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Book Review: Splintered – A.G. Howard

Splintered
Author: A.G. Howard
Series: Splintered #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Horror
Publisher: Amulet Books
My Rating:

Summary:

Alyssa Gardner hears the thoughts of plants and animals. She hides her delusions for now, but she knows her fate: she will end up like her mother, in an institution. Madness has run in her family ever since her great-great-great-grandmother Alice Liddell told Lewis Carroll her strange dreams, inspiring his classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
But perhaps she’s not mad. And perhaps Carroll’s stories aren’t as whimsical as they first seem.
To break the curse of insanity, Alyssa must go down the rabbit hole and right the wrongs of Wonderland, a place full of strange beings with dark agendas. Alyssa brings her real-world crush – the protective Jeb – with her, but once her journey begins, she’s torn between his solidity and the enchanting, dangerous magic of Morpheus, her guide to Wonderland.
But no one in Wonderland is who they seem to be – not even Alyssa herself…

 
First Sentence: I’ve been collecting bugs since I was ten; it’s the only way I can stop their whispers.

My Review:

The cover of Splintered is absolutely gorgeous. It is probably why so many people wanted to read Splintered – including myself. Add the fact that Splintered is a Wonderland retelling and you’ve definitely got me hooked. The best thing of all about Splintered is that the story itself deserves the beautiful cover (unlike some other books with breathtaking covers).

I love how A.G. Howard started Splintered – I was absolutely gaping. Seriously. I’m dead afraid of bugs, but I never, ever, do what Alyssa does to them. It’s disgusting, gross, and somewhat disturbing, even though it fits into the story. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the first chapter of Splintered immediately got me invested into the story.

I also love A.G. Howard’s creative, refreshing twist on her version of Wonderland. I especially love how she changed the rabbit and the caterpillar and gave those two her own particular twist. It was uniquely done and her explanation for it was amazing. However, some parts of Splintered got too boring and tedious for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love A.G. Howard’s Wonderland, but there were also so many details and so many small events happening that didn’t have to be in the book that I sometimes just wanted to skim.

There were also small plot holes in Splintered and some things that just didn’t make sense. For example, did you know that elementary schools talk about periods (not this “.” but the girl’s time of the month period) in the third grade? I sure didn’t; in fact, it my mother who taught me everything I needed to know about my period. I’m pretty sure no elementary schools tell their students about periods (imagine the awkwardness and cootie incidents that can result from it) and when it was mentioned that Alyssa was taught about periods in her school when she was in third grade, it was downright…confusing. I’m pretty sure that teachers still don’t teach their students about periods even today.

Jeb annoyed me to no end in Splintered. He was so protective of Alyssa that it just wasn’t funny. Don’t get me wrong, protective boys can be cute, but to go into such lengths as Jeb does just hits me the wrong way. He doesn’t allow Alyssa to think for herself and make her own decisions; he’s always constantly questioning her and her decisions. What annoys me even more is that Alyssa hardly argues against his overprotectiveness (if that’s even a word). There were several times where I just wanted to plunge myself into the book, shake him, and say Alyssa can make her own decisions man!

Overall, I will definitely recommend Splintered to fellow Alice in Wonderland lovers. It’s an awesome retelling of Alice in Wonderland with its only dark twist. Add the beautiful cover into the mix and you’ll be hooked, like me.

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 2-18-13 · 30 Comments
Categories: 2013 book, book review Tagged: 204, 3.5 star

« Book Review: Prophecy – Ellen Oh
Top Ten Favorite Characters in Paranormal Genre »

Speak Your Mind

  1. The Twins Read says

    2-18-13 at 11:39 AM

    Glad to know you enjoyed it. I was quite alright with Jeb being all protective but I think I was just sidetracked thanks to Morpheus and the unbelievably beautiful world-building in this book. It’s amazing how Howard managed to combine the classic fairytale with this darker version, I’m definitely looking forward to her future works. :) Great review! :D

    Reply
  2. Ashley Rogers says

    2-20-13 at 8:25 AM

    I just recently got my hands on this book (: and I cannot wait to start it. I am a lover of Alice in Wonderland so I am extremely excited to read Howard’s version of this complex book. I feel the same way with overprotective people… annoyed (:! UHHHH bugs! haha Great review! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. ohdamnbooks says

    2-20-13 at 10:00 PM

    That cover! I completely agree with what you said about the cover, at least about it being gorgeous because I still haven’t read it.

    I’ve been waiting for this book for more than half a year but I’ve still only read the first chapter (completely agree with what you said about it btw)! Stupid books coming out in hardcover and me being too cheap to buy them. Ohz well, soon my hold from the library will com in and this beauty shall be min for the reading. Well, for the next couple of weeks…

    Do you think this book would be worth buying?

    Reply
  4. ohdamnbooks says

    2-20-13 at 10:09 PM

    Just picked this one up from the library–I was skeptical of it when I first heard of it, but I eventually figured I’d give it a try. Glad to see you liked it overall! :)

    Reply
  5. Books Ahoy says

    2-20-13 at 10:24 PM

    Thanks for the great review! This seems like a great book. I may go pick it up :) New follower :)

    Books Ahoy
    http://www.books-ahoy.blogspot.com

    Reply
  6. ohdamnbooks says

    2-21-13 at 4:16 PM

    I’m looking forward to her future works too! Hopefully she does another retelling since she’s so good at it.

    Reply
  7. ohdamnbooks says

    3-01-13 at 2:40 AM

    Arg, I love Alice in Wonderland! When I have money to spare I’ll get it!

