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pinakamataas's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
I am pleasantly surprised by this book. The beginning was making me question a lot of writing choices, but in the end it did wrap up in a neat little bow. One thing that stuck out to me was Alyssa’s avoidance of telling Jeb about their journey in the first book, but in the end I was not mad about it.
I’m weirdly enjoying the tug of war Morpheus has with Jeb over her, representing her dual nature, and I’m not even annoyed by the implied strict monogamy, it is vastly helped by the implication/prediction of all of their future(s).
I loved Alyssa going down a darker path, because she definitely has it in her, and while everyone is annoyed at Morpheus at any given time, he is embodiment of what it’s like not to be human and have human values, the moments that Alyssa describes as more human like, and not self serving, still feels other.
What I didn’t particularly 💯 support was the side plot line of Allyson - the twists while are not exactly plot holes, they still feel that way, because of the 180 turn she does here. And frankly I kept waiting for more plot twists to tangle it up.
Overall, this is enjoyable to the extreme, but maybe it’s a mood I’m feeling, and I wouldn’t love it quite as much any other time. But I’m impatiently picking up the next one, because I need to know what will happen to Tommy, because I feel like it will mess up Alyssa’s history some more.
I’m weirdly enjoying the tug of war Morpheus has with Jeb over her, representing her dual nature, and I’m not even annoyed by the implied strict monogamy, it is vastly helped by the implication/prediction of all of their future(s).
I loved Alyssa going down a darker path, because she definitely has it in her, and while everyone is annoyed at Morpheus at any given time, he is embodiment of what it’s like not to be human and have human values, the moments that Alyssa describes as more human like, and not self serving, still feels other.
What I didn’t particularly 💯 support was the side plot line of Allyson - the twists while are not exactly plot holes, they still feel that way, because of the 180 turn she does here. And frankly I kept waiting for more plot twists to tangle it up.
Overall, this is enjoyable to the extreme, but maybe it’s a mood I’m feeling, and I wouldn’t love it quite as much any other time. But I’m impatiently picking up the next one, because I need to know what will happen to Tommy, because I feel like it will mess up Alyssa’s history some more.
tayjaye's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
nyeran's review against another edition
2.0
"Jeb è mio. Mio. Mio. Mio. Mio."
Ho iniziato la lettura di questo secondo libro con due sole domande:
- “Riuscirà Jeb ad essere, se possibile, ancora più odioso, maschilista e irritante di quanto lo era nel primo libro?”
- “Riuscirà Alyssa ad essere, se possibile, ancora più ingenua, stupida e irritante, di quanto lo era nel primo libro?”
La risposta è si.
♠ Come nel primo libro il problema di questa serie sono i personaggi. Per una volta che il world-building è perfetto ecco che arrivano loro a rovinare tutto. Alyssa è riuscita a diventare ancora più insignificante, idiota e insicura di quanto lo era nel primo libro. Non credevo fosse possibile per lei cadere ancora più in basso e invece ce l'ha fatta. Se avessero scelto me per dare un titolo al libro sarebbe stato: ”Come ignorare i problemi e fuggire dalle responsabilità. Una guida di Alyssa Gardner.”. Non che questo titolo sia sbagliato, richiama il dormire e il libro in un certo senso ispira la sonnolenza quindi non posso lamentarmi, la coerenza c'è. Alyssa è la poster child for avoiding responsability. Sogna la terra delle Meraviglie in pericolo, i suoi quadri sono messaggi sanguinari di pericolo però non fa niente. Sa di essere l'unica che può salvare quel mondo e non fa nulla, scappa, ignora, pensa che chiudendo gli occhi e tappandosi le orecchie i problemi scompaiano, indovina Alyssa... non funziona così! Come se non bastasse in questo libro diventa una malata d'amore allucinante. Pensa costantemente a Jeb e a quanto lo ama, a quanto è gelosa se parla con QUALSIASI donna che non sia lei. L'essere diventata la regina nel primo libro non l'ha cambiata minimamente, è rimasta la ragazzina debole e stupida che era all'inizio. Immaginatevi un libro dove la trama è inesistente e l'unica cosa che c'è in abbondanza sono i suoi piagnistei, ecco a voi Tra le Braccia di Morfeo.
♠ Jeb… oh, Jeb… quanto ti odio.
