Splintered

Alyssa Gardner hears insects and flowers speaking to her, just like her mother who ended up in a mental institution. This supposed family curse traces back to her great-great-great grandmother Alice Liddell, who inspired Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. When Alyssa discovers a way into Wonderland, she learns that the original story got many things wrong. She must navigate this darker version of Wonderland and complete a series of tasks to break her family's curse, accompanied by her best friend Jeb and the mysterious Morpheus. The real Wonderland contains dangerous creatures, sinister magic, and complex characters who may or may not be trustworthy. Alyssa faces challenges that test her understanding of both worlds as she tries to save her family while preserving her own sanity. This young adult fantasy novel explores themes of identity, heredity, and the blurred lines between madness and magic. The story reconstructs a classic tale through a gothic lens while examining how family legacies shape who we become.

Readers call this dark Alice in Wonderland retelling creative but uneven. The gothic atmosphere and imaginative world-building drew praise, with many highlighting Howard's vivid descriptions and unique take on familiar characters. Liked: - Fresh spin on classic Alice story - Detailed world-building and imagery - Complex relationships between characters - Art and fashion elements Disliked: - Romance overshadows main plot - Love triangle feels forced - Protagonist comes across as whiny - Pacing drags in middle sections - Writing style can be overly flowery "The descriptions were beautiful but sometimes got in the way of the actual story," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Multiple readers mentioned struggling with the main character's decisions and personality. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.94/5 (86,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) The book resonates most with young adult readers who enjoy dark fantasy and romance-heavy retellings.

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🦋 A.G. Howard wrote Splintered as a dark, gothic reimagining of Alice in Wonderland after wondering what happened to Alice Liddell's descendants and how they might have been affected by her famous adventures. 🎩 The main character Alyssa's hobby of creating art from dead bugs was inspired by the author's own fascination with Victorian fairy art and taxidermy. 🌹 The book's striking cover art, featuring a girl with elaborate butterfly wings, was created by artist Nathália Suellen, who specializes in dark fantasy digital art. 🕰️ The author spent two years researching Victorian customs, clothing, and architecture to create an authentic atmosphere for the Wonderland sequences. 🐛 The book spawned a successful trilogy (Splintered, Unhinged, and Ensnared), plus a companion novel (Untamed), and has been translated into multiple languages worldwide.