? audiobook and have no clue who the MMCs even are by the end of it. However this was not nearly as bad as some of the other ones I've listened to, the narrators did a decent job and I had minimal issues telling characters apart.
December 26, 2019
Are people already wondering how and where I find all those Wonderland reads? Well, this one was recommended to me a few times, but that one time Eva Chase herself told me that this was the perfect story for me, I finally let her convince me to give it a go. (And honestly, it was the Richard Madden inspired character that gave the final push)
And I’m so glad I let her play on my emotions to make me read this! This was such a nice, entertaining and interesting read. It had all elements I really love in a good book: Boys I could fall in love with (yes, plural in this case), an intelligent main character (and preferably some intelligent guys too), a political layer (Go spades!) and a decent plot that’s not just about sex (nailed it!).
The Wonderland we get to see in this book is quite different from the Wonderland we are familiar with thanks to Lewis Caroll, but this Wonderland is just as much an amazing mix of illogic, magic and the queen of hearts being a true tyrant trying to keep the entire Kingdom firmly in her beheading grip. It’s a mixture of colour and greyness, of pleasure and pain, of hope and fear. It took some getting used to, but I’m growing attached to it already.
And like I already said, the characters in this one were also completely my cup of tea. Lyssa was curious, but without becoming stupid or reckless. The risks she took were calculated and always for the right cause. And then there were her three men, who were all equally amazing. They were charming, respectful and so much more than just hot. (It even took Chase quite some time to describe them with that exact word! Go her!) They had and have their own stories to tell and I can’t wait to get to know them even better.
Combine all this with an easy to read and nicely flowing writing style and an almost perfect pacing of the story and you get a book I couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want to leave behind. I can’t wait for the next two books to be delivered to my home!
And I’m so glad I let her play on my emotions to make me read this! This was such a nice, entertaining and interesting read. It had all elements I really love in a good book: Boys I could fall in love with (yes, plural in this case), an intelligent main character (and preferably some intelligent guys too), a political layer (Go spades!) and a decent plot that’s not just about sex (nailed it!).
The Wonderland we get to see in this book is quite different from the Wonderland we are familiar with thanks to Lewis Caroll, but this Wonderland is just as much an amazing mix of illogic, magic and the queen of hearts being a true tyrant trying to keep the entire Kingdom firmly in her beheading grip. It’s a mixture of colour and greyness, of pleasure and pain, of hope and fear. It took some getting used to, but I’m growing attached to it already.
And like I already said, the characters in this one were also completely my cup of tea. Lyssa was curious, but without becoming stupid or reckless. The risks she took were calculated and always for the right cause. And then there were her three men, who were all equally amazing. They were charming, respectful and so much more than just hot. (It even took Chase quite some time to describe them with that exact word! Go her!) They had and have their own stories to tell and I can’t wait to get to know them even better.
Combine all this with an easy to read and nicely flowing writing style and an almost perfect pacing of the story and you get a book I couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want to leave behind. I can’t wait for the next two books to be delivered to my home!
July 31, 2019
2.5-3 stars. I picked this up off Audible because of obvious reasons. I can't resist a journey through Wonderland. In all honesty this is a unique wonderland.. The author wove a whole new spin on the goings on in our favorite fantasy land. Plot wise we have a whole new spin on the battle against the red queen also... But for some reason.. I just wasn't super loving it. Looking back it has a lot to do with the FMC she was just... ordinary. I mean I'm not mad hat her.. (lol) we just didn't connect. I felt like every character spent most of the story.. telling her the story or telling her she didn't need to know things. Another thing that I usually love about Wonderland is the madness and chaos that creates it.. Though I did catch little glimpses of this madness mainly from Chesh... it just wasn't enough.. The hatter was just really mature and not a tad bit mad.. unless you mean angry.. he was pretty angry most of the time. I wonder if maybe there just wasn't enough wonder in this wonderland for me...
Lyssa our FMC, inherits her old aunts house after her death. After finding her boyfriend banging someone in their bed she moves in and falls into a mirror discovering Wonderland.. She seems to have no knowledge of the story of Alice and Wonderland. She enters into a cursed Wonderland that is doomed to relive the same day after the Queen of hearts has trapped time. Only the curse doesn't seem to affect Lyssa and the things she interacts with while she is there. Seeing the brutality o f the queen encourages her to join up with a rebellion in a complex plan to free time.. or heads may roll.
All in all it wasn't a bad read and the audio was actually fine, no complaints there. I'm just not really feeling the characters and their relationships here in this wonderland all that much. May come back to this later.
Lyssa our FMC, inherits her old aunts house after her death. After finding her boyfriend banging someone in their bed she moves in and falls into a mirror discovering Wonderland.. She seems to have no knowledge of the story of Alice and Wonderland. She enters into a cursed Wonderland that is doomed to relive the same day after the Queen of hearts has trapped time. Only the curse doesn't seem to affect Lyssa and the things she interacts with while she is there. Seeing the brutality o f the queen encourages her to join up with a rebellion in a complex plan to free time.. or heads may roll.
All in all it wasn't a bad read and the audio was actually fine, no complaints there. I'm just not really feeling the characters and their relationships here in this wonderland all that much. May come back to this later.
