I’m still dying. I will be in pain until 2015 when Ensnared comes out. Thanks a lot, Wonderland.
Thanks Thames and Hudson Australia for the review-copy! Unhinged by A.G. Howard came out on Jan 7th, 2014.
Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she’s always dreamed of.
That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.
As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.
If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she’ll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.
A.G. Howard was inspired to write SPLINTERED while working at a school library. Her pastimes are reading, rollerblading, gardening, and family vacations which often include impromptu side trips to 18th century graveyards or condemned schoolhouses to appease her overactive muse.
SPLINTERED & UNHINGED, books 1 & 2 of her urbanized /gothic Alice in Wonderland series, are now available from Amulet Books. Book 3, ENSNARED, launches 2015.
My mind = blown. I’m just…gah, I have such a book hangover right now. I just want to fangirl and cry and stroke the book (preciousssss) and get on my hands and knees (not a normal position for me) and beg for the next book. Time, please go faster.
I mostly have the same loves and hates for Unhinged as I did with Splintered. While I adored the creepiness of Wonderland (scootch over Tim Burton), I really didn’t like how it was continually said “but Lewis Carroll got it wrong and instead it’s like this…etc.” No. Imagine my grumpy face (it’s quite scary, actually) because Alice in Wonderland is my favourite classic of ever (besides Peter Pan) and while I love the continuation of the Splintered series, I don’t like the dismissal of Lewis Carroll getting it “wrong”
That saying, the author does dedicate the book to Lewis Carroll in the acknowledgements.
Okay, picky stuff out the way, now let’s get to the characters. Oh my delicious characters. (That sounded creepy, but Wonderland is all about the creepy.) While most of Splintered happened in Wonderland, most of Unhinged happens in our world. Bummer. I like Wonderland better. But did it lessen the awesome? Heck, no. There is CREEPINESS. There is mind-blowing IMAGINATION. There is MAGIC. Magic everywhere!
I’ll say it again: the author has the wickedest most fabulous imagination ever. I’m in awe. I love the Wonderland she’s created and how she adds layers and more layers and the amazingness just increases.
Of course then she used her imagination to hurt my babies. Happiness gone. DON’T HURT THEM.
Shall we talk characters now? Okay, good. I hoped you’d scream yes like that.
Alyssa
To be perfectly blunt (as I am sometimes), Al isn’t my favourite narrator of ever. I like her! Don’t get me wrong! But…she made a lot of stupid mistakes (a.k.a not dropping everything in Splintered and running to Morpheus’s creepy arms). And she tended to see what she wanted to see. For a girl with the power of Wonderland at her fingertips she spent a lot of time ignoring it. Silly girl.
Also I was sad how she fought with her mother. You just got her back! But THAT, dear blogglings, made sense towards the end.
Jeb
Why…um, just why is he here? Life would be a whole lot simpler if Jeb just dropped off the face of the book. (Yeah, books aren’t fun when they’re simple, blah, blah.) Jeb spends a lot of time a) in the way, b) being his normal controlling self, and c) needing to be rescued.
Morpheus
Oh. Morpheus. But I won’t blather unnecessarily about him, I promise. (You all know my feelings on this triangle.) My mind has exploded with Morpheus’ plot twists. I spent the whole book saying, “Aw, Morpheus” and “AW MORPHEUS”, which is the same phrase but the inflections are completely different. Sassy wit = vulnerable. Oh, and Morpheus got a car.
Morpheus and his car, basically:
I like that. I like that a lot.
The description was as awesome as always. Seriously, I taste, see, smell, and feel so much. It’s incredible. There are only a few books that I get so absorbed in while reading. This series is top of the list.
But talk about the cliffhanger ending. HEY. Not. Fair. How…how can it end like that? It’s so wrong…and completely right. And I will literally hyperventilate until 2015. You see if I don’t.
I loved Unhinged. I just…I’m absolutely obsessed with this series, okay?
