Random Magic by Sasha Soren,

As a part of the Othershelftours I'm thrilled to post my review for Random Magic. You can check out info about the tour here.

Book synopsis: It's a lot like our world, only...completely different. When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from “Alice in Wonderland,” young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes.


When I opened the cover of this book (is it just me or does the girl on the front have an uncanny resemblance to Nicole Kidman?) I had everything going for me, a hot cup of tea, some chocolates and it was a dark and breezy night. It would have been perfect if I had some rain to make it a dark and stormy night but sometimes you cant get everything!! Settling in I began enjoying the visuals of a magnificent party at The Castle Marlybone array with delicious food and plentiful sights. One minute I was enjoying a watercress sandwich and the next screaming in the wise words of Winnie..."Oh Balls"... from rolling skeleton heads tumbling down the stairs....I wasn't really screaming oh balls because I hadn't read that quote yet but thought it was too funny not to write in there.... I was thinking "hey, um where did all the yummy food go and where the heck did the heads come from"??? Little did I know what this book had in store for me. That I would soon meet the funniest lovable duo and feel like Id been down my own rabbit hole.

Shortly after the skeleton heads and creepy nighttime castle we meet Henry who is lounging outside reading Alice in Wonderland on a spring day in April residing at a young persons gloomy school. Certain events lead to the disappearance of Alice which then takes Henry on a road he wasn't expecting. Henry's adventure wouldn't have been the magic it was if not for Winnie Flapjack by far my favorite character in this book. Mistaken for an evil witch (she's actually a good doodle witch) a group of townsfolk are trying to burn her at the stake Henry rescues her and follows her to Nowhere, they instantly become friends and thus begins a not so random journey to find Alice. Winne is hilarious with her doodle wit, charm and one liners like Glob head and Chum. The two encounter just about every magical character you can think of from Red Riding Hood to The Bean Stalk, even some creepy fun vampires make an appearance. Of course my favorite encounter the duo have is with the pirates. The pirate lingo and visual action had me laughing so hard I got a stomach cramp. The sea metaphors brought depth and meaning to the book and it was truly some fantastic and genius writing!

What an adventure!! Random Magic is unlike anything Ive ever read. Sasha's talent to detail, humor and whit sucked me in this fantastic story of magic, friends and folklore. I feel like Ive never read anything quite like this. It has that classic feel intertwined with many fairy tale classic characters. Who doesn't love Captain Jack or temperamental spider chairs? If your looking for a fast read this isn't for you. Charming and funny but yet thought provoking you will want to savor each chapter. Sasha adds a lot of emotion and personal touches to her style of writing. I cant wait to read this to my girls...of course I will edit where need be according to age but its a great story to share with your kids and will be a great treasure for my shelf!

Favorite Book Quote as said by the old goat: Look me laddo, this is the lost and found station not the twenty answers for a stupid question booth, if you want him try next door!

Favorite Winnie Quote responding to the goat: HEY! You wanna a punch in the nose

.......So does the dynamic duo get Alice back so the book of Wonderland doesn't evaporate thus sending the world into chaos......Well, you will have to read all about Winnie and her chum Henry to find out! Check more of this book out at Sasha Soren's Site.

5/5 Brilliant, Fiction Magic, Folklore

I cant wait for you all to meet Sasha Soren who will be visiting all us Savvy Readers on Nov 11. 2009...I look forward to hear her thoughts on whatever random subject she may choose!