“Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it was satisfaction that brought it back.”
— Alyssa's internal thought about her own curiosity and the consequences.
Archivist's Choice
Unhinged
A.G. Howard (2014)
Genre
Fantasy / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
387 min
Key Themes
See below
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Torn between a normal life with her human love and a dangerous destiny in a dark Wonderland, Alyssa must confront a vengeful queen and the allure of Morpheus as her reality shatters.
Synopsis
Alyssa Gardner, after surviving Wonderland, tries to live a normal life and pursue her art dreams. But her mother's recent release from an asylum and odd behavior, plus the sudden appearance of Morpheus in her world, threaten her reality. Morpheus, a creature from Wonderland, warns Alyssa that Queen Red is near and Wonderland is invading her world, endangering everyone she loves. Alyssa must deal with her complicated feelings for Jeb, whose past connection to Wonderland she struggles to reveal, and Morpheus, who tempts her with power in the dark realm. As prom and graduation approach, the line between her human life and Wonderland blurs. Alyssa must choose between protecting her loved ones or embracing her destiny in a dangerous, magical world, where a final fight with Queen Red and the fate of Wonderland itself await.
Reading time
387 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Dark, Romantic, Suspenseful, Whimsical (darkly)
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy dark, romantic retellings of 'Alice in Wonderland' with a strong love triangle and high stakes.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer lighthearted fantasy or dislike love triangles.
Plot Summary
A Precarious Homecoming
Six months after her last Wonderland adventure, Alyssa Gardner is a high school senior, planning for prom and art school in London. Her mother, Alison, recently released from a mental hospital, seems cured but acts strangely protective and suspicious of Alyssa. Alison forbids Alyssa from seeing Jeb, increasing the tension. Alyssa struggles to balance her human life with Wonderland memories and her true nature as a half-human, half-netherling descendant of Alice Liddell. She finds comfort in her art, though her creations increasingly feature Wonderland, hinting at the unstable barrier between worlds.
Morpheus's Grand Entrance
Morpheus, the alluring netherling, suddenly appears at Alyssa's high school, pretending to be a new student named 'Moth.' His presence immediately disrupts Alyssa's human life. He subtly teases her, reminding her of her true heritage and the chaos in Wonderland. Morpheus casts doubt on Jeb's forgotten past, suggesting Jeb's memory loss of their Wonderland adventures is an illusion. He also hints at a threat from Queen Red, urging Alyssa to return to Wonderland to fulfill her destiny and protect both realms, while trying to rekindle their complicated attraction.
Jeb's Forgotten Past
Alyssa wants to tell Jeb the truth about their Wonderland past, especially their escape from the Chess Kingdom and his near-death experience. But each attempt is met with his confusion and dismissal, as he remembers none of it. Morpheus uses Jeb's amnesia to his advantage, driving a wedge between Alyssa and Jeb. Alyssa notices Jeb's growing unease with 'Moth' and the strange events around them, but his human mind struggles to grasp the fantastical explanations she wants to give him. She fears revealing the truth might ruin their relationship or endanger him.
Wonderland's Incursion
The barrier between the human world and Wonderland begins to weaken. Alyssa's art becomes a way for this to happen; her painted flowers come alive, and her sketches of Wonderland creatures move. Minor netherlings, like jabberflies, appear in her home, causing distress. These incidents are unsettling for Alyssa and her mother, Alison, who reacts with growing paranoia and fear, believing her past struggles with 'madness' are returning. Morpheus warns Alyssa that these invasions are signs of Queen Red's arrival, stressing the need for her to return to Wonderland.
Prom Night Chaos
Prom night turns into a nightmare when Queen Red, with her card guards and the Bandersnatch, invades the school. Her arrival is dramatic and terrifying, causing panic. She reveals her plan to take Alyssa's heart and use it to sever the connection between Wonderland and the human world, stopping any future 'Alice' from interfering. In the chaos, Alyssa, Morpheus, and Jeb must fight. The prom becomes a battleground, showing the contrast between Alyssa's human and Wonderland realities, and forcing Jeb to face the impossible truth he had forgotten.
