Monday, February 25, 2013

Review: Splintered (A.G. Howard) + Giveaway

Splintered
Title: Splintered
Series: Splintered Book 1
Author: A.G. Howard
Publisher: Amulet
Release Date: January 1, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Dark Contemporary Fantasy
Told: First Person (Alyssa), Present Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (sensuality bordering on sexuality, some language, disturbing images, violence)
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find It On: Goodreads
Summary

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.



*          *          *

Writing: Beautiful, dark prose. Skillfully written and a breeze to read.


Setting: The "real world" was realistic and engaging, while Wonderland was spooky, creepy, warped, and overly enthralling. Tim Burton would have been proud to call it his own.

Story: It began a little rough, but I knew that was just me trying to relate to MC Alyssa, who I personally didn't have anything in common with. The real world lead-up was just right (aka not too long) and engaging, even though I was itching right from the start for the Wonderland part to begin. When it finally did, I immensely enjoyed every moment of it. The familiar scenes and places shown in a different and disturbing light - I was engrossed all the way through. The end... I didn't feel it was quite believable (removing a single number from a huge equation alters the equation - and more importantly the answer - entirely), but I let it go. Wonderland is supposed to be a bit off anyway. All in all it was a highly entertaining story that kept me riveted.

Characters: I had a hard time connecting with artiste and skater girl Alyssa in the beginning (again, I had nothing on common with her), but once she hit Wonderland I was behind her all the way. Jeb was the protective and passionate older-brother type that a lot of girls (including me) secretly wish for in a boyfriend, and I enjoyed watching his [steamy] romance with Alyssa unfold. Morpheus was chilling and seductive and I couldn't help rooting for him and Alyssa as well, even when I knew he was bad for her. The rest of the Wonderland cast was individually creepy and entertaining in their own right, and Rabid in particular still makes my skin crawl just thinking about him.

Favorite Bit(s): Cover love - SO gorgeous. And, of course, Alice/Wonderland is an addiction of mine.


Conclusion: Beautifully rendered and warped, I highly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it!



Scribble Rating
4 .5 of 5 Scribbles



And in honor of my love for Splintered, I have official swag to give away!


Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win one of two swag packs signed by the author herself, A.G. Howard! Good luck! :)

14 comments:

  1. In Alice in Wonderland, I love the tea party of course ;)
    In Splintered, any scene with Jeb in but specifically the one where they're waiting to go into the Feast of Beasts. *swoooon*
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Ah, the tea party - definitely a good choice! And yes, the scene before the Feast... *fans self*

      Thanks for entering! :)

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  2. Oh uh, I haven't really read the book and have seen the movie but I do like when she meets the Cheshire Cat. :D

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    1. Who doesn't love Chessie in any venue? ;) Thanks for entering!

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  3. Oh, I read it two days ago and I FELL IN LOVE. Such detail and imagery. And I said the exact same thing in my review about Morpheus! That I wanted him and Alyssa together, even when I knew he wasn't good for her. A bad boy you love to hate and hate to love ;)
    I thought it was really well written and I loved how much of an original take it was on the original (if that makes sense). The haunting beauty had me falling in love with everything about Splintered.

    Great review and thanks for the giveaway!

    Ayana @ My Book Memoirs

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    1. You make total sense, and I totally agree! Thanks for your comments, and thanks for entering! :)

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  4. My favorite scene in Splintered came during this quote: "No matter what happens, we'll find each other again, You're my lifeline. You always will be." I won't tell who said it, b/c I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it. And if you haven't read it, you MUST.

    Stephanie (Go Flash Go) @ Read, Rinse, Repeat

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    1. Look at you, enticing readers all the more - I love it! XD Yes, definitely an awesome scene, I agree. Thanks for entering! :)

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  5. Lol, I didn't answer the questions. Duh :) So, my favourite scene in Splintered was both the tea party where Alyssa's character, ahem, changes a bit ;) And also the scene where her and Morpheus kiss but she has a secret agenda. It reminded me of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. Both such great books!

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    1. Hehe, that's okay. I definitely loved the tea party too - lot of fun and shenanigans. ;) And I'm Team Morpheus, so anything him is my kind of scene!

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  6. Thanks for the giveaway! I would also have to say the Tea Party! I keep hearing great things about Splintered!

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    1. The tea party one of the major highlights of Alice, to be sure. Thanks for entering! :)

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  7. My favorite scene is aaaaaanything featuring Morpheus. :D

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    1. I only have one word: AMEN. Thanks for entering! ;D

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