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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Daisy's Mini-Review of Splintered by A.G. Howard


Title/Author: Splintered by A.G. Howard
Publisher/Date published: Amulet Books, January 1st 2013
How I got this book: bought it

Goodreads summary: 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.

I recently read Splintered and I just absolutely LOVED IT! For my full fangirling review of Splinter, go here. For now I'll just list 5 reasons why I can't stop gushing about it and why you should ALL READ IT:

-It's an Alice in Wonderland retelling, do you really need another reason to pick this up??

-It captured all the things I remember loving about Wonderland while managing to alter my perception of what happened in the original tale forever.

-Strong, quirky characters I found myself rooting for and I felt a little like I was saying goodbye to friends when I turned the last page. Alyssa is my kind of off-beat.

-THE BOYS, seriously, this was one love triangle I could fully get into! And A.G. Howard even had me rooting for the bad boy somewhat and that NEVER HAPPENS! I'm a good guy kinda girl through and through.

-Amazingly vivid writing that leaps off the page and just sucks you in until you turn the last page and all you want to do is READ IT AGAIN!

I could seriously go on and on but basically I'm saying: READ THIS BOOK! You will not regret it! The story is as stunning as the cover is!

My rating: 5 stars

8 comments:

  1. I have been hearing different reviews of this book. Thanks for your review.

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  2. I'm so glad you loved it! I have it on hold at the library at the moment - just waiting for it to become available. I only recently read Alice in Wonderland (because I'm ridiculously behind the times!) so I'm really excited to read it with that still fresh in my mind. I really like the sound of it from your mini-review, thanks so much for sharing!

    Sarah @ TotalTeenFiction

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  3. I've seen this around but wasn't sure if I should read it. Not all retellings are as good as they could be but with this kind of praise I'll have to check it out! Glad you liked it!

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  4. I've had this on my TBR list for quite some time and though I've read many mixed reviews, I'm still excited for it. I think you said it best --- rich, vivid writing and altering your perception of the original Alice in Wonderland tale, makes it a MUST read. So glad you enjoyed it!

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  5. I loved this so much! It did an excellent job capturing the disturbing reality of Wonderland. Great review!

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  6. I loved it too! It was just amazing. The world building was phenomenal, and it's funny you say what you did about the love triangle, because I felt the same way. Usually I hate them, but it worked here. I'm so happy this book is getting tons of love, because it totally deserves it!

    Karis @ YA Litwit

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  7. Awesome!! I'm really glad you enjoyed the book as it is on top of my stacks of books on my night stand. I guess I need to read it soon.
    Tammy @ bosbooknook.blogspot.com

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  8. I loved Splintered it was such a great book! I am hoping that AG Howard writes a sequel!

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