The Looking-Glass Illusion by Sara Ella
YA Fantasy. 336 Pages. 4 Stars
Synopsis:
Step through the looking glass. Slay the Jabberwock. Seek the King.
Alice is not prepared to face what awaits beyond the Tulgey Wood. When she and the rest of Team Heart enter the fourth and final Wonderland Trial, it’s up to her to lead them to victory. But this Trial is more than a game. If Alice and the others fail to defeat the Jabberwock and reveal the truth about Wonderland, more than points and fame will be lost.
Chess Shire never believed he’d make it this far. Now he’s stuck navigating a Trial he’s seen but doesn’t remember, all while searching for the brother he left behind. Not everything is as black and white as the game that shares his name. And if Alice discovers his deepest regret? Chess might just lose her too.
Apart, Chess and Alice scour the eight squares of the Heart Trial in search of memories, truth, and an Ivory King who seems more illusion than reality. Will they learn to lead together to face their greatest fears? Or will they remain pawns in a queen’s game, never truly seeing the Wonderland they’ve come to believe in?
My Review:
We must start with that gorgeous cover! I didn’t know what to expect for Book 2 and the cover for Book 1 seemed so un-toppable! But Kirk has done it again! This cover is perfectly fitting and just as beautiful as the first. I love how they look together.
As for what’s inside, this is the much anticipated conclusion to the Curious Realities! Book 1 left me craving more! And Book 2 opened up a whole new realm of trials and riddles and mysteries to be solved. I enjoyed the chess allusions since it’s a childhood favorite game. And I was definitely intrigued to see where Sara took the hints of allegory from the first book.
We pick up the story right where the first book leaves off, in the midst of the dangerous and mysterious Fourth Trial. But the Fourth Trial is like a new series of Trials within a Trial, which was a cool bit of inception. The plot follows this new series of challenges the characters face, but lo and behold! This time we get a POV from Chess! *swoon* He was one of my favorite characters in the first book and it was really fun to see inside his head for the second book. It also allowed us to follow different parts of the story as the team was split apart, brought together, and split apart again. I’ll also say that I would not be mad to see any bonus material from Knave. He stole my heart a little in this one!
Sara draws us through some seriously twisty turns with surprises and threads brought back in from the first story. The book is truly Wonderlandish. I’ve never loved Alice and Wonderland, as many of you know. The colors and patterns and characters are so loud and busy. It’s sensory overload for me and it has always made my head hurt. It’s so illogical! But Sara really brings wonder back to Wonderland. It’s still silly and outlandish–what would Wonderland be without those things?!–but it also holds a depth of beauty and belief that is touching.
The story is uplifting and encouraging, brimming with the truth of loyalty and love, truth and faith. Yes, it’s topsy turvy and sometimes I wondered how on earth we went from one scene to the next. But the characters are obstinate and their strength to endure is inspiring. They road is a fun mystery to untangle and the light touches of underlying depth bring heart to a story often just portrayed as silly and random.
I’m so curious to see what Sara does next. Her work never ceases to uplift and encourage. Her heart is pure and evident in her work. A satisfying conclusion to a thrilling ride.
Content: there are a few very mild kisses, no foul language, and some mild fantasy violence. The story explores political intrigue, grief, loss, cowardice and bravery, fear, betrayal and trust, faith and surrender. Suitable for early teen readers.
More:
Book 1 of the Curious Realities is The Wonderland Trials (4 Stars)
This duology must be read in order. See more info on GR above! Or check out my thoughts on the first book here: