Wonderland

I received an ARC e-book copy of Wonderland from NetGalley and Mulholland Books in return for my honest review, which follows below. I thank both for this opportunity. I rated this novel 5 stars. I reached my decision by how much I enjoyed reading this, I intend on buying a copy when it is released. I’ve actually saved a space next to my copy of Baby Teeth since I heard this was coming out, and having been able to read the ARC has just cemented my need to own this book. I am recommending this to be read by anyone that liked her writing style with Baby Teeth, obviously, but also if they like tense family thrillers with a supernatural tint, well-written characters that you feel very invested in, and the resulting inability to rest until you know what happens. I can also see giving this as a gift. I’ll admit after reading Baby Teeth I searched Zoje Stage’s name often, hoping for news of a new book. I had decided after one read she would join my ever growing list of authors I would buy whatever they wrote, cherishing their words as I re-read them over and over. I have a slight book problem, not a big deal, not looking for help right now, even if my husband silently wishes I would. When I saw the publication date was pushed back to the 14th of July, I was a little stoked, because that’s my birthday, and it felt a little like fate that I planned on buying it with that birthday bank. Now on to a hopefully spoiler free review. The book opens with a family moving on to the next stage of their life. The wife has retired and the husband will focus on giving his art career a go, while moving from the busy city to an out in the country home. It’s a total change for everyone, but one that they all seem eager to try. Almost immediately the mother feels out of sorts on the land, and you’re unsure if it is just regular jitters or mother’s intuition rearing its protective head. At first I drew comparisons to The Shining by Stephen King, a family living in seclusion during winter while the father works on something important to him. But it doesn’t stick, the stories are not similar beyond that initial thought, and that is more than fine; this story is about a family that was never emotionally frayed or drawn from one another. This is a close and loving family, and I really appreciate how she writes from a mother’s perspective, how even if you are at that moment frustrated, you can also be full of love for your children, or your spouse. It becomes plain that there are odd happenings on their property fairly quickly. The husband and daughter seem more sensitive to the things causing the oddities, the son is almost too young to realize what is going on, and the mother just strives for answers. There is a lot of pressure on the parents; having made this big change in their lives has not been cheap, but they are also concerned about their children's safety. What follows is a story that stretches the sanity of everyone there; the more they learn almost seems to make things more confusing. There were no lulls in this book, just parts where you thought, maybe things aren’t so bad while the author is surely giggling behind you. I absolutely loved this book, every magical moment, tragic turn, and unexpected emotional yank to my insides. If you want to know what happens specifically, you will have to read it yourself, but you will not regret it.