Review: Splintered

Title:  Splintered
Series:  Splintered #1
Author:  A.G. Howard
Publisher:  Amulet Books
Pages:  371
Format:  Hardcover
Source:  Bought

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 Review:  I love this book!  Seriously though, it was absolutely amazing.  I loved the whole concept of Alyssa being a descendent of Alice Liddell and having to travel into Wonderland to fix all of the things Alice caused when she'd been there.  It was such an interesting spin on the tale and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I spent reading it. 

The first thing that really pulled me into this story was the darkness.  This isn't the goofy, silly Wonderland we all know.  This place is downright scary.  I had chills while reading some part of this.  It was such a different take on Wonderland that I couldn't help but be immediately attached to this world that A. G. Howard has made.  It could be slightly frustrating at times because there was no real logic woven into it.  It was all chaos but I think that's part of its charm.  You never knew what you'd see next and that kept me at the edge of my seat.  

I also liked Alyssa.  I thought she did a wonderful job keeping her wits about her considering what sort of position she was forced into.  She was strong and smart and, even though she had some help along the way, did an outstanding job of fighting for what she wanted.  She was a strong heroine and I enjoyed her voice and following her on this adventure.

And than there's the boys - my favorite.  I really cannot decide between the two of them.  Jeb was a great character and stayed loyal to Alyssa the entire time.  He was such a great friend and an awesome supporter of her as they went through this adventure together.  However, it was a little angering how he always tried to control her life, even before they went to Wonderland.  He never really let her do things herself.  Morpheus, on the other hand, is the complete opposite.  He knows that Alyssa can do it and he never doubts her.  He lets her find things out on her own.  He also protects her with all that he has.  And even though he was a little lacking in the moral department, you could see how much he admired and love Alyssa through all that he did for her.  He was also a lot deeper and interesting than Jeb.  I wanted to learn more about him and delve farther into his past.  Okay, that decides it.  I officially like Morpheus better.  

If you have yet to pick up this book, I don't know what you're waiting for.  It is so awesome.  There's so much magic and mystery and action.  The characters are amazing and the world is absolutely haunting but so beautiful, you can't help but be in love with it.  Go out and buy this book, you won't regret it!  

Five Cards

Don't forget to check out the giveaway I'm hosting right now!  Enter for a chance to win a SIGNED copy of OTHERBORN by Anna Silver and some super cool swag!  Here's the link!