Ti odio più di quanto ho odiato Gray e per chi ha letto la recensione di Taken sa che avrei voluto prenderlo a schiaffi un giorno si e l'altro pure. Con te non mi limiterei agli schiaffi, però. Andiamo con ordine, Alyssa e Jeb stanno insieme e lui è a Londra e lei è sicura che è circondato da milf con le quali si diverte. Allora, a parte che razza di basi di partenza ha questa relazione se tu non ti fidi e pensi che ti tradisce con qualsiasi donna con cui parla, ma poi voglio dire che razza di rapporto è che ti fa costantemente sentire insicura e inadeguata?! Te lo dico io, una relazione malsana. Comunque, Jeb continua ad essere un troglodita possessivo e con manie di controllo che continua a trattare la sua fidanzata come una bambina. ODIO. ODIO.
Di Morpheus non c'è molto da dire, nel primo libro l'ho trovato l'unica nota interessante mentre in questo è semplicemente inquietante e stalker. Anche per lui tanto odio.
A questo punto spero che il terzo libro finisca con la morte di tutti e tre o che almeno si sfanculino a vicenda e restino da soli per il resto delle loro vite. Chiedo troppo?
Ho iniziato la lettura di questo secondo libro con due sole domande:
- “Riuscirà Jeb ad essere, se possibile, ancora più odioso, maschilista e irritante di quanto lo era nel primo libro?”
- “Riuscirà Alyssa ad essere, se possibile, ancora più ingenua, stupida e irritante, di quanto lo era nel primo libro?”
La risposta è si.
♠ Come nel primo libro il problema di questa serie sono i personaggi. Per una volta che il world-building è perfetto ecco che arrivano loro a rovinare tutto. Alyssa è riuscita a diventare ancora più insignificante, idiota e insicura di quanto lo era nel primo libro. Non credevo fosse possibile per lei cadere ancora più in basso e invece ce l'ha fatta. Se avessero scelto me per dare un titolo al libro sarebbe stato: ”Come ignorare i problemi e fuggire dalle responsabilità. Una guida di Alyssa Gardner.”. Non che questo titolo sia sbagliato, richiama il dormire e il libro in un certo senso ispira la sonnolenza quindi non posso lamentarmi, la coerenza c'è. Alyssa è la poster child for avoiding responsability. Sogna la terra delle Meraviglie in pericolo, i suoi quadri sono messaggi sanguinari di pericolo però non fa niente. Sa di essere l'unica che può salvare quel mondo e non fa nulla, scappa, ignora, pensa che chiudendo gli occhi e tappandosi le orecchie i problemi scompaiano, indovina Alyssa... non funziona così! Come se non bastasse in questo libro diventa una malata d'amore allucinante. Pensa costantemente a Jeb e a quanto lo ama, a quanto è gelosa se parla con QUALSIASI donna che non sia lei. L'essere diventata la regina nel primo libro non l'ha cambiata minimamente, è rimasta la ragazzina debole e stupida che era all'inizio. Immaginatevi un libro dove la trama è inesistente e l'unica cosa che c'è in abbondanza sono i suoi piagnistei, ecco a voi Tra le Braccia di Morfeo.
♠ Jeb… oh, Jeb… quanto ti odio.
Ti odio più di quanto ho odiato Gray e per chi ha letto la recensione di Taken sa che avrei voluto prenderlo a schiaffi un giorno si e l'altro pure. Con te non mi limiterei agli schiaffi, però. Andiamo con ordine, Alyssa e Jeb stanno insieme e lui è a Londra e lei è sicura che è circondato da milf con le quali si diverte. Allora, a parte che razza di basi di partenza ha questa relazione se tu non ti fidi e pensi che ti tradisce con qualsiasi donna con cui parla, ma poi voglio dire che razza di rapporto è che ti fa costantemente sentire insicura e inadeguata?! Te lo dico io, una relazione malsana. Comunque, Jeb continua ad essere un troglodita possessivo e con manie di controllo che continua a trattare la sua fidanzata come una bambina. ODIO. ODIO.
Di Morpheus non c'è molto da dire, nel primo libro l'ho trovato l'unica nota interessante mentre in questo è semplicemente inquietante e stalker. Anche per lui tanto odio.