Unfortunately, Cait horrifically bent the cover of Unhinged while reading (she was too engrossed to notice until it was curled). Let us weep together. She plans to squash it flat with her cello case. Fandom references apply. Besides fangirling over Morpheus, she has found her new shirt that she needs very much. She has a book hangover.
Great review Cait, I can tell that you love this series! I have heard many great things about it, haven't gotten around to it though. I'm curious about Morpheus, he sounds crazy and weird but people ship him. Guess I'll have to find out for myself sometime.
I am a little enthusiastic, I admit. BUT I CAN'T HELP IT BECAUSE AFJSKDL;A MORPHEUS AND WONDERLAND. He is crazy. Kind of evil. But better than Jeb (you have my word).
I BENT THE CORNER OF SPLINTERED AND I WAS SO DEVASTATED. Thank goodness I'm not the only one. I cannot wait to read this now. Little disappointed it's not in Wonderland, but if you like it it must be good. Also, all the yes to the Harry Potter gif. And I really should start watching Supernatural…
NO NO HOW COULD YOU. But then, I can't really talk, because I horrifically bent and scratched the cover of my Divergent book. *cries* I was SO sad I wept on Mime's shoulder (she ignored me). But yeah, I know. I'd have preferred it to be in Wonderland, but I'm amazed at how I forgot I was cranky because of that. In the end, I was just totally absorbed. Yes, you should watch Supernatural. Everyone should suffer that kind of pain.
I was really intrigued to check out Splintered, but when I mentioned it to my book club they looked at me like I'd just stabbed some kittens or something lol!I'm a sucker for retellings / re-imaginings though and this just sounds too weird to pass up
WHAT. Your book club is opposed to retellings? Noooo. 😉 I love retellings, too. I think some of my favourite books of all time are fairy-tale or classic retellings. Gosh, people just have such fantastic imaginations!
I haven't read Splintered as yet. I know, shameless. But great review. Not only did it give me a push to start the series, it also made my day. Very entertaining 🙂
Aw, not shameless! They're actually not as commonly read as I thought they were (like I totally think everyone should read them buuuut, I might be blinded by my love for this series). XD
D: You bent the cover of your Unhinged?! :(Well, I guess the fact that you didn't notice goes to show how awesome this book is haha. And dude, I totally agree, the character development for Morpheus in this book was so surprising! Definitely like him more than Jeb lol.AND OMG THAT CLIFFHANGER. Book 3 better come out soon…
*cries* IT WAS THE WEATHER. I'm not even kidding. It's SO humid here all my books are warping. I'm currently squashing it between thick books so it will return to it's former flatness. Morpheus had everything going for him. They basically lugged Jeb around unconscious half the time.
All these reviews for Unhinged are make me so excited to start reading the series! Great review!Bethzaida @ Bookittyblog
I'M EXCITED. YOU'RE EXCITED. WE SHOULD BE ALL EXCITED TOGETHER. HUZZAH.
Whyyyyy do you love Morpheus? He is SUCH a creep. I mean, yes, he's an excellently freaky character. But excellently freaky is different than lovable and kissable, you know?
Ew. Who's talking about loveable and kissable? I'm admiring from a distance. FREAKY is fabulous. Morpheus actually cares about Al's life which is better than Jeb who is like "grr grr I'm macho". BAH.
Bending the covers is why I buy hardbacks, and read them without the jackets. I ALWAYS flatten then covers of paperbacks when reading, though. Even if they're not bent. Just in case. But YES. This book. Is. Evil. I spent hours wanting to avoid reading it, just staring at it because I'd heard about that lovely ending. EVIL. I rather loved and hated it. I missed Wonderland though :(, but I think it really did hold it's own since I was more freaked out by the creepy bleeding through to the normal, so much fun. I can't believe I'm saying this (because I really do like Jeb, I do) but I really agree with you about him in this one. He was just rather annoying, and while Morpheus was being his extra sneaky self, I was just YOU IDIOT. I think I've left Team Jeb. Maybe. BUT MORPHEUS. I'm kind of terrified for Ensnared, but you know it's going to be extra extra creeeeeeepy. Also, forgot to say, welcome to the Supernatural fandom. You will not leave. Ever.
