The Looking Glass Wars

Beddor, Frank. The Looking Glass Wars. 2006. 358p. FIC BED on the library shelves.

Princess Alyss Heart is the proud daughter of Queen Genevieve, who rules over Wonderland following a bloody civil war. In the twelve years since she assumed the crown, the queen has tried to solve the kingdom’s problems and reconcile the Diamonds, Spades, and Clubs to restore prosperity. Unaware of the political undertones of her surroundings, she is caught by surprise when her aunt Redd, Genevieve’s sister, leads a coup on the 13th day of the 13th rotation of the 1313th revolution of the moon since the queendom was founded.

As her parents are mercilessly slaughtered by the Cheshire Cat, Alyss manages to escape through the Pool of Tears with Hatter Madigan, chief of the royal bodyguards. Unfortunately, they are separated in the pool and arrive in London in different locations.

Alone, frightened, poor, and in a world she does not know, Alyss ends up in a foundling’s hospital, where she is interned with other children deemed mentally ill. She is adopted by Reverend Liddell and his wife, and begins living an ordinary life as she tries to hang on to the memories of her former life, which may or may not have happened.

She meets Lewis Carroll, who compiles her tales into a bestseller book. Meanwhile, Hatter is looking all over for her, and back in Wonderland Alyssians are fighting for their lives, hoping against all hope that their Princess, the rightful heir, will return to lead them in the fight against Redd and her armies. Will Alysse be reunited with those who love her? Can they defeat Redd and her minions?