A questo punto spero che il terzo libro finisca con la morte di tutti e tre o che almeno si sfanculino a vicenda e restino da soli per il resto delle loro vite. Chiedo troppo?
chaoticsafety's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lugualdieri's review against another edition
5.0
HOLY.CRAP.
Miss Howard... You're a freaking genius =)
Miss Howard... You're a freaking genius =)
cosmith2015's review against another edition
4.0
Overall:
This book was just as great as the first one and left me wanting more.
Good:
A.G. Howard captures the madness and the whimsy of Wonderland spectacularly. I can't think of any other book or movie that does a better job. She draws inspiration from the original stories and Tim Burton's movies. Insects as major motifs, the memory train, the reason why netherlings can't dream, etc. It's all just so splendid
I love the title of the book and how it perfectly captures what Alyssa is going through. She's being haunted by Morpheus and Wonderland. Her dreams are filled with him and the realm and her artwork is showing her scenarios. The cover is gorgeous and makes me adore Morpheus even more.
Alyssa is still as badass as ever and will do whatever it takes to save the ones she love.
Bad:
I really wish we could have seen Wonderland again. While A.G. Howard did an amazing job bringing the madness and whimsy of it to the human realm, it still would've been great to have gone back. To see more of this wonderfully terrible world.
The love triangle is super annoying. I'm not a big romance fan and it seems that Young Adult literature is just littered with love triangles. It's overdone and in this story it is completely unnecessary. While she does use Jeb as a major factor for many of Alyssa's decisions, she probably could've used Jenara and focused on love between friends.
This book was just as great as the first one and left me wanting more.
Good:
A.G. Howard captures the madness and the whimsy of Wonderland spectacularly. I can't think of any other book or movie that does a better job. She draws inspiration from the original stories and Tim Burton's movies. Insects as major motifs, the memory train, the reason why netherlings can't dream, etc. It's all just so splendid
I love the title of the book and how it perfectly captures what Alyssa is going through. She's being haunted by Morpheus and Wonderland. Her dreams are filled with him and the realm and her artwork is showing her scenarios. The cover is gorgeous and makes me adore Morpheus even more.
Alyssa is still as badass as ever and will do whatever it takes to save the ones she love.
Bad:
I really wish we could have seen Wonderland again. While A.G. Howard did an amazing job bringing the madness and whimsy of it to the human realm, it still would've been great to have gone back. To see more of this wonderfully terrible world.
The love triangle is super annoying. I'm not a big romance fan and it seems that Young Adult literature is just littered with love triangles. It's overdone and in this story it is completely unnecessary. While she does use Jeb as a major factor for many of Alyssa's decisions, she probably could've used Jenara and focused on love between friends.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
4.0
This review and many others can be found on my blog - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This second book in the Splintered Trilogy once again proved how incredibly imaginative Howard is. I just love her twisted take on Wonderland and the creatures in it!
What I enjoyed:
Wonderland creatures.
As in Splintered, the best things about this book are all the nods to Wonderland. While Alyssa never actually makes it to Wonderland in this book (see my negatives below), Wonderland does come to her. Of course, you can tell from the cover that Morpheus makes an appearance. He needs Alyssa, and he’s not going to leave her alone until she agrees to help him. At first, Alyssa assumes that Morpheus is the only Wonderland creature haunting her, but she soon finds that there are LOTS more surprises in store for her. Crazy, demonic clowns, dangerous trees, nightmare creatures who leave slime on the walls – there are plenty of Wonderland characters to torment her! I don’t want to say too much about what actually ends up happening, but I will say that it gets good!!
The last quarter of the book.
Things really picked up in the last quarter or so of the book, and I was LOVING it! We not only get lots of creepy Wonderland action, but lots of secrets are revealed about Alyssa’s family. Once we start heading toward the climax of the book, the action doesn’t let up and the mysteries start peeling off in layers – I can’t wait to see where Howard will go with all of this in Ensnared!
The negatives:
Wanted more Wonderland!
The main thing that made this book a four star read instead of a five star read for me was the fact that the whole book took place in Alyssa’s world instead of Wonderland – I guess I just wanted more! From almost the beginning of the book, it seems like Alyssa is going to head back to Wonderland, but she never makes it there. Like I said in my positives, there are plenty of Wonderland elements that come to Alyssa’s world, so it wasn’t completely lacking. But I did start to get a bit bored mid-book somewhere, and it wasn’t until things started to pick up (and get weird) toward the end that I really loved it again.
