Off With Their Heads / Zoe Hana Mikuta / Book Review

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS

Once upon a time, there were three witches growing up in a remote ward right on the edge of Wonderland. But grief brought a ravenous Saint to their doorstep and severed their trio forever. With a death trace marring the two surviving souls, these witches are cast into Wonderland, to pay their debts or die in the process. Nobody returns from Wonderland whole.

It's been five years since Caro Rabbit and Iccadora Sickle were cast into Wonderland. It's been four years since they broke each other's hearts.

Now Caro works for the Red Queen, bringing her the heads of the Saints she craves and ignoring the twisted experiments the Queen conducts in living flesh deep below the palace. And Icca, well, Icca has never forgotten what Caro did--and what the Red Queen did, either. And with both Caro and the Queen so close, Icca knows there's no time like the present to pay the palace a visit.

THOUGHTS

This book was brutally bloody, violent, and gory. In other words, it's not for everyone. But it most definitely was for me.

PROS

Wicked Opening	Zoe Hana Mikuta doesn't pull any punches here. This book starts with blood splatter, off-kilter narration, and a spiraling sense of dread, paranoia, and insanity. In other words, it really does capture the essence of Wonderland. There's no time for readers to get their bearings here as they get dragged into this bloody mess, and for once, that sort of cold and unforgiving opening absolutely works. It is unsettling and utterly enchanting.
Ridiculous Worldbuilding	The worldbuilding here is as ridiculous as one could hope from a book based on Lewis Carroll. It's wild, unsettling, and dangerous--and it really does embrace the aesthetic. The dripping rot of the deadly "Saints" of this Wonderland pair nicely with the unhinged bloodlust of the very-much-alive Jaberwockies consigned to this forest. Headhunting, vicious queens, and gore: this book is not afraid to embrace all the dark edges of Lewis Carroll's beloved classic.
Will They, Won't They?	These girls absolutely hate each other, and they are utterly obsessed with each other. It's not a will-they, won't-they get (back) together. It's a will-they, won't-they sever each other's heads this time around? This dynamic is invigorating and sadistically charming. I adored this central duo.

CONS

With all of that said, readers who are squeamish really should beware. This book is absolutely blood-splattered, to an extent I have rarely seen in YA--and rarely seen in general, if I'm being honest. If gore isn't something you can stomach, maybe sit this one out.	Brutal Gore
This book also contains more F-bombs than a PG-13 rating would warrant, so younger readers (and/or parents, guardians, or literary guides to younger readers) beware. The language in this book is by no means excessive, but it is definitely on the more mature side of the market. Sensitive readers, be warned!	F***ing Language
As unhinged as this book is (in the best way possible), it can also be a little difficult to digest at times since, you know, a lot of it is comprised of what are, essentially, the ramblings of those barely hanging on to their sanity. It can be hard to follow. It can be easy to get lost in the rambling, and while I don't mind a detour, others might get frustrated by the lack of clarity.	Lunatic Ramblings

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
9/10

Fans of Marissa Meyer's Heartless will like this dive into the dark magics possible in Wonderland. Those who enjoyed Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladwell's This Is How You Lose the Time War will adore these bitter enemies just waiting for a chance to leap as each other's throats.

Details Publisher: Disney Hyperion Date: April 23, 2024 Series: N/A Add to Goodreads Buy it HERE

Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.