ARC Review: Splintered by A.G Howard

Splintered by A.G Howard, paperback edition book cover

Splintered

by A.G Howard

Genre: YA, fantasy

Editions available: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle, ebook

Published: Published January 1st 2013 by Amulet Books

Source: Won (Yay, thanks again, Rebecca @ Lunanshee!)

Buy: Amazon* Book Depository

Blurb (Goodreads):


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 Thoughts:

* Let me remind you that I'm reviewing an ARC version of Splintered. There might be some changes in the finished copy.

I've never read the original Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, to be honest. I learned about it from the Disney movie and my recent Alice adventure was the 2009 movie starring Mia Wasikowska. Apart from that, none. But even though I knew little about Alice books, I've got to be familiar with the eccentric characters and what they did.

Before reading Splintered, I have hazy memories of Alice's adventures, not being sure whether I'll like this or not, and just aware that my Goodreads friends (and so are the community reviews) gave it 5-star reviews. I didn't expect a lot from Splintered. The only thing I could be interested in this book would be because it's a fairytale retelling (I love fairytales) and I'm curious as to what twist the author made. It wasn't my most-anticipated books, to be honest. I didn't even know that I'd be lucky to win a copy. And let me tell you this: I am very lucky.

Splintered was told in Alyssa Gardner's perspective, the great-great-great-great-great granddaughter of Alice Lidell. Her mother, Alison, is confined in an asylum because of an incident when Alyssa was a child and because her mother kept on saying the bugs and plants are talking to her. Alyssa, hears them too. When she found out that her family--especially the female ones--was cursed, she thinks of a way to fix it. Even if she have to go down the rabbit hole and face the eccentric living things as little Alice did.

I have to say that I'm really impressed with the never-ending twists and turns and revelations of A.G Howard's retelling of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The world down the rabbit hole is as magical as the original. It excites me every time I turn the pages. Every word, every paragraph held my breath, especially on the three-fourths of the book. I'm telling you, my heart kept on pounding til the very last page. I love the rush, the mystery, the twists, the excitement of the overall journey. 

I also loved the romance in it. *sigh*
The love triangle is not the kind that you'll hate. The two guys got personalities you'll love and you'll find yourself torn between them, as torn as I am. Splintered also got enough drama that will break your heart and put it back again.

I am so glad to start my year with a really amazing book. Splintered was the book I was looking for. Fantasy, adventure, memorable characters and story, and swoon-worthy romance. This book is remarkable. A.G Howard rocked her first novel. I loved it!

Oh and, I also loved the book design! :D Rating:

Recommendations:
To fairytale geeks like me. Who loves/likes/interested in Alice in the Wonderland. If you want an adventure + romance + mystery + fairytale, this book's for you. Anyone who wants to experience the journey to the real Wonderland.