Chess

Vampires in Wonderland #2

by Candace Robinson, Amber R. Duell

He’s a villainous prince. She’s a virtuous queen. Their despise for one another will ignite desire.

Chess has been the Queen of Heart’s perfect, devious son all his life. With Wonderland as his playground, he revels in consuming blood and pleasuring lovers in his bed. That is, until he’s blamed for his mother’s death and a price is put on his head.

Ever has been in hiding for years, biding her time until she can reclaim the Ivory kingdom. Until she can drive a blade through the heart of the cruel prince who once tried to murder her.

With a mutual enemy hunting them both, Chess offers Ever a bargain, one she has no choice but to agree to.

A bargain neither can keep.

Chess is the second book in this companion series of sizzling romance, enemies to lovers, and sexy vampires.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Vampires, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tales

236 pages, ebook

First published September 28, 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]

Chess it the latest book in the Vampires of Wonderland series written by Candace Robinson and Amber R. Duell. For fans of the Alice in Wonderland books and blood thirty vampires, this is a perfect series... combining the talents of two talented authors who can co-write stories seamlessly while bringing a thoroughly imaginative and intriguing set of characters to life. Chess and Ever are the stars of this romance, but it's not that simple. Someone murdered his mother, and Ever knows who and why. But he's also done some terrible things to Ever's family. She's the virgin queen, yet he's the first man to make her want to relinquish the title. As they move between regular time on Earth and the magical Wonderland towns of Scarlet and Ivory, so many truths come to light. Once I started reading this one, I couldn't put it down. It's been a while since I read the first in series and was glad the authors took a few moments, spread appropriately throughout this book, to remind us of what happened in this series to date. Brief visits from Maddie and Mouse, two other memorable characters, make the story pop even more... but it's Rave from book 1 who has the most dramatic re-entrance and exit. I won't give away spoilers, but so much changes in this installment. Willingly giving yourself to a cause and to the one you love is paramount to success in this dazzling world. Definitely a beautiful creation not to miss, and I'm excited for the third and final book when it's released in 2023.

[Candace Robinson]

Vampires? Check! Wonderland? Check! Enemies to lovers? Check! The Cheshire Cat and the White Queen? Check! Spicy romance? Check! Check! Check!

[Elle Beaumont]

Seductive and bloody fun! Take me to Wonderland!

[C. Lewis]

This story was truly an engaging one. I loved the enemies to lovers concept and found that the unforgivable act that made them enemies so deep and definitely something no one would be able to come back from to be a key focus of the story. It took it to a whole other level and how the authors handled it was masterfully done. Love truly does conquer all. Throw in some vampires and enough spice to season an entire meal and you got yourself an engaging story that is hard to turn away from. I can't wait for the next installment in this inventive series!

[Amber Hodges]

I absolutely love this series and this book! Chess is definitely a favorite book boyfriend of mine and I was sad when it ended because I wanted to follow them even more. They authors do such a good job to suck you into the pages and hold you hostage even after you finish. There is so much depth in the characters and the spicy bits are done well. I cant wait to continue on with this series.

[Scarlett (Carrie)]

Perfectly seductive and dark! Another great hit!

[Donna’s Escape]

My favorite, so far!!

Oh my goodness!!!!!!
I loved Maddie and Noah’s story, but Chess and Ever’s was my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!! These Vampires of Wonderland are freaking HOT!!!

This was so spicy!!! Chess and Ever start out as complete, “rip off his head” and “rip out her heart” enemies. But they are forced together in order to take down Rav. The slow, gradual way they fell in love is totally swoon worthy. But leading up to it became so spicy and yummy. This is definitely my favorite couple, so far, in Wonderland.

I’m looking forward to Ferris and Maddie’s story next!! If you love dark vampire stories, romance, but especially hot and spicy scenes, you will LOVE this series!!!

[Imaan Jumat]

One of my favorite tropes; is the cocky, shamelessly flirty, self-assured playboy who is also unintentionally the comedic relief, paired with the girl who is trying very hard not to let herself be charmed by him.

The easiest way to describe Chess’s character is that he reminded me very strongly of Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries, which meant I was already predisposed to enjoy him far more than I probably should have.

Unfortunately, I seem to be cursed with an impressive talent for reading series in the wrong order, because here I am once again, having somehow picked up the second book in the series first.

And while I wouldn’t say I was entirely lost, I will say that there were certain dynamics, pieces of lore, and story developments that I had clearly missed, and I couldn't help but think that knowing them beforehand would have made this reading experience stronger.

This story is a sort of Alice in Wonderland retelling, although I feel I should admit that I have never actually read or watched Alice in Wonderland, so I can’t say how close this is to the source material. For me, it didn’t feel like a retelling so much as it felt like a telling. I could tell there were references I was supposed to recognize, parallels I was supposed to appreciate, and symbolism I was probably missing entirely.

That said, I am fairly confident in saying that Alice in Wonderland did not involve vampires.
This book does.
And honestly, I’m not mad about it. Vampires always make books better, and this story was no exception.

I do think my rating might have been higher if I had read the first book beforehand. The plot would likely have felt tighter, the worldbuilding clearer, and the character relationships more meaningful instead of slightly out of reach.

Alas, this book was still enjoyable, entertaining, and fun, but also a reminder that reading the second book first is a habit I really need to break.

[Caytlyn Brooke]

What a fantastic and fun sequel in the vampires of Wonderland series! This story follows Ever and Chess and was the perfect enemies to lovers with so much delicious tension!

[Shia]

LOVED IT!

Chess and Ever’s relationship was so perfect! Fiery and witty and funny - I loved every morsel of it and wanted more! The plot also thickens with the aftermath of Maddie’s crucial moment from book 1 of the series and we dove deeper into the mysteries of this family drama. I felt as betrayed as Ever with her friend’s betrayal and cried as hard as she did when she in turn killed them. Candace and Amber know how to pull at your heart and get it pumping! Absolutely loved this and am diving into the next book immediately!

[Teresa Yea]

So fun, dark, and spicy. An enemies to lovers romance with plenty of sultry moments, and need I say it? Vampires? What's not to love? Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and the authors do not disappoint. Chess and Ever have plenty to despise each other about but that's what makes their relationship so electrifying. The sparks sizzle, ya'll! Need more now!

[Marianne]

Amazing and intense vampire romance.. I liked it so much! Steamy hot and suspenseful..

[Ilona Nurmela]

Fabulous 2nd instalment of Robinson’s vampy & spicy Oz retelling, loved it!

In Maddie, Chess sounded like an ass with a good reason behind his villain story. Here, in book 2, after the murder of his mother, the Red Queen, his backstory is revealed in all its gory glory. I loved Chess finding his feet as he was around Ever, the White Queen. They were really quite sweet. Trust 2 snarky vamps to have innuendo conversations (slightly more lewd on Chess’ side) and go from enemies to lovers is a blink of an eye. So, expect spice. I loved what the author did with the Cheshire cat (ergo Chess) from the original Alice tale - the grinning and hair and sneakyness were clearly recognizable. And the cliffhanger with Mouse - I need to go read book 3 right now!

Recommended for lovers of Sarah J. Maas, dark and spicy vampire fantasy and dark Oz retellings.

[Angela]

chess

The Cheshire Cat is actually my favorite Alice in wonderland character and it just so happens this is my favorite book in the whole series (I wrote this review after reading entire series). Chess and the Ivory Queen. I knew from the first two books these two would end up together. I enjoyed this series and will be continuing with more of their books.

[Cassie Marks]

If you like enemies to lovers, this will be your cup of tea. Seeing how Chess got to be the villain he was, and then watching him start to think for himself and grow as a person was enjoyable. I love the take on the white Queen, and this was a fun twist to the characters seen in the past.

[Siobhan D]

I enjoyed the narration of Eva Caine

We find out why Chess is the way he is and what made him a villain. The white queen character is a great one to listen to. With this book has great fun twists, enemies to lovers.

