Wonderland: Classic Fairytale with a Sci-Fi Spin

*I got this book from the author for free, this in no way affects my opinion of the book.*

  Wonderland

by Robert McKay

•  Book one of the Intergalactic Fairy Tales series
• Science Fiction, Coming of Age
• Includes violence and mild humor.
• Published by McKay Manor August 20, 2015
• 13-25 interest level

    All Alice wants to be in life is a pirate. She wants to do what she wants, when she wants with no one to tell her otherwise. One night after sneaking out, Alice finds the perfect opportunity, a talking space ship. She gets on, claiming it as her own, and rides to Wonderland. However, Wonderland isn't all smiles, it's mildly inappropriate people lose their head for disagreeing with the queen, and animals can talk, which isn't always a good thing. On her adventure, Alice makes new friends, some new enemies, and learns many valuable lessons. How far will Alice go for an adventure?



      "Robert McKay is a clever nerd, who feels uncomfortable being called such. He believes in the Oxford comma, puns, and true love. Stories that wrap all of these things together, along with some outer space adventure, make his heart go pitter-patter and his days a whole lot brighter. When he’s not writing, he’s probably reading, but if he’s not doing either of those things, he may be found bowling, playing tabletop games, or researching how much it costs to rent a space shuttle."-Robert McKay
     

      I believe that the story and all it's assets were very well written. My favorite part was Alice, as almost anyone can relate to her. Even if you haven't accidentally gone to another planet, you've probably gone against your parents just out of spite. Another thing I like is how everything seems realistic. The setting is well described, the characters are complete, and the story is unique. McKay provides a realistic story, including a main character with quirks and flaws.

     Wonderland also features a unique twist on a classic story. Ever since I read Cinder I've loved fairy-tale retellings, and this one didn't disappoint. I recommend Wonderland to any fans of Cinder ages 13-25. Also, if you like space adventures, then this is the book for you. In the end, I loved everything about Wonderland and can't wait for Beauty and the Fleet, the next book in the Intergalactic Fairy Tales series. 

*Unfortunately at the moment Amazon.com is the only place to purchase Wonderland.*

Midway by Melanie Karsak

I had the very special privilege of winning signed copies of The Harvesting and Midway by Melanie Karsak as she worked up to the release of The Shadow Aspect. I had begun reading the first in the series a few months ago, but honestly, reading on a kindle is not my forte and quit rather quickly. However, I love Melanie Karsak's writing style and jumped at the opportunity to win signed copies. Little did I know, I was going to lose them to my twelve year old bibliophile and book reviewer! -Victoria Allred

Enough about me. Here is Makenzie's review of Midway!

Genre: Post Apocolyptic
Published: October 25, 2014 by Clockpunk Press
Interest level: 13+

Cricket's always been a carnie; she grew up on. However, when the world gets taken by "sick" people turned cannibals, she has to leave the carnival behind. With the help of Vella, a tarot reader, and her faithful dog, Puck, they find shelter. A sick world, criminals on the loose and a need to survive. Can Cricket survive the apocalypse or will she die trying?

Midway is a novella set at the same chronological time as The Harvesting giving readers a new view of the apocolypse. I give Midway four out of five stars only because I didn't feel I got to know Cricket as well as I did the characters of The Harvesting. Overall, it was a good story and I can't wait to read The Shadow Aspect (which I've already downloaded!) which is the second book in The Harvesting Series. 

*Read my review of The Harvesting.