The Looking Glass Wars

Summary: Alyss of Wonderland?
When Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, must flee through the Pool of Tears to escape the murderous aunt Redd, she finds herself lost and alone in Victorian London. Befriended by an aspiring author named Lewis Carrol, Alyss tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life. Alyss trusts this author to tell the truth so that someone, somewhere will find her and bring her home. But he gets the story all wrong. He even spells her name incorrectly!

Fortunately, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan knows all too well the awful truth of Alyss' story and he is searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return her to Wonderland so she may eventually battle Redd for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.

Thoughts: I love the story of Alice in Wonderland, it's what C.S. Lewis would refer to as a "myth" where the story itself is riveting and fascinating despite the form it takes. This, I think, is one of the reasons there are so many retellings of this classic tale, and why we enjoy them so much.

I really did enjoy this book. I've seen it get a lot of backlash but most of what I've seen it get hit for is typical YA tropes. This is a YA book, make no mistake. It's not great and it's not groundbreaking, but it is an interesting read. If you like YA or at least don't mind it, then you might enjoy this story. I thought it was an interesting take on Alice in Wonderland and I found the characters truly enjoyable and fairly believable. The culmination of the story was engaging and I was hooked beginning to end. So, for those of you who, like me (Ants) enjoy a good retelling, you'll probably enjoy this addition to the list!

Content: Being a YA book, there is a fair amount of violence, mild language, and tough topics. As such I would suggest this series for older teens and adults. 

The Gawgon and the Boy

Summary: When David falls ill his tough old Aunt Annie offers to tutor him, and he soon grows fond of The Gawgon, as he nicknames her because of her resemblance to the terrifying Gawgon Medusa of Greek myth. Together they embark on exciting imaginary adventures rescuing King Tut's treasure, scaling mountains and outwitting master criminals.

Thoughts: Another classic from Lloyd Alexander, this lighthearted and humorous tale is a great read for families. David and his Aunt go on plenty of great adventures that spark the imagination and get kids thinking about great literary characters and historical events. It's a nice quick read for anyone wanting something relaxed and easy to go through, with engaging characters, a sweet story and good writing.

Content: A bit of mild language, otherwise good for all ages. 

The Last Bogler

Summary: With the plague of bogles in Victorian London barely contained, bogle hunter Alfred Bunce needs all the help he can get. So Ned Roach becomes a bogler’s apprentice, luring child-eating monsters from their lairs just like his friends Jem and Birdie. It’s dangerous work that takes Ned into mysterious and hidden parts of the city.
 
But times in London are changing. As the machine age emerges, the very existence of bogles is questioned, and the future of bogling is in jeopardy. And the stakes get even higher for the team of boglers when an old enemy appears—a threat that may be deadlier than any bogle…

Book 1 How to Catch a Bogle

Book 2 A Plague of Bogles

Thoughts: The final installment in this thrilling trilogy, The Last Bogler does not disappoint! After the wild ride Catherine Jinks has lead us on so far, I had high expectations for this book and was a little worried with its slow start. But it quickly picks up the pace and takes a turn that no one saw coming, culminating in a strangely satisfying conclusion.

Content: This series is definitely creepy and could be categorized as scary even for younger audiences and non-horror fans like Ants. There's a bit of mild language and some violence. A good read for preteen ages and up. 

The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio

Summary: A beautiful Kirkassi girl, cold-eyed villains and smiling killers, a bazaar merchant peddling slightly used dreams—could any young adventurer ask for more? Not Carlo Chuchio, who is seeking hidden treasure on the legendary Road of Golden Dreams.

With Baksheesh, the world's worst camel-puller, Carlo leads a caravan through the realm of Keshavar. Robbed of all but his underdrawers, mistaken for a mighty warrior and then for a crown prince, Carlo risks his life for a prize that may not even exist.

Thoughts: Lloyd Alexander is a masterful writer and blends eastern myth with western humor to create excitingly unique stories. This one is no exception and will have you laughing and reading eagerly to see where on earth this story could possibly be going! Full of fun, fantasy, and adventure, The Golden Dream is a great read for a slow day!

Content: Aside from some magical elements, the story is clean for all ages!

Paul

Summary: An intimate portrait of a complex individual through whom God was at work, turning the world upside down. With vivid imagination and scholarly depth, award-winning author Walter Wangerin Jr. weaves together the history of the early church with the life story of its greatest apostle--Paul. Wangerin begins to unfold Paul’s incredible life by imagining the childhood and early family life of a boy then called "Saul." A fierce prosecutor of Christians before his conversion, Paul never lost his fiery dedication, boldness, and strong personality. After his shocking encounter with God on the road to Damascus, he applied his formidable strengths to spreading the gospel. Wangerin deftly reveals Paul’s character through each stage of his life, and enables us to see Paul the person, living and complex, viewed through the eyes of his contemporaries: Barnabas, James, Prisca, Seneca, and Luke. Paul’s rich interaction and brilliant dialogue with friends and foes, leaders and slaves, Jews and Greeks, creates a swift and intense historical drama around the man who spread the seed of the Gospel to the ends of the known world. 

Thoughts: This was an exciting and riveting story on the famous apostle's life to whom we owe a very large part of the New Testament. The storytelling was great and the characters were well defined. While I can't attest to the theological soundness of it all, I can say that it's a great story and well worth the read!

Content: Some violence and mature themes. Best for teens and adults.