Book Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard.

Splintered by A.G. Howard.
Book Summary: 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.
Liana's Summary: Alyssa can hear them- the bugs and the flowers. Apparently, it runs through the females in her family, starting from her great-great-great grandmother, Alice, the Alice that went to Wonderland. Alyssa never plans on stepping through that mirror, to go to Wonderland. She never meant to take Jeb, her best friend, with her. Down into the rabbit hole, following the White Rabbit. Or was it even a rabbit in the first place? As romance develops, so does Alyssa's independence, when she realizes no one is going to rescue her. She's going to have to rescue herself, along with Jeb. But can she do it?

Rate(1-10): 9.5

When I first heard about this book, I was pretty excited to read it. Nope, I am not disappointed. Actually, I'm very, very impressed, hence the high rating. Actually, when I first heard about this book, I didn't even know it was an Alice in Wonderland retelling. I mainly wanted to read this because it was a new release in the YA category. And, knowing me, I go for all the new releases.

First off, the cover. The cover is so cool. It looks like it should be scary (extra scary for me since I despise bugs like crazy) but it's really not.
The synopsis is very, very captivating. An Alice in Wonderland retelling? How cool is that?! This is actually the first and only one I've read. Honestly I'm kinda sick of princess retellings. LOL.

Okay, so. One of the best things about this story is that the main character, Alyssa, is actually a descendant of THE Alice. Alyssa just goes to Wonderland AFTER Alice has visited it. Which is just so cool. I mean, the Disney version is kinda off..

There was character development in Alyssa that I noticed and liked, and I love the fact that she KNOWS she's a different person afterwards. She was pretty useless in the beginning and she couldn't be alone. But afterwards, when she realized that no prince in shining armor was gonna save her, that she had to save herself, I liked her as a main character that much more. You can see her strength building up throughout the story.

The beginning of this book was sort of slow, but maybe that's because I took forever to read this due to my procrastination.

There were many plot twists, plot twists that just make you gasp out loud. I swear, A.G. Howard, what a great job! And this is a debut novel too! Her writing is just absolutely amazing. There was suspense and adventure, and that's what I love in a book!

The romance was perfect, and I think a love triangle has already developed. Although, right now, it's clear who she wants to be with. Of course this is a series (series are the shit right now, I don't even know why), and tbh I can't wait to see what happens in the second book (although this would have done fine as a stand-alone), which I just found out a few seconds ago is called Unhinged and will be released in 2014. Pretty cool title, right? 

Overall, this was one hell of an awesome ride! Definitely a recommendation!

Quotes!

"..weaving our fingers together."


AWWW THEY HOLD HANDS

"Butterfly!"


OMG WHY DID THEIR MOMENT GET RUINED 

"Hi, Tommy-toes,"


omg that nickname I can't

"I'm waiting inside the rabbit hole, luv. Find me."





"You'll have to kill me to get to her,"


d'aaaaaaw sho cute

"I'll always come back for you, Al."






"Elfin knight, do you wish for pleasure on your quest? I can provide it, if you so desire."


ehl oh ehl awkward
I probably laughed harder at this line than I should have. Maybe because I have a dirty mind and I'm a terrible person. LOL.

"Your voice is a song. Say it again."





"Hands off, you son of a bug!"


It's all good no one needs to remind me why I love Jeb

"..when I can touch you instead." He presses his mouth to mine.


THIS IS SO CUTE I'M GONNA DIE

"You're not to touch my precious booty, remember? Get thee behindeth me, Jebbeth."


oh my effing cheezits

"We don't have that kind of time.."


cos' ain't nobody gat time fo time

"No matter what happens, we'll find each other again. You're my lifeline. You always will be."





"You judge too harshly. I do want to save my friends. It just happens that I can save myself in the process."



Why does that quote sound so familiar

"Have I commented on your loveliness tonight?"


No. Just no

"..I turn into his embrace and hug him in the moonlight."



UNDAH THE MOONLIGHT AS WE STARE IN THE SEAAA THE WORDS YOU WHISPERED I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE
lol this is q

"You want me. Admit it."


Always and forever will be the modest one
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That's it! What did you think of this review?(: