Child of Nod (The Balance #1)
Author: C.W. Snyder
Published: November 7th, 2017
Pages: 274
Genre: Fantasy
Buy the Book: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Alice wakes one day to find herself on the other side of death, in the corrupted fairy tale land of Nod. Unable to remember much of the events leading to her demise, she sets out on a journey to discover her memory and the reason for her presence in Nod. Unknown to her, the man responsible for her death, Jack, is on a mission to find her spirit and end her second life.
Alice takes flight, only to find herself drawn into the lives of those around her and the mystery permeating that place. From the humble streets of Elysium to the mirrored spires of Memoria, her journey takes her on a path that leads to a decision that will affect the fate of Nod.
Along the way, she meets a cast of characters that include a madman with a dark secret, her faithful companion, Dog, and woman made of memory. Together, they help her on her journey as she uncovers the truth of Nod and the woman behind it all, the Red Queen.
As you may all know, I begin my reviews with an analysis of the cover. That is what initially pulls the reader in after all. This cover evokes feelings of Alice in Wonderland. The color scheme, rabbit, and clock hint at the elements and twists of the classic many of us are familiar with. I remember how tantalizing that story was when I was a child. How could I resist a retelling of such a great story? The dark colors and bright white font contrast well and caught my eye, leaving the minor details for me to savor afterward. The story did not disappoint either. Though the cover may look busy, each part has a meaning within the book. Now…let’s move onto the good part, shall we?
Behind this beautiful cover, is a creative and unique retelling of Alice in Wonderland. As a reader, you are given small amounts of information at a time, leaving you with only the knowledge that the main character. Flashbacks adding new details are slowly provided, shedding light on the plot turns but never taking away from the main narrative. Like the cards around the platform she is standing on in the cover, you are dealt small amounts of information as the story moves on, like a poker game…learning your hand small pieces at a time. Many different stories are melded into one in this dark fantasy retelling. Weaving many intricate tales together is difficult, yet this book does it well. Some of these side characters and their stories may not be needed. However, without them, the tale would lose much of the gore we find throughout. It does not take away from the main storyline and provides additional dimension and depth.
The world building in this is amazing. The people and creatures depicted are done so with immense detail. You are thrown into the world of Nod without any hesitation. Vivid images of Alice’s travels through this mysterious land make the reader experience the journey, not simply read about it. As mentioned above, revealing bits of information slowly help the reader to feel as if they are a part of the story. Now…I do not mind reading gory details and this book does include some. If you are someone with a weak stomach or know you do not handle detailed gruesome scenes, stay away from this book.
I loved the idea of the story and world of Nod itself, but at times I felt that I could not fully immerse myself in the book. This is simply because I failed to connect with the characters, primarily Alice. I followed her on her journey to the Red Queen but I could not seem to bond with her or feel her emotions. Bonding with a character allows me to experience what they do, pulls me in deeper to the book. The lack of this could be caused by the fast pace the story began with. It lacked a detailed backstory and the time to really connect with the characters.
If you enjoy a fast-paced, gory, fantasy tale with bits of retellings intertwined, this would be a great choice. I did enjoy reading the book and look forward to the second in the series. Some details in this story may not meld together until a second read through, meaning that I may read it again prior to the release of the sequel.