It was a simple plan. Alice Montgomery has spent her entire life on the run from the mercenaries killing Wonderland royals. Still, years away from claiming her birthright, she follows through on a risky plan to trick them into thinking she's dead. Unfortunately, it works a little too well, and now she's trapped, haunting the old clockmaker's cottage.
Better late than never. Try telling that to the dead girl. Sebastian Ward doesn’t give a damn about the prophecy that says he’ll aid a princess in reclaiming her throne. He has better things to do, like making a name for himself as a kingdom-renowned ghost hunter. Dodging fate for years, his latest haunting brings him face to face with a ghost from the past.
With their paths on a collision course, Sebastian is forced to fulfill his part of the prophecy, triggering the mercenaries to continue their hunt. Embarking on a quest through a ruined kingdom where nothing is what it seems, Sebastian will have to decide whether guarding the last princess of Wonderland is worth losing the only thing he’s ever wanted, his freedom.
Author of paranormal romance with a fairytale twist. I'm currently writing a spin-off to the Ever Dark, Ever Deadly series that will release spring of 2025.
I also write paranormal rom-coms with the third book in the Witching You series coming out November 2025!
As a reader, I enjoy all things romance, especially paranormal and fantasy. My all-time favorite series is the Immortals After Dark by Kresley Cole. I also binge mysteries and thrillers, the spookier the better!
This last book in the series was actually the whole reason that I discovered this series in the first place. I was searching for Wonderland inspired stories and this book came up. However, I'm not gonna read a fifth book in the series without reading the other ones first. I enjoyed the first four books in the series immensely and I was therefore really excited that it was now time to finally dive into this Wonderland retelling.
Since the first four books in the series were rather loose retellings of their fairytales I was really curious what kind of story I was gonna get. Luckily the author did understand that you can't retell the story of Wonderland without creating some kind of Wonderland. The entire book was filled with elements of the original story and despite its weirdness it still very much fits into the world we've explored in the previous four books.
I also love that one of the main plot-lines of the Wonderland books, Alice trying to become Queen of Wonderland by completing trials, is also the main plot line of this book. And all the individual trials were inspired by the original tale. We've played croquet, a dangerous kind of it, but still. We visited a tea house and almost drowned. There was a maze. And of course a red rose had to be found among countless of white roses to defeat an evil Queen.
I have to admit that I was a little less invested in the relationship between Alice and Sebastian than I was in the relationships in the previous books. It's hard to explain why. There was more than enough banter between them. I also liked how they challenged each other, dared to ask help when needed and trusted each other to get things done. I just missed that little extra something that made the other four books stand out for me.
However, I will certainly keep an eye on this author and their future books!
Stick with me, this is a long review, but it was the last book so my final chance to ramble over this series.
So many tears at the end of this book. So sad my first reading of this series is over, I’m going to miss it. I had so much fun, and I highly recommend this series, and this book was such a great ending. Seeing the characters we followed in the other books as parents and as their development has fully taken over, was just so special to me.
This was an Alice in wonderland retelling which intrigued me so much because I love that story and anything to do with it to be honest. This retelling was executed brilliantly. The element of the trials was so fun.
There was a good build up in the beginning and the history was well thought out. The backstory is explained in the beginning and sets off the tone for the story. From what we were told, I could already tell this was going to be incredible. I would have liked this to be slightly longer and seen more of this backstory played out because it sounded really interesting, but it was still great and not necessarily needed for this book. But a prequel could be cool.
The story was intricate and whimsical. The wonderland setting was done well, and the plot line was adventurous and really interesting. I loved all the elements that were inspired from Alice in wonderland, such as the white rabbit shop and talk about impossible things. The evidently deeply thought out thought process behind these books really pays off. The trials were all so cool, and there were heart racing moments. The action was brilliant, and I couldn’t put it down. I was hooked on this story from the beginning.
