Author: Heather Lyons
Publisher: Cerulean Books
Published: October 23rd 2014
Format: eARC | Pages: 355
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Source: InkSlinger PR
★★★★★ (5/5) Stars!
From the author of the Fate series and The Deep End of the Sea comes a fantastical romantic adventure that has Alice tumbling down the strangest rabbit hole yet.
After years in Wonderland, Alice has returned to England as an adult, desperate to reclaim sanity and control over her life. An enigmatic gentleman with an intriguing job offer too tempting to resist changes her plans for a calm existence, though. Soon, she’s whisked to New York and initiated into the Collectors’ Society, a secret organization whose members confirm that famous stories are anything but straightforward and that what she knows about the world is only a fraction of the truth.
It’s there she discovers villains are afoot—ones who want to shelve the lives of countless beings. Assigned to work with the mysterious and alluring Finn, Alice and the rest of the Collectors’ Society race against a doomsday clock in order to prevent further destruction . . . but will they make it before all their endings are erased?
*This is the first book in the Collectors' Society series.
I received a copy of this book from InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review for a blog tour. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!
The adventures, the dangers, the surprising characters and the fun were all expected and quite thoroughly executed. What I wasn't expecting, and what took me completely by surprise, were the moments that made my heart flutter, my stomach flip flop, and the scorching heat that nearly had me bursting into flames. Sigh. I have become quite thoroughly obsessed with this book and Finn. Oh. My. Heart. Thank you Heather Lyons!
Alice is perfect. She's exactly how I picture a grownup version of her character would be. A bit paranoid, a bit untrusting, sarcastic, confident, tough as nails and maybe just a slight bit off. I feel like her characteristics and demeanor were captured perfectly knowing all that she more than likely went through in her time spent in Wonderland. Alice in this book kicks so much ass. Both literally and figuratively! But one of the things I loved most, just one of the many mind you, was watching Alice adjust to life in the 21st century, something else that Heather Lyons was able to capture perfectly. Alice's awe, fear, confusion, frustrations, all of it as she learns to navigate this new, technological world around her were very accurately portrayed. Especially for her character.
So many of the characters in this book were from stories, or related to characters from stories, that I loved and read often in my youth. Every time someone would pop up that I recognized I would quite literally say to the book "Shut. Up!" It's exciting to see them all mixed together in modern day New York and interacting together. Even form relationships, argue and fall in love.
What really had me was the trip to Wonderland though. It was crazy fun and a whole new view on the place that had both my jaw dropping and laughing my butt off at the same time. It's definitely not the same Wonderland you're expecting. The characters are very...different and I was loving it. Though for a few reasons all of it's own, the trip to Wonderland is completely bittersweet as well.
The build up toward the next book was fantastic and now I'm left sitting here utterly depressed because this one isn't even released yet at the time of my writing this and I'm already dying to get my hands on the next book. It had everything; moments of humor, danger, adventure, battles, angst, pain and of course...love. Sigh. The Collectors' Society has quite easily taken the spot at the top of my list of favorite books. I can't wait for more. I need more. Like yesterday! For now I'll just have to read all of her other books while I wait (im)patiently. She says as if she's going to suffer doing it...ha right!
Giveaway!
About the author:
Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—she’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.
Love the sound of all the bookish characters. Sounds like a fun read!
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