Rav

Vampires in Wonderland #0.5

by Candace Robinson, Amber R. Duell

You think you know Wonderland. But you don’t.

Imogen, the Queen of Hearts, is known for taking the hearts of those who betray her, including her servants. Her king, Rav, ventures to the mortal world to lure in new prey to replace their dwindling help. One bite, one simple exchange of her blood is all it will take for a mortal to become one of them. And this time, Rav chooses a girl named Alice.

Rav is the sexy villain short story prequel in the Vampires in Wonderland series. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Sarah J. Maas.

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires, Audiobook, Romance, Paranormal, Fairy Tales, Romantasy

38 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 5, 2022

About the author

I spend my days consumed by words and hoping to one day find my own DeLorean time machine. My life consists of avoiding migraines, admiring Bonsai trees, watching classic movies, and living with my husband and daughter in Texas—where it can be forty degrees one day and eighty the next!

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Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling start to an old favorite... except there are a bunch of twists. When Duell and Robinson collaborate on a series, you know it will bring the drama and the intrigue. Crossing vampires and the Alice in Wonderland setting, these two authors know how to immediately hook a reader. Ripe with potential conflict and sexual tension/explosion, this prequel helps us understand why the Queen of Hearts has an axe to grind. But it's the Mad Hatter, or Maddie, who's captured my attention. Rav is gonna be evil, I just know it. Or will be turn? I'm excited about the first book's launch in mid-2022, but this one definitely will get you prepared to dream without bounds. And look at that cover... awesomeness and childhood, but with a much more adult-themed story. Get hooked now!

[Candace Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampires will be coming to Wonderland!

[Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Alice in Wonderland retellings or even new takes on the mythos. My favorite take on the story has to be Splintered but let me tell you if this series keeps going the way it’s going, then Vampires in Wonderland is going to be right there beside it!!! I mean come on! Alice in Wonderland, with vampires mixed with Candace Robinson’s unique and imaginary storytelling, is a win-win! My only complaint is I wanted more.

This series by Amber R. Duell and Candace Robinson is one to watch!

**I was given this novel in exchange for an honest review**

[Rebecca Dee Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read the Fairies of Oz series from these two authors and loved it, so was very excited by the idea behind Vampires in Wonderland, I love Alice (in Wonderland) and Vampires so we are off to a good start. I was lucky to get an ARC of this short story, which sets up this new series so well. I cannot wait to dive into this dark version of wonderland where vampires dwell

[Amber Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome take on Alice in Wonderland that gives you a sneak peek to the story ahead. We get to meet Rabbit, Queen of Hearts and even a glimpse of Alice in this one with just enough of a tease to suck you in and needing more. Bring on the rest of the books! I need them in my life!

[meghann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh I am so excited for this series! I am already loving this retelling and can't wait to see what happens next. Vampires + Wonderland = All the yes.


***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC of this book.***

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful and interesting twist to Alice in Wonderland! "Rav" gives us a very short introduction to the world and its characters and it sure makes me curious and wanting to know more! And what happened to Alice?!

* I received an ARC from the authors and I'm giving my honest review. *

[S.G.D. Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampire-run Wonderland at it’s creepy finest! I need more!

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent prequel for what looks like an amazing series. Candace Robinson creates delicious characters with a side of brilliant writing!

[Zen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I'm on the fence about this one. It is an interesting premise. I love a good villain, but felt mostly apathetic about these two.

[Katheyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Rav” by Candance Robinson is the prequel to her upcoming series “Vampires in Wonderland”, but before I start my review, a word of caution. Before you go through the rabbit hole to Robinson’s ‘Wonderland’ be warned, once you put a foot on this world, you’ll would never be able to leave, not that you’d want either 😉 As this is the prequel, you will eventually come back to reality and be able to get on with your ‘everyday’ duties with no-one the wiser, but don’t overlook ‘Wonderland’ appeal 😊

For full disclosure let me state that I have no lost love for Carroll’s original tale, in the slightest. However, Robinson version is original, compelling, and addictive from the very beginning (“The mortal world was a vampire’s amusement park.”), that lures the reader into the beautifully constructed world, with highly original and multilayered characters and a well-crafted vampire twist. Robinson’s ‘Wonderland’ is a vampire world, in which the Red Queen gives Carroll’s counterpart a run for her hearts, Rabbit still brings Alice along through the vortex and Knave is not exactly what he appears. A thrilling new story for fans of adult-themed* dark fantasy and vampire tales, both Carroll’s enthusiasts and detractors alike, which only downside is to end, eventually, letting the reader awaiting eagerly for the next installment.