Jeb vs. Morpheus.
I think I’m one of the few people on the planet who isn’t in love with Morpheus. I much prefer Jeb. I know that I’m supposed to see Morpheus as sort of a magical version of the bad boy with a heart of gold, but his underhandedness and lying just gets to me and I can never quite root for him (I know, I know – you all hate me right now!). So, the love triangle doesn’t quite work for me in these books. Howard did something in this book that gives a sort of “make everybody happy” sort of solution to the love triangle (can’t say what, of course), and I’m not exactly sure how I feel about it. I’ll have to wait to see what becomes of it all in Ensnared.
While I do think that Unhinged felt a bit like a middle book (especially in the middle!), I still really loved it. And it left me desperate for Ensnared!! I give this book 4/5 stars.
This second book in the Splintered Trilogy once again proved how incredibly imaginative Howard is. I just love her twisted take on Wonderland and the creatures in it!
What I enjoyed:
Wonderland creatures.
As in Splintered, the best things about this book are all the nods to Wonderland. While Alyssa never actually makes it to Wonderland in this book (see my negatives below), Wonderland does come to her. Of course, you can tell from the cover that Morpheus makes an appearance. He needs Alyssa, and he’s not going to leave her alone until she agrees to help him. At first, Alyssa assumes that Morpheus is the only Wonderland creature haunting her, but she soon finds that there are LOTS more surprises in store for her. Crazy, demonic clowns, dangerous trees, nightmare creatures who leave slime on the walls – there are plenty of Wonderland characters to torment her! I don’t want to say too much about what actually ends up happening, but I will say that it gets good!!
The last quarter of the book.
Things really picked up in the last quarter or so of the book, and I was LOVING it! We not only get lots of creepy Wonderland action, but lots of secrets are revealed about Alyssa’s family. Once we start heading toward the climax of the book, the action doesn’t let up and the mysteries start peeling off in layers – I can’t wait to see where Howard will go with all of this in Ensnared!
The negatives:
Wanted more Wonderland!
The main thing that made this book a four star read instead of a five star read for me was the fact that the whole book took place in Alyssa’s world instead of Wonderland – I guess I just wanted more! From almost the beginning of the book, it seems like Alyssa is going to head back to Wonderland, but she never makes it there. Like I said in my positives, there are plenty of Wonderland elements that come to Alyssa’s world, so it wasn’t completely lacking. But I did start to get a bit bored mid-book somewhere, and it wasn’t until things started to pick up (and get weird) toward the end that I really loved it again.
Jeb vs. Morpheus.
I think I’m one of the few people on the planet who isn’t in love with Morpheus. I much prefer Jeb. I know that I’m supposed to see Morpheus as sort of a magical version of the bad boy with a heart of gold, but his underhandedness and lying just gets to me and I can never quite root for him (I know, I know – you all hate me right now!). So, the love triangle doesn’t quite work for me in these books. Howard did something in this book that gives a sort of “make everybody happy” sort of solution to the love triangle (can’t say what, of course), and I’m not exactly sure how I feel about it. I’ll have to wait to see what becomes of it all in Ensnared.
While I do think that Unhinged felt a bit like a middle book (especially in the middle!), I still really loved it. And it left me desperate for Ensnared!! I give this book 4/5 stars.
witchylevy's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed reading this. Possible spoilers follow. I had thought we were over the competition between the guys and that the main character was ok with having part of her life in our world and part in Wonderland. In this book it felt like she became more set on staying in the human world than helping her Wonderland. I did like the ending and I really hope the human world issues are fixed.
farfallarelatable's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
michalice's review against another edition
5.0
This is how I feel about this book
****Update 9th Jan 2014****
While I have been anticipating Unhinged and getting to read it, part of me was worried it wouldn't live up the hype and reach my expectations. I fell in love with Splintered, the world and the characters, and each time I fall head over heels in love with a book I always worry that the second one won't meet its predecessor's standards. I really did not think I would love Unhinged as much as I did, or even love it more than Splintered, but I was completely and utterly blown away by Unhinged.
