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mjhsttlr 's review for:
Splintered
by A.G. Howard
I was between 4 & 5 stars most of the way through this book just because A. I love retellings/takes on classics and have read a lot, and this isn't *quite* at the brilliance level of say Gregory Maguire's Wicked and B. I wasn't totally sucked into this until the end. I was engaged, but not absorbed. To be fair, I've had a LOT going on to distract me lately, but I still think a Fantastic book (capital intended) like, say, Code Name Verity would suck me in even on a burning plane in a downward spiral. But in the end I'm going with 5, and here's why:
Atmosphere. This book has great atmosphere that's very reminiscent of both Carroll's original vision and Tim Burton's Alice take (both men are credited at the back of the book) with a fun and believable modern, urban fantasy type twist that works.
Originality. There were times I wondered how much Howard borrowed from the new Alice movie (the importance of the vorpol sword, the bandersnatch as a 'pet' of the red court) but upon further research (read googling) I discovered that others have built on these for years. This book stays close enough to the original Alice for the storyline to work while changing it enough to feel fresh and more grown up. And like Burton's movie, it's a sequel more than a retelling, though that definitely happens some too. In a very clever way.
Characters. This book is definitely plot and action driven, no apologies for that, but it does have characters that I waffled between love and hate for which makes a difference for me as a reader. Flat characters can ruin the best story, and if these didn't truly change much from beginning to end, they had enough dimension to be quite interesting.
Chemistry. Wow. Howard can write chemistry. It sizzles off the pages at points. And while nothing 'happens' in the story (we librarians can safely tell parents that this book is pretty darn clean in terms of language and sex) it sure *feels* hot! Teens will LOVE this couple. Heck. *I* love them.
The ending. How many good books have you read where the ending fizzles or just flat out stinks? Lots right? This one actually kinda rocks in my opinion. I was talking out loud, rushing through pages, and possibly tearing up (though I won't admit it again ...). And it was satisfying, not *too* easy, and believable. That's what bumped me from 4 to 5 stars.
I'm not going to say I'd give this book to every reader. Some adult readers will no doubt find it too dramatic and short on depth, but it's a great YA book with lots of actual teen appeal. And I'm glad to put it on my shelf with my copy of the original Alice.
Atmosphere. This book has great atmosphere that's very reminiscent of both Carroll's original vision and Tim Burton's Alice take (both men are credited at the back of the book) with a fun and believable modern, urban fantasy type twist that works.
Originality. There were times I wondered how much Howard borrowed from the new Alice movie (the importance of the vorpol sword, the bandersnatch as a 'pet' of the red court) but upon further research (read googling) I discovered that others have built on these for years. This book stays close enough to the original Alice for the storyline to work while changing it enough to feel fresh and more grown up. And like Burton's movie, it's a sequel more than a retelling, though that definitely happens some too. In a very clever way.
Characters. This book is definitely plot and action driven, no apologies for that, but it does have characters that I waffled between love and hate for which makes a difference for me as a reader. Flat characters can ruin the best story, and if these didn't truly change much from beginning to end, they had enough dimension to be quite interesting.
Chemistry. Wow. Howard can write chemistry. It sizzles off the pages at points. And while nothing 'happens' in the story (we librarians can safely tell parents that this book is pretty darn clean in terms of language and sex) it sure *feels* hot! Teens will LOVE this couple. Heck. *I* love them.
The ending. How many good books have you read where the ending fizzles or just flat out stinks? Lots right? This one actually kinda rocks in my opinion. I was talking out loud, rushing through pages, and possibly tearing up (though I won't admit it again ...). And it was satisfying, not *too* easy, and believable. That's what bumped me from 4 to 5 stars.
I'm not going to say I'd give this book to every reader. Some adult readers will no doubt find it too dramatic and short on depth, but it's a great YA book with lots of actual teen appeal. And I'm glad to put it on my shelf with my copy of the original Alice.