Give me romance written by Jenna Collet and I will eat it up every time. I haven’t come across a romantic relationship that I didn’t like yet. Sebastian and Alice worked so well together. I really liked both characters individually too, which seems to be the usual thoughts for Collett characters. Alice was a strong female character, throughout the trials but also with what she went through and how she never wanted to give up finding out the truth. Sebatian put on an unbothered front of course and acted like love was just a weakness, until the girl had him falling. I mean ‘It was a bad idea. Horrible. Disastrous. I just didn’t care anymore. My mouth brushed over hers. Then she moaned in the back of her throat, and I wanted ruin’ bro shut tf up what a SCENE. He fit into what Alice needed and the childhood friends to lovers worked so well because of how well their characters suited each other. I found it really interesting how their story was built up from knowing each other to not remembering who each other were, and the trust that was built between them during the trials was developed really nicely. Also, loved the new side character, Shire, who was funny.
Overall, this series was a heart wrenching, emotional rollercoaster, and I just loved it so much. The atmosphere was done brilliantly, each book feeling so magical and fun yet being perfectly balanced with the dark undertones that suited the storyline. I could picture the scenes all so vividly due to the writing. The characters are all so well developed and create such a memorable series and the world is so fascinating. So yeah obviously, I highly recommend the ever dark, ever deadly series and am so excited for the new spin-off series.
—— currently on hold because i left my kindle at my nannys house couple days ago, and i am missing this book :(
This might have been my favorite of the five story series. I love alice in wonderland so that helped. But the storyline was so fun and I loved finding out how they interacted with the previous books.
I'm so sad this series is over! I'm going to miss this world Collett created for sure.
Now about Edge of Wonder – I'll start with the fact I love the title of the book. Ever since I read the epilogue of Wolfish Charms I was intrigued to read this book; and I was amazed by the title at that point too.
This twisted Wonderland wasn't as creepy as the real one was for me back when I was a child, and for me, that's a good thing. I could read the book with ease, but I do have to admit it missed some charm of the others. I think it's the fact we've seen a new power in each book. Sure Vivian's story was more focused on her time as an oracle, but I honestly wished for at least a side character to bring something new (like Isabella in Stranded and Spellbound, for example).
But in general, I do like the plot – fake death, Sebastian accidentally stumbling upon Alice's spirit, the challenges to become queen... It was interesting for sure, and the only thing I would've liked is for ending to be a bit more prolonged and dramatic. Let the Queen say some villain monologue at least, you know, or let us see some stuggle.
Lastly, about the characters – I sure though Alice was funny, but I think there was a missed opportunity to make her even funnier by making her struggle being human again at least for a little while and a little more. I was a bit disappointed by the fact she wakes up from ten-year-long death and just desperately wants a man though. And Sebastian, honestly – I was a bit bored of his will he, won't he, as Shire says, knowing very well he would. Out of the four I've seen, their love story was least interesting to me, truth to be told. I think it's their attitudes in the first place that bothers me, because their interations and the storyline were perfectly fine. Jokes on Alice's death were top tier.
Of course, I loved to see reprise of old characters, especially my favourite witch, Tessa.
To sum it all up, I thought it was a fun read, and I didn't dread the Wonderland. It was a nice ending of the series, but I'm sad I'll be left to wonder about that frog situation...
Edge of Wonder by Jenna Collett | Book 5 in the Ever Dark, Ever Deadly
📚: Ebook- avalible on KU 📚: Fairytale Retelling (Alice in Wonderland) 📚: mystery, riddles, puzzles, destiny, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, ghosts, body guard, 1 bed trope, jealous MMC, touch her and you 💀 no 3rd act break up ⭐️: 4 & 1/2 🌶: 2
I have been a big fan of Alice in Wonderland for ages, with it being a comfort movie of mine and I have never read a retelling of it and Jenna absouletey smashed it 😍
I love the hints which are scattered all through the book, which reference the Alice in Wonderland & Alice through the Looking Glass books 📚 & movies 🎬
So this book is set a while after the other ones... as I believe chapter 1 is over 8 years since the ending of book 2 (book 2 epilogue is 8 years later and I believe this to be after that) and than chapter 2, jumps another 10 years into the future.