September 24, 2021
DNF at 12%
This is boring and the heroine has a cheating ex that she walks in on . Why do heroines always have to have an abusive or cheating ex .
This is boring and the heroine has a cheating ex that she walks in on . Why do heroines always have to have an abusive or cheating ex .
April 28, 2020
So I will confess that I love retellings with Alice being my favorite. I had listened to Eva Chase's Their Dark Valkyrie and liked it a lot, so decided to give this one a go (despite this awful cover) and I'm glad I did. I am loving this so far.
December 31, 2018
3.5 stars. I was reasonably entertained by this, but I think I’m more excited to see where this series goes next than I am by this book itself. The MC is fairly flat and will probably stay that way, but the guys have potential. I like this interpretation of Wonderland, and this was fairly well written.
I was most interested in the MC when she gets upset, does drugs, and screws stuff up. Other than that, she was a bit blah. I think it makes sense that the blah character will love Wonderland if it lets her cut loose, but I think she’s going to have more responsibilities here than she ever had in her world, so I don’t think we’re going to get to see her doing much more cutting loose. I thought it was weird that she didn’t seem to know about Wonderland or Carrol except for a brief allusion in a dream, so I’m not entirely sure whether the original book exists in her world. Still, my biggest complaint about her is that, as much as we hear about how much people rely on her in her world, we never actually see that. We get a few uncomfortable conversations with her mom and best friend but never see anyone actually needing something from her. As such, I didn’t really feel the pressure that she’s supposedly under.
The guys aren’t anything super special (I definitely don’t have any book crushes), but I like that they don’t really fall all over her, except maybe Chess to some degree. Theo has an angle and wants to use her, even if he eventually develops feelings, and Hatter’s main concern is his daughter. It’s kind of odd to have a book with a Mary Sue character and love interests who have lives outside here. I definitely want to get more of Chess’s story. Also, I think this series could eventually get some mm elements because, when the MC mentioned being interested in all of the guys, Theo said that they could call Chess back and “all enjoy each other.” Fingers crossed! One thing that bothered me is that the MC latched onto every Wonderland men whom she has an extended conversation with. I feel like she would have added Dee and Dum to the mix if she’d ever talked to them more than in passing, and please no.
As I said, I like this version of Wonderland—specifically the suits, which aren’t actually cards in this book. Hearts seems to be the last name of the rulers, the Diamonds is the name for the nobility who wear diamond pins, the clubs are represented by the Clubbers who seek chemical escape, and the Spades are the rebels. I’m not sure where the name “Spades” comes from, so hopefully the next book explains that. One thing that threw me was when the MC suddenly said that “Wonderland was one big disease-free safe zone” because I have no memory of anyone telling her that.
The writing was fine overall, but it had a few issues. We got a few bits of awkward, expositiony paragraph dialogue, and the chapters were not quite chronological at times. For example, we would get one chapter from the MC’s perspective and then go back in time to get the perspective of one of the guys. I liked getting their perspectives, but the time jumps interrupted the flow a bit. Also, there was a weird moment when the MC said, “Chess hugged me back, his mouth curling into its habitual grin where it brushed my temple.” People can’t see their temples, so she has no way to know whether Chess is smiling or not. The book had a few issues in its writing mechanics as well: for example, problems with spelling or typos (e.g., “twitter” instead of “titter,” “poised” instead of “posed,” and “ever” instead of “even”), question marks after statements, and problems with phrasing (e.g., “this is only the second stage out of two”).
This series definitely has room for improvement, but I’m still interested in reading the next book!
I was most interested in the MC when she gets upset, does drugs, and screws stuff up. Other than that, she was a bit blah. I think it makes sense that the blah character will love Wonderland if it lets her cut loose, but I think she’s going to have more responsibilities here than she ever had in her world, so I don’t think we’re going to get to see her doing much more cutting loose. I thought it was weird that she didn’t seem to know about Wonderland or Carrol except for a brief allusion in a dream, so I’m not entirely sure whether the original book exists in her world. Still, my biggest complaint about her is that, as much as we hear about how much people rely on her in her world, we never actually see that. We get a few uncomfortable conversations with her mom and best friend but never see anyone actually needing something from her. As such, I didn’t really feel the pressure that she’s supposedly under.
The guys aren’t anything super special (I definitely don’t have any book crushes), but I like that they don’t really fall all over her, except maybe Chess to some degree. Theo has an angle and wants to use her, even if he eventually develops feelings, and Hatter’s main concern is his daughter. It’s kind of odd to have a book with a Mary Sue character and love interests who have lives outside here. I definitely want to get more of Chess’s story. Also, I think this series could eventually get some mm elements because, when the MC mentioned being interested in all of the guys, Theo said that they could call Chess back and “all enjoy each other.” Fingers crossed! One thing that bothered me is that the MC latched onto every Wonderland men whom she has an extended conversation with. I feel like she would have added Dee and Dum to the mix if she’d ever talked to them more than in passing, and please no.
