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A review by annettebooksofhopeanddreams
Unhinged by A.G. Howard
5.0
You know that a book really made an impression if the plot all comes back, including all its details, while reading the first chapters of its sequel months and months later. Splintered was one of the first English books I read after I decided I wanted to read more English and it proved quite challenging at the time, but worth it. It was nice to discover, while starting and reading this book, that my English has really improved over time.
It's still not the easiest book I've ever read. Howard has a flowery writing style and really takes her time to build her world, craft the details and deepen her characters and their relationships. But the flowery style is beautiful to read and it's easy to get lost in the world that comes to life, just like I feel like I've lost a little part of my heart to our main three characters.
Even though this book is clearly the middle book in a trilogy and written to get the characters ready for their final adventure in Wonderland, it did keep me on the edge of my toes. I loved the little glimpse we got into Al's childhood and her adventures in Wonderland and I loved how Howard incorporated and twisted elements of the original story. But, I loved it even more when elements of Wonderland were brought into our world to mess a lot of things up completely.
I also think that the love triangle in this book is really well done. Al's love for Jeb is really feeleble and he's the safe and good and normal choice. He sacrificed his own life for hers and he is all she needs. But there is this dark side in Al that just longs for Morpheus and he clearly longs for her too, which leads to a perfect tension. I kinda feel that in the end Al will end up with Morpheus (the good and normal guy never gets the girl), but for now I'm really enjoying the two guys loving her that much that they're truly willing to fight for her.
And I also like Al in general. She's smart and brave, but she's not that smart and brave that it becomes too much. She does make mistakes, she does mess up, she is naive at times and doesn't always see the games people are playing with her. But she's also resourceful and willing to do everything for her friends AND the world of Wonderland. (In that order)
I can't wait to read the next book and I promise this time it won't be that long before I read it!
It's still not the easiest book I've ever read. Howard has a flowery writing style and really takes her time to build her world, craft the details and deepen her characters and their relationships. But the flowery style is beautiful to read and it's easy to get lost in the world that comes to life, just like I feel like I've lost a little part of my heart to our main three characters.
Even though this book is clearly the middle book in a trilogy and written to get the characters ready for their final adventure in Wonderland, it did keep me on the edge of my toes. I loved the little glimpse we got into Al's childhood and her adventures in Wonderland and I loved how Howard incorporated and twisted elements of the original story. But, I loved it even more when elements of Wonderland were brought into our world to mess a lot of things up completely.
I also think that the love triangle in this book is really well done. Al's love for Jeb is really feeleble and he's the safe and good and normal choice. He sacrificed his own life for hers and he is all she needs. But there is this dark side in Al that just longs for Morpheus and he clearly longs for her too, which leads to a perfect tension. I kinda feel that in the end Al will end up with Morpheus (the good and normal guy never gets the girl), but for now I'm really enjoying the two guys loving her that much that they're truly willing to fight for her.
And I also like Al in general. She's smart and brave, but she's not that smart and brave that it becomes too much. She does make mistakes, she does mess up, she is naive at times and doesn't always see the games people are playing with her. But she's also resourceful and willing to do everything for her friends AND the world of Wonderland. (In that order)
I can't wait to read the next book and I promise this time it won't be that long before I read it!