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Splintered (Splintered, #1)

A.G. Howard

Start date: March 1, 2013

Finish date: March 31, 2013

Why we're reading this: It won the poll for the March theme BOTM.
Theme: Fairytale Retelling
[close] It won the poll for the March theme BOTM.
Theme: Fairytale Retelling

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May 13, 2013 Stephanie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, 2013

"I hate you," I say, the sentiment muffled against his heart, hoping to make it true.

"And I love you," he answers without hesitation, voice resolved and raw as he holds me tighter so I can't break away and react. "A crossroads, my beautiful princess, that was unavoidable—given our situations.”

When I said I needed to read this, I had no idea how much I really needed to jump on this ship. Splintered is a magnificent blend of whimsical fairytale and the complications real-world characters bring to "I hate you," I say, the sentiment muffled against his heart, hoping to make it true.

"And I love you," he answers without hesitation, voice resolved and raw as he holds me tighter so I can't break away and react. "A crossroads, my beautiful princess, that was unavoidable—given our situations.”

When I said I needed to read this, I had no idea how much I really needed to jump on this ship. Splintered is a magnificent blend of whimsical fairytale and the complications real-world characters bring to a story.

Alyssa has a family history of schizophrenia, or so she believes. But what happens when everything you know gets turned upside? What if you learned you could change your fate? Alyssa is desperate to not only change her fate but to save her mother too. She actively seeks the rabbit hole, even if it means losing her sanity in the process.

A.G. Howard had Alyssa dress in the most perfect outfits - each one foreshadowed her tie to Wonderland with just the right spice. Alyssa was a fantastic blend of wonderlands' madness and the limitations we usually place on ourselves. Wonderland itself was flawlesssly twisted without losing any of its original magic. The characters and creatures were different but still maintained a familiar vibe of madness all while acting a bit more serious than they did in Carroll's original work. Alyssa's journey is somewhat reminiscent of Alice's but with... you know, purpose.

Of all those she met in Wonderland, none were more memorable than Morpheus. Morpheus is frustrating and endearing all at the same time. He did bad things but in the end, it was clear her cared about Alyssa and I just can't help but like him. I'm just hopeless when it comes to a Morpheus-Alyssa relationship. Jeb is just awful.

Morpheus represents the freedom of Wonderland. In Wonderland, Alyssa is free and doesn't hold herself back. Morpheus encourages her to embrace the part of her that everyone on earth has told her to restrain. He believes in her even when she doesn't. Don't get me wrong, he isn't perfect but I'd rather read about her dealing with his flaws than Jeb's.

Jeb on the other hand seems to hold her back. All he wants to do is protect her which is usually swoon worthy and all but its how he goes about doing it. His attitude just kills all the sense of strength her personality radiates. Alyssa is strong but I feel like Jeb restrains that part of her. He is the embodiment of the restraints the real world places on her. Plus his insults and names for Morpheus were just... pathetic but they fit Jeb's personality, which is just sad. I really disliked Jeb - from the very beginning.

All in all, Splintered is a lovely masterpiece and I can't wait to see what Miss Howard has for us in Unhinged.
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Jun 12, 2014 Zhye rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, fae, misc-supernaturals

This first book is good setup for the trilogy, series, etc. I liked Jeb less and less as the book went on, reminded me too much of the co-dependency in the Twilight books (and probably one of the main reasons I gave up on those). I kind of liked Jeb again before the end, but the conclusion was kind of weak. Second book does get better though so muscle through!

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Dec 04, 2013 Cara rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-fairytale, fiction, young-adult, paranormal, horror, retelling, psychology, books-that-i-hug, stand-alone-awesomeness, ghostly

I need to gush over this book! I love the quirky Alice in Wonderland movies. The original reminds me of my childhood and cookies and fun! I've never read the book but THIS was a perfect continuation of this upside down world. The author had such great details and everything seemed so creepy but I wanted pictures of the creatures too so I could be completely diluted in its awesomeness! Obviously I am going to continue this saga and I think I chose the perfect time to start the series because the ...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Rachelle rated it really liked it

I loved this story! Alice in Wonderland was always my least favorite fairy tale growing up so I was a little hesitant to read this book, but I'm so glad I did! It's a quick, fun read. This is definitely an author I will be returning to in the future. ...more

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