Book Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

Splintered by A.G. Howard
Published: January 1st, 2013

Synopsis 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

My thoughts:
“I've been collecting bugs since I was ten; it's the only way I can stop their whispers. Sticking a pin through the gut of an insect shuts it up pretty quick.” 

First off, I feel like I need to say, LOOK AT THAT FREAKIN COVER!! It is gorgeous in every single way. It’s even better inside!

The writing is very beautiful  and the creepy Wonderland Howard creates is eerie and intriguing. The gothic spin she puts on this world is perfect.

Alyssa Gardner

Alyssa was great! She wasn’t perfect but was never annoying and she developed very well throughout the book. The good memories of Morpheus blinded her from seeing the truth in his intentions but with Jeb alongside of her, she found her strength.

“But nostalgia is deceptive, and I shove it aside. Because everything has been a lie.”

And when (SPOLIER) She stuck up for  Jeb at the end I was like, “you go girl!” (END SPOILER)

Jebediah Holt

Oh, Jeb! Besides his name not being my favorite, there is nothing to not love about this man. He is so kind, so caring, and so protective of Al and its sooo sweet! He is also so funny, I loved all the creative names he would call Morpheus, it was hilarious!

“I go where Al goes, dances-with-bugs. And just so you know, if anything happens to her, I'll pin you by your wings to a corkboard and use you for dart practice.” 

I loved Jeb even more (SPOILER!) when he used his love for Al to sacrifice himself to be in the box I cried! (END SPOILER)

Usually artist dudes are quite feminine and when they try to be romantic I cringe. This was so not the case with Jeb:

“It’s me I’m losing control of. Hundreds of sketches, and I still can’t get enough of your face”

“’I’m not wasting another second drawing you’, he whispers against my lips, ‘when I can touch you instead.’ He presses his mouth to mine”

*swoon*

Morpheus

I did enjoy Morpheus, because he’s the villain, but he’s one you know doesn’t want to be the villain, he’s not just pure evil, there’s something there to love. I can tell he truly does love Alyssa but he can’t have her!

“He's a contradiction: taut magic coiled to strike, gentleness at war with severity, a tongue as sharp as a whip's edge, yet skin so soft he could be swathed in clouds.” 

I know I am going to enjoy reading Unhinged to see if Howard can get me to switch sides because I don’t see it happening! 5 Stars!

5 “Splintereds”

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