    Although that “money to spare” thing probably isn’t going to happen for a while. I just found out that a couple of my favorite actors are coming to an expo in my city in April, gotta save up! :)

    Reply
  8. ohdamnbooks says

    3-10-13 at 1:36 PM

    Great review :) I Just ordered it and Judging by the blurb and the reviews,I Think I’ll love it. And the cover is Gorgeous :)

    Reply
  9. ohdamnbooks says

    3-10-13 at 1:48 PM

    Yeah, the cover is soo gorgeous! Did you hear that there may be a second book?

    Reply
  10. ohdamnbooks says

    3-19-13 at 10:51 AM

    If you absolutely love the original Alice in Wonderland and would love to see it recreated with a dark twist, then buy it asap! :D

    Reply
  11. ohdamnbooks says

    3-19-13 at 10:51 AM

    Yes, overprotective people! D:<
    I mean, it’s cute sometimes, but the way Jeb is just makes me want to grab him and yell at him.

    Reply
  12. ohdamnbooks says

    3-19-13 at 10:51 AM

    I was skeptical at first too. Good covers lie 70% of the time.

    Reply
  13. Rachel says

    6-26-13 at 11:18 PM

    I don’t know about this! I know everyone loved it but I hate Alice in Wonderland. Do you think I would still enjoy it?

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-27-13 at 6:05 PM

      It depends if you like a gothic version of Alice in Wonderland + a sort-of love triangle with a hot skater boy. o:
      Kelly recently posted…Debut-a-Thon: Goals + UpdatesMy Profile

      Reply
  14. Lea Krnjeta says

    6-30-13 at 7:57 AM

    I am really glad you liked this. This is one of the most beautiful books with the gorgeous cover and one of my all time favorites :)
    Lea Krnjeta recently posted…The Eternity cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie KagawaMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-30-13 at 11:55 AM

      I can stare at the cover all day. It’s absolutely gorgeous! <3
      I can see why Splintered is one of your all time favorites. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Monthly Wrap Up: June 2013My Profile

      Reply
  15. Shamara Catama says

    7-02-13 at 7:09 AM

    I’m a great fan of Alice in Wonderland and this book seems very intriguing. But when I started reading this book I read about 100 pages and still could not get into the story. It’s still sitting on my shelf waiting to be read! I might have to give it another try though

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-02-13 at 1:37 PM

      I can see why you couldn’t get into the story. The beginning started off really strong, but then, it lost its pull, which is why I gave it 3.5 stars.
      Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Most Intimidating BooksMy Profile

      Reply
  16. Vannah Batista says

    7-12-13 at 10:53 PM

    This has been sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read! I’ve been putting it off with so many great books releasing, Its just been put on the back burner and I’m finally ready to pick it up! And your review just got me that much more excited to read it! Great review!
    Vannah Batista recently posted…Branded Blog TourMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-13-13 at 1:49 PM

      Yay! I hope you liked Splintered as much as I did Vannah! :D<3
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [41]My Profile

      Reply
  17. Cali W. says

    7-13-13 at 3:41 PM

    Cool review! I love Alice in Wonderland so I loved this book. I felt like I was transported into someone’s crazy imagination. <3

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-13-13 at 4:08 PM

      You mean someone’s crazy gothic imagination. ;D<3
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [41]My Profile

      Reply
  18. Sanaa says

    7-23-13 at 3:38 AM

    To some extent I do agree with you. I highly appreciate the cover art and it is appropriate to the the theme of the book. You’ve mentioned your views about Morpheus and it makes me a little curious!
    Sanaa recently posted…Have you seen the Vampire Academy Movie Poster?My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-23-13 at 6:24 PM

      I take it as you like Morpheus? :P
      Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Words/Topics That Will Make You NOT Pick Up A BookMy Profile

      Reply
  19. Lisa Mandina says

    10-21-13 at 9:27 PM

    Jeb was kind of annoying with the overprotectiveness. I loved this book though! And like you say, the cover is just beautiful!
    Lisa Mandina recently posted…Last Night at the Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind by Gavin EdwardsMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Susan T. says

    11-01-13 at 1:53 AM

    I love Alice and Wonderland and pretty much will read any retelling of that story! It would look super pretty on my shelf too! :)

    Reply
  21. Tanya says

    11-21-13 at 10:31 AM

    I have had this book on my TBR pile for so long now, but everything keeps getting in the way of me reading it. I love the cover and can’t wait to start the book- your review of it made me want to read it even more!

    Reply
  22. Ashfa says

    12-25-13 at 6:46 AM

    I’m not a huge fan of Alive in Wonderland so when I first heard of Splintered I wasn’t that interested. But it’s been getting a lot of hype and I’m seriously thinking of getting myself a copy. Even those who weren’t very fond of Alice in Wonderland loved it. Loved your review!!

    Reply
  23. Jaime Lester says

    2-14-14 at 11:52 PM

    I am one of the weird ones that loves dark and creepy, weird or strange retellings. Or just stories in general. I loved this book. So much. Every character was so incredibly well written. The world-building blew me away. And you are absolutely right about that stunning cover! I adore it. And Unhinged’s cover is just as awesome as this one. Love this series!

    Reply
  24. Maria says

    3-13-16 at 12:54 PM

    It’s crazy but in my elementary school they did have all the girls in the fourth grade do the period talk with the nurse. And the boys had a similar talk too. I’m glad you liked too book it’s motivated me to pick it up and read it.

    Reply

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