The Princesses Read: Alice

Each Saturday, I will be showcasing a lovely Disney Princess (or when they run out, some other Disney leading ladies and more) and showcasing what they might be picking up if they were reading YA today. It will be based off their likes, interests, personalities, and their storyline. At the end, I will also feature a book that the Princess would NOT be picking up and a section of books that are based off either the plot or original princess fairytale. Check out more info here on my original post! We’ve done Tiana, Belle, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Moana, Snow White, and Mulan so far!

Well, after last week’s tiredness, I am back – and doing something a little bit different. Originally, my plan was to do all the princesses out the way first and then work through the rest of the Disney heroines (anyone interested in villains too, lol? XD), but after an idea by meltingpotsandothercalamities (um, please check out her blog because she has the best information on webtoons, awesome book reviews, and super cool, original tags) to try out a YA heroine this week, I decided to take a break from the Princesses to showcase another Disney heroine…

Alice in Wonderland!

Okay, the truth is I’ve never been a big Alice in Wonderland fan. I’m still not. I don’t know what it is – maybe it was just a touch too whimsical for me? But Alice has stolen away many people’s hearts for that reason. Wonderland is a fantastic world, and Alice? A dreamer at heart, curious by nature, and courageous by choice. She’s intelligent (although, really, you drink the thing called drink me – it’s a little sketch sketch); she’s kind; and she fights for what she believes in.

SO WHAT BOOKS WOULD SHOW UP IN ALICE’S YA WONDERLAND?

Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter

I haven’t read this yet, but I get some major whimsical and artsy Alice in Wonderland vibe. I totally feel like Alice would love, love, love it. It’s part fairytale, part full of whimsy and craziness. Plus, I mean, there are Babs Yagg, head of the convenience store who likes to behead people…doesn’t this kind of sound like a certain “off with my head” lady? I think Alice would totally feel a kinship with Vassa. Plus, I mean, the color scheme is totally Alice.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

If you think the world of Wonderland is colorful and unique, meet Ketterdam and the rest of the amazing world Bardugo has created in her Grishaverse. It is a lot grittier and darker than Wonderland, but it is complex, full of magic, and gorgeously done. Trust me, Alice will be enthralled with this wonderful setting, and I’m sure she will enjoy the characters and intriguing plotline. Plus, it really does get as tense as it does with Alice in the court scene. Plus, can’t you see Kaz’s scheming face a bit like the Cheshire Cat smile? Or the Wraith disappearing just like the Cat?

This Savage Song by V. E. Schwab

It seems like an odd choice, but here are a few reasons why: the monsters are complex and beautifully monstrous (just like the creatures of Wonderland); Harker is basically the male version of Queen of Hearts; Alice and August are dreamers; and V. E. Schwab’s is beautiful just like the whimsy of Wonderland. Plus, I feel like the Queen of Hearts would fit right into the city of Verity.

Spelled by Betsy Schow

This book is crazy – basically this is Wonderland if we were all smoking what the Caterpillar was on and ended up in Oz. This world is kind of insane, but in such a cool, fun way – just like Wonderland. It has its own unique characters full of mischief and trials and crazy queens. Alice and Dorothea are both determined to make their own fate and are dreamers at heart. They both take on courageous journeys, destined to make their way back home. And their lands? Totally insane. Crazy queens? Yes and more yes. Alice and her would totally get along.

A BOOK THAT ALICE WOULD NOT PICK UP

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

No matter how kind Alice is (she isn’t Snow White after all), I’m really not sure that she would pick up the book of the lady that screamed, “Off with her head” multiple times…especially with that ending. Heartless is the backstory to the Queen of Hearts and how she got there, and while I’m sure Alice will be intrigued, I’m not sure she would really enjoy reading all the dark parts of the Dinah’s past.

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WHAT TO SEE MORE OF ALICE? WELL, YOU ARE IN LUCK!

There are a TON of Alice in Wonderland retellings out there. And really – I do mean a ton. YA and basically all of adult fiction loves them some Wonderland. Click here to check out more! I’ve only read Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes and Heartless by Marissa Meyer…both of which aren’t even about Alice. Oops.

What do you think? Are you an Alice fan? Do you think Alice would read any of these? What else do you think Alice would pick up? Let’s discuss in the comments below!