As I said, I like this version of Wonderland—specifically the suits, which aren’t actually cards in this book. Hearts seems to be the last name of the rulers, the Diamonds is the name for the nobility who wear diamond pins, the clubs are represented by the Clubbers who seek chemical escape, and the Spades are the rebels. I’m not sure where the name “Spades” comes from, so hopefully the next book explains that. One thing that threw me was when the MC suddenly said that “Wonderland was one big disease-free safe zone” because I have no memory of anyone telling her that.
The writing was fine overall, but it had a few issues. We got a few bits of awkward, expositiony paragraph dialogue, and the chapters were not quite chronological at times. For example, we would get one chapter from the MC’s perspective and then go back in time to get the perspective of one of the guys. I liked getting their perspectives, but the time jumps interrupted the flow a bit. Also, there was a weird moment when the MC said, “Chess hugged me back, his mouth curling into its habitual grin where it brushed my temple.” People can’t see their temples, so she has no way to know whether Chess is smiling or not. The book had a few issues in its writing mechanics as well: for example, problems with spelling or typos (e.g., “twitter” instead of “titter,” “poised” instead of “posed,” and “ever” instead of “even”), question marks after statements, and problems with phrasing (e.g., “this is only the second stage out of two”).
This series definitely has room for improvement, but I’m still interested in reading the next book!
Read
May 7, 2025I made it about 40% before I quit. I might go back to it later because Teddy Hamilton narrates, but right now - it's way too slow for me.
Lyssa inherits a house from her aunt and finds a magic mirror in the attic which zaps her to Wonderland. It's exactly how it's described in the Disney Alice in Wonderland book. She meets Chess, Hatter, and Theo. There's some issues with her being there, yada yada, Queens, mushrooms, Spades, and some other stuff.
SLOW: At 40% I just felt like the story wasn't going anywhere. Plus, there are 3 freaking books. If you're keeping my attention, you need to pick up the pace.
SEX: You can probably guess, this is a slowwwwww burn. I skimmed to these parts so I can keep you informed. First kiss with Hatter is at 61%, which is interrupted by his daughter (yep, a stupid kid). First bang is with Theo at 74%. It's pretty boring.
AUDIO: Yes, Teddy Hamilton narrates, but it's not a duet and it's 80% Lyssa's POV, so that's not enough to make me stay.
Like I said - I might come back later, but it'll probably be when I've run out of things to listen to.
Lyssa inherits a house from her aunt and finds a magic mirror in the attic which zaps her to Wonderland. It's exactly how it's described in the Disney Alice in Wonderland book. She meets Chess, Hatter, and Theo. There's some issues with her being there, yada yada, Queens, mushrooms, Spades, and some other stuff.
SLOW: At 40% I just felt like the story wasn't going anywhere. Plus, there are 3 freaking books. If you're keeping my attention, you need to pick up the pace.
SEX: You can probably guess, this is a slowwwwww burn. I skimmed to these parts so I can keep you informed. First kiss with Hatter is at 61%, which is interrupted by his daughter (yep, a stupid kid). First bang is with Theo at 74%. It's pretty boring.
AUDIO: Yes, Teddy Hamilton narrates, but it's not a duet and it's 80% Lyssa's POV, so that's not enough to make me stay.
Like I said - I might come back later, but it'll probably be when I've run out of things to listen to.
December 15, 2023
i have read so many alice in wonderland retelling rhs
i didn't realize there was such a demand but ig i shouldnt be surprised
i didn't realize there was such a demand but ig i shouldnt be surprised
February 23, 2020
I've been looking out for a good Alice in Wonderland retelling for awhile now; I'm obsessed with the SyFy adaptation of Alice, and have had this hope of somehow finding the book equivalent. With Wicked Wonderland, the first book in the Looking-Glass Curse trilogy, I finally found one that worked for me! Lyssa's just been cheated on by her boyfriend, and after her aunt passes away and leaves her a house, she moves into the secluded mansion in the forest and discovers an unusual mirror. This being an Alice retelling, she of course falls through the mirror into Wonderland and into the resistance movement against the tyrannical Queen of Hearts--while falling for three very different men she meets. It's a slow-burn fantasy romance, with the heroine moving in the direction of a poly relationship rather than a love square (which was a refreshing change in a romance, as there isn't any jealousy or competition, but rather mature people communicating about what they're looking for in relationships) but the resistance plotline, along with the heroine's journey towards believing in herself, takes center stage. Definitely recommend if you're looking for an adult retelling of Wonderland with plenty of action and romance.
Want to read
October 7, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/7/2019)! 🎁
August 28, 2021
This was so much fun but golly I was promised adult-themed fun, not a rebellion!
all things considered though i still speed through it and before long i was ordering book 2...
all things considered though i still speed through it and before long i was ordering book 2...
February 22, 2024
Eva Chase is so underrated. I’ve read soooo many of her series so far and every single one of them is so so good.
It’s almost comforting to come back to her series after going to others, because I just know it’s going to be a great book.
Eva Chase books are the absolute best for pulling you out of a reading slump.
Her books are all just so fun to read.
This was no exception, such a fun storyline, I can’t wait to finish the series ◡̈
It’s almost comforting to come back to her series after going to others, because I just know it’s going to be a great book.
