As a starry-eyed child, I wanted to believe my shining prince would ride up on a white horse, present a diamond ring, and carry me away to his castle. His love would be endless and our lives would be the happily ever after all girls dreamed about. I never knew the fairytale was nothing more than a lie.I was a good girl.Until one night, one tiny trip, one little mistake, one moment of … one moment of indiscretion.
When I fell down the rabbit hole, I stumbled into the absolute fantasy, succumbing to their whims and rituals. As their very naughty girl, I embraced the nightmare and refused to ever leave.
The Darkland is mine.
And those monsters will kneel before their one true Queen.
Madness is a dark romance/reverse harem story.
An admitted word fiend, KAILEE REESE SAMUELS loves pushing her readers’ boundaries with original, addictive storylines and unexpected twists to keep you turning the page. Her genre-busting, lyrical writing style is punctuated with elements of dark romance, romantic suspense, psychological thriller, mafia, MC, BDSM, and realism.
As the author of JULIET, 22, SHE/HE, UNSPOKEN, POPPY, and TAT BOOKS (Salt Kissed Love, Famous Last Words, and the upcoming Every Minute I Love You), she believes first and foremost her books should be entertaining and serve as the perfect escape with a delicious beverage, a box of chocolate, and plenty of tissues.
more
If this doesn’t remind you of Alice in Wonderland, then we need to chat! I recall watching that as a child, and being swept away in the “madness” till the end when I was just in awe of what I just watched. Madness by Kailee is no different, where it starts and where it ends will have you wondering if you went thisaway instead of thataway.
Ellison’s life looks perfect on the outside, till it’s not. The tragedies that follow her around have your jaw on the floor. A not-so-innocent white rabbit starts the tumble into the Darklands, and we are now primped to a level that would put the best drag queen to shame! Each twist, each tidbit of reality, each interaction has you gaping and waiting to see what will happen when the next Merryman arrives. I was racing through to find out what was, what would, and what did happen to Ellison Kingsley, as each time I thought I knew where it was going, instantly the path was swept away as if it wasn’t there and I was now on a new one.
This adult, dark take on a classic was thrilling, heartbreaking, and so tantalizing you will want to be sent back to the Darkland. I definitely need the rest of this series, I have got to know what happens next! To me, this was a perfect introduction to a new to me author, as well as a great addition to The Sinister Fairy Tale Collection.
Madness is a delectably, twisted take on one of my favorite tales. Lysa is quite the interesting character and I was instantly transported into her mind and experiencing a delightfully dark journey.
For such a quick read this story was filled with wonderful imagery and the perfect level of darkness.
I’m loving this series more and more with each new tale.
This isn’t my first book by this author, so I knew it would be awesome and I sort of knew what to expect going in,… Kind of. I mean, I thought I did… It turns out I didn’t… Truth be told.
Because WOW. I was not expecting what I got. This is MADNESS… The name fits it perfectly. If you are keeping up with this multi-author series, you will know that these retellings of fairytales are DARK and when I say dark, I mean… Dark, and twisted and mind fuckingly good and this retelling is no different.
Like I said I wasn’t expecting what I got but I know the authors’ style and I know she wouldn’t go easy on this and she didn’t. She had me on the edge of my seat, she had me staring up and my eyes bugging out with a “WTF” look on my face, she had me powering through this book wanting to know each and every detail. I was hooked. Whatever thoughts you have about Alice in Wonderland is about to knock you on your ass. The author retells this tale as an RH and she does it flawlessly. I was able to keep up with each and every scene and character with ease and by the end of the book. Alice and her Wonderland? Well, Woahhhhh… That is all I can say. This book was mastered like all her others and had me hanging on every word. That quote “Down The Rabit Hole” could be any truer when you read this book, but don’t let that turn you off. As crazy and mad as this way, it all pieced together in a way too. It was truly an epic retelling and one of the best in series so far!
5 STARS!
Curioser and curioser indeed
This is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland and boy do you descend into Madness as you fall down the rabbit hole. It’s just as odd as the original both in the characters who inhabit it’s pages and in the reality of what is happening. At times is was somewhat esoteric, though still utterly captivating and enthralling.
It’s an RH and whilst I could see the chemistry between the different characters, I didn’t feel an emotional investment in them. This was more due to the style of the book, where the prose was often reminiscent of what I imagine a drug induced psychodelic trip would be like. That is an intentional move by the author, a very successful attempt to mimic the original story whilst also making it a very dark, steamy, adult version of Alice in Wonderland.
