acarifa's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down! As a huge fan of the Alice and Wonderland story, A.G. Howard's interpretation of what comes later on is fantastic. She is really creative with incorporating details from the original story, while still letting this be its own tale.
rachana's review against another edition
5.0
*This review was originally posted on Spun!
This is easily one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a while! The amount of originality in this book just about blew me away. I haven’t read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll but this retelling of it is amazing.
The main character, Alyssa, is really freaking unique (and I swear I don’t mean that in a negative way or in a we-are-all-unique-butterflies way). I would love to meet her in real life.. please, please, can I??? She’s brilliant and artistic and so damn brave. Okay so I might not have loved everything about her – like the fact that she killed bugs to use in her mosaics but then again we all do..weird things. There is so much more to her than meets the eye and I know we’re just going to keep learning about her as the books progress.
I LOVE the love triangle in this book because for once both of the guys are 100% developed. I honestly felt like Alyssa could end up with either of them (and I was kind-of hoping it would be Jeb). Morpheus and Jeb sort-of represent the two sides to Alyssa (Morpheus = Netherling side while Jeb = human side). Morpheus is intense, seductive, creepy and manipulative and even though he’s sort of the villain, he’s also pretty amazing. He’s constantly surprised me and I loved that about him. Jeb is the childhood friend and at times he’s a bit annoying because he keeps acting like her older brother…while being an love interest. He’s really protective and that was the main difference between him and Morpheus. Morpheus pushes Alyssa into all kinds of crazy situations while trusting that she can handle herself. Jeb, on the other hand, keeps trying to take care of her. But I still ended up rooting for him because he’s actually a really sweet guy who is ready to sacrifice everything for her. That unselfish love he feels for her really swept me away.
As for the plot, it’s amazing too and I couldn’t anticipate the twists at all. Soon after finishing this book I even ended up reading the second book: Unhinged. This book series is pretty addictive.
This is easily one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a while! The amount of originality in this book just about blew me away. I haven’t read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll but this retelling of it is amazing.
The main character, Alyssa, is really freaking unique (and I swear I don’t mean that in a negative way or in a we-are-all-unique-butterflies way). I would love to meet her in real life.. please, please, can I??? She’s brilliant and artistic and so damn brave. Okay so I might not have loved everything about her – like the fact that she killed bugs to use in her mosaics but then again we all do..weird things. There is so much more to her than meets the eye and I know we’re just going to keep learning about her as the books progress.
I LOVE the love triangle in this book because for once both of the guys are 100% developed. I honestly felt like Alyssa could end up with either of them (and I was kind-of hoping it would be Jeb). Morpheus and Jeb sort-of represent the two sides to Alyssa (Morpheus = Netherling side while Jeb = human side). Morpheus is intense, seductive, creepy and manipulative and even though he’s sort of the villain, he’s also pretty amazing. He’s constantly surprised me and I loved that about him. Jeb is the childhood friend and at times he’s a bit annoying because he keeps acting like her older brother…while being an love interest. He’s really protective and that was the main difference between him and Morpheus. Morpheus pushes Alyssa into all kinds of crazy situations while trusting that she can handle herself. Jeb, on the other hand, keeps trying to take care of her. But I still ended up rooting for him because he’s actually a really sweet guy who is ready to sacrifice everything for her. That unselfish love he feels for her really swept me away.
As for the plot, it’s amazing too and I couldn’t anticipate the twists at all. Soon after finishing this book I even ended up reading the second book: Unhinged. This book series is pretty addictive.
noregrets4life33's review against another edition
4.0
Down the Rabbit Hole indeed!
At one point, I planned never to read Splintered. There were some really polarized reviews, and some of my good GR friends had strong reactions to it. But I ended up reading it as a buddy read to discuss and dissect, and I am happy I did!
Splintered is not bad as far as retellings go. It had strong characters, a strong plot, great writing, solid world building, and twists and turns. I did have a few issues, but overall, I was impressed, and it definitely left an impression on me. Whenever you find yourself thinking about a book randomly throughout the day after you've finished, it's a keeper.
What I really, really liked:
- the psychological elements. Great addition to the story, and where I just so happen to have my degree in this, I am always drawn to books that include these things.
- the writing was pretty good, especially at the beginning. Descriptive, sexy, and imagery laden. It draws you in immediately, sentence 1.
- the duality. This is emphasized over and over. There are two sides to everything, and Alyssa will eventually have to chose forever where her path truly lies.
What made me almost make this a 3 star read:
- CONFUSION. The scene changes, a lot of the plot twists and turns and details, and some of Wonderland itself all confused the hell out of me. I had to reread some things a few times, and even then I was often times confused. So I had to just keep pushing on sometimes. So the writing was overall good, but the author needs to refine how she lays things out to make it easier on the reader.
