Splintered

By: A. G. Howard

Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of Underland, 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.

©2013 Anita Howard (P)2013 AudioGO

The Best retelling of Alice I've ever read.

Not so much a retelling as a explanation of what really happened. The story of Wonderland as told by Carroll was much gentler than the reality, as Alyssa, Alice's descendent realizes.

Alice's return from Wonderland brought back a curse on her female descendents, making them hear voices from flowers and insects ultimately driving them mad. Alyssa, who's mother resides in a mental facility, was also afflicted. After overhearing her mom's conversation with a grasshopper and being controlled by some unforseen force, she sets out to find the answers before she herself goes mad.

This is a must read for Alice in Wonderland fans. For those of you who despise love triangles be forwarned there is a bit of love triangle action. However it does resolve itself before the end of the novel so no big "who will she choose" cliffhangers here.

Johnny depp

3 stars

Listened via audible.com

This was an interesting version of alice in wonderland with heavy dregs of goth i kinda felt like i was listening to a Johnny Depp retelling where all the great things i loved about Alice in Wonderland as a child had been turned completely on its head and flipped upside for an adult to enjoy. I gave this 3 stars as i was listening i kind of got lost in the descriptive lyrical flow of the authors words. I think it kind of lost me a bit and had me trying to figure out where the story was actually going. I also left wondering where they are going to take the story as this was the first book in the series. Not a book i would read again but a book that was different for me.

Yes, its YA Fiction, but its GOOD YA Fiction

Any additional comments?

I don't always like YA Fiction and sometimes those angsty teen characters seem a) cookie-cutter, b) altogether abnoxious, and/or c) overdone to the Nth degree. But while the main character, Alyssa, is a little bit of an angsty teen, it fits with her Mad world. I really enjoy this take on Alice in Wonderland which has been a favorite since I first learned to read. I am a bit tired of these books which are all told from inside the head of a teen girl but this girl does seem to have a little more introspection than her peers. And although she has two boys fighting for her heart, it isn't played off as a ridiculous love triangle as much as it is her own self-discovery. All in all, a good YA Fiction and I will continue the series.

Meh

I just wasn't crazy about this. I really wanted to like it, and I did finish. I liked the narrator and would listen to her again.

Splintered Left me with only minor scars

This book was okay, but the main character was such a meal and mild girl, that when she did do something extraordinary it was out of character. The voice of the reader I think was perfect for this mild manner little frumpy girl, but her stern side is laughable and leaves no impression.

A well done twist on a done story

What does Rebecca Gibel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Rebecca Gibel gives life to characters with clear and balanced voices.

Any additional comments?
Alice in Wonderland has been done many times, in film and in book but well done here. Looking from the prospective of someone other then Alice. Life changes people yet it always has a trickle down effect. Here the tail surrounds the youngest of Alice's kin trying to fix what Alice herself damaged; while finding herself and breaking the family's curse. Yes it is written for the "Tweens" but a captivating story nonetheless. Mostly well-built characters keep the story from stalling out and loosing the interest of older readers.

Very unique

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yep, because it's clean-ish and different

What was one of the most memorable moments of Splintered?

The spider sisters.

What does Rebecca Gibel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She has a beautiful voice

Any additional comments?

This was a great book, very different and interesting. A good twist on the old classic.

A Wonderfully Twisted Take On Wonderland Or Should I Say Underland!!!!

I truly enjoyed being able to listen to this wonderful crazy story. Rebecca Gibel does an amazing job bring A.G. Howard's enchanting story of Underland to to life. Giving every character their own voices which brings out their personalities and makes you call even more in love with them. So if you love Alice In Wonderland you'll love Splintered!!!

This was more than amazing!

I’ve always loved Alice in Wonderland! This book takes you to a whole nother world! The performance was great! Her Morphious voice is AMAZING! I got the rest of the books and can’t wait to dig in! A must read!

Beautiful but-

Lovely world building and a beautiful wonderland, but oh my God is Jeb intolerable. Rarely was there a moment he was present when I didn't think very hard about how he could use a good slap. I've rarely seen a love triangle work so hard to make one side look unappealing and trip backwards into making me think about how nice he is comparatively. Jeb's whole character really dragged this story down a considerable amount. Listen for the world building and to enjoy the secondary love interest- grit your teeth through a teenage girl missing a lot of big red flags.