Oh boy! I've been anticipating The Looking-Glass Illusion desperately wanting to know what the Wonderland Trial would throw at Alice, Chess, and the others next. With it being a Sara Ella story I just knew it would be good...

With nothing and no one as they first appear it's impossible to know who or what to trust. Add on the fact that the group is now separated with Alice and Chess on two seemingly different paths. Or are they? This IS Wonderland after all, where all things and nothing may be connected in surprising ways. And, oh, does it make for some fun reading!

I really enjoyed The Looking-Glass Illusion from start to finish. Sara Ella did an excellent job of bringing it all together in the conclusion to her Curious Realities duology in a way that felt complete. Lingering questions from the first book were answered and shocking new revelations come to light. The British spelling also continued in this second book and I absolutely loved the added authenticity of it.

The original Wonderland stories kinda missed the boat with me, I was more of a Narnia and Middle Earth girl, but The Curious Realities duology in all of its YA dystopian glory was right up my alley. And, though they were my first Sara Ella reads I strongly doubt that they will be my last. The one and only thing that I didn't like was having to say goodbye to the characters when I turned that last page of The Looking-Glass Illusion...

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

A whole different Alice in Wonderland. Very detailed and convoluted, really needs to be a movie to keep it straight. This is book two...I think reading book one would be very helpful. Of course, the whole struggle for Alice is a learning process, for her and for the other characters. Who are human by the way, with the characteristics of their wonderland persona. Took a long time to read...couldn't miss a word. Interesting story and conclusion, somewhat allegory to Christian beliefs although it's difficult to connect.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheLookingGlassIllusion #SaraElla #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #FiveStarNovel #CelebrateLit #Teen #YoungAdult #FairyTale #Folklore #EnclaveEscape

"It isn't until we close our eyes and trust that what we can't see still remains, that we finally can believe in the impossible."

This sequel in The Curious Realities Duology is more intense, electrifying, complex, and mind-bending than I imagined - and that's saying a lot since the first book was superb in its intricate plot and deeply layered characters. This story will completely absorb you as Alice and Chess, sometimes together but oftentimes separately, traverse through the Fourth Trial, which turns out to be a whole lot more than just the last trial. I felt like I was right there with them through the crazy wild ride of following clues, unwinding riddles and battling fears. Themes of forgiveness and believing in the impossible were keys to what Team Heart was called to do in the Trials. I loved getting to know the secondary characters better and loved seeing new faces enter the Team's rank. The backstory between the Hatters and Shires was enlightening and Alice's own past was brought to light with the clues within the looking glass. Of course, the plot had plenty of action and surprises, as well as betrayals and sacrifices, to make it an exciting adventure.

If you love YA fantasy, this book is a must read. Its captivating plot and characters make it unforgettable and you will never look at Alice in Wonderland the same way again. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Enclave Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

*Trust is a fickle, feeble thing.*

Another great book by Sara Ella! While I was never a big fan of the nonsensense of the original Alice in Wonderland or Through the Looking-Glass, this young adult novel caught my attention. I would recommend it to any age, if old enough to read the original. I appreciate the hope presented and, even as it mirrors Lewis Carroll*s novel, Sara Ella crafts her retelling into a beautiful allegory that, though maze-like, advances a powerful story of faith. Reality vs. illusions, truth vs. lies. Team player vs. selfish ambition. I loved the fact that one didn*t have to be born a Wonder. *None of us is worthy. Being Wonder isn*t earned, it*s a gift.*

I anxiously flipped pages, hoping for our intrepid game players to be reunited and the kingdom to be restored to its rightful rulers. At many points, my mind found similarities to the old Pilgrim*s Progress, almost as if Through the Looking Glass is this generation*s version.

Go ahead. Enter the Wonderland Trials. But will you be the first to complete them$Be careful who you trust. Things are definitely not as they seem!

I cheered as I carefully perused the two maps, placed at the front. I was glad to see the glossary at the end, but wished it had been at the beginning as well.

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

*I sense courage. And where there is courage, there is always hope.*

*given enough fear, people will do or believe most anything. They*ll behave in ways they never would have and believe a lie because it*s easier, more convenient, than the truth.*

*I am Wonder. It*s time I start acting like one.*

A brilliant sequel to the Wonderland Trials!

The original Alice In Wonderland is a curious story written from the mind of Lewis Caroll. I can't quite explain it, but it has a style and sort of rhythm to it that begins, ends, then picks up somewhere along the way again. It has a feeling to it, like the way a musician has a specific sound to their work.

Many create retellings of Alice and her adventures into wonderland. They are often told and done in a way that mirrors current trends, or carries the voice of a current contemporary writer. I have no problems with this, but wow, Sara Ella swept me away with this duology, and with the style in which she wrote them.

The cadence of this book is up and down, here and there and is very much like a sister to the original work of Lewis Caroll. We find special tea blends, sinister villains, a unicorn, and of course Chess Shire in this twisty upsidedown tale about Alice and her journey to the 8th square.

I love the found family elements and the friendships that these characters carry through this difficult game called the Heart Trials. They're so complex that I did struggle to keep them all straight sometimes, but by the end I'm confident that I sorted it all out in my mind.

Let's just say, I believe in Wonderland!