Quick Announcement...

Some things are coming up so I'm going to take a break this week. I'll probably be around on Twitter, pinterest, & Tumblr (kind of). Anyway, I look forward to coming back next week. Thanks for taking the time to visit the blog, and I hope everyone has a great week.

Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

Title: Splintered
Author: A.G. Howard
Source/Format: Purchased, Paperback
More Details: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling
Publisher/Publication Date: Amulet Books, January 1, 2013

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

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’ve been collecting bugs since I was ten; it’s the only way I can stop their whispers…”

I have to say that Splintered was definitely an interesting read. Initially I had my reservations about it since I was unfamiliar with the author, but as far as a retellings go this was definitely one of my favorites.

There were a lot of things about the novel that I enjoyed. The setting started off relatively normal but shifted focus as the story progressed, with some scenes reminiscent of Lewis Carroll’s Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, only twisted to fit with the world in Splintered. It was pretty cool to see all of the changes Howard made. Besides the setting, the plot is what kept me reading. The very first page introduced the main character Alyssa Gardener, who has the unfortunate ability to hear the whispers of insects and plants—a theme that played a big part in the story. I found it interesting to see how Alyssa dealt with all of the unnecessary noise while trying to live her life, and it was easy to see why she considered it to be a curse. And even if they weren’t around for most of it, Alyssa’s relationship with her parents was a nice touch to the story along with her friendship with Jenara. The few interactions they did have were nice to read about, but I wish there was more.

Really, my main complaint with Splintered was Jeb, Alyssa’s friend and Jenara’s brother. At some parts of the story I felt like he was holding Alyssa back—that he was the only one who wanted to believe that she couldn’t do anything for herself. And sometimes—ok, a lot of the time, actually—I felt like he was more annoying than helpful with his controlling tendencies.

Overall, I think A. G. Howard did a good job with putting a different spin on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland that I think fans of the classic tale would enjoy. Despite my one main issue with it, I really liked it and I would definitely consider reading another novel by Howard.

Musing Mondays (37) Books...

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm, that asks you to muse about something book related each week.

My Musings for the Week...

For my musings this week I'm just going to answer the random weekly question: Have you ever won a copy of a book (other than for review)? What was the book, and what were the circumstances?

I have won a lot of books through giveaways, but most if not all of them go towards reviews for the blog. So I can’t really say that many of them specifically fit the question.

What are you currently reading?

Weekend Tidbits {#5} The Sequel!

Wow, it has been some time since I did a Weekend Tidbit. So, as usual I'll talk about anything at all (Book, food/interesting news related) and at the very end I’ll name a place that I wish was a book setting and my choice of tea for the day. (Links for Weekend Tidbits can be found on the Features Page.)

On Monday August 10th, Kimberly Karalius and Swoon Reads announced the title and synopsis for her second novel, the sequel to Love Fortunes and Other Disasters. I'm really excited for it and can't wait to get a copy next year. You can check out the announcement post HERE 

About Love Charms and Other Catastrophes (Synopsis from Goodreads)...

Aspiring love charm maker Hijiri Kitamura is excited to be back in Grimbaud for her sophomore year-she's heard that several new love charm makers have set up shops in town, and she's eager to see if she can learn anything from them. Yet, the news of an upcoming charm making competition fills her with dread. Grimbaud has just started to recover from the tyranny of Zita's love fortunes and it would be too easy for the winning charm maker to step into Zita's shoes. The only solution is for Hijiri, with the support of her friends and fellow rebels, to win the contest herself.

Unfortunately, that's easier said than done, especially when Love itself has decided to meddle in Hijiri's life. Concerned that it's favorite charm maker has given up on finding a boyfriend of her own, Love takes matters into its own hands and delivers the perfect boyfriend to her in a gift-wrapped box...literally...

Don't forget to check out my review of the first book, Love Fortunes and Other Disasters, and my Interview with Kimberly Karalius.

Today's pick is Balboa Park, San Diego, California. This is one place I have been (the picture for my Goodreads account is one that I took). As usual, you can check out the Places I Wish Were Book Settings board over on Pinterest to see today's location.

My choice for today is Jasmine Green Tea, which is one of my favorite flavors.

The Friday 56 (34): Oleah Chronicles: Truth

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

Synopsis from Goodreads...

What would you do if everything you thought to be true in your life was a lie?

Sixteen-year-old Angel Seriki must face overwhelming truths about her family when she meets Zander Black, a new student to her high school who is smart, charming and devastatingly beautiful. The revelations he uncovers to her about her family's past changes everything, and as her relationship and feelings for Zander deepen, so do the risks involved. She must now accept her fate and face the true reality of who and what she is. Even if that means giving up everything, including being human...

"But as much as I wanted to forget everything that has been happening, I had to find out what my parents were hiding, and why Mom was trying so hard to put on this show like everything was fine."--Oleah Chronicles: Truth by Michelle Johnson

What's on your page 56 this week?