"Splintered (Splintered, #1)" by A.G. Howard

"Splintered (Splintered, #1)" by A.G. Howard

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Published: January 1, 2013

Publisher: Amulet Books

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 371

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library
Read September 29 to October 6, 2014

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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.

I have NO clue as to why I didn't read this book sooner! Maybe it was because I read Alice in Zomblieland, and that was a really bad experience, so I was scared to read this Alice retelling? I don't know. But now I have learned my lesson and have read this amazing book!

I thought that this was such a creepily amazing retelling! Even though I haven't read Alice in Wonderland, I know the general idea. I loved how this book was so creepy and an incredibly twisted version of the childhood classic. It takes pretty much everything you know, and makes it dark. And I love that!


To be honest, when I first saw this cover, I didn't exactly like it. But once I started to read the book, I loved it! The book made me realize how important the cover was and how much it actually had to do with Alyssa and Wonderland. Every time I looked at the cover, I found a new little detail, like a bug or how the vines are wrapped into Alyssa's hair.

Alyssa has always been an outcast due to her connection with Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland. Because of this she only has two friends, Jenara and Jeb, her neighbors. However, Jeb has a terrible girlfriend who is super mean to Alyssa. And Jeb tells Alyssa to try being nice to Taelor!!



I hated, and still hate, Jeb for that. REALLY?!?! You're gonna tell your BEST FRIEND to be nice to your GIRLFRIEND who is a complete BITCH to her? REALLY?



This is pretty much why I don't like Jeb. He tells Alyssa to pity his bitchy girlfriend, is overbearing, acts like he can tell Alyssa what to do, goes behind her back, and is pretty much a complete ass!! I mean, Morpheus isn't totally innocent, but at least he can be a bit more honest. Plus he has blue hair, what's not to love?

So during the Wonderland adventure, Jeb acts like he knows everything, when in reality, he knows FUCKING NOTHING! I just wanted to strangle him. And then he would get all flirty with Alyssa and shit, while he had a girlfriend. What? WHAT?

I need to stop discussing that or else I'll have an aneurysm or something.

Alyssa
Bad ass! She knew that she had to find Wonderland, and she did. She did what she had to do and didn't want anyone to get in her way. However, Jeb got in her way. Little piece of shit.

Morpheus
I'm pretty sure I'm Team Morpheus, because Jeb is a little shit and Morpheus is slightly more honest. I'm not sure if I trust him yet, but I like him more.

Jeb
Piece of shit.

Overall, besides Jeb, I loved this book! It was such a dark, creepy, and amazing retelling of Alice in Wonderland. I can't wait to see what creepiness happens next, but as long as Morpheus is there, I'll be happy.