Saturday, December 08, 2012

Book Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

Splintered by A.G. Howard

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Publication date: January 1st 2013 by Amulet Books 

Blurb: 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 received an  ARC (Uncorrected Proof) of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

SPLINTERED is probably one of my best 2012 reads.And I am absolutely not exaggerating when I say that.A.G. Howard's version of the world on the other side of the looking glass that Lewis Carroll had created for us so long ago is one that you'll keep wanting to relive over and over again until you have every nook and corner memorized in your head.I have read this book from the start to the finish THREE times and every time I read it,I still find new things that I haven't noticed or haven't thought of before.Remember when you look for a book to buy in hardcover that you'll re-read again and again whenever you've got spare time?Well SPLINTERED is definitely that type of book.It has the right amount of action,adventure,fantasy and yes,as I dare say it,romance.Though there is a slight love triangle alert.But then again,what YA novel is complete without a love triangle?Us teenagers devour those things along with hot guys. ;)

I also loved the author's new concepts of wonderland.The rabbit,the caterpillar,Cheshire Cat...all of the characters which we were familiar with from Alice In Wonderland are brought to a new light and given a new voice.It truly was absolutely fascinating getting to know them all over again.

And last,but not least,the best thing about SPLINTERED is probably its main characters which Carroll definitely should have included in his version of Wonderland.Their roles were set wonderfully to fit in with the story and all of their dialogues were really fun to read.Here's a bit more about them:

Alyssa: Descendant of Alice Liddell,the Alice from Alice In Wonderland.But she's totally different from the Alice we are familiar with.I bet Alice wouldn't dare step on a skateboard or get dreadlocks for her hair.*snickers* If Lewis Carroll was alive right now,he'd probably have a heart attack if he saw Alice's descendant.

"I have this character flaw?Called dignity?"
                                   -Alyssa,Splintered

Jeb: Alyssa's long-time crush.Hot guy alert!This guy's absolutely awesome(and the first fictional crush I've ever had who ISN'T a bad boy) but he's got a piercing on his lip so I'm not sure if my mum would approve of him.But he's totally swoonworthy.He's protective of Alyssa and is an artist too. Alyssa's quite lucky to have a guy like that by her side.To be frank,I'm jealous!

“I go where Al goes, dances-with-bugs. And just so you know, if anything happens to her,
I'll pin you by your wings to a corkboard and use you for dart practice.”
                                                                                                        -Jeb,Splintered

Morpheus: A mysterious character in Wonderland who gets Alyssa's heart racing.In other words,he's the bad boy of this story.Anything more than that would be counted as spoilers.

"Mysterious. Rebellious. Troubled. All those qualities women find irresistible."
                                                                                   -Morpheus,Splintered


SPLINTERED is one book you definitely do not want to miss out on.It will make you see Alice In Wonderland from a whole new aspect and who knows?Maybe it might make you pick up the unabridged version all over again,and this time not because it is included in your school curriculum.

Already excited to read SPLINTERED and can't wait?Check back at my blog tomorrow for an awesome guest post with A.G. Howard and an opportunity to win a signed hardcover of SPLINTERED along with other prizes.

28 comments:

  1. I love the sound of this book- and now your review has made me want to read it even more!
    There are so many amazing looking books published in January- and this one has just bumped to the top of my wishlist ;)

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  2. Wow!
    I have heard so many good thins about Splintered. LOVE the cover and the idea of the book. LOVED Alice in Wonderland. So original!
    GREAT review, Nobonita!
    I am going to check back tomorrow!
    Your constant reader,
    Soma
    http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/

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  3. Replies
    1. :D but I might like Jeb a teensy weensy bit more. ;P

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  4. I would like to thank you for a fantastic post and a really detailed and insightful review that i found most interesting to read. This book looks amazing & i LOVE the striking and imaginative cover that is just mesmirising!! This sounds like a fantastic book and totally origonal & different to other takes on the 'Alice in Wonderland' Faitytale (such as i.e. Alice in Zombieland). I am loving the twist and cannot wait to add this to my to-read list in a hurry!!!

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  5. Great review this book sounds fabulous!
    -Jane

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  6. I am so excited to read this book. It sounds so intriguing and the characters sound awesome. I can't wait to get to know them! Glad you enjoyed this! Great review!

    New follower! :)

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair 

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  7. I love the concept of this story! The unique spin that is put on 'Alice in Wonderland' is intriguing! My hands are twitching with the need to get a hold of this book and read it with no interruptions :)

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  8. Sounds soooo good!! I can't wait for this!! Thanks for the awesome review!! :D

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  9. Sounds so good, interesting on the review of Alyssa the daughter of Alice, and Jeb, sounds so hunky! I know for such this book Splintered is going on my list to buy or the Santa's list.
    donna harris
    donna_squaw_1952@yahoo.com

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    1. Jeb IS hunky Donna!You'll love him! **nods furiously**
      xD

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  10. This looks great! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your enthusiasm!

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  11. Splintered is at the very top of my tbr list! Awesome review~

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  12. I am a NEW follower through GCF!!

    I have actually been skeptical of books that use an old story line and shed new light on it. Mainly because the rewrite never adds anything to it and it isn't really good. Your review, however, has changed my mind about this one. I am going to give this a try and I hope my response is just like yours. Thanks for the review!!

    Heather @ YA Fantasy Book Junkie

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    1. I agree with you Heather.But I really hope you like this one because the author really had the dark and funkier version of Wonderland going on in the story. :D

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  13. OHHHHHHH, I can't wait to read this book. I NEED it! Fairytales and retellings, I love those books so much <3

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

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    1. Same here!And I figured that you'd need it after your comment on my Showcase Sunday post where I flaunted the ARC. ;D

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  14. So excited for this!:) Thanks for a great review:D

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  15. I'm so happy to hear this :) I've heard good and bad things about this book but after your review I can't wait to read it :)

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  16. Wow - 5/5! and jeb *sigh* . I already like him ;) and since alice in wonderland has been a favorite book of mine always, I cant wait to read this book! :) :)

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  17. This book sounds amazing! I love the whole Alice in Wonderland thing, and the cover is spectacular! I will definitely be reading this one.

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  18. I love your review,especially the fact that you added quotes! :)

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  19. I TOTALLY agree! I actually chose Splinitered as my fave 2012 read! I absolutely loved it!! Great review! :)

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  20. Excellent review!! I really want to read this book now =)

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  21. This is an awesome review!
    I really can't believe I haven't read this yet, and now I am DYING to!
    I have always loved Through the Looking Glass and Alice's Adventures. So, I can't wait to experience them in a whole new way!
    Thanks for a great post! :D

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  22. Good to know that both love interests are fully developed and not unfairly slanted, like the majority of YA love triangles. But I am more excited than anything about a fresh take on the Alice series by Carroll. I feel like I can never have enough of it! :)

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  23. Love your review :) Look forward to getting my hands on Splintered!!

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