Some of my fav pages & pages which had me staring at the book in shock 😨:
🐰 The first 20 ish per cent of the book is slow and a little bit of a mystery, which takes a bit to get your head around but it's worth it in the end... but than it picks up and becomes a fast pace book, which keeps you wondering what's down the rabbit hole 😉 🐰 page 51 & 52 gave me goosebumps 🐰 page 59 gave me sleeping beauty/snow white vibes 🐰 page 61, Tessa always knows how to make an entrance 🐰 page 73, pls 🙏 tell me that Jamie gets her own book in the Curse of Ever series 🐰 page 75 & 78, Alice is 100000% a mood 🐰 page 101 - Shire gives me chesire cat vibes 🐰 page 112 - Alice is a whole mood and is me 🍪🧀 🐰 page 121 - cue Just Like Fire by @pink 🐰 page 125 - I love the references to the movies 🐰 page 129 - Peter pan 🧚♀️ 🐰 The mad hatter reminds me of Johnny's Deeps version just more evil 😈 🐰 page 181 - 💔 🐰 page 204 - I honestly did not see that plot twist coming~ but i knew he couldn't be trusted 🐰page 208 ~ I feel like Peter's going to have his own book in Curse of Ever series 🐰 page 223 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
It gives me slight *I am number four* vibes by Pittcus Lore (the body guard theme) x *Throne of Glass* by Sarah J Mass vibes Or *Vardesia* by Lynette Noni (the challenges)
I don't usually read Alice in Wonderland retellings but this was delightful! I loved everything about it, how Alice and Sebastian met and how they helped each other! And it was wonderful to see Vivian Argus, and Tess, who started the whole series, appearing at the end. I'm going to think about this series for a long time.
Sebastian was a cocky bastard and I loved him. I was disappointed to see how much pressure Vivian and Argus put on him as a child, but they only wanted what's best for him and it's clear how much they love him. Tessa's disappointment in his choices was hilarious.
ALICE. I LOVE HER, SHE'S AWESOME. Poor girl, I was really hoping she would get her happy ending and I'm glad it happened.
The entire Wonderland was interesting, though I was disappointed by the confrontation against the Queen. I was hoping it would be more drawn out. But it was still a good book.
I hope we'll get a new book for this series soon but if we don't, it was a nice ending to the whole series, with everyone at the end happy and alive.
Omg, THIS BOOK!!! When you read this, give yourself time to read in 1-2 sittings because it is just action packed adventure from page 1 that keeps you invested and on your toes!!! SEBASTIAN AND ALICE AHHH!! 😍🙌🏼 Alice is fierce and strong I love it!!! Sebastian is 🥵🥵 so hot (he is his fathers son soooo not surprised I love him lol)
Omg this one was so amazing! It had a different vibe from the others because it was more intense, adventurous, and action happening every chapter! I loved this story so much!!
Also, side character Shire, LOVE HER!!! She's hilarious!!!
This made me want to rewatch Alice in Wonderland now it's been forever since I have! Brought back memories. This book was just so damn good!
This series has my entire heart ❤️ Every book, I laughed, I squealed, I got pissed (at the men ofc lol smh), I squealed more, I cried, I smiled, I was beaming happy. ALL THE FEELS FROM THIS SERIES!!! I cannot recommend it enough. It is my forever favorite 🥹🥰❤️
I always think I've found my favorite Ever Dark, Ever Deadly book then Jenna Collett releases a new book, and it starts all over again! Edge of Wonder did a fantastic job showing how sometimes running away leads to exactly the right place.
Sebastian and Alice had chemistry from that first haunt, and I loved every minute of their banter, their romance, and just everything about them. Her version of Wonderland was also a favorite of mine. It was scary, dark, yet still had a fun and whimsical side! From Hatter's absurdities to the Cheshire Cat as a ghostly adviser, part of me wanted to stay forever in Wonderland.
