Author: A.G. Howard
Release date: January 1, 2013
Published by: Amulet Books
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Alyssa Gardner hears the voices of bugs and flowers, which is exactly what her mother and her grandmother were institutionalized for. The women in her family have been cursed ever since Alice Liddell claimed to have been down the rabbit-hole and back. Alyssa learns to deal with her curse as best she can, and even turns silencing the insects into a way to express herself with her art. After an especially bad visit with her mother, Alison, at the mental hospital she's lived in for years...Alyssa begins to wonder about the stories and the curse. What if everything were true? What if Wonderland really exists?
"I want to tell dad everything, but in his eyes, admitting Alison's delusions are real would be proof of my splintering sanity."
My thoughts: This was AMAZING! I mean, WOW! It's like she took Lewis Carroll's novel and twisted it HARD until it was the most amazingly warped version ever! I don't know that I can even write about this is any semblance of professional...I just want to shout at you about how awesome it was!
From the skater-girl main character, Alyssa Gardner, and her crush, Jeb Holt, who are tough and strong and committed to each other as friends well before they realize their mutual interest beyond friendship...to the incredibly creepy and warped characters of Wonderland of Rabid White, the Octobenus, Herman Hattington, March Hairless, Door Mouse, Queen Red, Morpheus, and so many more. The world that Lewis Carroll introduced us to and it's bit of scary, doesn't even come close to the scary and creepy world of Wonderland that Alyssa falls into.
All Alyssa wants is to save her mother from the curse put on her ancestor, Alice Liddell, before the electroshock therapy begins on Monday morning on her mother Alissa, but once she tumbles down the rabbit hole she finds there is so much more to the story and to herself than she ever could have imagined. SO much more...
You have to read Alyssa's story so you can find out for yourself if she's able to complete the tasks and save her family and herself. It is a non-stop adventure from beginning to end that just gets better and better as it twists and turns its way through Wonderland deeper and deeper along the way.
My Splintered Soundtrack:
Any to add to this after you've read this one?
I can't wait to get this on my bookshelves at home AND to get a copy for the high school LMC...the students will LOVE this one!
I want this book ASAP! It sounds fabulous and the cover is gorgeous! Thanks for the great review.;)
ReplyDeleteIt is! And it is! :D Thanks!
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