When I received the commission to illustrate the map for Por una corona de corazones (For a Crown of Hearts), I knew straight away it was a special world. This young adult novel, written by Coriant Paguel, pen name of Victoria Roldán, and published by MR (Martínez Roca), part of Grupo Planeta, is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland with romance, magic and conspiracy, so it needed its own Alice in Wonderland map.
My mission as an editorial illustrator was to give visual shape to the kingdom of Naipes (Cards), creating a single black and white map that would transport readers to a world of rival kingdoms, dark spells and fragile alliances.
Alice in Wonderland map
A collaboration born from fantasy
It all began with an email from the publisher:
“We are looking for an illustrator for a young adult fantasy map based on the world of Alice in Wonderland. Could you let us know your availability?”
Although I had not worked with MR before, I had collaborated with other Grupo Planeta publishers such as Minotauro and Timunmas. We connected right away: I shared my previous maps and we agreed on deadlines and approach. The map should not be overloaded, but it had to be full of character and narrative hints. And so the map of Naipes was born.
What this Alice in Wonderland map shows
The map is full of symbolism and subtle references. The geography of Naipes is divided into kingdoms inspired by the suits of a deck of cards:
- Kingdom of Hearts: refined and courtly, full of flowered paths, home to Ben’s royal palace.
- Lands of Clubs: darker and wilder, linked to the witch Thyra and the secrets of magic.
- Lands of Spades: harsh and rocky, marked by Edmund’s exile and his painful past.
- Fields of Diamonds: less present, suggested through ornaments and forking paths.
At the centre of the map, the Fronds of the Eternal Tea and the Woods of the White Rabbit pay tribute to the original world of Alice, reinterpreted through Coriant Paguel’s vision. The linework combines clean lines with organic textures, balancing detail and clarity.
About Por una corona de corazones
A retelling of Alice in Wonderland that will surprise you. In Wonderland, nothing is what it seems.
Being the son of the bloodthirsty King of Spades has never been easy, and Prince Edmund knows it well. After being exiled from his own kingdom, his friend Ben, heir to the throne of Hearts, offers him refuge at his court. There Edmund discovers a world of balls, luxury and wealth. But Thyra, a witch from Clubs, is about to disturb the peace he thought he had found…
Edmund has grown up hating magic, so when Thyra becomes more and more present in Ben’s life, the relationship between the three will falter along with the fate of Wonderland. Conspiracies, love, power struggles and unspeakable secrets threaten to break the fragile bond between the kingdoms. What will they be willing to do for a crown of Hearts?
Why a retelling needs its own map
A retelling plays with something readers already know. An Alice in Wonderland map for a new story has to feel familiar and new at the same time: readers should recognise the tea party, the White Rabbit and the card suits, but discover a geography they have never seen. The map becomes the first clue that this Wonderland follows different rules. If you are curious about map design in general, read my guide What is an illustrated map.
Frequently asked questions
How long did it take to create this map?
About two weeks, from the first sketches to the final version, including concept reviews with the publisher and adapting it to the style of the book.
What influences did you use to design this Alice in Wonderland map?
Everything from medieval maps to Victorian illustration, along with visual references from tarot decks and antique playing cards. Everything had to feel familiar, yet new.
Conclusion: a map for an unforgettable retelling
Illustrating the map for Por una corona de corazones was a unique experience. It allowed me to reinterpret a classic literary universe and to collaborate with an author who cares about every visual aspect of her books. Because in Wonderland, as in illustration, nothing is what it seems.
Do you have an idea for an illustration or a publishing project? See more on my map illustration page and let’s talk.
