A Dream so Dark by L L McKinney

A Dream so Dark (Nightmare-Verse, #2)

by L L McKinney

In L. L. McKinney's A Dream So Dark, the thrilling sequel to A Blade So Black, Alice goes deeper into a dark version of Wonderland.

Still reeling from her recent battle (and grounded until she graduates high school), Alice must cross the Veil to rescue her friends and stop the Black Knight once and for all. But the deeper she ventures into Wonderland, the more topsy-turvy everything becomes. It’s not until she’s at her wits’ end that she realizes—Wonderland is trying to save her.

There’s a new player on the board; a poet capable of using Nightmares to not only influence the living but raise the dead. This Poet is looking to claim the Black Queen’s power—and Alice’s budding abilities—as their own.

Dreams have never been so dark in Wonderland, and if there is any hope of defeating this mystery poet’s magic, Alice must confront the worst in herself, in the people she loves, and in the very nature of fear itself.

Reviewed by layawaydragon on

5 of 5 stars

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A Dream So Dark:
-Picks up right were the first ended
-Still love Alice's voice. Unapologetically black and proud and comfortable in her skin. No code switching for the white sensibility.
-Action packed.
-Moms in the know now
-Day with mom and grandma 3
-Courtney gets in on the adventure
-Meet more guardians and warriors
-More traveling in our world and Wonderland
-More backstory of the queens and knights
-Bi/pan/queer crushes/flirting/interactions. There's no real romancing or relationships going on with the battles and saving the worlds. Loads awkward feels and dancing around.
-Dragons!
-Monsters escalate
-Some mysteries solved...
-The fight continues
-VERY curious how things will go next. There's gotta be some talking and some lines drawn and a bigger picture end game going.

Also. it's not "random" or "pandering". PEOPLE BE GAY. It doesn't have to ~impact~ the story or them get *buried* to justify it, you fucking straight ding dongs!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 February, 2020: Finished reading
  • 1 February, 2020: Reviewed