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Alice: Pick a Card #5
Alice in the Joker's Last Laugh
Once upon a time, there was a girl in a magical world who longed to go home…
That girl was me.
I thought going home would solve all of my problems, but I was proven wrong when I was forced through the Jabberwock’s looking glass against my will. Trapped in Oxford, I was made to watch as the one I loved and everything I knew turned to stone.
But I was never one to stay where I belong, nor listen to others’ warnings, so I returned, only to be thrown into a world of disarray.
Chess is threatening war, the Kingdom of Hearts has been drained of color, and the one true heir to the throne of Cards is missing. At the same time, the man behind it all, my husband, sits gloating with a title that was never meant to be his, surrounded by a parade of Alice look-alikes. The secrets he holds could lead to Wonderland’s damnation…
But in the end, it is I who holds all the cards.
That girl was me.
I thought going home would solve all of my problems, but I was proven wrong when I was forced through the Jabberwock’s looking glass against my will. Trapped in Oxford, I was made to watch as the one I loved and everything I knew turned to stone.
But I was never one to stay where I belong, nor listen to others’ warnings, so I returned, only to be thrown into a world of disarray.
Chess is threatening war, the Kingdom of Hearts has been drained of color, and the one true heir to the throne of Cards is missing. At the same time, the man behind it all, my husband, sits gloating with a title that was never meant to be his, surrounded by a parade of Alice look-alikes. The secrets he holds could lead to Wonderland’s damnation…
But in the end, it is I who holds all the cards.
- GenresRetellings
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2022
13 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 20, 2023
This series through Wonderland with Alice has been such a fun and wild ride! I’ve been so fortunate to be gifted with review copies of each book in the series, and it’s quite bittersweet to me that it’s finally come to an end.
Before we get started, here are the links to my reviews for the first four books in the series:
Book 1: Alice in the Land of Clovers
Book 2: Alice in the City of Diamonds
Book 3: Alice in the Palace of Spades
Book 4: Alice in the Prison of Hearts
And without further ado, let’s find out who got the last laugh in the series finale!
What I liked about the book:
1. After all the speculation of book 4 and B.A. Lovejoy being taken aback by reader’s enthusiasm over Kaeden Hart, I was quite happy with this ending. I won’t say much more than that, but I will leave you with this: everything and everyone ended where it was supposed to.
2. I loved how much of Alice in the real world we got to see, and just how much Wonderland has impacted her. For someone who was adamant about going home, she really didn’t fit in when she got there.
I also loved how TERRIBLE Peter was. I was legit worried about her fancying him in book 1, and I’m glad the author rid him of all redeeming characteristics finally.
3. I liked how the author left the ending up for spinoffs/returns to Wonderland. I’m really hopeful that we will get to see other stories in Wonderland, featuring different main characters, but with potential pop ins from our original favorites.
4. Let’s talk about those covers. I don’t feel I’ve appreciated them enough in my past reviews, but these covers are the things of book hoarders’ dreams. They are pretty, they have the style down pat while throwing in enough details specific to the book the cover is referencing, and they are just plain intriguing. These are the types of books you buy for the cover so your bookshelf looks gorgeous.
5. Like the past books, I loved the political events that took place and those that we still haven’t seen finished by the end of the book. Further evidence that we need spinoffs! I also really enjoyed getting more insight into the history of Wonderland. The history has been so artfully crafted throughout this series and it’s quite well done.
6. In typical B.A. Lovejoy fashion, there were several lines I LOVED:
—
Not really a tough choice for me either…
—
Like mother like daughter???
—
And this was the moment that Alice finally grew up!
—
This is basically me every day of my life 🤷🏼♀️
What could have been better:
1. My biggest gripe in this book, and really all of them looking back, is it seems like the author wrote a whole story and then decided where to break it up into chunks.
The good part of this is it’s cohesive as hell. It picks up right where it left off in the previous book and it really sucks you back in quickly.
The bad part of this is it doesn’t work well if you don’t toss the reader bones back to the previous books. There were several times I had to go read my highlights from the previous four books just to understand what the hell was going on or what people were referring to. For such a long series, I would have appreciated more throwbacks/nods to things previously established in prior books so I didn’t have to do this.
2. Alice’s mother had a much bigger role in Wonderland than we originally anticipated, and I’m sad we didn’t get to learn more about it. I felt we were really teased with her backstory and then it never got fleshed out.
3. THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH KAEDEN HART!
Final Thoughts:
This was a good end to a great series.