Eva Chase books are the absolute best for pulling you out of a reading slump.
Her books are all just so fun to read.
This was no exception, such a fun storyline, I can’t wait to finish the series ◡̈
June 7, 2025
Interesting concept, but it’s pretty slow on all fronts. I’m also not convinced by the heroine or her reasons for getting involved. On the plus side, the audiobook is well narrated. I’ll continue to the next books, but I don’t have high hopes.
February 9, 2025
”Are you saying I should judge you based on what you could have done but didn’t, rather than by what you didn’t have to do but did? We’re the choices we make, not the options we had. I should know that as well as anyone.”
As a massive Alice In Wonderland fan, idk how to explain this review any more than just it’s entertaining! A solid Wonderland retelling where our why choose love interests are the Hatter, the Cheshire, and the White Knight. I would call book 1 a slow burn and we have a good set up for the storyline and villains. Definitely interested to see where it goes in book 2. The first two books are available on Audible Plus with Teddy Hamilton as the male dual narrator — he makes this totally delicious as usual!
As a massive Alice In Wonderland fan, idk how to explain this review any more than just it’s entertaining! A solid Wonderland retelling where our why choose love interests are the Hatter, the Cheshire, and the White Knight. I would call book 1 a slow burn and we have a good set up for the storyline and villains. Definitely interested to see where it goes in book 2. The first two books are available on Audible Plus with Teddy Hamilton as the male dual narrator — he makes this totally delicious as usual!
May 19, 2025
3.5/5
June 11, 2021
3/5 - Reverse Harem... once again another RH letdown.
This is an Alice In Wonderland *re-imagining* not retelling because while there are some familiar elements the characters don’t necessarily act as their OG counterparts. For example, Hatter isn’t *mad* he’s just a grumpy guy.
In all honesty, I detest the RH because
1) it should be an erotic romance sub-genre - come on!! one chick and 3+ guys! Imo all holes should be filled at the same time. Think about it, if this were a traditional harem story the guy would have all the chicks at the same time all the time. But no, the author usually gives a trilogy - on guy each book.
This book was Lysa and Theo (the White Knight) and it wasn’t hot at all. It wasn’t sweet or intimate. It felt like he was using her and she was just a thirsty chick with her head full of crazy from the world.
2) RH usually read like edgy YA, which this one did FOR SURE.
There’s a lot internal feelings. Some world building. And I dare say Lysa is touchy Mary Sue status because nothing bad happens to her, save a knife wound but her annoying best friend just happens to be close and can take her to the hospital.
The ending was the best part. It had the most action and left enough of a cliffhanger that makes me hate myself for wanting to keep reading the series. NOT for the relationships because those are lukewarm but the story is interesting.
This is an Alice In Wonderland *re-imagining* not retelling because while there are some familiar elements the characters don’t necessarily act as their OG counterparts. For example, Hatter isn’t *mad* he’s just a grumpy guy.
In all honesty, I detest the RH because
1) it should be an erotic romance sub-genre - come on!! one chick and 3+ guys! Imo all holes should be filled at the same time. Think about it, if this were a traditional harem story the guy would have all the chicks at the same time all the time. But no, the author usually gives a trilogy - on guy each book.
This book was Lysa and Theo (the White Knight) and it wasn’t hot at all. It wasn’t sweet or intimate. It felt like he was using her and she was just a thirsty chick with her head full of crazy from the world.
2) RH usually read like edgy YA, which this one did FOR SURE.
There’s a lot internal feelings. Some world building. And I dare say Lysa is touchy Mary Sue status because nothing bad happens to her, save a knife wound but her annoying best friend just happens to be close and can take her to the hospital.
The ending was the best part. It had the most action and left enough of a cliffhanger that makes me hate myself for wanting to keep reading the series. NOT for the relationships because those are lukewarm but the story is interesting.
January 15, 2019
This is most definitely one of my popcorn reads! Enjoyable, with fairly distinct characters, and a plot that, while fairly simple, still gave a few surprises.
The most surprising thing for me here though, was Wonderland. It had a bit of a dreamy feel, but overall felt like a universe just slightly removed from our own. Wonderland had bits and bobs of magic, and the populace seemed to have normality worn-thin, but I actually rather enjoyed it that way. (The amount of Alice re-tellings where the world is pushed to the absolute limit of ridiculousness are.. Not really my favorites.) Lyssa's trips to Wonderland felt more like testing the waters of oddness, and seeing as this is the first in the trilogy, this might be even more apt later on!
I'm looking forward to reading the next two books
The most surprising thing for me here though, was Wonderland. It had a bit of a dreamy feel, but overall felt like a universe just slightly removed from our own. Wonderland had bits and bobs of magic, and the populace seemed to have normality worn-thin, but I actually rather enjoyed it that way. (The amount of Alice re-tellings where the world is pushed to the absolute limit of ridiculousness are.. Not really my favorites.) Lyssa's trips to Wonderland felt more like testing the waters of oddness, and seeing as this is the first in the trilogy, this might be even more apt later on!
I'm looking forward to reading the next two books
December 29, 2018
This was just a bit blah for me.
