Friday, October 19, 2012

Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

Splintered Splintered by A.G. Howard
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release Date: January 1, 2013
Pre order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

My thoughts:
If you take Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton, and The Labyrinth this is what you would have.  A fantastical adventure with whimsical characters (that are a bit creepy) and a very inventive story that will leave you wanting more.  Ms.Howard you are amazing.

Okay so take everything you thought you knew about Alice in Wonderland and put it aside.  Splintered takes everything about this classic tale and turns it upside down.  The story starts off with Alyssa, a girl who has a very interesting tie to Alice, she just so happens to be her ancestor.  Alyssa knows that the women in her family are cursed and that it all started with her ancestor Alice Liddell. When she starts hearing bugs and flowers talk like her mother she realizes that the curse has been passed down to her as well.  With her mother locked up in an asylum, Alyssa fears what will happen to them both if she doesn't find a cure.  To save her family Alyssa knows she must travel down the rabbit hole, but what she finds there is nothing like the story and what unravels is pure brilliance.

I have to give major props to the author for this amazing tale.  I can tell that a lot of research went into this and I absolutely loved how she wove the original story into her own.  Everything was there from the Queen of Hearts to the White Rabbit though they were in very different forms.  I am just in awe at Ms.Howard's creativity.  The whole spin she put in it really brought a new level to the classic and I thought the twists with the curse and a few of the characters was so much fun!  I never saw them coming!

Alyssa was a wonderful character that I fell in love with from the start.  Her journey was not an easy one and she totally held up her own.  I loved Jeb as well, but I can't cast Morpheus aside.  He is a very strong contender even if he is a bit shady, but for some reason I forgive him for his wrong doings.  He is a very unique character that stands out to me among so many others I have read as of lately.  All around the characters were amazing and the moments between Alyssa and Jeb made my heart melt while the ones between her and Morpheus made my heart pound.  I am very curious how all that will play out.

This story is beyond amazing and I am hoping with every piece of me that there will be a sequel.  I love this colorful world and I am not ready to leave it just yet.

"Off with her HEAD!"  *hehe* I have always wanted to say that =D

5 Snowflakes


Find the Author
Blog / Goodreads / Twitter

This book was provided by the publisher and Netgalley

23 comments:

  1. I was a little uncertain about this book, the cover is gorgeous, but I didn't really feel that it would be my sort. But it sounds like you had a lot of fun with this book Crystal, your review has definitely got me re-considering of giving this one a try! Lovely review :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I really hope you give it a try! It is so much fun and the imagery is amazing. I had a blast with this one =D

      Delete
  2. Nice review. This sounds like my kind of book! I'll have to get my hands on it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm getting ready to start this one this weekend. I'm so glad to hear that you thought it was awesome! Makes me even more eager for it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awesome! You have to let me know your thoughts!! I am so torn between Morpheus and Jeb!

      Delete
  4. I LOVED this book. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy. The cover is amazing! I gave it 5 stars. It was so different from anything I've ever read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too! I ordered my copy the minute I finished it because I have to have a copy for my shelves lol. I agree it was so different and the world building was incredible!! I am praying there will be a book 2!

      Delete
  5. *shakes head* Oh dear, another Morpheus lover. :)

    Like you, I am in awe of the wizardry of Ms. Howard--this book is going to rock the book world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! Yes I am swaying towards Morpheus =P There is just something about those bad boys with moth hats lol XD

      I am so glad that you liked it! I totally agree, I think she is going to totally be the favorite next year!!

      Delete
  6. Yaay! I'm so glad it didn't disappoint! I'm starting to really love retellings, and Splintered sounds especially awesome. x]
    Great review! ^__^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you love retellings then this is THE book for you Addie! It was definitely one of the best I have ever read. I can't wait for you to read it!! Thanks =)

      Delete
  7. I am really excited to start this one now! It sounds so amazing!

    Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

    ReplyDelete
  8. Alice in Wonderland AND Tim Burton? Oh my god, can it get any better? I freaking love fairytales and retellings and I can't wait to read this one. My heart is longing to read this book, haha. I want to buy a copy and hug it. The cover is so pretty ^^

    Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL I don't think it could have been any better, it was pure brilliance! Yes I kept picturing Tim Burton and I know he did do a recreation of Alice, but Howards story was way better in my opinion and I wish he would have waited until her story was out before making the film. This would be crazy good on screen! LOL I totally know what you mean! I ordered a copy for my shelves =)

      Thank you!! I hope you get it soon =)

      Delete
  9. SPLINTERED was definitely one of my favorite reads this year. It was equal parts creepy and absolutely beautiful. I LOVED the writing and the characters and GAH - I could gush and gush for days.

    I'm glad to see you're having a hard time choosing between Jeb and Morpheus, too!!! *SWOONS*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree! I am already ready to reread it! LOL! I am leaning towards Morpheus at the moment, but I switch daily =P

      Delete
  10. that cover is SO gorgeous. I had to pause and have a good stare of it.

    Lovely review as well :)

    x Nomes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree! It is one of the best I have ever seen! Aw thanks Nomes =)

      Delete
  11. Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.

    Profiles.delphiforums.com
    Information

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

    Click Here
    Visit Web

    ReplyDelete
  13. Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I would like to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means seem to get something done.

    Click Here
    Visit Web

    ReplyDelete