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When Wicked Runs West
Far away, in a world very different from our own, exists a magical signpost that points in four different directions. When one arrives at the crossroad, a very important decision must be made--- which direction to choose.
West goes to Wonderland.
East points to Oz.
South leads to Neverland.
North has been sealed away.
Book one of the When Wicked Series, follows titular characters Alice Liddell, Peter Pan, and Dorothy Gale west of the signpost into the depths of Wonderland. What does it mean to be Wicked or Good in a world where a cup of tea drives you insane, and moral compasses can be worn around your neck?
In this twisted retelling of three classic tales, Alice and Dorothy, each desperately searching for a way back to their own world, with conflicting interests, find their paths entangling in unforeseen ways. One battles her head, while the other is battling her heart. With logic, friendship, and morality on the line, they both must try not to lose themselves along the way.
A thrilling and ominous tale of Wicked witches, murder, a mischievous flying boy with a vested interest, mad tea parties, and conspiracies, the When Wicked Series is a version of Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland you’ve never read before.
West goes to Wonderland.
East points to Oz.
South leads to Neverland.
North has been sealed away.
Book one of the When Wicked Series, follows titular characters Alice Liddell, Peter Pan, and Dorothy Gale west of the signpost into the depths of Wonderland. What does it mean to be Wicked or Good in a world where a cup of tea drives you insane, and moral compasses can be worn around your neck?
In this twisted retelling of three classic tales, Alice and Dorothy, each desperately searching for a way back to their own world, with conflicting interests, find their paths entangling in unforeseen ways. One battles her head, while the other is battling her heart. With logic, friendship, and morality on the line, they both must try not to lose themselves along the way.
A thrilling and ominous tale of Wicked witches, murder, a mischievous flying boy with a vested interest, mad tea parties, and conspiracies, the When Wicked Series is a version of Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland you’ve never read before.
Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 7, 2023
Adorably charming and unapologetically dark. Miller finds balance in this Middle Grade Fairytale retelling.
Alice meets Oz, Dorthy meets Wonderland, and Peter refuses to reveal the secrets of Neverland!
I truly enjoyed reading this book. Young Alice is forced to stay in a magical world where left is right and right is down. Without any direction, years have trapped her in years of riddles and veiled motives. Good and evil aren’t easy to tell apart, and as we see the struggle within Alice and the support of Peter, our hope for adventure quickly turns to a hunt where survival comes with a price.
Wonderland isn’t at all what is seems.
I highly recommend this retelling for a fresh view of morality in a twisted overlap of our favourite fairytales. For lovers of Middle Grade Dark Fantasy, Once Upon A Time, and Wicked.
Alice meets Oz, Dorthy meets Wonderland, and Peter refuses to reveal the secrets of Neverland!
I truly enjoyed reading this book. Young Alice is forced to stay in a magical world where left is right and right is down. Without any direction, years have trapped her in years of riddles and veiled motives. Good and evil aren’t easy to tell apart, and as we see the struggle within Alice and the support of Peter, our hope for adventure quickly turns to a hunt where survival comes with a price.
Wonderland isn’t at all what is seems.
I highly recommend this retelling for a fresh view of morality in a twisted overlap of our favourite fairytales. For lovers of Middle Grade Dark Fantasy, Once Upon A Time, and Wicked.
September 21, 2020
3.5/5 stars
This was super fun! From the word go, this story follows two well known childhood fairytale characters, Alice from Alice in Wonderland, and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Both characters are thrown into an alternate world of stories, and are met with a crossroads sign, and question. Which direction will they go?
North, South, East, or West?
Alice is first, and upon tumbling down a rabbit hole, she meets Peter Pan who occasionally helps her on her quest. Dorothy accidentally kills one of the Wicked Witches (there are maaany in this story), and starts off down the yellow brick road to find her way home.
It was so fun to encounter these beloved characters in a different style of world where more than one story can live at once. The characters were distinct and fun, and though I really didn’t love Alice by the end, Dorothy became my favourite in this story.
The story over all was imaginative, fun, and very original. I did however find that it went too fast, and there were a few parts where we seemed to skip over some story. It read very easily, and felt like a younger YA read, which makes it accessible for everyone.
If you love these stories, retellings of stories, or just a great time, I definitely recommend this!
This was super fun! From the word go, this story follows two well known childhood fairytale characters, Alice from Alice in Wonderland, and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Both characters are thrown into an alternate world of stories, and are met with a crossroads sign, and question. Which direction will they go?
North, South, East, or West?
Alice is first, and upon tumbling down a rabbit hole, she meets Peter Pan who occasionally helps her on her quest. Dorothy accidentally kills one of the Wicked Witches (there are maaany in this story), and starts off down the yellow brick road to find her way home.
It was so fun to encounter these beloved characters in a different style of world where more than one story can live at once. The characters were distinct and fun, and though I really didn’t love Alice by the end, Dorothy became my favourite in this story.
The story over all was imaginative, fun, and very original. I did however find that it went too fast, and there were a few parts where we seemed to skip over some story. It read very easily, and felt like a younger YA read, which makes it accessible for everyone.
If you love these stories, retellings of stories, or just a great time, I definitely recommend this!