It’s a strange read where I sort of knew what was happening but didn’t really know. Even at the end, where many things are revealed and resolved, there is still an element of the unknown, an option to intepret as you please. A different read, dare I say a mind-blowing read? A great addition to the series.
This is yet another in The Sinister Fairytale Collection. I’ve always had such a soft spot for Alice in Wonderland and Madness was the retelling of that story. While I did enjoy the story I found it hard to follow it felt like I was in wonderland trying understand everything. It all came together in the end but it was a lot to get to that point. You get some of the classic Alice in Wonderland characters as well as some new to this version. It was definitely a much darker retelling and it did have a happy ending after so many twists and heartache. I give it four stars. By Tiffany
Madness by Kailee Reese Samuels is part of the Sinister Fairytales. This one is a take on Alice in Wonderland, but don’t expect any kind of happily ever after. This book is not for the faint of heart. It is more dark and twisted than I was expecting. There are some events that I would consider triggering so I’d like to offer a word of warning. If you are sensitive about sexual abuse, please take care. This is a new to me author. I am now curious about her other books. I found Madness to be a well written book. It definitely was madness! Happy Reading!
Yvette, Book Haven Book Blog
This is one case where the book title is dead on when it comes to the content inside and it is another fabulous addition to the Sinister Fairytale Collection. I will caution those to read with care as there are graphic descriptions. This is a retelling of the classic Alice in Wonderland with a dark spin that follows true to the original. “This is your terrain. We’re all just figments of your imagination.” All is not as it seems and the more the reader dares to delve into the story, the more it plays like the C&C Music Factory song “Things That Make You Go Humm.” From the beginning prepare yourself for the wicked prose that seems to seep under your skin as you willingly follow down the rabbit hole just to find out what will come next. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
So I expected a dark fairytale retelling, but not an erotic one. This didn’t put me off though.
It’s a loosely based retelling of ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Ellison is a mentally disturbed teen who went through traumatic events as a child some by her own doing. During a party, she is seduced by Whit who sends her down the rabbit hole of depravity. Making her way through Wonderland to dethrone the Queen, she is met with a slew of characters who help her along the way. This adventure helps shape who Ellison wants to be and sheds her past in order to become a better person. This book is not for the faint of heart as it deals with sexual abuse, rape, and murder. It’s a twisted, sexual tale but well worth the read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kailee Reece Samuels is a new to me author. Madness is the next book in the Sinister Fairytales Collection and is a dark retelling of Alice In Wonderland. This one is definitely for the adults. It’s told from Ellison’s POV. This book can be read as a stand-alone.
Where to start? This book is aptly title. Madness is just that…Madness. There are many WTF moments and some parts are a total mind f*ck. Add in the RH part, and it’s very dark. I get it, Alice In Wonderland plays with logic, but this one is like having a psychotic break.
The story starts off strong and easy to follow. Then we all fall down the rabbit hole. Where things do not make any sense, and I found myself having to go back and reread pages at a time. The RH parts were hot, but there isn’t much to connect with.
I will say that it all makes sense at the end. But, there isn’t any closure for Ellison, so it feels like the story ended abruptly. I needed more. I will probably read it again at some point to see if I can make more sense of it.
I voluntarily read an arc and this is my honest review
“I was the butterfly. And my wings were never perfect. They frayed with a jagged edge dusted with bitterness to… save me.”
The first thing I want to say is I am so getting this quote as a tattoo… The second is do not go into this story, thinking it is a love story full of romance. It is not. If you have never read a KRS book, this probably shouldn’t be the first one you read since even for her, this one is out there. I am a massive fan of hers, and also this one gave me a trip…
Madness brings you to Alice and Wonderland on drugs. If, for any reason, you didn’t think Alice was a safe fairytale well, it is not now. KRS is brilliant in this out of body experience fairytale.
Madness is an excellent addition to the Sinister Collections.
When I read the blurb about this book I was very intrigued. I was thrown in at the deep end in the first two pages and taken by complete surprise. This is a story which is not all it seems. The characters are very complicated and it is a delve into the mind of the ‘insane’ or not. Definitely an Alice through the looking glass senario. An ingenious and sometimes brutal and insane story which captures the imagination. A terrific author who pulls out all the stops to get into the mind and drags you kicking and screaming to the end of this very mad book. I recommend this book but read it with an open mind as everything is not what it seems.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another amazing book in the Sinister Fairytale Collection! Kailee Reese Samuels had me falling down the rabbit hole and loving every second of it!!
