Alice meets Pierce (the Dormouse) and Gray (Nightmare's aide) and attends her first assembly. She worries that her argument with Boris in the previous volume chased him permanently away, but he pops up again in order to snatch her away from Ace. Alice and Borisagree to start dating, except Boris continues to come on too strong for Alice's taste. Alice wants to continue working and having a separate home, out of fear that Boris will eventually leave her. Boris fails to mention that he has the vial Alice needs in order to get back to the real world, and Ace continues to act strangely, trying to take Alice away from Boris and encourage her to use one of the mysterious doors.

I have a soft spot for Boris, even if he does come on way too strong. He's so openly, happily affectionate. The only thing I don't like is that he's jealous of Alice spending time with anyone but him. If she's not careful, he may lock her up and throw away the key. I was surprised athow soon Alice said “I love you” in this one – I hadn't expected that to happen for a few more volumes.

Those who like Ace as he is in this volume will probably love his Country of Clover one-shot. Too bad I'm not fond of this newer, darker, slightly unbalanced Ace. He seems to have taken the move the worst out of all the Wonderland residents.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) ( )

The romance between Alice and Boris progresses and Ce's odd behavior continues. Wonderful artwork, odd storyline.