Final Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to Booksirens and B.A. Lovejoy for the opportunity to read this book. The opinions expressed above are my own, honest opinions.
Before we get started, here are the links to my reviews for the first four books in the series:
Book 1: Alice in the Land of Clovers
Book 2: Alice in the City of Diamonds
Book 3: Alice in the Palace of Spades
Book 4: Alice in the Prison of Hearts
And without further ado, let’s find out who got the last laugh in the series finale!
What I liked about the book:
1. After all the speculation of book 4 and B.A. Lovejoy being taken aback by reader’s enthusiasm over Kaeden Hart, I was quite happy with this ending. I won’t say much more than that, but I will leave you with this: everything and everyone ended where it was supposed to.
2. I loved how much of Alice in the real world we got to see, and just how much Wonderland has impacted her. For someone who was adamant about going home, she really didn’t fit in when she got there.
I also loved how TERRIBLE Peter was. I was legit worried about her fancying him in book 1, and I’m glad the author rid him of all redeeming characteristics finally.
3. I liked how the author left the ending up for spinoffs/returns to Wonderland. I’m really hopeful that we will get to see other stories in Wonderland, featuring different main characters, but with potential pop ins from our original favorites.
4. Let’s talk about those covers. I don’t feel I’ve appreciated them enough in my past reviews, but these covers are the things of book hoarders’ dreams. They are pretty, they have the style down pat while throwing in enough details specific to the book the cover is referencing, and they are just plain intriguing. These are the types of books you buy for the cover so your bookshelf looks gorgeous.
5. Like the past books, I loved the political events that took place and those that we still haven’t seen finished by the end of the book. Further evidence that we need spinoffs! I also really enjoyed getting more insight into the history of Wonderland. The history has been so artfully crafted throughout this series and it’s quite well done.
6. In typical B.A. Lovejoy fashion, there were several lines I LOVED:
“I was fairly certain that if I had stopped thinking, then everything would have been easier. Stupid people were very often the happiest of people…To be stupid was truly a gift, one which I wished most vehemently that I could receive. Unfortunately, I wasn’t smart enough to be stupid.”
—
“My grandmother had been a housewife, my mother too, and my sister was a housewife; and if they had their way, I would be a housewife as well…Which was why Wonderland was so captivating, because I had been more there. A clock repairer, an almost-dragon slayer, a noble, and a prisoner. That was far more lives than a woman could have expected to live in England.”
Not really a tough choice for me either…
—
“But I liked Reginald better, because he was far softer than Cornelius, and far kinder; one should never underestimate the appeal of a quiet man.”
Like mother like daughter???
—
“The echoing realization that for every action and inaction, for every choice that I had blindly made and for every decision that I had blindly rushed into, there was a cost, even if it not my cost to pay.”
And this was the moment that Alice finally grew up!
—
“ ‘I am a delight,’ I proclaimed, knowing that I very well was not.”
This is basically me every day of my life 🤷🏼♀️
What could have been better:
1. My biggest gripe in this book, and really all of them looking back, is it seems like the author wrote a whole story and then decided where to break it up into chunks.
The good part of this is it’s cohesive as hell. It picks up right where it left off in the previous book and it really sucks you back in quickly.
The bad part of this is it doesn’t work well if you don’t toss the reader bones back to the previous books. There were several times I had to go read my highlights from the previous four books just to understand what the hell was going on or what people were referring to. For such a long series, I would have appreciated more throwbacks/nods to things previously established in prior books so I didn’t have to do this.
2. Alice’s mother had a much bigger role in Wonderland than we originally anticipated, and I’m sad we didn’t get to learn more about it. I felt we were really teased with her backstory and then it never got fleshed out.
3. THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH KAEDEN HART!
Final Thoughts:
This was a good end to a great series.
Final Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to Booksirens and B.A. Lovejoy for the opportunity to read this book. The opinions expressed above are my own, honest opinions.
July 13, 2024
I was so worried to read the last book as the 4th seemed to be rather a disappointment for me, but this on was way better and I'm so glad!
Really liked the more tense and darker aspects in this one, as we don't have until the end any happy moments. Even the Cheshire cat was acting off.
Now we come to characters and their relationship. I was satisfy with how we get to know a new side of Claude before the book ended. Especially satisfied how all things turned out with Fitz. And how Alice stopped fighting with him.
I also really liked the end with the infamous riddle and the beginning of the epilogue as it reminded me of myself when I was younger. Even if I was satisfied with an ending, I always liked to make up a new one in my head. And I also liked how the ending was actually having closure and we can all rest in peace with it. All questions were answered and I feel satisfied with it.