Alison's Secret
During the prom invasion, Alison's true nature and her long-hidden Wonderland memories are revealed. It turns out Alison was not 'mad' but had also been to Wonderland, specifically the Chess Kingdom, where she made a deal with Queen Red to protect Alyssa. Alison's overprotective behavior comes from her deep fear of Alyssa falling to Wonderland's dangers. She confesses that she painted the flowers in Alyssa's room with netherling blood to create a protective barrier, a desperate attempt to keep Alyssa safe, but an act that unintentionally weakened the veil, allowing Queen Red's invasion.
A Desperate Escape
With Queen Red's forces overwhelming the prom, Alyssa realizes the human world is no longer safe for her loved ones. She decides to return to Wonderland, believing it's the only way to protect her family and friends. Jeb, now fully aware of the truth and his forgotten past, refuses to be left behind and insists on going with her. Morpheus, eager to guide Alyssa back to his realm, helps them escape through a new portal. They leave behind a devastated high school and a terrified Alison, who understands Alyssa's choice.
The Chess Kingdom's Peril
In Wonderland, Alyssa, Jeb, and Morpheus find the Chess Kingdom in disarray, suffering under Queen Red's rule. The once lively land is now barren, its people living in fear. The White Queen is imprisoned, and the White King's forces are scattered. Alyssa sees the destructive results of Queen Red's power and her hunt for Alyssa's heart. This strengthens Alyssa's resolve to challenge Queen Red, not just for herself but for Wonderland. Morpheus uses this devastation to show Alyssa the urgency of her mission.
The Heart of the Matter
Morpheus reveals Alyssa's unique connection to Wonderland: her heart holds the balance of both realms. If Queen Red takes it, the veil between worlds will be permanently sealed, letting Red rule Wonderland unchallenged while the human world loses its magic. More importantly, Alyssa learns her heart is the only thing that can restore balance within Wonderland itself. This revelation raises the stakes of her quest, making it a mission for the survival of two worlds, placing a huge burden on her.
A Desperate Alliance
To defeat Queen Red, Alyssa must unite Wonderland's divided groups. She seeks out the Mad Hatter and his tea party, getting their help despite their oddities and the Hatter's lingering anger towards her ancestor, Alice. She also tries to gather the White Queen's remaining loyal subjects. Jeb, despite being human, is a valuable ally, offering practical solutions and emotional support. Morpheus, though manipulative, provides knowledge of Wonderland's magic and its people, guiding Alyssa through the dangerous land. This unlikely group prepares for a final fight against Queen Red.
The White Queen's Sacrifice
Alyssa finds the White Queen imprisoned and weak. To help Alyssa, the White Queen reveals information about Queen Red's weakness and gives Alyssa a powerful magical item or ability. This comes at a great cost to the White Queen, further solidifying Alyssa's resolve to restore order to Wonderland. The White Queen's sacrifice is a turning point, giving Alyssa the tools and knowledge to confront Queen Red directly and challenge her rule, also highlighting the deep conflict between the two sisters.
The Final Confrontation
Alyssa, with Morpheus and Jeb, confronts Queen Red in a dramatic, magic-filled battle. The fight is fierce, with Alyssa using her netherling powers, her art, and the White Queen's insights. Morpheus uses his illusions, while Jeb, though human, offers support and strategic distractions. Alyssa faces a difficult choice during the battle, a moral dilemma that tests her resolve and understanding of Wonderland's rules. The fate of both the human world and Wonderland rests on Alyssa as she fights to protect her heart and restore harmony.
A Choice and a Crown
After Queen Red's defeat, Alyssa faces a big decision: to stay in the human world with Jeb, or to fully embrace her destiny as Wonderland's queen with Morpheus. She struggles with the appeal of a normal human life versus the responsibility and power of her netherling heritage. Alyssa makes a choice that solidifies her identity and role in both worlds. This decision affects her relationships with both Jeb and Morpheus, setting the stage for future conflicts, and she accepts leadership, understanding the weight of her crown.
Farewell and Foreboding
Alyssa says goodbye to the human world for now, leaving her mother with the understanding that she must protect both realms. Her choice to embrace her Wonderland destiny means a temporary separation from her human life. The ending is bittersweet, with hints of future challenges. While Queen Red is defeated, the complexities of Wonderland and Alyssa's relationships with Morpheus and Jeb suggest her trials are not over. She steps into her new role with determination and apprehension, ready for what comes next.
Principal Figures
Alyssa Gardner
The Protagonist
Alyssa evolves from a girl trying to deny her Wonderland heritage to a young woman who accepts her true nature and embraces her role as the rightful queen, making a difficult choice between love and duty.
Jebediah 'Jeb' Holt
The Supporting
Jeb transitions from an oblivious human to one who fully accepts Alyssa's dual nature and his own forgotten past, choosing to stand by her side regardless of the dangers.
Morpheus
The Supporting/Antagonist
Morpheus continues his attempts to sway Alyssa to his side and Wonderland, revealing more of his complex motivations while remaining true to his manipulative nature.
Alison Gardner
The Supporting
Alison's character arc involves her coming to terms with her own Wonderland past and revealing the truths she had suppressed, ultimately accepting Alyssa's destiny.
Queen Red
The Antagonist
Queen Red's arc focuses on her escalating efforts to secure her power by destroying Alyssa and severing the worlds, leading to a climactic confrontation.
The Mad Hatter
The Supporting
The Mad Hatter, though largely static in his eccentricities, becomes a vital ally to Alyssa, reaffirming his loyalty to the rightful heir of Wonderland.
The White Queen
The Supporting
The White Queen's arc involves her making a significant sacrifice to empower Alyssa and aid in the restoration of Wonderland.
The Bandersnatch
The Mentioned/Supporting
The Bandersnatch remains a consistent threat, serving its master without significant character development.
Themes & Insights
Identity and Belonging
Alyssa's main struggle is her dual identity as a human and a netherling, and where she belongs. She wants a normal human life with Jeb but is constantly drawn to her Wonderland destiny. This theme appears in her internal conflict, her art (which blurs world lines), and her eventual choice to accept her heritage. The book explores the idea that true belonging comes from accepting all parts of oneself. Her struggle is intensified by Morpheus's constant teasing and Jeb's initial ignorance of her Wonderland self.
““I’m not a monster. I’m just…half-human, half-netherling. And I don’t know where I belong anymore.””
Love vs. Duty
Alyssa is torn between her love for Jeb and the human life he represents, and her duty to Wonderland as its queen. This theme is explored through the romantic triangle with Alyssa, Jeb, and Morpheus. Jeb offers stable, familiar love, while Morpheus represents powerful, dangerous, but destined love tied to her true self and Wonderland duties. Her decision at the end shows this theme, as she must choose which path and which love she will prioritize, knowing her choice has huge consequences for both realms.
““One boy offers me a normal life. The other offers me a crown. But only one of them offers me a heart that beats just like mine.””
The Nature of Reality and Madness
The book blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, questioning what 'madness' is. Alison's past stay in a mental hospital for her Wonderland experiences, and Alyssa's 'gifts' (hearing insects and flowers), challenge normal ideas of sanity. Wonderland's bleed-through into the human world further destabilizes what characters see as real. This theme highlights the subjective nature of reality and suggests that what one culture calls 'madness' might just be a different way of seeing the world, or a connection to a hidden one. Queen Red's invasion of prom forces everyone to confront the impossible.
““Madness is a relative term. What is sane in one world is chaos in another.””
The Consequences of Choice and Sacrifice
Every main character faces hard choices, and the story explores the consequences of those decisions. Alison's past deal with Queen Red to protect Alyssa unintentionally leads to the current conflict. Alyssa's choice to return to Wonderland, or to stay, decides the fate of two realms. The White Queen's sacrifice for Alyssa, and Alyssa's own decision about the throne, all show the weight of individual actions. The theme emphasizes that even good intentions can have unforeseen negative results, and that heroism often requires personal sacrifice.
““Every choice has a price, my dear. And some prices are paid in blood.””
