What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this is a violent series, which, of course, is part of its appeal. There are many battles and deaths, and some gruesome moments with fingers bitten off. There's some drinking, cigarette smoking, and drug use.

Families can talk about the idea of imagination used as a weapon. What would be its limits? What makes Redd's more powerful than Alyss'? How could it be overcome?

was a terrifically original and thrilling new entry in the fantasy field. This second book in the series suffers from the dreaded sophomore slump. Of course those who loved the first book will want to read it, and they'll enjoy it well enough. But it doesn't have that thrill of the new; the clever literary playing with the Alice in Wonderland story that made the first book so much fun.

Instead we get nearly nonstop battles and scheming, which, of course, some readers will love. Redd's sojourn on Earth, where she gathers the dregs of humanity (many of whom turn out to be exiled Wonderlanders) is amusing, and the climactic battle is epic and exciting. But there's a flatness to much of the proceedings that would seem to indicate an author who used much of his best ideas in the first book. Let's hope he has a few more surprises up his sleeve for the next one.

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