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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
It was a hard choice between a 5 star read and a 4 star read, but I'm going to review this one on a solid 4 stars and a half. This book was a complete ride and I loved every second of the book. I finished this one really quickly, after finishing Alice the Absent (the prequel to this series). Even though the main stories and characters are pretty like every other in books, I can't help but be hopelessly in love with the book.
The story was very refreshing and new, although familiar because this was a Alice in Wonderland retelling, though with a very dark twist. Characters we know were slipped in a new and creepy jacket, and I can't help but being totally in love as a sucker for Alice in Wonderland and creepy things. This book was the perfect match for me.
Without spoiling, I can say I really enjoyed the character Morpheus. He was so fun and full of surprises. And secretly, I hope to definitely see even more of him when I follow through this series. When we have Jeb, who I also loved for that record, was the sweetheart in this book. I'm a strong Morpheus stan. The main character didn't have that much personality if I am honest, but it didn't bother me as much.
The writing of this book was very fast paced and I enjoyed it full hearted. It was light, creepy and yet very easy to follow. Sometimes I got a bit lost because of this pacing which is why I knocked half a star. It went very fast and sometimes that made me a little disoriented and take a step back while reading. It didn't bother me too much, though this was something that catched my eye. The plot however was very strong and I did not see some of plot twists. I enjoyed that highly.
And now... I'm going to rush and read 'Moth in the mirror' and the second book 'Unhinged' in this series because it got me hooked. This book got me out of a reading slump and I'm so happy about that as well.
The story was very refreshing and new, although familiar because this was a Alice in Wonderland retelling, though with a very dark twist. Characters we know were slipped in a new and creepy jacket, and I can't help but being totally in love as a sucker for Alice in Wonderland and creepy things. This book was the perfect match for me.
Without spoiling, I can say I really enjoyed the character Morpheus. He was so fun and full of surprises. And secretly, I hope to definitely see even more of him when I follow through this series. When we have Jeb, who I also loved for that record, was the sweetheart in this book. I'm a strong Morpheus stan. The main character didn't have that much personality if I am honest, but it didn't bother me as much.
The writing of this book was very fast paced and I enjoyed it full hearted. It was light, creepy and yet very easy to follow. Sometimes I got a bit lost because of this pacing which is why I knocked half a star. It went very fast and sometimes that made me a little disoriented and take a step back while reading. It didn't bother me too much, though this was something that catched my eye. The plot however was very strong and I did not see some of plot twists. I enjoyed that highly.
And now... I'm going to rush and read 'Moth in the mirror' and the second book 'Unhinged' in this series because it got me hooked. This book got me out of a reading slump and I'm so happy about that as well.
Splintered is the first in a YA fantasy series based off Lewis Carroll's masterpiece, Alice in Wonderland. It's not just loosely based off Alice; it's more of a retelling. I am a huge Alice fan, so I was excited about the premise.
Howard's version of Wonderland is appropriately absurd and wacky--classic Wonderland elements with a twist. But before we could take that trip down the rabbit hole, we first had to spend some time in the real world with Jeb, Alyssa, and Taelor--a disappointing group of characters.
First there's our MC, Alyssa Gardner, a direct descendant of Alice Liddell (the real-life inspiration for the original book). Mary Sue--oops Alyssa--is sweet, virginal, and unaware of how pretty she is. Despite being treated as a fragile doll by her crush Jeb, Alyssa quickly shows that she's the strongest, cleverest person in Wonderland.
Next is Jeb. I absolutely HATED this character. He tries to control Alyssa to the point of acting like he has to guard her virginity despite HAVING A GIRLFRIEND WHO IS NOT ALYSSA. He literally forces food into her hand when she won't eat. He forces himself into her house after being told to leave. Not to mention, he treats his actual girlfriend pretty poorly.
Taelor, Jeb's girlfriend, is a stereotype of the rich, haughty type and is given minimal character development. She's basically just there to advance the plot and provide a contrast to sweet, perfect Alyssa (and justify Jeb using her because--well she's a bitch so she deserves it).
Speaking of characters who exist solely to advance the plot--there's Alyssa's mother, Alison, who is "mentally ill" (not really because her "delusions" of Wonderland turn out to be real). Because her purpose is to serve as a catalyst to get Alyssa into Wonderland, the author didn't bother wasting time researching mental health care but instead (apparently) watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest. She decided that the nurse should be evil and that 19th Century methods of treatment should suffice in place of humane, ethical treatment.
When Alyssa travels through her mirror into Wonderland, my first thought was: "Hurray, no Jeb!" But then Jeb ends up in Wonderland too. SIGH. However, the story became MUCH more interesting when the wacky Wonderland characters are introduced. Characters such as the White Rabbit and the mad hatter are much different from in the original tale and are appropriately creepy and bizarre. Morpheus, the strange moth boy who visited Alyssa in her childhood dreams and is the only multidimensional character in the book, is so much more interesting and complex than Jeb and is by far my favorite character.
I don't know if I'll continue this series or not. The plot was definitely interesting, but the characters were so disappointing...
Howard's version of Wonderland is appropriately absurd and wacky--classic Wonderland elements with a twist. But before we could take that trip down the rabbit hole, we first had to spend some time in the real world with Jeb, Alyssa, and Taelor--a disappointing group of characters.
