For teens grappling with family mental health or feeling different, this dark fantasy explores finding courage and forging your own identity in a world of inherited curses.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen feels like an outcast or is worried about inheriting a family member's struggles, particularly with mental health. This dark, gothic retelling of Alice in Wonderland follows Alyssa, a descendant of the original Alice, who fears she's destined for the same mental illness that institutionalized her mother. When she learns Wonderland is real, she must journey there to break the family curse. It's a story of embracing what makes you different and finding strength in supposed weakness. Best for older teens (15+) comfortable with intense romance, creepy imagery, and mature themes.
Features an intense love triangle with kissing, jealousy, and suggestive dialogue.
Sad ThemesMild
Protagonist's mother is in a mental institution, a central source of fear and sadness.
Sensitive Topics
The primary sensitive topic is inherited mental illness, which is treated as a magical curse. The approach is metaphorical, but Alyssa's fear of insanity and her mother's confinement in a hospital are depicted directly and with emotional weight. The exploration is secular. The resolution is hopeful, reframing the perceived madness as a unique strength and source of power, emphasizing the protagonist's ability to forge her own destiny despite her heritage.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 14-17, who loves dark fantasy, gothic romance, and fairytale retellings. This is perfect for a reader who feels like an outsider, is grappling with the shadow of a family member's struggles (mental or otherwise), and is questioning their own identity and future path.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware this is a dark, mature take on a children's classic. It contains a central, intense love triangle, scenes of fantasy violence, and deliberately grotesque/creepy imagery. The themes of mental illness are central. While it can be read cold, parents might want to be prepared to discuss the line between madness and magic, and the pressures of family legacy. A parent hears their teen express fears like, "What if I end up like them?" or "There's something wrong with me." The parent may notice their child feels isolated or channels feelings of being different into unique, perhaps misunderstood, creative outlets (like Alyssa's insect art).
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) will likely be captivated by the fast-paced adventure, the gothic world-building, and the romantic drama. An older teen (16-18) is more likely to connect with the deeper allegorical themes of inherited trauma, self-definition, and the complex psychological struggle of the protagonist.
What Makes It Special
Unlike most fairytale retellings, this book's unique hook is its direct and metaphorical exploration of hereditary mental illness. Its moody, Tim Burton-esque aesthetic and the way it blurs the lines between magic and madness set it apart from more traditional fantasy adventures.
Read plot summary
Sixteen-year-old Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers, a trait that landed her mother in a mental institution. Fearing the same fate, she discovers her family's secret: they are descendants of Alice Liddell, and Wonderland is a real, terrifying place. To break the family "curse," Alyssa must travel down the rabbit hole with her protective best friend, Jeb, and navigate a grotesque world of manipulative characters, including the enigmatic and dangerous Morpheus, to right the wrongs of the original Alice.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Alyssa creates art from dead insects to cope with the strange things she experiences. Why do you think she chooses this specific, macabre art form? How does her relationship with her art change after she goes to Wonderland?
2
Jeb wants to protect Alyssa from Wonderland, while Morpheus wants her to embrace her Wonderland heritage. Whose perspective did you agree with more at the beginning, and did your opinion change by the end? Why?
3
The 'curse' on Alyssa's family is presented as both a mental illness and a magical power. How does the book explore the idea that something society views as a weakness can also be a source of incredible strength?
4
This story portrays the original Alice Liddell not as a hero, but as someone who made selfish mistakes. How did you feel about this darker version of a classic character? Did it change your view of the original story?