Whilst I did like the concept of the dilemma of the frozen time, I didn't find the way Wonderland was drawn, or any of the characters particularly compelling.
Lyssa was a bit too perfect, Hatter was grumpy for most of the time, Theo was playing her, really, and Chess, whilst my favourite, was pretty down played.
I tried the first book of the author's Claimed by Gods series, which I had a lot of the same issues with, so it might just be a personal thing that it didn't work for me, so if you like Alice in Wonderland retellings with a RH twist then this still might be a good one to try for you!
Whilst I did like the concept of the dilemma of the frozen time, I didn't find the way Wonderland was drawn, or any of the characters particularly compelling.
Lyssa was a bit too perfect, Hatter was grumpy for most of the time, Theo was playing her, really, and Chess, whilst my favourite, was pretty down played.
I tried the first book of the author's Claimed by Gods series, which I had a lot of the same issues with, so it might just be a personal thing that it didn't work for me, so if you like Alice in Wonderland retellings with a RH twist then this still might be a good one to try for you!
December 16, 2023
Moments of delight in between long periods of dull
Excellent
1) Use of the concept of time was consistent, creative and very, very clever
Good
1) Story was complete (no cliffhanger)
2) Settings were quite imaginative
3) Series arc was clearly established
Mediocre
1) World-building was hollow
2) Plot was basic
Bad
1) Not very 'mad'
2) Story dragged A LOT
3) Female lead was pretty dull
4) Love interests were too ordinary in looks, personality and, outside of Cheshire, in speech (ie Theo's use of 'party girl')
5) The relationship-building was pretty passionless
(And I hate that cover)
Going to try the next in hopes it is more entertaining.
Excellent
1) Use of the concept of time was consistent, creative and very, very clever
Good
1) Story was complete (no cliffhanger)
2) Settings were quite imaginative
3) Series arc was clearly established
Mediocre
1) World-building was hollow
2) Plot was basic
Bad
1) Not very 'mad'
2) Story dragged A LOT
3) Female lead was pretty dull
4) Love interests were too ordinary in looks, personality and, outside of Cheshire, in speech (ie Theo's use of 'party girl')
5) The relationship-building was pretty passionless
(And I hate that cover)
Going to try the next in hopes it is more entertaining.
March 3, 2022
Very fun story. However I was promised RH and it was more like poly. BUT the story was fun and sucked me right in. This retelling of one of my favorites is so much fun! Will be reading the rest of the trilogy for sure! ~ AW
March 30, 2023
Great premise and intriguing world. I would have loved for more to happen, however, this definitely felt like a set up for some serious action in future books.
June 4, 2025
The only reason I give it three stars is because I didn't realize this book was a three men one girl, don't mind sharing kinda thing. The story was good, though.
December 22, 2018
Note: I was given a copy of this book by the author and I voluntarily review this book, this is my honest opinion.
Eva Chase has a few steamy reverse harems already and they are really good, well she has added one more with the first book in the Looking Glass Curse. Wicked in Wonderland was an enjoyable read that has me wondering what will happen in the rest of the series.
Lyssa Tinnel is a kind person with a big heart, these qualities plus life circumstances has her taking care of those all around her. So after a particular horrible day she finds out an aunt of hers has passed and has left Lyssa a monetary sum and a house. Lyssa needs the change of pace but what she discovers is something that is wild and imaginative as it is dark and sultry. While in Wonderland Lyssa meets new and interesting people including three gorgeous guys, discovers a link to her past and gets involved in a rebellion. Things are certainly changing for Lyssa, here is hoping she can keep her head.
I am not a fan of Alice in Wonderland. I have seen the creepy movie they use to air on tv when I was a child and I did not go for it, the books never interested me and while the original Disney cartoon movie was not my thing I will admit that I kinda like the Disney channel tv series for a while and the newish movies. So as you can figure out I haven't read any version of this story but when the opportunity for me to read Eva's reverse harem version of Alice in Wonderland I decided to give it a go.
Lyssa is a nice character and I did like her but there was something off about her that kept me from totally bonding with her. I mean she is nice, sassy, curious and caring but for some reason I just could only care so much about her. Towards the end I started to like her a little more and I am hoping that the feeling will continue to grow in the next book.
As for the three love interests, they are characters that many will know. The White Knight (aka Theo), Chess and Hatter are the focus in this slow burn reverse harem. I don't know if Eva did this on purpose but two of the three guys turned me off at first. Hatter is mean, Theo is shady and Chess... I love Chess so much. Hatter has been through a lot and has let that color his world view, Theo is so determined with his plan, so analytical that he doesn't think too much about those around him and Chess just seems a little lost. However the guys to get better towards the end and instead of the usual story that would have the guys making Lyssa a better person, she makes them better.
The plot was a little slow for me and the craziness that is Wonderland took a lot for me to get use to. While this wasn't Eva's best book I still found it enjoyable. There was mystery, danger, excitement, romance, magic and a rebellion. I do have some questions that I would liked answered and I have a theory about Lyssa's background and I really want to know if I am right. If you like reverse harems and Alice in Wonderland then this is a book you might want to check out.
Eva Chase has a few steamy reverse harems already and they are really good, well she has added one more with the first book in the Looking Glass Curse. Wicked in Wonderland was an enjoyable read that has me wondering what will happen in the rest of the series.
Lyssa Tinnel is a kind person with a big heart, these qualities plus life circumstances has her taking care of those all around her. So after a particular horrible day she finds out an aunt of hers has passed and has left Lyssa a monetary sum and a house. Lyssa needs the change of pace but what she discovers is something that is wild and imaginative as it is dark and sultry. While in Wonderland Lyssa meets new and interesting people including three gorgeous guys, discovers a link to her past and gets involved in a rebellion. Things are certainly changing for Lyssa, here is hoping she can keep her head.
I am not a fan of Alice in Wonderland. I have seen the creepy movie they use to air on tv when I was a child and I did not go for it, the books never interested me and while the original Disney cartoon movie was not my thing I will admit that I kinda like the Disney channel tv series for a while and the newish movies. So as you can figure out I haven't read any version of this story but when the opportunity for me to read Eva's reverse harem version of Alice in Wonderland I decided to give it a go.
Lyssa is a nice character and I did like her but there was something off about her that kept me from totally bonding with her. I mean she is nice, sassy, curious and caring but for some reason I just could only care so much about her. Towards the end I started to like her a little more and I am hoping that the feeling will continue to grow in the next book.
As for the three love interests, they are characters that many will know. The White Knight (aka Theo), Chess and Hatter are the focus in this slow burn reverse harem. I don't know if Eva did this on purpose but two of the three guys turned me off at first. Hatter is mean, Theo is shady and Chess... I love Chess so much. Hatter has been through a lot and has let that color his world view, Theo is so determined with his plan, so analytical that he doesn't think too much about those around him and Chess just seems a little lost. However the guys to get better towards the end and instead of the usual story that would have the guys making Lyssa a better person, she makes them better.
The plot was a little slow for me and the craziness that is Wonderland took a lot for me to get use to. While this wasn't Eva's best book I still found it enjoyable. There was mystery, danger, excitement, romance, magic and a rebellion. I do have some questions that I would liked answered and I have a theory about Lyssa's background and I really want to know if I am right. If you like reverse harems and Alice in Wonderland then this is a book you might want to check out.
December 21, 2018
Chase creates a Wonderland that's full of bright colors, irrational "creatures", trademark wonderland "logic", and a darkness lurking beneath it all. With A Queen of Hearts who has stolen Time and taken control of Wonderland's residents, the Wonderlanders find themselves stuck in a nightmarish loop.
While the idea of the Queen of Hearts as the villain is not new, I love the way that Chase makes her into more than just a violent dictator. She's using violence and death, but there's a magical component that makes Wonderland need more than just a simple act of rebellion.
The Spades, an underground group of rebels, has been trying to decades to undermine the Queen's tyranny, but they don't stand a chance until Lyssa finds her way through the looking-glass.
Speaking of Lyssa, I found her to be totally relatable. She's smart, compassionate, and a clear case of had-to-grow-up-too-fast. Even though she longs for freedom and the anonymity to experience the wonders of Wonderland without obligation, she finds herself involved in the Spades' rebellion.
The men are an interesting blend of characters. We get some of the more traditional like the Hatter, Chess, and the Tweedles, but there are some new ones to mix into our Wonderland family. Hatter is...aptly put...a hatter. Aside from that, he's a man with some emotional scars. He's a little broody, a little cranky, and Chase has also done something different made him into a father. With an older daughter, it's not like he's changing diapers, but instead it brings an intriguing dynamic to his connection with Lyssa and role in the rebellion.
Chess is an endearing creature; whimsical, alluring, and kind all at once. He's a bit hesitant, and he's keeping some secrets that I'm eager to learn more about.
The final contender for Lyssa's affections is the White Knight, Theo. I'm undecided on him. He's protective, charming, and inventive. However, we also see some hints of manipulation and jealousy that I'm not sure he'll overcome. In the long run, I'm confident Chase is going to transform him into the real hero he could be.
Overall, I really enjoyed my adventure in Chase's wonderland. I'm very excited to go back in a few months :)
While the idea of the Queen of Hearts as the villain is not new, I love the way that Chase makes her into more than just a violent dictator. She's using violence and death, but there's a magical component that makes Wonderland need more than just a simple act of rebellion.
The Spades, an underground group of rebels, has been trying to decades to undermine the Queen's tyranny, but they don't stand a chance until Lyssa finds her way through the looking-glass.
Speaking of Lyssa, I found her to be totally relatable. She's smart, compassionate, and a clear case of had-to-grow-up-too-fast. Even though she longs for freedom and the anonymity to experience the wonders of Wonderland without obligation, she finds herself involved in the Spades' rebellion.
The men are an interesting blend of characters. We get some of the more traditional like the Hatter, Chess, and the Tweedles, but there are some new ones to mix into our Wonderland family. Hatter is...aptly put...a hatter. Aside from that, he's a man with some emotional scars. He's a little broody, a little cranky, and Chase has also done something different made him into a father. With an older daughter, it's not like he's changing diapers, but instead it brings an intriguing dynamic to his connection with Lyssa and role in the rebellion.