- Wonderland. I am not a super fan of Wonderland. It's not bad, but I much prefer the Nevernever Julie Kagawa created. I had trouble picture things most of the time, which detracted from my experience. I found myself comparing this book to The Iron Fey series quite a bit actually.
- the weirdness. I tend to shy away from things that don't make sense or are strange, and Wonderland sure is strange, as are some of its inhabitants. So some of it was offputting.
So that's it! I am pushing right along into the novella and sequel, farther into the insanity.
O.... you wanted to hear how I feel about Jeb/Morpheus/Alyssa, did you?? ;)
This series is quite polarizing in how people feel about this love triangle. It's a very hardcore love triangle, which will probably not be some people's cup of tea. Right now, I actually don't hate either love interest. Both appeal to different sides of Al, and depending on the path she chooses she could end up with either man, which makes it interesting to find out where this all goes! I cannot say that I am on either team at the moment. How about Al just becomes the queen and keeps them both? Her moth and her knight. Win win win! :)
I may just paint swirls around my eyes and strap on a pair of wings and fly away now. Because everything is better with wings.
At one point, I planned never to read Splintered. There were some really polarized reviews, and some of my good GR friends had strong reactions to it. But I ended up reading it as a buddy read to discuss and dissect, and I am happy I did!
Splintered is not bad as far as retellings go. It had strong characters, a strong plot, great writing, solid world building, and twists and turns. I did have a few issues, but overall, I was impressed, and it definitely left an impression on me. Whenever you find yourself thinking about a book randomly throughout the day after you've finished, it's a keeper.
What I really, really liked:
- the psychological elements. Great addition to the story, and where I just so happen to have my degree in this, I am always drawn to books that include these things.
- the writing was pretty good, especially at the beginning. Descriptive, sexy, and imagery laden. It draws you in immediately, sentence 1.
- the duality. This is emphasized over and over. There are two sides to everything, and Alyssa will eventually have to chose forever where her path truly lies.
What made me almost make this a 3 star read:
- CONFUSION. The scene changes, a lot of the plot twists and turns and details, and some of Wonderland itself all confused the hell out of me. I had to reread some things a few times, and even then I was often times confused. So I had to just keep pushing on sometimes. So the writing was overall good, but the author needs to refine how she lays things out to make it easier on the reader.
- Wonderland. I am not a super fan of Wonderland. It's not bad, but I much prefer the Nevernever Julie Kagawa created. I had trouble picture things most of the time, which detracted from my experience. I found myself comparing this book to The Iron Fey series quite a bit actually.
- the weirdness. I tend to shy away from things that don't make sense or are strange, and Wonderland sure is strange, as are some of its inhabitants. So some of it was offputting.
So that's it! I am pushing right along into the novella and sequel, farther into the insanity.
O.... you wanted to hear how I feel about Jeb/Morpheus/Alyssa, did you?? ;)
This series is quite polarizing in how people feel about this love triangle. It's a very hardcore love triangle, which will probably not be some people's cup of tea. Right now, I actually don't hate either love interest. Both appeal to different sides of Al, and depending on the path she chooses she could end up with either man, which makes it interesting to find out where this all goes! I cannot say that I am on either team at the moment. How about Al just becomes the queen and keeps them both? Her moth and her knight. Win win win! :)
I may just paint swirls around my eyes and strap on a pair of wings and fly away now. Because everything is better with wings.
stoneray's review against another edition
3.0
I love the Alice story, I have read a few wonderland based stories that were adaptations of the original story and this one was okay. Very very cringe at some times, high school emo me would have loved it.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
4.0
The females in Alyssa Gardner's family line are cursed. It's been this way ever since Alyssa's great-great-great-grandmother Alice Liddell went down the rabbit hole. Alice's adventures may have inspired Lewis Carroll's classic novel but it also caused strangeness and mental instability for every female born to Alice's family line ever since.
Alyssa knows about Alice and knows that the only way to save her mother from the madness that plagues her is to go to Wonderland. But getting there isn't the hard part. Her long time best friend Jeb is along for the ride and together they learn that Wonderland isn't quite as wonderful as Carroll may have portrayed it.
I've read a few Alice in Wonderland modern adaptations but Splintered is my favourite so far. AG Howard has taken elements of the original story and built upon it wonderfully. It has all the charm of the classic novel but gives it a dark and creepy vibe which really works.
Alyssa is a great character to drive this adventure. Her greatest fear is becoming like her mother - unable to care for herself and a danger to others - but when it comes down to it, Alyssa is willing to do anything and everything to save her. She's brave and resourceful - but that's not to say she doesn't have her flaws. The way of life in Wonderland is confusing and Alyssa has to try to cope with all it throws at her but she manages to do so whilst remaining entertaining and with attitude. Her relationships are great to read. The fragile mother daughter bond, the way she is with her devoted father, and then there's the love triangle between Alyssa, Jeb and Morpheus. I'm not a fan of love triangles but this book gets it right. Neither guy is perfect, each with their own issues and problems, but as a reader I could understand why she may choose to go either way. This is a book which keeps you guessing but in the right kind of way.