December 19, 2020
Marissa did a great job of retelling several classic stories and mixing them all together. I found this book enjoyable from beginning to end and would highly suggest it to readers of all ages. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens with Dorthy and Alice!
August 29, 2021
I like the idea of a mashup/reimagining of Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and The Wizard of Oz, but When Wicked Runs: West didn't really hit the mark for me. Some of this is personal preference—of the three stories, Alice in Wonderland is easily my least favorite, and the majority of this book was Wonderland setting/logic—but I was also disappointed by some enormous character personality changes (basically the transformation of classical ingenues into "wicked witches") that could have been amazing, but in practice felt too abrupt and unearned. I also just don't think that any iteration of Peter Pan would ever constantly refer to someone else as "love"; that's more of a Captain Hook move, and even then, probably only the Once Upon a Time version of Hook.
3 stars.
3 stars.
January 16, 2022
On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, When Wicked Runs West by Marissa Miller is a fruit bowl with a zany collection of delicious and fun fruits. Find dragon fruit, kiwi, strawberries, and more.
What if Neverland, Oz, and Wonderland all existed within mere steps of each other? Alice Liddell and Dorothy Gale are swept away to a land far away, where each decision takes them on a wild and confusing adventure. Will either girl return home or are they in this land to stay?
If you have fond memories of these classic childhood stories of Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, or The Wizard of Oz, tuck those nostalgic feelings away as you jump into this wild, playful, and sometimes dark story. While I loved reading about these “old” friends, it felt so odd to experience them in this retelling where new questions were asked. I mean, what does happen when a moral compass is broken?
When Wicked Runs West is a zany flight of fancy, and if you enjoy any of these classics, you may enjoy seeing Dorothy, Alice, and Peter together!
What if Neverland, Oz, and Wonderland all existed within mere steps of each other? Alice Liddell and Dorothy Gale are swept away to a land far away, where each decision takes them on a wild and confusing adventure. Will either girl return home or are they in this land to stay?
If you have fond memories of these classic childhood stories of Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, or The Wizard of Oz, tuck those nostalgic feelings away as you jump into this wild, playful, and sometimes dark story. While I loved reading about these “old” friends, it felt so odd to experience them in this retelling where new questions were asked. I mean, what does happen when a moral compass is broken?
When Wicked Runs West is a zany flight of fancy, and if you enjoy any of these classics, you may enjoy seeing Dorothy, Alice, and Peter together!
November 2, 2022
For my first book by Marissa Miller, I enjoyed her writing and storytelling style very much. Although I know the fairy tales, I still was surprised by how Miller knitted them all together. Wonderland, Neverland, Oz, and whatever is in North was crafted so nearly. Even with the time jumps, everything fit together great and made sense.
Peter was an absolute dreamboat. 😍
Tink was my favorite character growing up. So seeing my favorite lost boy in this tale made me feel right at home.
Alice and Dorothy are icons, and I can't wait to see what this series does next. I will definitely be returning back to this series in the future.🥰
Thank you Marissa Miller for running a giveaway earlier this year, where I won a copy of this book. Peter is still my favorite character.
Peter was an absolute dreamboat. 😍
Tink was my favorite character growing up. So seeing my favorite lost boy in this tale made me feel right at home.
Alice and Dorothy are icons, and I can't wait to see what this series does next. I will definitely be returning back to this series in the future.🥰
Thank you Marissa Miller for running a giveaway earlier this year, where I won a copy of this book. Peter is still my favorite character.
September 21, 2020
If you have ever wondered what would happen if Alice from Wonderland, Dorothy from Oz and Peter from Neverland all came together in a brand new fantasy-land, then this is a book for you! It is the first in the, When Wicked series, where a witch can choose to be wicked or good and where certain gifts are unwanted and can determine your fate. Teen and young adult fantasy lovers will enjoy the familiarity of characters they already know and love but with a significant twist. Who is good or wicked and who is trustworthy must be discovered in this delightfully creative and wonderfully written new book by young author Marissa Miller.
October 10, 2020
This book is a wonderful reimagining of classic characters and familiar stories with a twist. Both Dorothy and Alice are faced with questions of truth and morality that make them question themselves in unexpected ways. Who is wicked and who is good? The answer isn't as clear as it would seem.
I've been looking for a new fantasy series to read and this definitely fulfilled that wish! I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to dive into a new adventure, and I cannot wait to read the sequels!
I've been looking for a new fantasy series to read and this definitely fulfilled that wish! I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to dive into a new adventure, and I cannot wait to read the sequels!
September 22, 2020
If you like classic characters in re-imagined scenarios, then this is the perfect series for you. The book features Alice, Dorothy, and Peter Pan. It imagines a world in which there is a crossover between these lands and explores good and bad in a way that is intriguing. The writer allows for the audience to explore emotions and experiences in a new way.
April 14, 2021
So much fun! A mash-up of multiple stories in a more modern and fresh voice. It's intriguing the way things twist and turn and become something entirely new. I liked discovering the worlds alongside Dorothy and Alice. The conflict really amps up with Alice and culminates in something unexpected. I would suggest this for people into unique spins on fairytales.
October 2, 2020
Familiar characters and worlds have been reimagined to create a fantastic story you won't want to put down. Alice and Dorothy explore morality and what it means to be wicked with the help of Peter in unexpected ways. This is a great book and a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews