SEEING REDD

Beddor’s introduction to The Looking Glass Wars (2006) dealt with the return of Princess Alyss to take her rightful place as Queen of Wonderland, expelling her evil Aunt Redd from the usurped throne. That first volume did not live up to the promise of the premise; this one is a definite improvement. Redd (“her Imperial Viciousness”) has indeed been sighted, and represents a significant threat to the peace of the kingdom. But the real threat may be closer and deadlier. King Arch of Boarderland has his eye on Wonderland and is especially fond of deposing female rulers. And unlike Redd, he prefers to move his pieces around the chessboard of diplomacy with a combination of subtlety and deceit. He has a plan that will bring chaos and ruin to Alyss’ new-found peace. Until, that is, Redd throws everything awry by moving the pieces to her own personal advantage. Beddor gives familiar characters new life and introduces interesting new ones. The plot is well-structured, even though the conclusion is still at least a volume away. More original than the first—although Beddor still couldn’t resist the urge to “borrow” the now-famous bar scene from the first Star Wars movie—this comes to a satisfying cliffhanger that leaves the reader looking for more. (Fantasy. 12-14)