Splintered by A.G Howard

Splintered by A.G Howard
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication: January 1st, 2013
Page Count: 371
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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.

Ever since I first laid eyes on that beauteous cover, I knew I had to read it. (forget what it's actually about!  Look at that pretty cover!)  I mean, it's absolutely gorgeous, and to discover that it was a spinoff of everyone's favorite story of madness and insanity and magic put the need for this book very high.

Alyssa was a character I instantly clicked with.  I don't know why, since I don't have a mother in an asylum or anything, but she was just very likable.  I loved her stubborn determination and bravery she never knew she had.  She was unique and quirky with her clothing style and thoughts on Wonderland, which for the most part were curiosity and fascination.  She grew gradually as the story progressed, strengthened and wizened, and I enjoyed reading her progression.

But who cares about main characters when you've got Morpheus!  Mother of all that is good and holy, I knew I was in deep the first sentence he came onto the page!  Longer, blue hair, hypnotizing black eyes with pretty eye bling, WINGS, form fitting pants, and a terribly seductive attitude.  He was too perfect in so many ways.  I know that most people will be rooting for Jeb for various reason, but I don't care!  Take the human!  I'll take the sexy moth man.  Morpheus was just amazing, with his dark and suspicious ways, great looks, and bad attitude.  Never a dull moment with him, I tell you.

Speaking of Jeb, I kinda thought he was a bit of a tool.  He dates this Bitch Chick Taelor for some wimpy ass reason while being all protective over Alyssa.  I don't know about you, but that was a no-go for me.  If he wanted to be with Alyssa all secretly on the inside, he should have grown a pair and did something about the situation he was in, like break up with Taelor yesterday.  On top of that, his protective streak would get a little overbearing frequently.  Dude, give the girl some space!  She's got it covered!

Continuing with the review, I'll talk about the writing.  Never have I enjoyed reading a book where the imagery was so descriptive and enchanting, yet still left room to the imagination.  The balance was perfect.  I just loved all the world building and the beautiful--or raunchy!--descriptions of Wonderland creatures were mesmerizing.

Splintered was the perfect and dark twist on the Alice in Wonderland story we all know.  Dangerous, twisted, sexy, and enchanting, it had all the elements to keep me hooked until the very end.  The story was like a spider web with drops of water on it.  Hypnotic and complex in design, and harbinger of danger and darkness.  Fans of spinoffs, mystical, magical stuff, and gorgeous writing will possibly enjoy this book.

5 Splashes