Saturday, January 12, 2013

Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

Title: Splintered

Series: Splintered #1

Author: A.G. Howard

Publication date: January 1st, 2013

Published by: Amulet Books

Source: the publishers via Netgalley (Thanks!)

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

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 rating: ★★★★★

So, I never read the original "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," so all I had to go on was the old Disney cartoon and Tim Burton's movie (which I love!) And what did I think about this book?? Well, I thought it was awesome! It was a very interesting and cool take on the original with a very dark twist. It was almost like a the horror movie version Alice in Wonderland playing in my head! That's how dark and creepy it was! But guess what...I LOVE horror so I loved that about the book! I wouldn't dub this book horror, per se, though, because it wasn't. It's just the scenes and the creatures that played in my head that were uber creepy.

Talking about twists...there was a twist at the end of the book that I did not see coming! It was pretty...wow. And I love surprises!

As for the main character herself, Alyssa was a very strong, if not a little curious ;) But all humans are curious by nature, right? She was a bit stubborn too, but I really liked her. I thought she was a great character, and quite relatable, too. And then there's Jeb...gods, he was HOT-MAZING! I adored him and how sweet and protective he was! Morpheus though, he frustrated me sometimes. Don't you just hate it when a guy makes you swoon and then 3 seconds later you just feel like punching him in the throat? Yep, that was my problem with him. And if you must know, I am officially on Team Jeb ;)

Last words: It was a fantastic read and I recommend to those who are fans of Alice in Wonderland (like I am) or just plainly love retellings. One things for sure though: You will never see Alice in Wonderland the same way again.


Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a comment! :)

22 comments:

  1. This sounds great and I'm excited to read about book guys in the book :)

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  2. I really love this re-tales, now there are lots of movies coming out and I really hope they can see this awesome books too. I haven't read this yet ~ envy aura~ I need to buy it ASAP. Everyone has loved it.

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    1. You do need to get it ASAP! It was amazing! And such a beautiful re-telling! I loved it!

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  3. Yeah, this definitely was an awesome visual, gothic romance. Although naturally, that means that I can't help but love Morpheus! I'd definitely recommend reading Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, it definitely helps in noticing how A.G Howard has manipulated it :)

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    1. Hmm, I might have to pick up that book then! Thanks!

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  4. Yaaay another blogger who loves Splintered!! I really have to get a copy. Who could resist such a gorgeous looking book.

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  5. Ive been hearing nothing but good about this books and why not is great, the cover is so pretty. I really have to get a copy, dying to read it.

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    1. Yeah, I've heard nothing but good things about Splintered...but it was great! You do need to get a copy, and fast! lol

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  6. You should definitely have a read of the original Alice in Wonderland. It's amazing :) On the other hand, I loved the Gothic twist that A.G. Howard brought to Splintered, and that cover is to die for! (For the record, I'm Team Morpheus haha)

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    1. I know right? I absolutely loved the dark twist she gave it!

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  7. I super loved this one, too! I have read the original, and it sucks, so you're not really missing anything. :P

    I tend to the love the movie versions of Alice though, and this one would make a fantastically creepy one! Plus, Morpheus on the big screen? Yes, please!

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    1. Haha, well, I'm not one to read the classics anyway ;) And I think the movies are enough to know what's going on. And a Splintered movie? How could you say no to that!

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  8. Oh my gosh! I already had this book on my TBR but your review just pushed it quite a bit higher up my list!

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    1. YAY! This book became a fast favorite of mine, so I'm so happy you're going to bump it up on your list because it really is amazing!

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  9. Awesome Review I just love this book and I so love and adore Jeb I am also team Jeb all they way! :)

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  10. I'm currently at the halfway mark of Splintered and all I have to say is that it's Fan-Freaking-Tab-U-Lous! Just read it!

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    1. I am SO glad you are enjoying it!! It is really one of the best books I have read! :)

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    1. I actually need to finish this series 🙈 lol

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