“Through a Shattered Glass” Review

Through a Shattered Glass

Book Description:

Drop the mirror and you break the world in two.

Alys hasn’t set foot in Wonderland in years. Not since the White Queen’s mirror shattered; not since her best friend, Kai Hatter, was killed; not since Alys fled back to her own world with a shard of enchanted mirror in her eye. She’s done her best to set aside the past and move on — until a red-painted rose appears in her room, and the portal opens once more.

Simultaneously desperate for hope and terrified of what she might find — or cause — Alys ventures back through the mirror. But the Wonderland she finds is not the same one she left behind, and though Kai is less dead than she thought, he still might be past saving. To make matters worse, the mirror shard is still in Alys’s eye, and Wonderland is all too susceptible to its corrupting power.

Only Alys can save the land and friend she loves — but if she’s not careful, she might be their doom instead.

A dark portal fantasy remix of The Snow Queen and Lewis Carroll’s Alice duology.

Readers be advised- some spoilers may be in the following review. 

Hey my lovelies. I just have to tell you…

This book is officially one of my favorites. A retelling of “The Snow Queen” (one of my favorites) in the world of “Alice” (another one of my favorites) was an absolute blend of perfection. I wasn’t sure what I was signing up for when I agreed to read this book. Honestly, I volunteered to review it simply based on its cover. Now, I know that we aren’t supposed to “judge a book by its cover”, but the cover was epic and so I hoped the book would be too. Let me just say, I’m glad I was right. Let’s jump right in. 

Favorite character 

I love the concept of Kai. (Maybe I have an issue with adoring the good guys becoming the villain based on being a victim in the past…I’m starting to see a trend). The Mad Hatter has always been one of my favorite characters. The journey of Alys from believing Kai to be dead, to seeing that he is “less than dead”, to going on a quest to save him was amazing. I love how Pennington worked him into the story. 

My least favorite character: 

Honestly, I found both the duchess and the queen to be super annoying. I understand that to be their character and I will admit that they were very well written into the storyline. However, they have never been a favorite. I do feel that the duchess had very little to do in the story and, while I’m not upset about it, I feel she could have had a little bit more to her. 

My absolute favorite scene-SPOILER

My favorite scene would have to be from “The Second Dream”. I loved seeing Alys and Kais relationship from before the glass shards. It beautifully ties the story of “Alice” with “The Snow Queen”. I also loved how the dream was written in a way that was beautiful at first and then transitioned to a nightmare. 

For the cons, 

This isn’t technically a con. BUT, I officially want the prequel. I want to know everything that happened leading up to the shattering of the mirror. I have so many questions I want answered and there currently is no book for it. 

Content Concerns– 

No content concerns that I saw. Very much a safe book for younger readers. 

All in All

As I said before, this is officially a favorite. I’m definitely purchasing a paperback. I tried to earlier, and when I saw that they only had kindle available, I cried (literally). I NEED this book on my shelf. I would dare say you do too. Thankfully, the paperback came out today, and it’s already in my cart. I hope to see a hardback in the near future. Very well done to the author.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFVSH518 

Add Book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62669175-through-a-shattered-glass 

Author Bio:

• Sarah Pennington has been writing stories since before she actually knew how to write, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She is perpetually in the middle of writing at least one or two novels, most of which are in the fantasy and fairy tale retelling genres.  When she isn’t writing, she enjoys knitting, photography, and trying to conquer her massive to-be-read list.

Sticker Promo:

• Anyone who preordered Through a Shattered Glass or who purchases the paperback on release day can submit a proof of purchase to receive a set of character art stickers featuring art by the lovely Chloe Grace (@chloegraceartist on Instagram). One set of stickers per person; proof of purchase must be submited by end of day on December 26. 

Link to request stickers: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBj-_REBIbaXY0ZjaAchJsjRLddu9Mq3KycXAAbmeVJVE1Ew/viewform?usp=sf_link