13. July 2024
Really liked the more tense and darker aspects in this one, as we don't have until the end any happy moments. Even the Cheshire cat was acting off.
Now we come to characters and their relationship. I was satisfy with how we get to know a new side of Claude before the book ended. Especially satisfied how all things turned out with Fitz. And how Alice stopped fighting with him.
I also really liked the end with the infamous riddle and the beginning of the epilogue as it reminded me of myself when I was younger. Even if I was satisfied with an ending, I always liked to make up a new one in my head. And I also liked how the ending was actually having closure and we can all rest in peace with it. All questions were answered and I feel satisfied with it.
13. July 2024
February 5, 2023
I can't say I enjoy reading these books (the books from this series). For the most part, I'm bored and irritated with the writing style and Alice's constant whining and complaining, however, to say that I'm not hooked would be a lie. Somehow, I've latched onto these stories and for whatever reason I find myself fan girling really hard even though the the stories are mostly not that great (majority of the time).
This one was probably my least favourite. 75% of the novel was spent dragging through Alice's complaints about her situation and the ending came so abruptly, the exciting part of the novel completely rushed. This book had the potential to be really good if it was paced better. The pacing was just all wrong, with the dragging in the beginning and the swift, less than satisfying ending. Mostly, I was disappointed Kaeden only featured in the last chapter or two of the book and even then, he was such a minuscule feature. He is the best part of these books for me and his non-existence just left me little more than unsatisfied.
That said, the series as a whole had some really good parts and I can see it making a really good screen adaptation. Despite this less than stellar addition to the series, I do like the books and the whole fantasy retelling. Wasn't the greatest but definitely something I didn't regret reading. Thank you to book sirens for this e-arc in exhange for an honest review.
This one was probably my least favourite. 75% of the novel was spent dragging through Alice's complaints about her situation and the ending came so abruptly, the exciting part of the novel completely rushed. This book had the potential to be really good if it was paced better. The pacing was just all wrong, with the dragging in the beginning and the swift, less than satisfying ending. Mostly, I was disappointed Kaeden only featured in the last chapter or two of the book and even then, he was such a minuscule feature. He is the best part of these books for me and his non-existence just left me little more than unsatisfied.
That said, the series as a whole had some really good parts and I can see it making a really good screen adaptation. Despite this less than stellar addition to the series, I do like the books and the whole fantasy retelling. Wasn't the greatest but definitely something I didn't regret reading. Thank you to book sirens for this e-arc in exhange for an honest review.
January 9, 2023
This novel was a good conclusion for a great story !
After being sent back to Oxford, Alice finally realizes that her place is in Wonderland and desperately tries to get back to it. However, the state she left this world in is completely horrifying with the Joker in control of it all.
I enjoyed this last volume immensely and I really appreciated going back to this world. As usual, the author wrote a really compelling novel and as a fan of Lewis Caroll, it was really great to read all the references to the original Alice she put in. I particularly appreciated the ending and I really liked that last reference. This novel felt like a goodbye through and through and I regret to not have had more heart throbbing moments. But still it was great.
I have been saying it in all my previous reviews but I will say it again: this series is really worth it! Fans of the genre, don't hesitate, it will surely become a favourite of yours.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
After being sent back to Oxford, Alice finally realizes that her place is in Wonderland and desperately tries to get back to it. However, the state she left this world in is completely horrifying with the Joker in control of it all.
I enjoyed this last volume immensely and I really appreciated going back to this world. As usual, the author wrote a really compelling novel and as a fan of Lewis Caroll, it was really great to read all the references to the original Alice she put in. I particularly appreciated the ending and I really liked that last reference. This novel felt like a goodbye through and through and I regret to not have had more heart throbbing moments. But still it was great.
I have been saying it in all my previous reviews but I will say it again: this series is really worth it! Fans of the genre, don't hesitate, it will surely become a favourite of yours.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 25, 2024
The book explores themes such as the nature of insanity, the thin line between reality and illusion, and the power of choice in the face of chaos. It delves into Alice's struggle to maintain her sense of self in a world designed to unnerve and unsettle her, reflecting broader questions about identity and sanity.
"Alice in the Joker's Last Laugh" is a bold and imaginative crossover that successfully merges the whimsical absurdity of *Alice in Wonderland* with the dark, unpredictable world of Gotham. B.A. Lovejoy’s writing is engaging, and the novel’s unpredictable twists and turns keep the reader on edge throughout.