Chess is an endearing creature; whimsical, alluring, and kind all at once. He's a bit hesitant, and he's keeping some secrets that I'm eager to learn more about.
The final contender for Lyssa's affections is the White Knight, Theo. I'm undecided on him. He's protective, charming, and inventive. However, we also see some hints of manipulation and jealousy that I'm not sure he'll overcome. In the long run, I'm confident Chase is going to transform him into the real hero he could be.
Overall, I really enjoyed my adventure in Chase's wonderland. I'm very excited to go back in a few months :)
February 4, 2019
This is what is known as a 'reverse harem' book; that is, a book where the girl ends up with two or more guys interested her.
Lyssa has lost her job and her boyfriend. She inherits her aunt's house and that begins her journey on a new life. There's a mirror in the house that she can use to enter Wonderland. It's a wonderland that, like in most other books of this nature, has major problems. These lie in the Queen of Hearts running things like an even worse tyrant than she is in the original novel. The spades are her opposition and want to overthrow her tyranny. The main problem is that the Queen has stolen time and each day resets back to the beginning.
Lyssa ends up meeting the usual characters including the Hatter, the White Knight, the Caterpillar (who runs a rather wild club of his own), and the Cheshire. Lyssa sees various kinds of humanoids in Wonderland including those with human bodies but animal heads.
The main theme is how Lyssa befriends the other main characters and does what she can to help the revolution along. Part of this, of course, will involve the reverse-harem concept where she has sex with three guys. This is not overdone, though, as it is in some other stories.
I think this is the best book of this type based on Alice in Wonderland that I have read so far. There is at least one other book in this series.
Lyssa has lost her job and her boyfriend. She inherits her aunt's house and that begins her journey on a new life. There's a mirror in the house that she can use to enter Wonderland. It's a wonderland that, like in most other books of this nature, has major problems. These lie in the Queen of Hearts running things like an even worse tyrant than she is in the original novel. The spades are her opposition and want to overthrow her tyranny. The main problem is that the Queen has stolen time and each day resets back to the beginning.
Lyssa ends up meeting the usual characters including the Hatter, the White Knight, the Caterpillar (who runs a rather wild club of his own), and the Cheshire. Lyssa sees various kinds of humanoids in Wonderland including those with human bodies but animal heads.
The main theme is how Lyssa befriends the other main characters and does what she can to help the revolution along. Part of this, of course, will involve the reverse-harem concept where she has sex with three guys. This is not overdone, though, as it is in some other stories.
I think this is the best book of this type based on Alice in Wonderland that I have read so far. There is at least one other book in this series.
April 25, 2020
Click Below for link to my review:
https://whyicantstopreading.blogspot....
There really isn't much wrong with this book (or series really). Lyssa is an amazing MC who isn't just strong and really clever - but she didn't end up annoying the bejeesus out of me. Her 3 co-stars are yummy, a little flawed and really fun to get to know.
Eva chase manages to weave a magical retelling of the ago old Alice in Wonderland with an incredibly fun and sexy twist by letting the MC not only having her pick of hot men but having her keep all 3 (hopefully). I think the reason I really enjoyed it so much is that I could really relate to the fact that we all want to escape real life sometimes. In Lyssa's Wonderland however the grass isn't really greener (even if it is a lot brighter). When Lyssa falls into the looking glass and into Wonderland she luckily fell into the laps of our hilarious Chess, Oh So Serious Hatter and our incredibly handsome White Knight.
Sprinkle in the Rabbit, the strangely segmented Caterpillar, Dee, Dum and our lovely Doria Doormouse and all the usual characters with a twist. Not a moment of boredom was had. I would recommend this fun, action packed read to anyone who loves a bit of reverse harem with some action - in the bedroom and out ;)
https://whyicantstopreading.blogspot....
There really isn't much wrong with this book (or series really). Lyssa is an amazing MC who isn't just strong and really clever - but she didn't end up annoying the bejeesus out of me. Her 3 co-stars are yummy, a little flawed and really fun to get to know.
Eva chase manages to weave a magical retelling of the ago old Alice in Wonderland with an incredibly fun and sexy twist by letting the MC not only having her pick of hot men but having her keep all 3 (hopefully). I think the reason I really enjoyed it so much is that I could really relate to the fact that we all want to escape real life sometimes. In Lyssa's Wonderland however the grass isn't really greener (even if it is a lot brighter). When Lyssa falls into the looking glass and into Wonderland she luckily fell into the laps of our hilarious Chess, Oh So Serious Hatter and our incredibly handsome White Knight.
