The Edge of Madness - K.A. Last - ★★★★.¼

AUTHOR: K.A. Last

GENRE: Retelling, YA Fantasy

Series: Wonder in Neverland, #2

RATING: 4.25 stars.

In a Nutshell: A worthy continuation to the ‘Wonder in Neverland’ series with the mashup of Wonderland and Neverland. Loved it almost as much as the first book. Be warned though – this one too ends on a cliffhanger!!

Story Synopsis:

Seventeen year old Alessa’s elder sister Alice is being sent away to the asylum to stop her crazy ramblings about some place called ‘Wonderland’. When Alessa discovers that her sister’s outlandish thoughts were true, she is enthusiastic to discover more, and the clear her sister’s name. All she has to go on are her sister’s notes and a broken pocket watch.

Ronan is still trapped in Neverland after the events of the first book. Eager for his revenge against Cordelia and Peter, Ronan knows he needs to get the key back at any cost, even if it means alienating himself from his friends. But just as he seems close to accomplishing his mission, he tumbles out of his world into another, wholly unexpected one.

How will Alessa’s and Ronan’s tracks come together, and where will the magical doorways lead them?

The book comes to us in the alternating first person perspectives of Alessa and Ronan.

Where the book worked for me:

😍 Once again, a shoutout to the author’s marvellous imagination. I adored this second glimpse into the combined Wonderland-Neverland worlds. The first book was more focussed on Neverland. This one is more about Wonderland, though the story isn’t set there.

😍 Loved the way Wonderland is woven into the story with a fresh touch. The book is not merely taking the classic characters but giving them its own spin. If you know the story of ‘Alice in Wonderland’, you will find plenty of Easter eggs herein, both direct and indirect. Verses, situations, characters – all make their way into this retelling.

😍 I had assumed that Alice would be the central character in this edition. But I loved the author’s choice of creating a younger sister for her and placing her as the narrator. It gives us the right view of how a “normal” person would see Wonderland.

😍 I loved how the narrative touched upon the idiotic practice of sending girls/women to asylums if their behaviour didn’t fit in with the expected norm.

😍 Though a YA Fantasy read, the book offered me plenty of satisfaction as an adult reader. The magical elements, the world building, the spark between the characters – all were more than enough to make me happy. Also worth appreciating is the point that the writing doesn’t make the protagonists, with the possible exception of Wendie, seem like typical YA characters.

😍 It is very easy to binge on this book and complete it within a few hours. Despite the extensively detailed storyline, descriptive scene setting, and the first person narration, the writing is fast-paced and gripping throughout.

😍 I love that gorgeous cover! The title also is perfect for the story, even if it won’t make that much sense to you before you read the book.

Where the book could have worked better for me:

😕 Wendie is given the short shrift this time. Her character is present only for a limited time, and even within that, her purpose seems to be just to do a back-and-forth with Ronan, whether on the past events or on his current decisions. Peter Pan also doesn’t come on the page, but I don’t like him anyway, so I didn’t miss him.

😕 This isn’t exactly a shortcoming, but the story was a lot less action-packed than the first one. We start off in the middle of action, and then have to wait for it till almost the end. The middle isn’t boring, but goes more into conversation mode. Once I shifted gears from action-mode to general-mode, I began enjoying it better.

😭 I despise cliffhangers! I actually yelled “Aaaargh!!!” at the ending, which is a lifetime first for me. Well technically, this point also shows how invested I was in the book. And of course, I was better prepared for the ending this time as I already knew that a third book was in the works. But dammit, I am not a patient person! I want answers!!!

All in all, I loved this second book of the series. It continues well from the first book, and provides us some nice new memorable characters, and leaves us with enough suspense so that we grab the third book the minute it arrives on the shelves.

In short: no major complaints at all, except for the cliffhanger…!!! 😭

Heartily recommended to all retelling and light fantasy fans.

Note: You need to be familiar with the original tales (especially ‘Alice in Wonderland’, but preferably ‘Peter Pan’ too), either through the books or even the movies, in order to enjoy this story. Also keep in mind that this isn’t a standalone. You need to read Book One prior to this.

For my review on the first book of this series, ‘Beneath the Waves of the Neversea’, please click HERE.

My thanks to author K.A. Last for providing me with a complimentary copy of “The Edge of Madness” at my request. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Oh please, please, please write the third book soon!!!!