Wandering in Wonderland – Blog Tour & Giveaway

I’m so happy to have been asked to be part of this blog tour!

I absolutely love Alice in Wonderland, and some good retellings of this story. So I got really excited when I learned about the existence of this one! It is a dark retelling, where wonderland is in the afterlife, and I quite enjoyed it! (My thoughts can be found at the end of the post)

So more about the book:

Title: Wandering in Wonderland.

Author: Aislinn Honeycutt.

Publisher: The Parliament House.

Release day: June 4^th 2019.

Genre: YA, fantasy Retelling

What is it about?

“Lewis Carroll didn’t get it right?”
“No, my dear. I don’t think anyone truly will.”

Far away and down a rabbit hole sits the magical world known as Wonderland. A safe haven for the souls who lived less than ideal lives in the waking world get to experience peace in their afterlife. Jessica is the newest member of this enchanted land, but after eating a cookie that took away her memories of who she was, she doubts herself at every turn.

Jessica participates in The Looking Glass Ceremony to find her new role in the afterlife, but fate has different plans. As the Queen of Hearts takes Jessica under her royal wing, plots of regicide bubble up from the depths of Wonderland. With the help of new and eccentric friends, Jessica might be able to stop the treasonous threats and bring true peace to Wonderland. But only if she heeds the cryptic words of the Caterpillar.

Familiar faces take on new roles in this fantasy retelling with a dark and romantic LGBT twist This isn’t the Wonderland you’ve experienced before, and you definitely don’t want to be late for it.

Excited yet?!

For this blog tour I got an book excerpt to share! So I hope after reading that you’re really excited to read the book!

Book excerpt:

“I know you cannot forget what Wonderland is, but the days will grow harsh, and it never hurts to have a reminder.
    Wonderland, as I see it, is different than most picture it to be. It’s not as dark, or haunted, or frightening as the movies make it seem. Wonderland is calm and quiet. If I were to give it a color palette, I would mark it down as pastel. Have you ever seen chalk paint? It looks dusty and old, yet somehow lovely and calming. That’s what Wonderland is like.

There are mountains to climb. Some with flowers and some with snow, and there are fields and forests to dance through. When I say it’s quiet, I mean there is nothing but silence. The feeling you get when you’re cold, and on the verge of crying, and there is nothing more you want to do than scream until your head falls on your pillow is the sound of Wonderland.

But, the forests, oh the forests… They are everything you’d want to ask for. You cannot get lost unless you want to, and unlike most forests, you can walk barefoot if you please. The floor is covered in the softest moss, still cool with morning dew, and it protects your feet from harm. The air is warm and humid, making it the perfect weather for dancing. It you’re lost and wish to cry, there are places to hide away. Fairy ponds and cool lakes are scattered among the trees with fresh berries lining the shores. The water never stings your eyes, and you can dive for as long as you want, and the surface will only be an arm’s length away should you need air.

Deep within the trees, you’ll find long abandoned buildings ranging from Victorians to cottages. Some are down to their foundations with ivy and other greens taking over their structures. Trees grow from their hearts, and the ceilings reach down to the floorboards. Others are still in living order with soft beds ready for your weary heads.

You are alone for as long as you want in the forests, and at the lakes, and in the forgotten homes, but if you ever need companionship, the town is never far. Smiling faces and warm arms to fall into at every corner. There are cobblestones, wooden, and brick buildings along both sides of the streets. Alleys and alcoves, churches and spires, bookstores, bakeries, pubs, haberdasheries, dress shops, hat shops, tea shops, and anything else you could ever want line the streets. It you wander through the alleys long enough, you will find a hidden park tucked away in the corner along the brick wall guarding the townspeople from nothing for nothing can hurt you in Wonderland.

The park is simple with a tall tree for climbing or shade, the greenest and softest grass for picnics or late night rendezvous to stare at the stars, and benches for lovers to sit on. There is a long table sitting off to the left side of the park with many chairs of varying styles and sizes, usually sitting unattended. Attached to the tree and the buildings before the park is a string of lit paper lanterns. They have never flickered in all the history of Wonderland.

The rest of the world has more ruins for exploring, with castles made from pearl and crystal. Some have moonstone and opal, and others are made from cold stones without a glow. There are crashing oceans full of beasts thought to be mythical or extinct. There are places deep in the southern woods darker than the northern woods, yet not as dark as the ones in films.

In those woods, there are faeries, fauns, fawns, mermaids, pixies, and whispers where the cold sets in, and one can sleep to forget themselves and their troubles.

The faeries and pixies soothe your mind with dance and song while the mermaids invite you to swim and play in their icy cold waters while they caress your body.

But, they cannot hurt you.

Nothing can hurt you in Wonderland.

Wonderland is where you go to heal, forget, and feel at home again. This is what my Wonderland is. It changes for every soul who goes there, but it shall always be for you.”

Want to continue??

You can buy on Amazon here!

Giveaway!

There is currently a giveaway going on on Instagram! You can see all the details on my Instagram @Evelynreads! You should go soon since it is already open and will close on June 7^th!

US participants can win a signed copy, and a really beautiful notebook (see photo).

But luckily for us who do not live in US there is also a price! Not as spectacular, but you can win an e-book copy!

My thoughts!

I just finished reading this book, and really really liked it! It has all the parts that we know from wonderland, but also so much more. It is dark, even a bit gruesome at times, but so interesting and well done! It respects the original story, while also giving it its own twist. I love that Alice is also included into this story! The main character is really interesting, and I loved figuring this world out together with her!

I would have liked it if this book was a little bit longer though! I wanted to know even more about this world!

Happy reading!