[Ann]

The adventure continues in this book. Ever returned to Scarlett. She and Chess have a connection that cannot be denied. This book is fast paced and action-packed. Eva Caine is perfect for this series as the narrator.

[Katt]

Obsessed with this series! Love a retelling and new take on beloved characters. Plus, the spice is nice😅😉
Can't wait to start the next, I also love this author! Reading her take on Dorthoy/Oz great series, also check it out!

[Mandy Sawyer]

Yet another great spin on wonderland. These characters are all grown up and know what they want. There’s no holding back with a ruthless storyline. A fantastic performance.

[audiobook_chaos]

AUDIOBOOK
With Ever and Chess working together to overthrow Rav and get to the bottom of who killed his mother things don’t turn out as they both expect .

[Rye]

I loved this even more than the first one!! It was a true enemies to lovers and I could not put it down!!

[꧁Brutally Honest꧂]

Virgin FC playboy slut MC

[Mar]

3.5 stars rounded up

I didn’t like this one as much as the first, but it was still good! I think it was just a little slow, so I found myself procrastinating on picking it up.

[Dumpster Goblin]

Cute lil enemies to lovers

[Jenn.]

Read as audiobook borrowed from Hoopla. Excellent narration.

Another entertaining continuation in the series. Unexpected twists & turns with an anticipated happy ending. Onward to the next.

[Krystle Krystlesbookclub]

I truly don't know if I'm enjoying this series or not. It's ok but I find myself zoning out while listening to it. It's almost unnecessarily smutty at time but it's a fun story.

[Sky P]

Another fun and enjoyable installment of this intense, enemies to lovers, dark vampire romance.

[Kristi Shearer]

I loved this book so much

[mia]

*3.5

[SD]

I knew from the instant Chess stepped onto the page in "Maddie" that I was gonna be SUPER pumped for his book!! Just what I love--the morally grey male character who pretends not to have emotions because they've been traumatized in the past.

And honestly, he DIDN'T disappoint!! We even got a couple great emotionally vulnerable scenes, one of which where he cries on Ever's shoulder, and a few emotional declarations and vulnerable moments later on in the book, as well.

I also really loved their relationship and the pairing trope of "manwhore falls head over heels in love with long-time virgin" (if written well, it's sooooo good! which it was, here!). And they're both emotionally stunted, so it was lovely to see them (emotionally) grow TOGETHER!! woo!

Also, this book is again as horny and PWP (as AO3 says) as the novella and book 1. And that was absolutely Delightful to me as a purveyor of Adult Romance!

Why I rated this book DOWN a star however:
1) How the authors poorly used a Black male character as a foil to Chess/as a failed love interest of Ever's. It could have been done okay (this situation will never be done well given the race dynamics) and it was...not. Really *not thrilled* how they made him not only have one-sided love for Ever, but also be so jealous of her endgame romantic relationship that he destroys their friendship and tries to capture/kill Chess and hurt Ever, actions which then lead to his death?? and also, he ASKS Ever to kill him (which she does)??? If the male characters (both March and Chess) both had been Black, or both white, it would have been less cringe-y (but still cringe-y bc i HATE the "scorned lover"/"scorned one-sided love interest" trope!!). But to do that to a Black character when the endgame male love interest is white??? oooof, this felt racist. It was Yikesy. I would've down-rated this book a lot more had I not really liked it otherwise.

2) the ending felt very abrupt. I would've loved to see their HEA and their future life more? Maybe it would have happened (& the ending less abrupt) if they were the last book and not the middle book (in terms of plot to go) in the series...


*Note trigger warnings to keep in mind for this book: as with the 1st book, lots of graphic violence and graphic murder (if you can't handle decapitations, this book is Not for you), vampire blood sucking (hopefully this one was obvious), ?assisted suicide? (one of the main characters helps another character die as per their request), mentioned past familial abuse (to Chess), plenty of swearing (this should come with the Adult book territory and I didn't mind it, but just a forewarning to others who don't like seeing the f-word and s-word a lot).