Sprinkle in the Rabbit, the strangely segmented Caterpillar, Dee, Dum and our lovely Doria Doormouse and all the usual characters with a twist. Not a moment of boredom was had. I would recommend this fun, action packed read to anyone who loves a bit of reverse harem with some action - in the bedroom and out ;)
January 26, 2023
okay!!! so this is my second eva chase series and i genuinely thought after the gang of ghouls one that this one would be meh.
and for the first 100 pages of getting into the book i didn’t feel like it compared. but after finishing it???? dude it’s so good, even the way it starts like it’s so entertaining and what i love more about this book that i didn’t get in gang of ghouls is that the main character is so likeable! she hardly does anything cringe and i just vibed with her as a person
yes ruin will always by my number 1 book bf but chess is really coming for me now huh! the characters are so interesting in this book!
ah i’m so excited to get into the next one in the series. i enjoyed this one so much that i read the last 100 pages right after working on my uni essay for 2 days straight with no sleep. you’d think i wouldn’t want to read anymore after that but this is SO GOOD?
and no i didn’t rate it 5 stars but i think that’s only because i’m not 100% there with the characters yet you know? like it feels like we just met and i’m wondering if they’re gonna disappoint in the second book lol but that’s exactly how i felt about the 1st gang of ghouls book.
anyway, i’ll stop rambling now! thank you queen eva chase for another top tier book, i’ve never read so many books from the same author before!
and for the first 100 pages of getting into the book i didn’t feel like it compared. but after finishing it???? dude it’s so good, even the way it starts like it’s so entertaining and what i love more about this book that i didn’t get in gang of ghouls is that the main character is so likeable! she hardly does anything cringe and i just vibed with her as a person
yes ruin will always by my number 1 book bf but chess is really coming for me now huh! the characters are so interesting in this book!
ah i’m so excited to get into the next one in the series. i enjoyed this one so much that i read the last 100 pages right after working on my uni essay for 2 days straight with no sleep. you’d think i wouldn’t want to read anymore after that but this is SO GOOD?
and no i didn’t rate it 5 stars but i think that’s only because i’m not 100% there with the characters yet you know? like it feels like we just met and i’m wondering if they’re gonna disappoint in the second book lol but that’s exactly how i felt about the 1st gang of ghouls book.
anyway, i’ll stop rambling now! thank you queen eva chase for another top tier book, i’ve never read so many books from the same author before!
April 3, 2025
*3.75* if i see a retelling of a classic that's basically a guarantee that i'm getting my hands on it and reading it immediately (or in this case listening because i needed something to listen to at work and one of my favorite narrators portrayed our mmcs). the multiple povs are as always wonderful, and i loved seeing how each character is different and yet how they also have these similarities that will bring them together. i also love eva's take on the classic alice in wonderland by making the mad hatter the more sensible and the white knight more cunning, but still keeping some of the nostalgia with the cheshire cat being mysterious and alice (or in this case lyssa) curious about everything. however, while it was well written, i do feel as though this book was more of a set up for the entire series which i don't mind at all. if anything, it's like a background filler episode to help you understand the bigger picture later on. this is definitely a slow burn romance and the romantic scenes we had felt a little thrown in there to show that there will eventually be a relationship between our fmc and three mmcs. i'm hoping to see more of their chemistry as individual pairs and all together in the next book. i wasn't blown out of the park, but am definitely interested enough to see where the rest of the series will go
March 27, 2023
Lyssa inherits a house from her great aunt Alicia, finds a mirror in it, and stumbles into Wonderland. She seems to come from our world, but puzzlingly, has no idea what Wonderland is. I can only assume that the real world she comes from is not, in fact, the same universe we live in, where you would be hard put to find an English speaker who hasn’t heard of Wonderland. But aside from that small confusion, this is an excellent book, the beginning of a great trilogy. It introduces a Wonderland that is both the same and very different from the traditional one. The world building is excellent, the characters are well developed. A reverse harem novel, it has chapters from Lyssa’s perspective and also from her three future partners’. The three men are interesting and complex characters, and you can see why Lyssa is attracted to each of them. There are mysteries and dangers, and very slow burn romantic developments. The RH doesn’t really get going till the final chapter of this book, and there’s far more story than sex overall. If you’re looking for erotica, this isn’t your book, but if you want a fascinating story with just a touch of spice, you will love this book. And there’s a bonus recipe at the back.
December 19, 2018
Lyssa Tenniel has inherited a large house from a great aunt that she can barely remember but finds it helps her to forget the mes that is her life and leads her to the kind of adventures she could only dream of. It all started when she falls through a mirror and finds herself in Wonderland. There she meets some really hot guys - an eccentric Hatter, a mysterious guy called Chess and the inventive White Knight. She will get involved in a rebellion against a tyrant of a White Queen, discover a special power all while trying her best to keep her head (literally) and her heart.
This is a lovely slow burn reverse harem book that is an imaginative twist on the Alice in Wonderland story. The places, characters and events are all easy to imagine, understand and sense how the characters are feeling. Lyssa is understandably hesitant as she comes to terms with the whole situation and events that are happening - sometimes I admit I found her annoying but I'm probably far more trusting of this kind of environment that she is given the kinds of book that I read. A great book that is highly recommended.
This is a lovely slow burn reverse harem book that is an imaginative twist on the Alice in Wonderland story. The places, characters and events are all easy to imagine, understand and sense how the characters are feeling. Lyssa is understandably hesitant as she comes to terms with the whole situation and events that are happening - sometimes I admit I found her annoying but I'm probably far more trusting of this kind of environment that she is given the kinds of book that I read. A great book that is highly recommended.
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