This book is recommended for readers who enjoy dark fantasy, psychological thrillers, and reimagined classics. It’s a novel that pushes the boundaries of familiar narratives, offering a fresh and thrilling experience for fans of Alice
"Alice in the Joker's Last Laugh" is a bold and imaginative crossover that successfully merges the whimsical absurdity of *Alice in Wonderland* with the dark, unpredictable world of Gotham. B.A. Lovejoy’s writing is engaging, and the novel’s unpredictable twists and turns keep the reader on edge throughout.
This book is recommended for readers who enjoy dark fantasy, psychological thrillers, and reimagined classics. It’s a novel that pushes the boundaries of familiar narratives, offering a fresh and thrilling experience for fans of Alice
January 6, 2023
I had to take a minute to process the book after finishing, it was SO good!
Not only was The Joker’s Last Laugh a great ending to a wonderful series, the actual ending was such a nice touch and a perfect tribute/call back to Carroll’s Adventures in Wonderland that I was left with a bright smile and tears in my eyes. I loved it so much!🥰
I honestly can’t recommend this series enough to anyone, and I actively recommend it at any opportunity I can!
I hope Lovejoy continues her own adventures in Wonderland one day so that we can see these characters we’ve grown to love again in some more adventures!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, but I also bought a paperback to own too as I loved it so much!!
Not only was The Joker’s Last Laugh a great ending to a wonderful series, the actual ending was such a nice touch and a perfect tribute/call back to Carroll’s Adventures in Wonderland that I was left with a bright smile and tears in my eyes. I loved it so much!🥰
I honestly can’t recommend this series enough to anyone, and I actively recommend it at any opportunity I can!
I hope Lovejoy continues her own adventures in Wonderland one day so that we can see these characters we’ve grown to love again in some more adventures!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, but I also bought a paperback to own too as I loved it so much!!
February 13, 2023
This is the last book of the Alice Pick a Card Series. I really enjoyed this series and found a link at the end of the book where the author has prologues on the different kings on the blog. They were also an interesting read.
In this book, now that Alice has finally gotten to go home all she wants to do is return to Wonderland. I can t say I blame her. Although she made quite a mistake at the end of the last book she really does belong in Wonderland. Luckily, she does find her way back. I won’t spoil things and tell you how or what happens.
If you have read the previous books in the series then you must read this book. I can tell you that I was very pleased with how the series ended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In this book, now that Alice has finally gotten to go home all she wants to do is return to Wonderland. I can t say I blame her. Although she made quite a mistake at the end of the last book she really does belong in Wonderland. Luckily, she does find her way back. I won’t spoil things and tell you how or what happens.
If you have read the previous books in the series then you must read this book. I can tell you that I was very pleased with how the series ended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 3, 2024
This entire series as a whole I really really thoroughly enjoyed but couldn’t in good faith give them 5 stars because the number of grammatical errors and typos were really irking me. I also wish that we got to see the demise of Thomas properly play out because eff that man, just could not stand him!! Overall though loved the premise and how not an awful lot is left unresolved. I am however heartbroken that I’ve finished because the premise of an Alice in Wonderland based series filled my heart with joy & I’m very grateful for finding the first one during a stuff your kindle day leading to immediately devouring the rest
March 31, 2023
What an ending! Admittedly, this book got off to a slow start, and the first quarter is not what you'd expect from the earlier books in the series. However, it picks up when Alice returns to Wonderland, only to find that a lot of things have changed, and not for the better. Readers will be on the edge of their seat waiting to see if Alice can return Wonderland to it's former glory or if it will all be ruined by the King of Cards. A satisfying ending to Alice's epic journey! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 7, 2023
What. A. Finale!
I was apprehensive about reading this book because I knew I wasn't ready for the series to end. I've become so invested in Alice's journey, so wrapped up in figuring out each twist and turn that I couldn't quite fathom how Lovejoy was going to bring it all together.... but WOW! I am not one bit disappointed in how Wonderland came to a close! I adore Alice, all her faults and features, and can only hope there will be future snippets with more tales of Wonderland.
I was apprehensive about reading this book because I knew I wasn't ready for the series to end. I've become so invested in Alice's journey, so wrapped up in figuring out each twist and turn that I couldn't quite fathom how Lovejoy was going to bring it all together.... but WOW! I am not one bit disappointed in how Wonderland came to a close! I adore Alice, all her faults and features, and can only hope there will be future snippets with more tales of Wonderland.