Samuels did an amazing job putting a dark twist on this story. Madness is so appropriately named. Alice and Wonderland is a little odd to start, but Samuels takes it up a few notches. This book had me screaming, while fanning myself to cool down from the steaminess coming off the pages! KRS brings this story to life in a way I didn’t see coming. Everything about this book was amazing!! I devoured this book. The writing, the characters, everything was just amazing. This is one of those books that is hard to explain, but just know everyone NEEDS TO READ this book!
Kailee Reese Samuels is a new to me author, this is my first book by her. But I am dying to go back and read her previous books now! All the stars for Madness and KRS! I can’t wait to see what this collection delivers next.
welp… where to begin… this may be one of those long nonsensical reviews that you pass over.. that’s okay… dont read the review .. read the book. Ha. Read. If you open this book and dont go down the rabbit hole and experience it all yourself your not real. Or you’re too real… hmm?
K didn’t take long before she plunged the needle into me sending me on a journey I’m not soon to forget. I didn’t make it to chapter 3 before I had to start writing my feelings down. I’m excited (in every meaning and nuance of the word). And possibly neurotic? Psychotic? Sociopathic?… who’s to know? Who’s to tell? You dont care.
I’m at 17 percent. 17 is my number. I met my husband at 17. We got married on the 17th, at 5 pm (1700) I’m at 17 percent and my knees are shaking. My mind is humming my body is twitching…
I’m at work and wondering why I always do this. I cant be an niece innocent bystander whilst reading a KRS masterpiece. And believe you me. This is an unbelievable, unapologetic, mind altering masterpiece!!
It’s no better at home. No worse? My mind is boggled in the best way. I’m strung high, falling slow, and speeding down the path laid before me.
Holy hallelujah. I am in awe of KRS. Her talent, her brilliance, her beauty. The words written on her pages are pure music. Joy, happiness, beauty, sorrow, torure… all wrapped beautifully with a delicate bow.
Kailee Reese Samuels did a great job on this story. Madness had a strong plot, the story was written well with strong characters. So much happened in this story, it’s packed with many emotions, it was filled with mystery, darkness, ups and downs, twists and more. This was a great story. I enjoyed it.
Thank you, Kailee Reese Samuels. Great work 🙂
A very twisted fairy-tale… another fascinating and entertaining read by the mega talented Kailee Samuels. I was taken into a world unlike no other, transported down a rabbit hole into a dark, scary… but more often than not HOT as F&%K world. If you enjoy dark, taboo and somewhat different books then this story is definitely what your looking for. Buckle up and enjoy the ride… see you on the flip side if your sanity is still in tact.
My first thought of this book was what in the world am I reading!
After reading some more I did start to grasp more of an understanding of what I thought was going on. Oh, boy was I wrong!!!
This book was full of twists and was such a dark read, so if you are wanting a HEA please be warned you will not be getting one with this book.
This book is a great addition to the Sinister Fairy Tales as a version of Alice in Wonderland.
This book confused me more than a little. I didn’t hate it. Once I got to the end it all made sense, but trying to get to the end was difficult at times. I love all her other books. This just wasn’t my cup of tea. 😉
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ellison is a young girl with a messed up life. She retreats into a dark fantasy world much like the tale of Alice in Wonderland but much dirtier and way more screwed up. Real life is even messier and the people you should be able to trust will betray you in the worst way. A dark, sinister story about abuse, stolen childhood and learning to deal with trauma.
Truly Maddening!!!! This crazy, wonderful, yet utterly dark book reflects the title in the most devastating way. A retelling of Alice in Wonderland that will leave you completely and utterly scarred for life in a unique and twisted way and I loved it. Ellison Kingsley is so broken and tortured in her head that it breaks your heart. She ends up in a world unlike any other, a world full of fantasy and illusion, but to some a nightmare. Ellison belongs now to the Darkland and his crazy demented ways but this story has so many twists that the romance you don’t see coming. I enjoyed all the characters to the fullest as they all bring a resemblance to the beloved fairy tale but the darkness of the story is addictive and I highly recommend it.
Where do I even begin! This book sucks you in from the moment you begin with the first chapter. This book was so good! If you love Alice in Wonderland you will love the twists in this book!