First there's our MC, Alyssa Gardner, a direct descendant of Alice Liddell (the real-life inspiration for the original book). Mary Sue--oops Alyssa--is sweet, virginal, and unaware of how pretty she is. Despite being treated as a fragile doll by her crush Jeb, Alyssa quickly shows that she's the strongest, cleverest person in Wonderland.
Next is Jeb. I absolutely HATED this character. He tries to control Alyssa to the point of acting like he has to guard her virginity despite HAVING A GIRLFRIEND WHO IS NOT ALYSSA. He literally forces food into her hand when she won't eat. He forces himself into her house after being told to leave. Not to mention, he treats his actual girlfriend pretty poorly.
Taelor, Jeb's girlfriend, is a stereotype of the rich, haughty type and is given minimal character development. She's basically just there to advance the plot and provide a contrast to sweet, perfect Alyssa (and justify Jeb using her because--well she's a bitch so she deserves it).
Speaking of characters who exist solely to advance the plot--there's Alyssa's mother, Alison, who is "mentally ill" (not really because her "delusions" of Wonderland turn out to be real). Because her purpose is to serve as a catalyst to get Alyssa into Wonderland, the author didn't bother wasting time researching mental health care but instead (apparently) watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest. She decided that the nurse should be evil and that 19th Century methods of treatment should suffice in place of humane, ethical treatment.
When Alyssa travels through her mirror into Wonderland, my first thought was: "Hurray, no Jeb!" But then Jeb ends up in Wonderland too. SIGH. However, the story became MUCH more interesting when the wacky Wonderland characters are introduced. Characters such as the White Rabbit and the mad hatter are much different from in the original tale and are appropriately creepy and bizarre. Morpheus, the strange moth boy who visited Alyssa in her childhood dreams and is the only multidimensional character in the book, is so much more interesting and complex than Jeb and is by far my favorite character.
I don't know if I'll continue this series or not. The plot was definitely interesting, but the characters were so disappointing...
I loved this take on Alice in Wonderland! Dark and creepy but modern and fun. Can't wait for the sequel!
To be honest, it had its redeeming qualities, but I kind of zoned out once one character called another character "son of a bug".
Wow! I really loved this spin off of Alice in Wonderland! I bought this book because of the cover, I never really even looked into what it was about until I started reading. I very much enjoyed this book. For there being more books in the series, I feel like the first book had a very proper ending as well. Some books I read I feel like the ending gets rushed and shoved into about 20 pages at the end. But the author did great, in my opinion, about keeping a could rhythm for the story and pacing it appropriately for the ending as well. I really enjoy how the author built off Alice in Wonderland, having Alyssa as Alice's great-great-great granddaughter. I liked the darker realm of this story as well and would love to see this depicted into a movie. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!! This was one of my most favorite reads in awhile.
this book was really busy. it was a pretty good story. but unfortunately, there was so much going on, and I kept wishing for it to end. but the ending was so good it was worth it. I actually want to read it again someday to miss anything I missed or overlooked.
Mini Book Review: I never understood the appeal for Alice when I was growing up, so even-though the cover hooked me in, I was reluctant to read this one. Glad I didn't just give this one away. Absolutely fabulous, unique, dark, creepy and her talent with words, mood and setting are positively awe inspiring. The story dragged a wee bit but not horribly so. Also, there is a love triangle (though I totally can see why she is attracted to both of the boys - yummy - I know ick ick kinda cougarish) which kinda irritates me but hey I am not the intended audience as I am old. Once again I want to mention the cover as it is truly perfect for the book (my copy even has the cover and chapter for the next book) This is a truly unique and imaginative take on the Wonderland tale. I am looking forward to what happens in the next, and hopefully only book, in the series (I am really tiring of trilogies because in most cases, the 2nd book is usually just lame filler.
Favorite Quotes
"We turn to find Morpheus standing there with enough rage in his black eyes to send the Devil packing for heaven."
"It's okay that you have a little bad inside. So do I."
You know, you should never trust a woman with green skin. Just ask any man who's had a hangover from absinthe."
"Mysterious. Rebellious. Troubled. All those qualities women find irresistible."
4 Dewey's
I picked up a copy of this at Book Expo America 2013 based on the fabulous cover
Favorite Quotes
"We turn to find Morpheus standing there with enough rage in his black eyes to send the Devil packing for heaven."
"It's okay that you have a little bad inside. So do I."
You know, you should never trust a woman with green skin. Just ask any man who's had a hangover from absinthe."
"Mysterious. Rebellious. Troubled. All those qualities women find irresistible."
4 Dewey's
I picked up a copy of this at Book Expo America 2013 based on the fabulous cover
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is one of the more boring and stupid books I've read in a long time. I'm sure there's a better way for me to arrange that statement but this crap doesn't deserve the effort. I hate the skater girl and torn battered good boy who's a cheater nonsense. I hate all 18 of the Lewis Carroll references. Hate the plot hate the twist hated all of it. I was scan-reading pages from the beginning of the book because of all the irrelevance so I knew it was going to be bad, but I promised my niece I'd read it so I did. I have NO desire to read any more of this author's "work" and since this book pretty much ends on a wrapped up note- I don't have to. I can't imagine what long winded bullshit was the focus point of book two and three but........... If you like Alice in wonderland but want a different view read Colleen Oakes. Not this garbage.
es enemies to lovers y no supporteamos