Title:
Splintered
Author:
AG Howard
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication Date: January 1, 2013
Source: Brandy ♣ eGalley from NetGalley & Bought; Malissa ♠ Bought
Format: eBook & Hardcover via Amazon
Rating: Brandy ♣ 5 stars ♥ Malissa ♠ 5 stars
~ The Scoop from Goodreads ~
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.
Thoughts before even starting. I know we both liked the cover of this
one before even knowing if it was supposed to be any good. I can't help
it, it just looks ... wild! But I opened my copy last night, and wow!
It's printed in this purplish ink. So cool. And sure, that doesn't add
to the actual story, but it adds atmosphere and a sense of mystery
somehow. I love it! (as an aside, this us one of those moments when
print trumps my kindle)
I do love the cover. Beautiful, eye catching, wild is such a good
description. I'm quite jealous of u rt now. Maybe I'll order it now.
I just finished my lunch break and am on page 68.
My thoughts thus far:
I oddly like the connection between Alyssa getting her first period and whatever is going on starting. I don't know why. Not the period itself (gross) but the idea that she's somehow grown up based on both those things. Again, not sure why.
Oh how I hate intentionally, hurtful oblivious parents! I wasn't sure at first how much I was going to like her dad. I like him better now. He's obviously love, dedicated to mom, etc. But a bit slow, is he not?
This book doesn't pull any punches about jumping into the action, does it? Wow. I like that.
Can she write chemistry or what? The connection between Alyssa and Jeb is palpable. I always feel alittle weird thinking that in YA books for some reason. Do you get that at all?
I'm trying to decide if the Alice references are awesome or over the top. Allison in a blue dress and apron. Twin hulking gardeners. Underland. Butterfly Threads (where Alyssa works), etc. I think I'm liking it, but I really hope the story lives up to the dramatic setup.
I think I'll end up ordering a copy of it.But so far I'm liking Splintered
enough I could see wanting to own it.
I like her wannabe snarkiness - like with the nurse, when she didn't
say what she wanted to say about having the crutches but instead was
nice and answered as a 'good girl' should.
I do like the
connection between first period and hearing the voices as well. It gives
it a good starting point, a place of expectation, and makes it more
believable. Of course, the backstory about her mom helps with that too. I
loved how it started out kind of creepy... her killing bugs. I mean,
makes total sense. I'd probably kill them too if they were whispering
sweet nothings in my ear, but man it came off dark. I loved it.
Her dad does seem pretty oblivious, doesn't he? I'm not all that far
into it (I think I finished Ch 3 at the dr's office... I don't know if
you got that email or not) but I get that, definitely.
And OH MY
GOODNESS, YES! she can write chemistry. I seriously re-read the scene
with her and Jeb in Gizmo (which I *love* the 80's movie reference, btw)
because it was *that* good. And yes, I do feel a little odd
saying/thinking that when it comes to YA novels. I think that's why some
adults balk at the idea of reading them - it may make them feel like a
creeper to an extent... I mean, the romances in them are not "adult"
romances, and the characters are not adult, so it should seem weird
falling in love with a character in a YA book, shouldn't it? As an
adult? I think I'm reading too much into it. Then there's also the fact
that most are written by adults... so what does that say? Hmm... let's
forget this entire aside... lol I am very curious to see where that relationship goes.
I
think I like the Alice references. So far at least. I mean, it makes
sense to me that they're there, they don't seem out of place at all.
Yet. lol
Agreed on the darkness. It reminds me a bit of Holly Black's books. And a bit of Maggie Stiefvater's.
Yes! Well, yes, on the Maggie. I haven't read any Holly Black (please don't throw things at me)...
Lol. I won't. I promise. Hers are a bit darker and less funny than
Maggie's (imo) but are similarly themed. Also Brenna Yovanoff,
especially the replacement. Notice how these comparisons are all
books/authors we like :)
I'm somewhere in Chapter 5. I am really liking it, I can't lie. But I'm wondering if it
would make any difference in my reading if I had ever actually read
Alice in Wonderland. I mean, it's on my shelf at home but I've just
never read it.
Nearly done with chapter 7. I am really liking it, and I think she
did a good job building from the original. Which I have read. I had read
Alice before & read it & Lookinglass before seeing the new
movie. I think if you've seen the Disney version & the new one, you
have all the background you need. Though it might make you *want* to
read it ;)
Next email:
I'm ready for Chapter 10 (over a third but not quite half). I didn't get
any time to read at all today. Boo. Still liking it. Still liking her
retelling of Wonderland. Still liking Alyssa and Jeb. Really disliking
another character you may or may not have encountered yet. Someone
hinted at early on ... That individual is going to make me angry, I
suspect.