[Dani (piggindani_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious amuse-bouche that has completely whetted my appetite. I just wish I had the main course to sink my teeth into! Lol

Fang-tastic retelling/take on Alice In Wonderland.
There’s the bitchy queen, her devoted and arrogant king (the white rabbit, Rav), and the innocent Alice. All set in a dark, depraved and lust-filled wonderland.

I love it and wish I didn’t have to wait until May (I think) for the first book in the series, Maddie.

A spicy bite before the main meal. Definitely recommend

[Antonia Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampires.

Vampires. In Wonderland.

Vampires in Wonderland!

I really do enjoy a vampire story and this short prequel novella was no exception.

Color me sufficiently intrigued. I’m ready for Maddie . . . And now I have to wait. Blast!

I’m looking forward to more Rav. What a fun character. And The Hatter! Clever twist there that I can’t wait too learn more about!

[Britney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The prequel is mainly just meeting characters and not a lot of remarkable things happened so there's not much to say

[Shia · Rating 5 out of 5]

dang! what a great intro to Wonderland!

WOW!! This will definitely grip you and have you falling down the rabbit hole yourself! Vampires + Wonderland = an adventure worth the risk!

[Amie Beverley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book held my attention long enough for me to want to read the next book in the series.

[Didi Oviatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful 'BITE' sized read to set the stage for a series that's clearly sure to be full of wonder and bloody darkness!! I love Alice in Wonderland, even more than I love The Wizard of Oz. So to see that Candace Robinson and Amber Duell have been at it again creating a dark spin-off for such a complex tale I've been chomping at the bit to dive in. This is a short little prequel to give a peak into the world of Vampires in Wonderland. It's easily read in one short sitting, but for me it didn't end after those short few minutes - because I stewed! And stewed, and stewed, and stewed. It bit it's way into my veins and swam around in there until I fell asleep last night.

Rav, or Rabbit, is the go-getter for Imogen, the Queen of Hearts. The two are certainly a pare to be reckoned with - full of power hungry blood-lust, passion, and vicious intent. Rav has his own little portal into the human world and after being told by a previous victim about a night club where humans go to play vampire, he just had to check it out. This is where he finds Alice. She's a brave, spunky girl with some grit, pared with extremely terrible judgement. She willingly follows Rav to his portal under the impression that he's taking her the somewhere he acquired his gorgeous fangs. Unfortunately for her, she was right.
After crossing the portal, things get real. I don't want to give anything away, but lets just say that Imogen has enough enemies that things don't go exactly how she plans. Alice is in for quite the surprise, as is Rav and and Imogen. This little peak gave me a taste for the blood in Wonderland and I'm truly looking forward to the whole meal. 5 stars.

[Anorin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Rav as an ARC reader for Candace and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Though the level of spice was more than what I typically read/write, it was done very well and it didn't overpower the book's plot. Rather, it added to the characters and their dynamics. The story itself, however, was TOO SHORT. I need more. I need to know what happens to these characters and what really goes on in Wonderland's underground. Rav is equal parts gritty and gorgeous and you can't help but lose yourself in its imagery and imagination. I'm a sucker for multiple POV's and retellings and this Alice in Wonderland retelling checked so many boxes for me. I can't wait to see what happens in this mischievous story.

[Brindi Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like a fancy appetizer in the center of a large dinner plate at a swanky restaurant—a taunting little taste to let you know that something bigger and even more delicious is coming. I'm so, so excited to continue this series after reading Rav. For such a quick read, it was a great introduction to the world and characters without feeling forced or confusing. I'm really excited to have caught a glimpse of Maddie and Chess, as I know they've (spoiler alert) got their own stories coming, too! Chess, especially, seems like my kind of character. Also, I was NOT expecting the heat, but it hit, it hit hard, and I was there for it!!! The perfect bite to a cool, sexy new series crossing one of my favorite mythos (Alice in Wonderland) with (who doesn't love) vampires!!

