Book Review: Splintered (Splintered, #1) by A.G. Howard

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

 

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Amulet Books

Published: 1st January 2013

Pages: 371

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, Retelling

Main Characters: Alyssa, Jeb, Morpheus

Date Read: 2nd January - 15th January 2014
 

Rating Given:

 

 

Blurb:

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.

I have had this book sat on my shelf for quite some time now but I never got around to reading but now that I have a feel a little let down by it as I was expecting so much more.

The cover is one of the main reasons why I wanted this book as I absolutely love it. It's so colourful which makes it stand out from any other book covers. I also love the use of bugs as it is in keeping with the story which I always love. This is definitely one of my all time favourite covers.

The fact that this book was a retelling of Alice in Wonderland was the other main reason why I wanted to read this book as I love retellings but I think this one might be my least favourite retelling which I am very surprised about as I have heard only great things about this book. I did love the different take on the story and some of the changes made was very different but in a good way. I just didn't have any real feeling for the book which was such a shame. The beginning of Splintered I enjoyed so much so I thought it was going to be a favourite of mine but then halfway through I just felt it lost it's interest for me as I was getting confused and I never knew what to think from one minute to the next. Towards the end it did pick up again with things getting explained making me want to read the next book.

I'm not really sure what I think about the characters sometimes I liked them then sometimes I didn't and I never really knew who to trust in. Alyssa started off ok as she was going through some stuff with herself and her mother but she did some things that just wasn't acceptable in a character, there was definitely a dark side to her character. Jeb was sweet and at times I was rooting for him but there was times when he was controlling and I didn't really trust his feelings towards Alyssa. Morpheus was another character that I just didn't trust but in the end he really did warm to me and I'd like to see his character even more in the next book.

Overall I just didn't get the hype of the book but there where some really great moment I just wish it continued through out the book.

 

Book Review: League of Strays by L.B. Schulman

Format: arc

Publishers: Amulet

Published: 1st October 2012

Pages: 288

Main Characters: Charlotte, Kade, Nora, Zoe, and Richie

Date Started: 28th November 2012

Date Finished: 1st December 2012

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

This suspenseful debut follows a group of teenage misfits in their delicious quest for revenge on those who have wronged them at their high school. When a mysterious note appears in Charlotte’s mailbox inviting her to join the League of Strays, she’s hopeful it will lead to making friends. What she discovers is a motley crew of loners and an alluring, manipulative ringleader named Kade. Kade convinces the group that they need one another both for friendship and to get back at the classmates and teachers who have betrayed them. But Kade has a bigger agenda. In addition to vandalizing their school and causing fights between other students, Kade’s real intention is a dangerous plot that will threaten lives and force Charlotte to choose between her loyalty to the League and her own conscience.
 

I found that the plot intrigued me which made me really want to read this book so I asked if I could review it and I am thankful for the publishers who sent it out to me.

I'm not fond of the cover I have seen far better covers but I can't think of anything else that could have been used instead.

I really though I would really enjoy this book but I found it a bit lacking of any interest and i was very disappointed. I am actually writing this review and thinking what to write and it's one of the hardest reviews that I have written. I guess I will start with the good which are that it kept me guessing what was going to happen next but the end was a bit predictable. I felt that this book did have promise as it dealt with some major issues I just don't think they was dealt with in a sensitive manner. Also there was a couple of moments when I thought it was going to pick up and enjoyed those moments but it just wasn't enough. I felt that there was parts that missed a few details as some of the next chapters jumped to another day which did get confusing. There was times when I was literally cringing at the things that was happening. It just wasn't wrapped up well enough for me.

With the characters I never really felt anything for them and I felt that they should have dealt with bigger consequences than what they did do. Charlotte seemed alright but she was easily manipulated by everyone that she was surrounded by. I also didn't like that she felt the need to exaggerate her getting bullied it just didn't sit right with me. Kade was the bad boy but what surprised me was I didn't like him as there was no charisma to him and was surprised how he got people to do his bidding but then again he is a very good manipulator. Zoe was my favourite character in this book she would have been a better lead character as she had more hidden depths to her. Richie was another good character and I wish he was in it a bit more. Nora I thought I was going to like as she seemed very smart but in the end she was the most unclever person and she was just annoying.

Overall I didn't really get on with this book but there was glimpses of a good book.