Later...
I'm *nearly* done with splinter. Nearly.
I am not *nearly* anywhere *near* done with Splintered. 38%
according to my Kindle. People here apparently do not see fit to let you
read at lunch. ;)
I'm going to write up my review in an email when I'm done, but wait for
updates etc from you so we can still discuss. It's odd me being ahead
for once, lol. Usually you're waiting for my slow butt ;)
Malissa finished so much sooner than I did. I text her with "WHAT?" and "WHY?", but mostly we stopped discussion once she finished. I really am a freak when it comes to no spoilers. lol But she knows that and one response said something along the lines of "... mysterious silence ..." So, here's some final thoughts.
I was between 4 & 5 stars most of the way through this book just
because A. I love retellings/takes on classics and have read a lot, and
this isn't *quite* at the brilliance level of say Gregory Maguire's
Wicked and B. I wasn't totally sucked into this until the end. I was
engaged, but not absorbed. To be fair, I've had a LOT going on to
distract me lately, but I still think a Fantastic book (capital
intended) like, say, Code Name Verity would suck me in even on a burning
plane in a downward spiral. But in the end I'm going with 5, and here's
why:
Atmosphere. This book has great atmosphere that's very reminiscent of
both Carroll's original vision and Tim Burton's Alice take (both men
are credited at the back of the book) with a fun and believable modern,
urban fantasy type twist that works.
Originality. There were times I wondered how much Howard borrowed
from the new Alice movie (the importance of the vorpol sword, the
bandersnatch as a 'pet' of the red court) but upon further research
(read googling) I discovered that others have built on these for years.
This book stays close enough to the original Alice for the storyline to
work while changing it enough to feel fresh and more grown up. And like
Burton's movie, it's a sequel more than a retelling, though that
definitely happens some too. In a very clever way.
Characters. This book is definitely plot and action driven, no
apologies for that, but it does have characters that I waffled between
love and hate for which makes a difference for me as a reader. Flat
characters can ruin the best story, and if these didn't truly change
much from beginning to end, they had enough dimension to be quite
interesting.
Chemistry. Wow. Howard can write chemistry. It sizzles off the pages
at points. And while nothing 'happens' in the story (we librarians can
safely tell parents that this book is pretty darn clean in terms of
language and sex) it sure *feels* hot! Teens will LOVE this couple.
Heck. *I* love them.
The ending. How many good books have you read where the ending
fizzles or just flat out stinks? Lots right? This one actually kinda
rocks in my opinion. I was talking out loud, rushing through pages, and
possibly tearing up (though I won't admit it again ...). And it was
satisfying, not *too* easy, and believable. That's what bumped me from 4
to 5 stars.
I'm not going to say I'd give this book to every reader. Some adult
readers will no doubt find it too dramatic and short on depth, but it's a
great YA book with lots of actual teen appeal. And I'm glad to put it
on my shelf with my copy of the original Alice.
I *hate* how long this took for me to finish. Seriously. It wasn't the book's fault, but man. I really wanted to know how it all ended, yet I didn't want to know because I really didn't want it to end. Before I was even finished I wanted to go back to the beginning and read it all over. I wanted Alyssa to realize her dreams, wishes, but at the same time I was anxious because as dark, terrifying, and confusing as the world was, I didn't want to leave it yet.
I really liked that it wasn't just a retelling, but that it happens later, down the ancestral line. I think that made it more interesting for me. I don't know if it's because I've never read the original (own, never read. Sad... but true story) or if I would feel that way even if. We shall never know.
The writing. Oh, the writing. Descriptions galore. I loved how Wonderland seemed so beautifully dark. I'm not sure I have ever been so captivated by a
place in a book. I definitely want more of that.
I also want more of AG Howard's chemistry. It was palpable, visceral. I sincerely went back and read parts just to feel it all over again. The characters were flawed, real. They had attachments for one another that were 100% believable. I'm not sure what will happen in the future, but as of now, I'm totally down for Jeb and Alyssa. The tension, the chemistry, the unconditional love... I can't wait to see what Howard does with it all.
But nothing is ever black and white. I hate
hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate that Howard has me questioning my utter dislike of a certain character. We shall see how the story progresses in Unhinged, but I'm hoping my dislike can continue. :) Speaking of continuing... in order to continue this one must end, right? Of course. And the ending to this one? Superbly done. It was plausible, believable, sad, heartwarming, and made me angry all at the same time.
I would recommend this book to lots of people, whether they are a fan of Carroll's Wonderland or not, and especially if they like dark fantasy.
Have you read it? Want to read it? Share your thoughts, if you would. :)
Smiles,
B & M
