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A review by erina
Splintered Box Set by A.G. Howard
5.0
Wow! Splintered was an absolutely stunning debut and I absolutely loved it. Very, very occasionally I read a book and think if I ever write a book this is what I would write. It was a sublime read, and I am very much looking forward to Howard's sophomore novel, whatever it may be. This is a book and an author I want to champion.
I don't quite know how a book based on a classic novel that is around 150 years old and has already spawned countless reimaginings managed to be original, but it did.
Splintered was original and read very differently from any of the books I've read in the last year or so. The writing was lyrical and beautiful. It was poetic and artistic and painted such vivid imagery in my mind. I could see these wonderfully creepy landscapes and creatures, I could taste the salt of tears, the copper of blood and the whiff of graveyard dirt. There were parts of this book that begged to be read aloud and over again. Setting was such a key part of this story, and something that is so often neglected in other book I read. It was wonderful here. Tangible.
In addition to being beautifully written and drawn, this book was a non-stop action adventure. There were twists I did not see coming, like at all. I had no idea how this book was going to end until I reached the last page (I so didn't want it to end...). There was danger, there was chivalry, there was romance, there was heartbreak, and redemption. Splintered is part of the hero's quest genre and there is plenty of action and fast-paced plot to keep readers glued to their page.
The characters were deliciously complex, and I adored them. The dynamics between Morpheus, Alyssa, and Jeb were often funny and I never quite knew who to trust and what would happen to the characters. I definitely connected to the characters emotionally, and they left me smiling, crying, and holy crap OH NOing, a whole lot.
Of course, the ONE book that I read that is not part of a series (tell me you haven't noticed a recent trend of "series" books), is the one book I couldn't get enough of. Fantastic read! Sad to see it end :( but it was a pretty magical, creepy, horrifying, fantastical, lovestruck, teary-eyed journey...
I don't quite know how a book based on a classic novel that is around 150 years old and has already spawned countless reimaginings managed to be original, but it did.
Splintered was original and read very differently from any of the books I've read in the last year or so. The writing was lyrical and beautiful. It was poetic and artistic and painted such vivid imagery in my mind. I could see these wonderfully creepy landscapes and creatures, I could taste the salt of tears, the copper of blood and the whiff of graveyard dirt. There were parts of this book that begged to be read aloud and over again. Setting was such a key part of this story, and something that is so often neglected in other book I read. It was wonderful here. Tangible.
In addition to being beautifully written and drawn, this book was a non-stop action adventure. There were twists I did not see coming, like at all. I had no idea how this book was going to end until I reached the last page (I so didn't want it to end...). There was danger, there was chivalry, there was romance, there was heartbreak, and redemption. Splintered is part of the hero's quest genre and there is plenty of action and fast-paced plot to keep readers glued to their page.
The characters were deliciously complex, and I adored them. The dynamics between Morpheus, Alyssa, and Jeb were often funny and I never quite knew who to trust and what would happen to the characters. I definitely connected to the characters emotionally, and they left me smiling, crying, and holy crap OH NOing, a whole lot.
Of course, the ONE book that I read that is not part of a series (tell me you haven't noticed a recent trend of "series" books), is the one book I couldn't get enough of. Fantastic read! Sad to see it end :( but it was a pretty magical, creepy, horrifying, fantastical, lovestruck, teary-eyed journey...