May 8, 2023
Book 5, Alice is finally back in Oxford. However, she is still unsatisfied and wants to return to Wonderland while struggling to adapt to life outside Wonderland. Nonetheless, Alice holds the cards. The book is a good conclusion to the whole ordeal, incorporating Alice in Wonderland with a deck of cards.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Booksirens and author.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Booksirens and author.
December 17, 2024
I read through this entire series and I can definitely say the earlier books really pulled me in, but the later ones didn’t do it for me. This one closed out the story well but it felt less than compared to the first couple books. I wasn’t as into it and I had to keep refocusing. I’m glad the stuff played out the way it did for Alice, but I felt like her arc could’ve been stronger and the same goes for the guys.
January 12, 2023
The Alice story comes full circle with this book in the most Wonderlandian way!
Alice still is like no other Alice with her strong personality and stubborn ways. This story gives her some obstacles to overcome and you might just shout, "Don't stop being Alice now, just act!" The other characters fill their roles, and I still love Claude!
Alice still is like no other Alice with her strong personality and stubborn ways. This story gives her some obstacles to overcome and you might just shout, "Don't stop being Alice now, just act!" The other characters fill their roles, and I still love Claude!
January 31, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This series was wonderful. You go on a trip through Wonderland that you don't expect, getting to know new old characters and falling in love all over again.
Read the series, the whole series and nothing but the whole series.
This series was wonderful. You go on a trip through Wonderland that you don't expect, getting to know new old characters and falling in love all over again.
Read the series, the whole series and nothing but the whole series.
April 15, 2024
Interesting Series
I did really like the Alice-centric story, and I would define that way more than a romance. The side characters and the writing were intriguing, although some of the events and the conversations lost me but I suppose that just adds to the Wonderlandness of the story. Definitely a read for the plot as there is very limited romantic/intimate moments.
I did really like the Alice-centric story, and I would define that way more than a romance. The side characters and the writing were intriguing, although some of the events and the conversations lost me but I suppose that just adds to the Wonderlandness of the story. Definitely a read for the plot as there is very limited romantic/intimate moments.
January 19, 2023
This was a stupendous book for the conclusion of such a fantastic series. I cannot say enough good things about this book and it series other than say it is a must read because it was so delectably enjoyable.
August 18, 2024
I would say this series overall is a 3. Its not very smooth to read, the MC never learns and I feel like a lot of things that should have had some explanation didnt. I will def not re-read this but it was ok
July 9, 2025
This was good, it just felt predictable.
And then because it felt predictable, I was just thinking ‘hurry up and get on with it’ the whole time.
I liked that everything got closed off nicely, and that mostly everyone was happy.
And then because it felt predictable, I was just thinking ‘hurry up and get on with it’ the whole time.
I liked that everything got closed off nicely, and that mostly everyone was happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2024
I love the book, but the spelling and grammar was horrible. Could have really used an editor.
July 10, 2024
Okay, as a huge fan of Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland, I’m absolutely in awe of this version. That being said, I can see why someone who wasn’t so enamored with Alice to begin with might be bored with this series. It’s not by any means, a thrilling fantasy novel, BUT damn is it so fun and enjoyable to go through! It was such a lovely ode to the original concepts and characters, while holding its own. I love this Alice- and the Kings?? Absolutely some of my favorite characters. I’ll miss Claude so much. I love the little snippets we got of Alice coming back to Oxford, and how much she really did not belong there even after her wanting to go back home so badly. I love that, even though I’m absolutely in LOVE with Kaeden, this was not a love story. This was still very much Alice’s story. This book was very satisfying for me. The ending was a great goodbye, and I felt like all the characters ended up being exactly where they needed to be. I even ended up having so much love for Fitz. I love that it really felt like Alice got to pick when her story left off and it didn’t seem so ‘final.’ One of my favorite little quick, easy read series.
January 12, 2023
I really think the author captured the essence of Alice in Wonderland. Although this book seemed to wrap up some plots, it would be really cool to see a sequel, especially because I felt I needed to see more of the relationship between Kaeden and Alice… this plot seemed a little rushed in the end but it didn’t really bother me. Overall, great series and I highly recommend it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 14, 2024
Well that’s that series finished now. I’m not sure what it is about this series but against my better judgment I really did love it. I wouldn’t say it’s particularly well written, or that the plot is the most compelling. But the writer has done a magical job of making you care about the characters. There’s just something oddly captivating about all oddities in the plot that make you hope for a happy ending. It was a really enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews