Splintered By A. G Howard

Splintered
Splintered Book One
Written By A. G Howard
Fantasy, Retelling
Published in Australia November 1st 2012
384 Pages
Thank you to Thames & Hudson
★★★★★
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.

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.
Alyssa Gardner is related to Alice Liddell, the girl who inspired the classic, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, penned by Lewis Carroll, not that she could ever forget who she is. At school, her peers tease her relentlessly, but if only they knew. Alyssa can hear the sounds of nature, literally. The whispers of the bees, the flower petals chattering and knows it's only a matter of time before she joins her mother in the asylum, being heavily sedated and only eating from a teacup. No one knows what happened to Alyssa's mother, especially not neighbour Jeb. Jeb and Alyssa were once best friends, until he decided to start spending time with his new girlfriend, and it still pains Alyssa to come to terms with Jeb not being hers. Not that she's could ever tell him, especially now that she's losing her mind. But is she?

All signs point to the children's fairytale being real, but before her mother loses what little of her sanity that remains, Alyssa makes the conscious decision to explore a world she's tried so hard to avoid. But why does it seem strangely familiar? Finding the rabbit hole is no mean feat, but she never expected Jeb to tag along for the ride. Now both are stuck in Wonderland, a fantasy world in which was greatly exaggerated by Lewis Carol. A rabbit that is a pint sized skeleton, man eating flowers, overly affectionate sprites and Morpheus, her guide to Wonderland.

Morpheus, half boy, half moth and magnificent. He's graceful, seductive and promises a series of tests throughout the dark fantasy world is the key to breaking the family curse, with the Liddell family being freed from the magic that will ultimately drive them to insanity. Morpheus is a key to Alyssa's past, the two having formed an attachment well before Jeb was a part of her life. She can't help but be torn between the two boys, Morpheus who promises passion and adoration if she chooses to stay in Wonderland, and Jeb, the boy that now holds her heart and promises to keep her safe. But Alyssa doesn't have time for distractions, if she's to save her mother, and herself, she'll need to make it through Wonderland alive.

Kelly's Thoughts

Splintered was incredible! The world A. G Howard created was magnificent, rich and deliciously dark. I was completely immersed from cover to cover, drawn into a world that was luscious, magical and impeccably written. I really enjoyed Alyssa's character, she's realistic and faces issues that teens can relate to, apart from the talking flowers and bugs of course. She's in love with a boy who's already in a relationship and has never found the courage to tell him how she feels. The only grounding influence in Alyssa's life is her father, who is still morning the loss of his wife to insanity.

The writing was immaculate, it flowed beautifully and painted a very vivid image of Wonderland. But where the Lewis Carroll's original was a classic fairytale, Splintered is dark, sexy and eerie. I absolutely loved it. I'm not generally a fan of young adult Fantasy as a whole, but this one is spectacular. Even with a love triangle, it wasn't the typical cliched read. My only regret is that I didn't pick this one up sooner.

And I'm team Morpheus all the way.

12 comments

  1. Glad to hear you loved it! I've heard great things about this and I'm keen on the contemporary dark twist to Alice in Wonderland. I've heard interesting things about Morpheus and Jeb. I'll have to pick this up sometime, lovely review Kelly!

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    1. It was incredible Jeann, the world building was simply amazing. Move it up on your list, you won't be disappointed.

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  2. EEEEEEPPPP!! JEB AND MORPHEUS. I really don't like love triangles but why do I feel that I'll love this one? And c'mon!! Alice in wonderland!!!!!!111

    I am so excited to read this. I'll buy this soon! ♥ And your review just made my interest escalated :D *stares at the 5 stars* *grins*

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    1. It's brilliant Abby, and I'm not a fan of love triangles either. Morpheus is simple one of the best characters I've come across. This is definitely one where you'll fall for the villain.

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  3. Great review Kelly! I've heard great things on this book and it seems really good :D

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    1. Hey Cindy, thanks for stopping by. It really was, this one will appeal to a whole range of young adult fans, simple brilliant!

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  4. I so have to read this book, but I can't find it at a library anywhere! Methinks it's time to buy a book...

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    1. It's definitely worth the purchase for the cover alone. Fingers crossed you can get your hands on a copy soon.

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  5. YAY OMG YOU LOVED IT TO THIS IS THE BEST EVER. I refuse to hear all the tales going around that Unhinged is horrible, because frankly I'm DYING AND DESPERATE for it (all-caps totally necessary here, sorry). XD I'm supposedly getting an arc of Unhinged, but it's taking a while. hehe. lol I really like this retelling.

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    1. Ohhh Cait, it certainly was. I loved it, it was sexy and really dark, just brilliant. I've got my copy of Unhinged already and found myself just staring at the cover. It's very Willy Wonker looking, but can't wait to start reading.

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  6. This sounds really, really great! I've had a copy for a while, I really should read it now!

    p.s now following you via GFC and Bloglovin', and I've added you to my blogroll :D

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  7. You always choose the bad guy! But I after reading book 2, Howard might actually choose M. Oh, poor Jeb!

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