You don't need to be familiar with the traditional story of Alice in Wonderland to fully appreciate what AG Howard has done with Splintered. But for those who know the classic book - I think you'll admire just how the author has interpreted it and made it her own. It's warped and is utter madness but done in such a way where the mad and odd make sense within the world in which it is set.
Rival queens, creepy rabbits, moths and giant flowers - Splintered combines the classic story with new twists and delivers a page turner I couldn't help but enjoy.
Alyssa knows about Alice and knows that the only way to save her mother from the madness that plagues her is to go to Wonderland. But getting there isn't the hard part. Her long time best friend Jeb is along for the ride and together they learn that Wonderland isn't quite as wonderful as Carroll may have portrayed it.
I've read a few Alice in Wonderland modern adaptations but Splintered is my favourite so far. AG Howard has taken elements of the original story and built upon it wonderfully. It has all the charm of the classic novel but gives it a dark and creepy vibe which really works.
Alyssa is a great character to drive this adventure. Her greatest fear is becoming like her mother - unable to care for herself and a danger to others - but when it comes down to it, Alyssa is willing to do anything and everything to save her. She's brave and resourceful - but that's not to say she doesn't have her flaws. The way of life in Wonderland is confusing and Alyssa has to try to cope with all it throws at her but she manages to do so whilst remaining entertaining and with attitude. Her relationships are great to read. The fragile mother daughter bond, the way she is with her devoted father, and then there's the love triangle between Alyssa, Jeb and Morpheus. I'm not a fan of love triangles but this book gets it right. Neither guy is perfect, each with their own issues and problems, but as a reader I could understand why she may choose to go either way. This is a book which keeps you guessing but in the right kind of way.
You don't need to be familiar with the traditional story of Alice in Wonderland to fully appreciate what AG Howard has done with Splintered. But for those who know the classic book - I think you'll admire just how the author has interpreted it and made it her own. It's warped and is utter madness but done in such a way where the mad and odd make sense within the world in which it is set.
Rival queens, creepy rabbits, moths and giant flowers - Splintered combines the classic story with new twists and delivers a page turner I couldn't help but enjoy.
cassthereader's review against another edition
3.0
So I really enjoyed this book at first but as the romance part of the story started to develop more as a storyline the book started to lose it's appeal to me. I cared enough about the main character Alyssa to finish the book and see where the wonderland side of the story went but I did not care at all about the Alyssa Jeb story line. For me this book could end the way it did and be a stand alone. I am not sure if I am going to care enough to actually finish the series but will give the next book a go.
hippiebabe's review against another edition
5.0
Let me start by saying I LOVE Alice in Wonderland. I was obsessed with the movie as a child and I loved Lewis Carroll's books as well. This book was a great addition to Carroll's story. Alyssa is the decendant of the original Alice. She goes to Wonderland to try to break her family's "curse" of mental illness. Wonderland turns out to be way sicker than the original telling.
"A blood curdling howl breaks the chaos as someone rips off one of the duck's legs. It drags itself free while several of the pursuers gnaw on the ripped drumstick. The duck climbs atop a hovering wine bottle and takes to the air, all while giggling deliriously. He taunts the others to catch him by tearing off and dropping pieces of his flesh. He wants to be eaten."
Although the darkness of this book is the utter opposite of the romance novels I usually read I enjoyed it immensely. The book kept me on my toes with the twists...especially towards the end. The details this author writes with are perfect and it really would be amazing to see this book series turned into a movie or TV show. However, I am still on the fence as to whether I am team Jeb or team Morpheus though so maybe we will decide after the second book.
Definitely recommend if you are an Alice fan!
"A blood curdling howl breaks the chaos as someone rips off one of the duck's legs. It drags itself free while several of the pursuers gnaw on the ripped drumstick. The duck climbs atop a hovering wine bottle and takes to the air, all while giggling deliriously. He taunts the others to catch him by tearing off and dropping pieces of his flesh. He wants to be eaten."
Although the darkness of this book is the utter opposite of the romance novels I usually read I enjoyed it immensely. The book kept me on my toes with the twists...especially towards the end. The details this author writes with are perfect and it really would be amazing to see this book series turned into a movie or TV show. However, I am still on the fence as to whether I am team Jeb or team Morpheus though so maybe we will decide after the second book.
Definitely recommend if you are an Alice fan!
endaglivet's review against another edition
2.0
... kalemi dark wonderland yazmak için hiç yeterli değildi ve böyle bir kurgu fikrinin ergence şeylerle harcanması kalbimi kırdı...