Ohhhh myyyy gooooooshhhhh. I'm just. BOOK HANGOVER. I put off reading Unhinged for ages because a) a lot of people said it wasn't that good and b) I knew I'd just ignite the flame of my addiction and then have to wait a WHOLE YEAR until I get Ensnared. Tragedy. But I loved it. And it did hold it's own! I'm soooo happy. XD XD The ending, though..omg, how is that legal to leave the ending like that? With Al…aaand the mother…aaaand MORPHEUS. YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME. *collapses sobbing**tugs shackles* I'm happy in the chains of my SPN fandom.
This sounds awesome! I found 'Splintered' the other day and couldn't resist buying. The cover alone wept at me to buy it. It needed a good home. 😉 I'm even more stoked to read it now (but Allegiant first, I'm sure I spelled that wrong. . .)! Jeb, a control freak who always needs saving? That sounds like a weird combination. I'm sorry, but the fact that he always needs to be saved should disqualify him from the love triangle. It's cool if the girl saves the guy, but all the time? It should be more like a Tris/Tobias thing, "I don't think we need to keep track of who's saved who anymore." He saves her, she saves him. . .they save the world.
The covers are gorgeous! I'm so in awe of them! I'd love to own Splintered so I can have both the creepiness staring at my from my beloved book shelves. OH you're up to Allegiant?! GOOD LUCK SURVIVING. I think you spelt it right. I had to spend a bit of time with spellcheck to get it right myself. Trust me, Jeb isn't being disqualified. (Unfortunately.) They're all saving each other in Splintered/Unhinged, but unfortunately the REASON they need saving is because THEY put each other in bad situations. All of them. They're bad. I love them.
I think this is one of the first positive reviews I've seen for the sequel. I know lots and lots of people adored the first book (which I still haven't read yet) but many were disappointed by the sequel but I am so glad to see that it worked out for you (except for the cliff hangers.. cliff hangers can go suck it). Great review, Cait!! :)Rashika @ The Social Potato
I was a wee bit worried about all the negative reviews for it! Talk about scary. Cliff hangers are enormous amounts of torture, buuut I still love them. I love them so much. I'm shackled to this series, I guess, forever and ever.
I read Splintered. It was OK, I'm just not a huge fan, and I wish Jeb would fall off a cliff. He seriously annoyed me. He was dating whatsherface at the time of the book, which annoyed me even more. Morpheus, now… Split opinion. I don't know whether I like him or love him.I might read Unhinged. My library has it. I'm still unsure…
HA. You and me both in regards to Jeb. Ah, but you'll fall to Morpheus if you don't like Jeb (unless you fall to neither and in that case, Rabid is cute…ish…like in a zombie sort of way, I guess?)
I read and liked Splintered, but haven't read this yet. Hearing it ends on a cliffhanger makes me think it would be better to wait until next year and just read the 2nd and 3rd books back-to-back. I really liked her description of Wonderland, but agree that the whole Carroll was wrong thing is a bit trying. Oh, and Jeb all the way. 🙂 Lol. Great review!
I'm torn…I'm almost going to say YES it'd be better to wait until Ensnared is out, buuuut, it's so awesome it needs to be read ASAP. WHAT. Jeb. WHAT.
Ok, I'm really going to have to read Splintered pretty soon! The bad thing is that I've had it just sitting on my shelf since it came out last year but for some reason I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Oh, and I love that cover 🙂
The cover is gorgeous. Fabulous. Delicious. I want to own Splintered now so I can have the gorgeous twosome…I'm sooo excited to see what they'll do with Ensnared!
