Author: A.G. Howard
Publication Date: January 1st 2013
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publisher: Amulet Books
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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.
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I was hesitant to pick up Splintered the first time I read
it, because I wasn't really into retellings. How wrong was I? I loved it, and
now, the second time around I love it even more. Even if a certain moth drives
me crazy at times.
I think with retellings, why I was hesitant to read any was
because I thought you basically know the outcome, and the whole setup, but the
clever thing about Splintered is that it takes everything from Alice in
Wonderland- from a child's mind- and re-imagined every bit from an adults mind
and twists it. The tale from Alice in Wonderland is a sweet version, those
little things that weren't quite right were turned innocent in her head, and it
takes that, and uses it to it's advantage to re-imagine what you thought you
knew about wonderland. A Wonderland that although is familiar, completely new.Which is what I loved most about it, the creepiness and subtle fear, the adventure and madness of the reversed ride with a clever twist. Such a vivid setting and atmosphere that'll make you feel like you're right there with Alyssa. It's bright and alive but unsettling and scary at the same time
.
On top of that, the characters just made it all that more enjoyable, Alyssa goes on a proper character changing growth throughout the story, and she gets stronger with each obstacle and challenge, even if t does include a few mixed feelings from the mysterious and dark Morpheus, there are a
The first, love interest is the delicious Jeb, who I loved from the start because I am a
sucker for the whole best friend/romance. But, Jeb is a hell of a book
boyfriend. He's protective, devoted, he has no doubt about Alyssa whatsoever,
and what he does for her, God, that's true devotion and love and ahh, but he
has a vulnerable side to, he's gentle
and sexy and he's just yummy, okay?
Then there's the seductive Morpheus, who I wanted to hate so
much for what the crafty little moth orchestrated but I can't because
he's...Morpheus. You'll be happy in Morpheus ville, it's dark, moody,
sarcastic, fun and...intense. I can totally see what Team Morpheus see's, but
sorry, I can't pick. I'm with Al on that one.
Perfect for fans of everything Alice in Wonderland, Splintered is not a re-telling, but a
continuation of Alice's adventures with twists and secrets, artfully crafted
and emotionally driven with kickass characters, you're in for a wild ride.
Rating: 5/5