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!!! This short story drew me in sooo quickly!! I am definitely going to need to read more of this vampire filled wonderland!! Robinson and Duell have set this series up to possibly top their Faeries in Oz series, and I was pretty sure that was impossible! Loved it and I’ll be on pins and needles waiting for more!!

[C. Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tantalizing and engrossing first look at the Vampires in Wonderland! I can't wait to see what happens next. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

[Mallory McCartney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another spicy and addictive story 🔥 Robinson and Duell write seamlessly together still, and fans of retellings won't want to miss this spin on wonderland

[Lizard And Wombat Romance Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lizard: 1⋆.
Wombat: 1⋆.
Overall: 1⋆.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally hate it when I only discover series years after they've been written. In this case I hate it a little bit that I discover this series now when there's only a prequel and a first book. I'm good at waiting for sequels, but this world is so much fun and I really can't wait to travel back and to explore other parts of Wonderland!

Mixing the world of Wonderland with the world of Vampires is quite brilliant. It makes the world maybe a little more brutal, apart from the queen of hearts who has always been brutal, but I think the original world is much more brutal than it sometimes seems too. It was nice to see a little more of the queen and her rabbit in this one.

This book is only very short and it was actually not the story I was expecting. It's really just adding a few scenes to the first book, giving us an idea how Alice was taken from our world, with what goal and how she eventually escaped the clutches of the queen. I think it doesn't make much sense to read it before reading the first book, but it's fun to read it after to get a little more time with these characters and in this world!

[Amy Friedentag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous introduction to this retelling of the Wonderland tale! It was actually quite genius of the authors with how they creatively included the addition of vampire lore and woven in the darker, twisted elements into an already whimsical land of quirky characters. Although this was just a prequel, I was immediately captured by the story as well as the correlation of these newly-visioned characters as they personified their names from the original, and the ominous world building and twisted plot that left me on the edge of my seat wanting more. I look forward to going down the rabbit hole to see how this cleverness unfolds in this brilliant and devious tale!

Listened on audio: My first listen by Eva Caine and her performance was excellent! Her ability to capture the personalities of the characters, as well as keep the overall pace/tone of the story throughout really made for a fantastic listening experience.

[masrybex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Juicy Taste of what we can look forward to in the first full length book, Maddie! Just as Duell and Robinson were able to give a fantastical Fae spin to the world of Oz, now they’ve given Wonderland, another childhood favourite world of mine, an adaptation with one of my favourite supernatural beings, vamps! The descriptions of both characters and setting are so immersive that even this tiny prequel will get you settled in their Wonderland immediately. Can not wait for Maddie!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a hard time with Vampires, but I love Wonderland, so I figured I would check this out.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed this short story rather a lot. I think vampires fits the mythos of Wonderland well and I am intrigued by where this story is going to go. The book was also less spicy than I imagined (though don't get it twisted there is still a bit of spice) but I think that worked to this story's advantage. After all, it's to set up the world, not just see how the king and queen bone.

I think I might have a good time with this series. We'll see how the first book goes. I'm really hoping my love of Wonderland and this worlds lore overcomes my dislike of vampires.

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short story, prequel. Rav a vampire in the human world looking for new servants meets Alice and brings her to wonderland to meet his mate the vampire queen of hearts. The story and idea is inventive and entertaining, well written and I look forward to reading and listening to more in this series. I want to know what happens next. Eva Caine does an excellent job bringing the characters to life. I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook and am leaving a honest voluntary review.

[Tabitha Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but brings so much

This was quick, but far from lacking. Thus is the build up of what happened right before the first book in the series Maddie starts off.

This gives a better look in to a few of the characters and some of those details to really set you up for a wonderful vivid adventure in to this truely unique version of wonderland.
It even gives you a little bit of spice.

[L.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the audiobook and the narrator did a nice job with different character voices, though the English accent was a little off. This is a brutally visceral story with dark, bold characters. Warning: do not listen to it via speaker (I had to roll up my car windows)! There are a lot of swears and some explicit scenes. But it's a quick read to introduce a series with an interesting vampiric twist on the Wizard of Oz.