From the author of the Fate series and The Deep End of the Sea comes a fantastical romantic adventure that has Alice tumbling down the strangest rabbit hole yet.
After years in Wonderland, Alice has returned to England as an adult, desperate to reclaim sanity and control over her life. An enigmatic gentleman with an intriguing job offer too tempting to resist changes her plans for a calm existence, though. Soon, she’s whisked to New York and initiated into the Collectors’ Society, a secret organization whose members confirm that famous stories are anything but straightforward and that what she knows about the world is only a fraction of the truth.
It’s there she discovers villains are afoot—ones who want to shelve the lives of countless beings. Assigned to work with the mysterious and alluring Finn, Alice and the rest of the Collectors’ Society race against a doomsday clock in order to prevent further destruction . . . but will they make it before all their endings are erased?
* This is the first book in the adult romance/fairy tale Collectors’ Society series.
The Collector’s Society by Heather Lyons is a fantasy book that embraces all of the great classics. The first thing that came to mind once I started reading this book is how it reminds me of a favorite TV show (The Librarians) and a favorite webcomic (Namesake). I don’t know if Lyons knows of the two, but I feel her book series could work well with the show and webcomic.
That said, I really enjoyed this book. Alice was a strong character with a mysterious background that is only hinted at through most of the book. You get an idea of what her time in Wonderland was like, but not until they visit Wonderland.
I couldn’t relate to the characters, but I still liked them nonetheless. Finn is a caring man who works hard. Alice is a strong woman who hides most of her feelings. Every character has a fault, but as a unit they are strong.
The world and concept of the books is interesting. Nothing makes me more excited than the idea that my favorite characters are alive. Readers and writers feel that way with characters. The concept that our favorites are alternate worlds to our own is intriguing.
I would say this book is more like the introductory to the players and setting. I saw enough of the world that I want more, but all of the answers aren’t there. There is some action, but most of the book centers on Alice understanding our world and her budding relationship with Finn.
I did get into the book quickly and the writing is well done. There were some editing issues, but not enough to really push me away from the story. The action was fun, but it’s the relationships I loved more. I do wish there was more to their histories, since the books we love aren’t exactly what their lives were like. However, that just means I have to read the other books first.
At the end of the book is a list of our literary characters and the books they are from. This is a great guide for books someone hasn’t read yet or is trying to remember where they were from.
All in all, the book was fun and I did like it. I even bought the next book and am waiting for it. Until then, I will be reading other books.
Casia's Corner 