Looking Glass by Christina Henry

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I made a mistake and read book three before book one, but I don't think it mattered that much. This story felt like a stand-alone, singular adventure. While I'm sure that once I read the other two books in this series I'll have more, "oh, that's what was happening there" moments... I enjoyed Looking Glass tremendously.

Ms. Henry is a skillful storyteller, and exceptionally talented at re-framing stories from our childhood in new ways... new, darker ways. I'm rewarded for my time inside her pages with a perspective from childhood that only adulthood can offer. This story of Alice takes us on a trek through the darker side of Wonderland where magic is sometimes a burden, and the subversion of strength and moral conviction can be the cruelest of weapons.

My favorite character was Hatcher, a shapeshifter with a softer side, loyal as the day is long... and possibly longer. He is tender and thoughtful, and will defend those he cares about until the end. He's also a bit exasperated with having to hide his true form because of the expectations and prejudices of others, which I think is true for all of us.

I listened to this as an audio book through Chirp Books, and enjoyed the narrators, Gildart Jackson and Jenny Sterlin, as they interpreted the story and characters. They truly made the nuances of these characters shine through their reading.

I've read a few of Ms. Henry's books... and each one keeps me coming back for the next. If you enjoy traditional stories with a darker twist, check out her collection.