Alice in the Country of Hearts, Volume 1 Review

Publisher: Mag Garden | Writer: Quin Rose | Artist: Soumei Hoshino | Release Date: 2008

Alice is kidnapped and thrust into a twisted Wonderland ruled by dangerous factions. Caught between a deadly turf war, she must survive and uncover a path home.

Writing

Penned by QuinRose, Alice in the Country of Hearts Vol. 1 reimagines Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland through a dark, romantic, and slightly violent lens. The narrative starts strong, dropping Alice Liddell into a twisted version of Wonderland where different factions—led by the Queen of Hearts and the Hatter mafia—vie for control. The world-building is compelling, hinting at deeper lore involving a mysterious "game" and an eerie set of rules no one fully explains.

Alice is, thankfully, a solid lead. Her skepticism, intelligence, and moments of emotional honesty ground the increasingly bizarre events around her. She’s not a passive heroine, and her reactions to the chaos often reflect what the reader is thinking. QuinRose writes her with enough self-awareness and presence to carry the story forward.

Unfortunately, the supporting cast doesn’t measure up. Characters like Blood Dupre (the Hatter), Peter White (the White Rabbit), and Elliot March (the March Hare) suffer from what plagues many romance manga: style over substance. Despite their attractive designs and obvious archetypes, they’re flat. They lack quirks, depth, or compelling emotional resonance. Blood Dupre in particular is a major disappointment—his detached, vague personality is meant to convey mystery, but instead it comes off as lazy and uninspired. The constant flirtation and possessiveness these characters show toward Alice feels formulaic rather than character-driven.

The lesser characters—guards, minor Wonderland residents—are oddly more entertaining. They bring scattered moments of humor or tension, suggesting the world has personality if only the narrative gave them more room to breathe. The romance aspect is clearly meant to develop over time, but volume one gives little indication that anything meaningful is being built.

There’s definite potential in the intrigue and war-torn Wonderland setup, but the volume focuses too much on tepid romantic tension without giving us reason to care about most of the suitors. With stronger supporting characterization, the story could rise above its “reverse harem” trappings.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Art Style

The standout feature of Volume 1 is unquestionably Soumei Hoshino’s artwork. It’s lush, detailed, and beautiful. The character designs are elegant and suit each figure’s fantastical archetype. Outfits are intricately drawn, facial expressions—at least for Alice—are emotive and varied, and the setting captures a darkly whimsical version of Wonderland that feels both magical and oppressive.

The art uses bold contrasts and ornate textures to bring each scene to life. From grand castles to overgrown gardens, Hoshino creates a sense of space that sells the world’s fantasy. While the main cast might be lacking in personality on the page, their designs are undeniably captivating. Action scenes are rare but cleanly staged, and emotional close-ups are frequent, delivering the melodrama that romance manga fans expect.

However, the visual tone contributes to a sameness among the male leads. There’s a tendency for most characters to default to the same stoic, aloof expression, which makes their interactions with Alice feel repetitive. Hoshino’s skill is evident—every panel is polished—but more visual diversity in character expressions would elevate the narrative tension and romantic stakes.

Rating: 3 out of 5

The Verdict

In the end, Alice in the Country of Hearts, Volume 1 is a decent start to a twisted romantic fantasy. QuinRose offers a unique spin on Wonderland with a promising setup and a strong protagonist, while Soumei Hoshino’s elegant and expressive artwork brings the world to life. Unfortunately, the supporting cast lacks depth, and the romantic elements feel flat due to shallow characterization. A visual treat with narrative potential—if later volumes can flesh out the cast, this could become something much more engaging. Alice in the Country of Hearts, Volume 1 gets 2 out of 5.