Splintered by A.G. Howard

Splintered by A.G. Howard

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now. 

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own. 

~Expected publication: January 1st 2013 by Amulet Books

Food to Eat While Reading: Amplifying Pastry

I've read a few spin offs of the Alice story, but Splintered is by far my favorite.  It is modern and relevant but still stays true to the randomness that is Alice in Wonderland.

I love the freshness of Alyssa, a skater chick who can hear insects and flowers. Her journey through the rabbit hole is not one of curiosity, but of a daughter determined to rid her family of the Liddell curse.

Both Jed and Morpheus are intriguing and sexy potential love interests and Alyssa's attachment to both of them kept me torn. And a guy with moth

Wonderland was the same, yet different, with characters that are changed, but recognizable. Very creative.

I felt like there could have been a greater emotional impact, especially the scene with Alyssa's mother at the end. Because of the way things turn out in the book (I don't want to spoil it for you), there was so much room for anguish and loss, and I wanted that part to play out longer.

I love the last line of the book. I'm not going to ruin it for you. And don't just flip to the end. You will have to read the book to get the full impact.