Currently Reading #7

Splintered (Splintered #1)

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.

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I'm so fascinated with the cover when I've stumbled upon this book. So gorgeous! This is love at first sight. I can't even put it into words. I'm so judging the book by its cover. Ha! Ha! Plus it says, "Welcome to the Real Wonderland". No-brainer with what comes into my mind when I've read that. It's Alice! Then, the rundown confirmed it. Somehow, fairy tale adaptations are my favorite. Especially if the author comes up with an amazing twist. I'm really so thrilled in reading this.

Some readers shares what I have in mind apparently..

I have wanted this book for some months now. Ever since I saw that gorgeous cover. It is one of my favorite covers of all time. Isn't it just perfect? <3 Plus, the summary was amazing :) I must admit that I have never read Alice in Wonderland. Must do that sometime. But I have watched the Disney movie, and the newest "real" movie adaption. And I did love those. Splintered is a twisted version of Alice in Wonderland. Many, many years after Alice had been in Wonderland. It is amazing. -- Carina Olsen

There were lots of good reviews. I'm so excited!

The writing is gorgeous--lyrical and evocative without ever descending into unnecessarily purple. The story is compelling (& the twist was unexpected), and the characters felt like they were real enough to have heartbeats. The author is also one of those wonderful creatures whose pre-finished books are clean enough to read. I read this in manuscript, pre-galleys, and the writing was so polished that I only noticed one error in the text. THAT is rare. -- Melissa Marr

I adored the writing. I didn't expect it to be in present tense and first person, but I'm definitely glad it is because I prefer books in that style. The descriptions were wonderful, and I felt like I was in Wonderland right alongside Alyssa. -- Curious Little Beastie

I loved this book. It is morbidly beautiful and disturbingly imaginative and fun. It was well developed and interesting. It was creepy and beautiful at the same time. The characters were quirky and well thought out. The plot was fascinating and kept you riveted from the very first page. I loved the premise of the book and couldn't put it down. -- Elise

To be fair, I've picked reviews that aren't so good too..

I'll admit it: I judge books by their covers. Make of that what you will, but I'm a visual person, and if I see a book with a pretty cover, I'll probably pick it up. Sometimes it's a good judge of a book. Sometimes it's not. Splintered, like its cover, showed a lot of promise, but by the time I'd reached the last page, I was glad it was over. -- Bella

Splintered has aggravating and unsympathetic characters, a plot that meets none of its original promise, and a lazy re-imagining of the classic Wonderland. Your time is probably better spent elsewhere. -- Strangepeace

From a star to five, this book is rated 4.01 and I think that pretty much showed how this book is recommended. Almost perfect! I'm still excited anyway in spite of some one star reviews. Hopefully, I was not wrong about it. Book review to follow. Happy reading to me! 😃