tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post2954676341381274892..comments2024-02-05T09:20:07.223+01:00Comments on Between the Pages: Review of Splintered by A.G. HowardDaisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468649356197119023noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post-3368266545650626302014-03-21T09:08:07.124+01:002014-03-21T09:08:07.124+01:00I am now addicted to this series. I couldn't r...I am now addicted to this series. I couldn't read the first and second quickly enough! But now I have to wait a whole year for the third to come out, im no good with patience.<br /><a href="http://www.a1medicaltransportservices.com/Service-Area/Non-Emergency-Medical-Transport-Mediacl-Escort_Tampa-FL.php" rel="nofollow">medical escort tampa information</a>Cleo Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12322708573418575088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post-82066290640885496632013-02-16T00:01:19.724+01:002013-02-16T00:01:19.724+01:00The book description, for once, is perfect. This i...The book description, for once, is perfect. This is a stunning debut, and it does capture the grotesque madness of a magical and much-loved world.<br /><br />A. G. Howard puts her own delightful twist on the story behind the story, and begins her adventure with the mystery of Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. With this dash of originality, we are introduced to a contemporary fantasy, one that involves another tumble into the rabbit hole, this time with Alyssa Gardner and her good friend Jeb. There are the echoes of familiar characters, from the White Rabbit, to the Caterpillar and his hookah. We have the kings and the queens, and the remnants of Alice’s tears. There is even a splendid nod to the tea party and the Mad Hatter. Howard's rendition is not lacking in creativity, and features a sea of tears, giant spider-women, an octo-walrus and many, many other outrageous and wild things. It is exciting and mad, in exactly the way I expect all Wonderland retellings to be.<br /><br />Without distracting from the splendour of the story, a romance builds between Alyssa and Jeb. While not without complications and teenage angst, it is a sweet and modern romance, filled with satisfying tension and emotion. Be warned, this is not a perfect romance between perfect people. It is dramatic, sometimes very much so, and if that is not something you can tolerate, or remotely enjoy reading about, tread carefully with Splintered. There is also – cue the groans – a light love triangle. I live to bitch about love triangles (really, I do) but, surprisingly, I was happy to accept (too strong a word?) the situation in this book because I knew I would get my way in the end. Let me put it this way. If you enjoyed Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo regardless of the love triangle, then I have no doubt you will be tolerant of the romantic plot in this book too. If it is any consolation, it does not take anything away from the magic of the overall story. If anything, it adds to it.<br /><br />The main characters, Alyssa, Jeb and Morpheus, are all likeable, or at least, intriguing. Alyssa’s initial quirkiness sprouts from her ability to hear the whispers of insects and the flutter of wings. While her decisions are not always easy to appreciate, she is a delightful and brave protagonist and not difficult to warm to. Morpheus is seduction and mystery, expertly wrapped into a dark, enticing package. He is the other love interest, a constant enigma, and his role not quite as exasperating as you might imagine. Jeb, however, is my favourite. While he is evidently ruled by his emotions, and sometimes not in the most positive of ways, it is testament to Howard’s characterisation skills that he remains appealing throughout, despite the obvious flaws. Admittedly, his protectiveness over Alyssa is, at times, constricting and unrealistic, but not so much so that I failed to enjoy the story because of it.<br /><br />I initially, perhaps too soon, rated this book 5 stars. Upon reflection, however, I realise it is not faultless and do have to admit that the ending is... not quite what I needed. Regardless, I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed A.G. Howard’s debut novel and could not have hoped for a better renewal of a favourite classic. This is a book best suited to readers who do not tire of adventurous plots, and who are inclined to decent-sized portions of romance. And, of course, this is a book for those longing to hurdle head-first into the surreal madness of Wonderland.<br /><br /><br />-- topspot-official.blogspot.com --Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284011263403920462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post-52030205819884132382013-01-28T20:10:05.023+01:002013-01-28T20:10:05.023+01:00Eep. You've honestly made me TEN TRILLION time...Eep. You've honestly made me TEN TRILLION times more excited to read this book! I already love the fact that it's inspired by Alice in Wonderland; the fact that the story sounds fantastic and the characters sound memorable are making me anticipate this one even more!Alexa S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13185723439360170259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post-61260015706252207462013-01-27T21:20:06.899+01:002013-01-27T21:20:06.899+01:00I love love LOVED! this book lol. I really liked J...I love love LOVED! this book lol. I really liked Jeb but he was too protective sometimes. Morpheus was my favorite :D Oh and about the end. I think everything came together nicely but at the same time it left future questions open and I too don't want to let it all go! I didn't want it to end. Great review.Biancahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13205484328039903383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post-79193978512799126672013-01-27T14:32:31.180+01:002013-01-27T14:32:31.180+01:00I'm so glad to finally read an enthusiastic re...I'm so glad to finally read an enthusiastic review of this book! After all the negativity, I'd sort of written it off, but you made me really excited for it again! I'm curious for this retelling :) Lovely review!Judithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10169574717441851611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post-22706198634550986932013-01-27T04:03:43.443+01:002013-01-27T04:03:43.443+01:00I'm glad you liked it over all!
With retellin...I'm glad you liked it over all! <br />With retellings it can be an epic win or an epic fail and it sounds like this one sails pretty well.<br /><br />:D Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post-77058204500534408142013-01-26T18:06:01.679+01:002013-01-26T18:06:01.679+01:00I keep hearing such interesting things about this ...I keep hearing such interesting things about this book. I think I will end up reading it since I am a fan of retellings....Kate @ Ex Librishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16161681565485372950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post-40873498982481046002013-01-26T16:33:48.076+01:002013-01-26T16:33:48.076+01:00I am so excited to read this! Especially after you...I am so excited to read this! Especially after your review! Love re-tellings (but yes, always a little nerve-wracking) and the library needs to get its butt in gear, I need this book!Belle of the Literatihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01014781249826788311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post-75679739603447217652013-01-26T16:07:39.697+01:002013-01-26T16:07:39.697+01:00I am really glad you loved Splintered! For me, it ...I am really glad you loved Splintered! For me, it wasn't exactly my favorite book but I am so glad people liked the darkness and quirkiness of it. :-)<br /><br />I kind of liked Morpheus too. And yes, sigh the end with Jeb and your spoiler.April (BooksandWine)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15268544465552896599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299510589029459245.post-50650907162729054692013-01-26T14:23:24.679+01:002013-01-26T14:23:24.679+01:00Everyone has been raving about this book. I might ...Everyone has been raving about this book. I might have to add it to the wishlist (which is starting to groan already).Elliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377404526123600035noreply@blogger.com