Alice in Wonderland Retellings That Fantasy Lovers Can’t Miss

“Heartless” by Marissa Meyer delves into the past of the infamous Queen of Hearts, long before Alice tumbled down the rabbit hole. Catherine, one of Wonderland’s most desired, dreams not of crowns but of becoming a renowned baker. However, her life takes a turn when the King of Hearts sets his sights on her, pushing her into a royal future she never wanted.

Amidst the expectations and societal pressures, Cath finds solace in Jest, the court joker, whose mysterious allure captivates her heart. Their forbidden romance blooms against a backdrop of whimsical “Alice in Wonderland retellings,” setting them on a path of love and tragedy. If Cath hopes to forge her own destiny, she must navigate a world where whimsy and danger intertwine.

“Splintered” by A.G. Howard takes “Alice in Wonderland” into darker realms. Alyssa Gardner, descendant of Alice Liddell, hears whispers of bugs and flowers, a secret she hides to avoid her mother’s fate in a mental hospital. To cure her family’s curse, she ventures into a twisted Wonderland.

In this eerie Wonderland, guided by the enigmatic Morpheus from her dreams, Alyssa faces dangers and puzzles. She must unravel her family’s mysteries to save her mother and herself.

“A Blade So Black” by L.L. McKinney offers a fresh take on “Alice in Wonderland” with an urban fantasy spin. Alice Kingston, a teenager from Atlanta, steps into Wonderland to battle nightmares come to life. Under the mentorship of warrior Addison Hatta, she becomes a fierce fighter, defending both worlds from dark forces.

Navigating her double life, Alice strives to keep her otherworldly battles a secret from those she loves in Atlanta. The balance shatters when Hatta is poisoned, thrusting Alice into a desperate quest across Wonderland for a cure. The peril in Wonderland mirrors the challenges she faces at home, intertwining her realities.

“The Looking Glass Wars” by Frank Beddor reimagines the Alice in Wonderland story, casting it as a dark and thrilling tale of real-world intrigue and fantastical warfare. Alyss Heart, princess of Wonderland, is forced to flee through the looking glass after her royal family is overthrown by the villainous Aunt Redd. She finds herself in Victorian London, her stories of Wonderland dismissed as fantasies.

Years pass, and Alyss, now Alice, struggles to forget her past and the magical world from which she came. However, the call of Wonderland is too strong to ignore. With the help of Hatter Madigan, her bodyguard, Alyss embarks on a daring journey back to reclaim her throne and restore peace to her troubled realm.

“Queen of Hearts” by Colleen Oakes reimagines the future Queen of Hearts as Dinah, a princess dreaming of her reign over Wonderland. Far from a fairy tale, her life is riddled with palace intrigues and dark secrets. The arrival of her mysterious half-sister, Vittiore, disrupts her path to the throne, weaving betrayal into Dinah’s story.

Faced with treachery, Dinah’s journey from princess to queen grows dark. Her struggle for power and identity in a court full of potential enemies highlights her transformation into the feared ruler. Each betrayal nudges her closer to becoming the Queen of Hearts, famed for her tyranny.

“Insanity” by Cameron Jace reimagines the “Alice in Wonderland” saga with a dark, psychological twist. Alice Wonder is a patient at a mental institution, haunted by visions of Wonderland. Her psychiatrist, Dr. Carter Pillar, believes these visions might hold the key to unraveling the mystery of her past and the real Wonderland.

As Alice delves deeper into her own mind, she encounters characters and scenarios that blur the lines between reality and madness. With each clue, Alice gets closer to understanding her connection to the Alice of Lewis Carroll’s tales. However, this journey is fraught with dangers that challenge her sense of reality.

“Alice” by Christina Henry reimagines “Alice in Wonderland” as a dark, urban fantasy. With lost memories and years spent in a hospital, Alice escapes to seek the truth about her past and the menacing Rabbit. The city’s dangers and decrepit corners replace Wonderland’s whimsy with threat.

She’s not alone; Hatcher, another escapee, joins her quest. Together, they navigate the city’s underbelly, searching for the Rabbit and answers. Their journey reveals a sinister side of Wonderland, far from the tales of old.

“After Alice” by Gregory Maguire ventures into the aftermath of Alice’s journey through Wonderland, offering a unique perspective on the classic tale. Ada, a friend of Alice, embarks on a quest to find her, plunging into the whimsical world below. This journey is not just about rescue but also about Ada’s own transformation as she encounters the bizarre residents of Wonderland.

Maguire weaves parallel narratives, exploring the Victorian world above alongside the fantastical realm below. Ada’s adventures mirror Alice’s, yet they reveal new insights into the themes of curiosity, identity, and the nature of reality. As Ada navigates Wonderland’s absurdities, she confronts her limitations and the societal constraints placed on her.

“Curiouser and Curiouser” by Melanie Karsak plunges readers into a steampunk-inspired Wonderland, where Alice’s adventures are reimagined with gears, steam, and shadows. In this novel, Alice is not merely a curious girl but a con artist tangled in the gritty underworld of Victorian London. Her life takes a dramatic turn when a heist goes awry, catapulting her into Wonderland—a place far darker and more dangerous than she ever imagined.

“The Looking Glass House” by Vanessa Tait takes readers back to the origins of the “Alice in Wonderland” story. Alice Liddell, the inspiration behind Lewis Carroll’s tale, finds herself amidst the complexities of Victorian society. However, her life changes when Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) enters her world, bringing with him a blend of imagination and intrigue.

As their friendship grows, so does the controversy surrounding Dodgson’s intentions. Alice navigates through her real-life Wonderland, facing societal expectations and personal discoveries. If she chooses to embrace Dodgson’s world of whimsy, she risks scandal and the loss of her societal standing.