Reclaiming Heritage and Power
Alyssa's journey is about taking back her heritage as a netherling and embracing her power. At first, she tries to hide her Wonderland side, but as conflict grows, she must use her unique abilities and accept her destiny as the queen. This theme is about stepping into one's inherent power, even if it's scary. It's about understanding that one's lineage is not just a burden but a source of strength and responsibility, ending with her acceptance of the crown.
““You are Alice's heir, a bridge between worlds. It's time to stop fighting who you are and start claiming what is yours.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Bleed-Through
Wonderland phenomena manifesting in the human world.
This device serves to heighten the tension and blur the lines between reality and fantasy. As the veil between worlds weakens, elements of Wonderland—like sentient painted flowers, jabberflies, and ultimately Queen Red and her forces—begin to appear in Alyssa's human reality. This not only provides tangible evidence of the impending threat but also forces Alyssa and others, like Jeb and Alison, to confront the impossible. It serves as a ticking clock, indicating that Alyssa cannot avoid her destiny and must return to Wonderland to prevent further chaos.
Jeb's Amnesia
Jeb's forgotten memories of Wonderland.
Jeb's amnesia about his past adventures in Wonderland, caused by Morpheus, is a crucial plot device. It creates a significant barrier between Alyssa and Jeb, fueling her internal conflict about telling him the truth and protecting him. It also allows Morpheus to manipulate both characters, using Jeb's ignorance to his advantage. The eventual return of Jeb's memories is a pivotal moment, forcing him to accept Alyssa's true nature and solidifying his commitment to her, thereby changing the dynamic of their relationship and his role in the conflict.
Alyssa's Art
Alyssa's artistic creations as a conduit for Wonderland.
Alyssa's artistic talent is more than just a hobby; it's a direct link to Wonderland. Her paintings and sculptures become a conduit through which Wonderland can 'bleed through' into the human world. This device not only showcases her unique netherling abilities but also serves as a visual representation of the dissolving barrier between realms. It foreshadows events, provides clues, and at times even actively participates in the plot (e.g., flowers gaining sentience), making her art a living, breathing extension of her connection to Wonderland and her destiny.
The Unreliable Narrator (Alison)
Alyssa's mother's past and present actions are shrouded in mystery.
Alison Gardner initially appears as a sympathetic character, a mother recovering from 'madness.' However, her overprotective behavior and strange actions (like painting with netherling blood) hint at a deeper, more complicated past. She acts as an unreliable source of information, withholding truths about her own experiences in Wonderland and her dealings with Queen Red. This device creates suspense, making the reader question her motives and sanity, until her true history and the consequences of her choices are dramatically revealed, adding a significant layer of depth to the plot.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Love is a drug, and I'm addicted to you.”
— Morpheus expressing his intense feelings for Alyssa.
“Every time you choose him over me, you choose a little piece of death.”
— Morpheus's warning to Alyssa about her relationship with Jeb.
“The greatest prison people live in is the fear of what other people think.”
— Alyssa reflecting on societal expectations and her own fears.
“Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one.”
— Alyssa's realization about the difficult choices she faces.
“Madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little push.”
— Morpheus alluding to the ease with which one can descend into madness.
“You can't escape who you are, Alyssa. Not really.”
— Morpheus reminding Alyssa of her inherent nature and lineage.
“The heart wants what it wants, even if it's the wrong thing.”
— Alyssa struggling with her feelings for both Jeb and Morpheus.
“There are no heroes or villains, only people with different agendas.”
— Morpheus's cynical view on morality and motivations.
“Sometimes it's better to burn than to fade away.”
— Alyssa considering a drastic action to solve her problems.
“You can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved.”
— Jeb's frustration with Alyssa's inability to see the danger.
“The most beautiful things are often the most dangerous.”
— Alyssa's observation about the allure and peril of Wonderland.
“Every choice you make ripples through time.”
— Morpheus emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of Alyssa's decisions.
“Sanity is a small price to pay for freedom.”
— Alyssa contemplating the sacrifices needed to break free from her family's curse.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
At the start of 'Unhinged,' Alyssa's primary goal is to graduate high school and attend a prestigious art school in London. She desires a normal life after her previous perilous adventures in Wonderland, hoping to leave the magical realm and its dangers behind.