Unhinged hooked me from the minute I had the book in my hands and saw how amazingly gorgeous the cover is...go on, take another look........see what I mean ;). By the time I had reached the half way point in Unhinged I had so many emotions swirling around. I hated Morpheus for doing what he does to Alyssa, but liked how he has her back and saves her. Jeb just needed a serious kick in the ass, he has a good thing with Alyssa and is thinking too much with his business brain and not his emotional brain, not thinking of what he does for work will affect their relationship. Let's not start on Alyssa and what she is doing with both of these boys, lying to 'protect' Jeb, but being 'more than friends' friendly with Morpheus. I mean seriously, this trio are beyond messed up, but mostly in a good way, and in a way that wants you to keep reading and get tangled up in this mess with them.
There were a lot of twists and shocks in Unhinged that I didn't expect, and some of Alyssa's family history is revealed and explains a lot of why Alyssa is who she is. When I began reading I hated Alyssa's Mum for hiding a lot of this information from Alyssa to protect her, but then just as we near the end of the book we are actually shown what happened and why Alyssa's Mum made these choices.
I loved not knowing what was going to happen throughout Unhinged. The unpredictability of what would happen between Morpheus/Alyssa/Jeb had me turning page after page to get even the smallest hint about what was coming up, looking for any minute detail that would aid me in making this discovery. A. G. Howard makes you believe on thing, then pulls the rabbit out of the hat and erases what you thought you knew and shows you a whole new event.
Everyone in Unhinged has to go through so much, and the journey isn't easy at all. I loved following Alyssa through the glass, and down the rabbit hole. Being with her along her journey of discovery, seeing all the good and bad parts to Wonderland, but also finding out more about how it works.
The whole idea of the train was fantastic, and I could possibly do with one of them myself, and although I had guessed who the person was I was still surprised when it was revealed, like gasp out loud surprised. The last few chapters of Unhinged had me on the edge of my seat, I loved seeing them work as a team, but also seeing how they could be affected by everything that Wonderland is doing. How can it end like that, and the wait is going to be torture, like a year long torture specially designed to keep us hanging.
****Update 9th Jan 2014****
While I have been anticipating Unhinged and getting to read it, part of me was worried it wouldn't live up the hype and reach my expectations. I fell in love with Splintered, the world and the characters, and each time I fall head over heels in love with a book I always worry that the second one won't meet its predecessor's standards. I really did not think I would love Unhinged as much as I did, or even love it more than Splintered, but I was completely and utterly blown away by Unhinged.
Unhinged hooked me from the minute I had the book in my hands and saw how amazingly gorgeous the cover is...go on, take another look........see what I mean ;). By the time I had reached the half way point in Unhinged I had so many emotions swirling around. I hated Morpheus for doing what he does to Alyssa, but liked how he has her back and saves her. Jeb just needed a serious kick in the ass, he has a good thing with Alyssa and is thinking too much with his business brain and not his emotional brain, not thinking of what he does for work will affect their relationship. Let's not start on Alyssa and what she is doing with both of these boys, lying to 'protect' Jeb, but being 'more than friends' friendly with Morpheus. I mean seriously, this trio are beyond messed up, but mostly in a good way, and in a way that wants you to keep reading and get tangled up in this mess with them.
There were a lot of twists and shocks in Unhinged that I didn't expect, and some of Alyssa's family history is revealed and explains a lot of why Alyssa is who she is. When I began reading I hated Alyssa's Mum for hiding a lot of this information from Alyssa to protect her, but then just as we near the end of the book we are actually shown what happened and why Alyssa's Mum made these choices.
I loved not knowing what was going to happen throughout Unhinged. The unpredictability of what would happen between Morpheus/Alyssa/Jeb had me turning page after page to get even the smallest hint about what was coming up, looking for any minute detail that would aid me in making this discovery. A. G. Howard makes you believe on thing, then pulls the rabbit out of the hat and erases what you thought you knew and shows you a whole new event.
Everyone in Unhinged has to go through so much, and the journey isn't easy at all. I loved following Alyssa through the glass, and down the rabbit hole. Being with her along her journey of discovery, seeing all the good and bad parts to Wonderland, but also finding out more about how it works.
The whole idea of the train was fantastic, and I could possibly do with one of them myself, and although I had guessed who the person was I was still surprised when it was revealed, like gasp out loud surprised. The last few chapters of Unhinged had me on the edge of my seat, I loved seeing them work as a team, but also seeing how they could be affected by everything that Wonderland is doing. How can it end like that, and the wait is going to be torture, like a year long torture specially designed to keep us hanging.