Splintered ( #1) by A.G. Howard

Summary

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.

My review

The world that Howard created in this book is one of the most beautifully horrific worlds I ever had the pleasure of reading about. Splintered is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books of all time and it's world by far the most beautiful one. The author was inspired by Alice in Wonderland but this story is so much more and everyone should read it. Alyssa, Jeb and Morpheus are fascinating characters, each of them special and intriguing in their own way and all the creatures in this Wonderland were so well developed and described I fell in love with them all. The romance is also a part of the story, a well thought love story, and I can honestly say I dont know which love interest ton root for. This story is well written and so inspiring, I can't wait to see what new adventures wait for Alyssa in Unhinged. I recommend this book to all the dreamers out there, you will be amazed by the beauty of this book.