12 new YA books you should stay indoors and read this August

Ever Alice – H.J. Ramsey

This indie debut is a fresh, intriguing spin on the story of Alice in Wonderland.

H.J. Ramsey’s Ever Alice is set in 1888 in an insane asylum in England, where a young girl named Alice is a patient, and has been ever since a near-drowning experience that left her talking about a trip to Wonderland afterward. Most people don’t believe her tales, though Alice insists they are all real. But just when it appears as though Alice will agree to undergo an experimental procedure to rid herself of her “delusions” of Wonderland, the White Rabbit appears to her with a brand new mission: Kill the Queen of Hearts.

The story proceeds from there, constantly asking readers to question whether Wonderland is real, or merely the delusions of a very ill young girl. What is madness, after all? Are we all really a little bit mad here? Or are some people more mad than others?

The story is full of light and dark moments, as well as plenty of references to Lewis Carroll’s works for fans.

The official synopsis describes the story in a bit more detail.

"Alice’s stories of Wonderland did more than raise a few eyebrows—it landed her in an asylum. Now at 15 years of age, she’s willing to do anything to leave, which includes agreeing to an experimental procedure. When Alice decides at the last minute not to go through with it, she escapes with the White Rabbit to Wonderland and trades one mad house for another: the court of the Queen of Hearts. Only this time, she is under orders to take out the Queen. When love, scandal, and intrigue begin to muddle her mission, Alice finds herself on the wrong side of the chopping block"

Ever Alice hit shelves on August 1.