Unhinged by A. G Howard

Unhinged by A. G Howard
Genre: YA Fairytale Spinoff
Expected Publication: January 7th, 2014
Publisher: Amulet
Page Count: 384
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Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.

Hosting a Splintered read-along was probably one of the best decisions I've made this year. I'd been lusting for it, what with the beautiful cover, and I just couldn't wait to read it. And now, after a few months, I've been given the opportunity to be apart of Krazy Book Lady's ARC tour of Unhinged and I am a happy book blogger.

Soooo, Alyssa bothers in the aspect that she's always doubting her childhood friend Morpheus. This also could be due to the fact that I'm Team Morpheus all the way, but Al's manner in the way that she treats Morpheus has always bothered me. However, she is such a dynamic character. Being in her position, I wouldn't know what world I belonged to either. Save a bunch of crazies in this unfamiliar land or save the lives of those you know and consider normal? So, I mean, I have to give her some credit and having half the mind for doubting an inhabitant of Wonderland, but I still think she acted a little poorly.

WOAH. I have to say that this was a great sequel to Splintered. I have to admit that I had no idea where the author could have brought the next book. All I knew was that I wanted another. The plot thickens when Alyssa has to decide which world to save and be a part of. Troubles definitely get more troublesome when some certain characters *ahem* Red *ahem* just won't go away.

So I loved the growing relationships between Alyssa and her mom and Alyssa and Morpheus. We really didn't get to know Alyssa's mom very well in the first book and, in this one, readers get an inside look at the not-crazy mother. And I cannot tell you how much I was swooning over Morpheus in this book. You're perfect, moth boy!

One thing that really distinguishes A. G Howard from other authors out there in the world is her writing. Beautifully vivid and dark. Her original spin on a favorite fairytale of mine and her incredible writing made the perfect recipe for me. I always feel like I'm being transported into Alyssa's story once I open her books. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing that originality in pieces nowadays, sadly.

Unhinged was a great addition to the Splintered series and I absolutely cannot wait for the next one. I am totally flipping out over that ending! And if you've not read Splintered yet, I highly suggest you do. With gorgeously descriptive writing, a dark mood, a fast pace, a twisty plot, and Morpheus, it'll make a great read for anyone. 

5 Splashes