I have Splintered just sitting on my shelf begging for me to read it – I've heard so many good things about this series so I had better get a move on! Great review, love the gifs 🙂
Heed it's beggings, but be prepared: THERE WILL BE MAGIC AND PAIN. (Psst…the GIFs are always the best part, right?!)
YAY! This book looks awesome. I love the Alice in Wonderland idea, but it makes me sad to think that the book tweaks the original story world and just says that Lewis Caroll got it wrong. Oh well. I am so glad that you enjoyed it. I trust your book recommendations! 🙂
Yeah *sigh* It's really my only grievance (well, that, and "why does Jeb exist" but I understand that is heavily opinionated and therefore I can't exactly shove my thoughts on everyone…though I'll try).
Ahhh I NEED this book! Morpheus with a car? Eeeeppp. Alyssa should just choose Jeb so I can be with Morpheus foreeeveerrrrrr. I need to read this book like, yesterday. Bummer about the cover bending, when that happens (which is usually when I fangirl too much), I tend to bury it under all my college textbooks. Good as new 🙂 Great review!
I love that you are team Morpheus because I am team Jeb! I am pretty sure you will go for the bad boys huh? Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
MWHWHAHAH. IT IS MY EVIL SIDE SPEAKING.
There is a bit of a twist with Morpheus' car, but I still love that he's all "I'm here for the car". It's adorable. I need to read Ensnared, like, yesterday. The weather also helped warp my cover (I'm toootally blaming it on the weather). It's super humid here. Plus I fangirled. Hard. Really, the cover didn't stand a chance.
Yeah the whole "but Lewis Carroll got it wrong and instead it's like this" would get old for me as well. I wasn't a big fan of the first book, my biggest problem was the love triangle with 2 characters I disliked so yeah that didn't go over well. "Life would be a whole lot simpler if Jeb just dropped off the face of the book" BAHAHAHA YES!!!! Morpheus I didn't dislike – he was an ass but he KNEW IT which makes all the difference. I'm super curious about his plot twist now! >.< Great review, Cait!
It does make a difference!! EXACTLY!! I've always voted for Morpheus, so I kiiiind of hoped Alyssa would get the correct picture and fall for him too. But nooo she insists on Jeb hanging around. *mutters darkly*
I'm reading this one next. I'm obsessed with Morpheus too, he's just that kind of moth.A car?Oh I'm on this like white on rice. Awesome review.
Oooh, I can't wait to read your review. Morpheus = awesome. And that is all.
MORPHEUUUUUUUSSSSSSS. Sorry, no eloquent comment from me, because MORPHEUS. Obviously, you still love the moth because WHO DOESN'T? I'm getting quite caps-y, haha. But Morpheus. Seriously. Get me one of those and I'll be happy.
I hate it when a book ends in a cliffhanger and you have to wait sooooooooo loooonnnngggg for the next one. Good luck with the waiting!
I agree…Howard has a wicked imagination. I've really enjoyed this series and love Morpheus the best 🙂 I wish I could feel more for Jeb but hoping the next book sways me? We shall see. Great review!
2015 seems like three years away until I realized that it's already 2014 >< I totally forgot about Morpheus and his car until now! Those parts were hilarious, and I love how they were a running joke throughout the book 🙂 I agree that Jeb seemed real out of place in this one.
I AM THE SAME WHEN IT COMES TO MR. MOTH. ALL CAPS ROCK.
Gaaah. It's frustrating beyond ANYTHING.
My mind is absolutely blown each time I read one of her books. I'm sooo worried the next book will centre around Jeb. *cries softly*
Ha! I had that moment too! Where has life gone? I thought all the car things were aaaaawesome. Except, it was kind of ironic that Morpheus didn't actually drive. Huh. Interesting twist on the norm, I guess???
I'm obsessed with Morpheus, er, I mean, this series, too. 🙂 I don't want to wait until next year to find out what happens. That's just torture!