I have loved this whole series of interconnected medieval-noir style retellings, and this was by far the best one. While it would be beneficial to read the others first, this could probably be read as a standalone. It was interesting having it jump to the next generation of characters with Sebastian being the son of some of the earlier main characters. Like the previous books, this is mainly a retelling of one story (Alice in Wonderland) with elements of another thrown in (Sleeping Beauty). The two meshed together really well, and the characters were all great, including side characters like Shire, and the plot was gripping and fast-paced.
I love a retelling and this Alice in Wonderland based story didn’t let me down at all , I really enjoyed the story, our main couple Alice and Sebastien were fabulous , I loved the banter, the chemistry they were just fab ! I loved the fact that the setting of Wonderland wasn’t cutesy, it was dark and scary, but still had a sense of whimsy and humour. This was a great introduction to the series and now I’m off for more to read by Jenna
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I have never read an Alice in Wonderland retelling, but this one is amazing! I love all the details the author worked in from the original story, but with a very creative twist. The MMC is a handsome and famous ghost hunter who has been running for 10 years from the destiny his mom, a seer, foretold. The FMC was put in a deep sleep to protect her and has been waiting 10 year to be awoken. There has adventure, suspense, romance, and magic! You could easily read this as a standalone.
💋 Kisses Only 🫑-🫑🫑🫑 Steamy/Closed Door 🌶️-🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spicy/Open Door
Ok, I loved book 1, it got me to read the rest of the books, but this one might be my favourite. Not usually one to dive into Alice in Wonderland stories, this one was awesome. Alice was sweet and funny and Sebastian was just the right amount of arrogant mixed with caring. I wish we'd gotten to see a bit more of the family at the end, but I loved the ghost aspect and Wonderland itself was the perfect amount of odd without being too much.
Sebastian and Alice! Oh mylanta. This Alice in Wonderland retelling had all the vibes - mystery, reluctant heroes, possessive MMC, one bed, a marvelous journey to reclaim lives. But the main characters - man, Jenna has a way of writing these incredibly relatable characters with flaws and quirks that just make you fall in love with them.
Simply put - you should read this whole series. Full stop.
This was definitely a cross between Alice in Wonderland meets the Hunger Games with a hint of Ghost Hunters. Sounds strange but what isn’t when you go to Wonderland. The twists in this story kept me glued to the pages. And the spicy bits got even spicier. This book series is worth diving into. I can’t wait to see what the author does next!
I loved this entire series! This was a take on Alice in Wonderland story. The author really did a wonderful job incorporating previous characters and building their relationship all together! I would read this series a 2nd time!
I have really enjoyed this series. Edge of Wonder captured my attention and kept me glued to my kindle. Sebastian and Alice are intriguing characters, and I love how Alice does what she thinks is the right thing to do in spite of fear. Sebastian fights destiny but also does what needs to be done.
I love Alice in Wonderland retellings and this one was delightful. I loved Alice being a ghost and her sassiness. Sebastian annoyed me a little but I still loved him
This was by far my least favorite. As a whole the other books in this series allude to certain fairytales combining and I was loving the subtle nods. This one, however, has Alice in Wonderland thrown up all over it. It felt less original and the chemistry was lacking between the two mcs to me. Alice was a Mary Sue, and Sebastian is angstily rebelling against his parents/fate by leaving a girl imprisoned. She’s cool just going along with whatever mood Sebastian is in that day, and he turns hot and cold every ten minutes. Per usual there is only one spice scene that isn’t so spicy, but I didn’t even care bc I didn’t like them as a couple to begin with. Honestly could have gone without this one.
I enjoyed the mash of storylines added to the last story in this series. There was one page of spice, that I skipped & could have done without. I liked the play on words this author takes when writing fairytale retellings & this one was no exception. It felt like a Hunger Games meet chose one story & the evil little twist at the end, was quite fun. I’m sad the series is over, but I’m glad to have read it. Plus I own all the books, so I shall be re-reading them in the future!