Alice in Kyoto Forest, Volume 1

by Mai Mochizuki

[Quirky Cat]

Summary:

Alice was orphaned at a young age. She has known for nearly all that time that she wasn't precisely welcome at her new home with her aunt. It isn't that her aunt had a problem with her...but her aunt's husband? That's a different story.

Naturally, Alice jumped at the opportunity to return home to Kyoto. Best of all, going home comes with a chance to train as a maiko – something she has always dreamed of.

Review:

So, Alice in Kyoto Forest Vol. 1 is different. I'll give you that. It blends Alice in Wonderland with a geisha in training sort of story. I'm sure that this series gets better with time, but it failed to get my attention with this first volume.

Part of the reason is that there's a show/tell problem. Right away, we're told what Alice's backstory/problem is. And yes, we get to see a bit of it, but it rings hollow in comparison. And that makes it harder to get invested in her story.

That said, if you're looking for a different tale on Alice in Wonderland, this may be the story for you. I can only imagine it will get strong in the second volume (especially as the world has been established).

Highlights:
Alice in Wonderland retelling
Urban Fantasy

Will I continue the series? No.

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