Splintered (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: A. G. Howard

Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel

Published by: AudioGo 01/2013

Warm

12 hrs and 38 mins

 

Sample

 

 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 Thoughts

Not just a pretty cover! That’s for sure.

When I read the review of this title on Parajunkee’s blog I got very excited about it, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it up for review at the Audiobook Jukebox - of course I requested it right away.

Sometimes when you read an enthusiastic review your expectations heighten, as was the case for me with this novel, but I’m happy to say, they were all more than met with this fantastic, original on its own, quite imaginative and credible re-telling of Alice in Wonderland.

For me, this was all about the plot, and what a plot it is!

With fascinating, enthralling and at times challenging twists, A. G. Howard takes us on a wild ride into the rabbit hole to Wonderland, where the expertly written narrative makes you experience the darkness, but most of all the creepiness of this new path to an old fairy tale.  Ah.....But no cuddly creatures are going to be found in this version, no sir!

With her mother at a Soul’s Asylum suffering severe mental problems, Alyssa’s life has been far from normal, but somehow she has managed to deal with it all,  but when she begins to experience the same symptoms that have plagued her mother, she knows is time to take action, and as the great-granddaughter of Alice, she needs to go back to Wonderland, and set things right once and for all.

Almost every character from the original version is found in this tale, but they’re far, far from what we’ve known and seen before.
To accomplish her goal, Alyssa will have to learn to use her instincts to find out whom she can or cannot trust in this dangerous world.

Now about the romance, which frankly, I could have done without, I was fascinated enough with the world and the author’s imagination that I wouldn’t have cared if the story didn’t have any; Nevertheless, the romance at times takes center stage and the dreaded love triangle gets Alyssa cough in a tangle between the dark and mysterious Morpheus, (her guide in wonderland) and the sweet boy next door neighbor and best friend, Jeb Holt. But don’t let this make you stay away, the plot, just as the romance does, are beautifully worked out in the end, thus leaving you with a very satisfying ending.

I enjoyed every character, but I loved Alyssa the most, I love the growth she undergoes to become a kick ass little heroine.
The romance, although, not my favorite part, still delivers quite a few tender and heart-warming moments, and I can easily see peeps falling for this trio (keep in mind, this is mature YA novel).

I hope the author somehow finds the way to come up with a continuation, judging by this admirable display of her talent; I know she's perfectly capable of it.

All in all, this is a very enjoyable and engrossing listen, sure to please all fans of the original "acid trip" Alice in Wonderland.

Stop HERE, and read the review that started my anticipation of this novel.

  4.17  ·  rating details  ·  569 ratings  ·  357 review on Goodreads 

Narrator

Rebecca Gibel

Narration

You can’t have an engrossing listening experience without a narrator that knows how to get out the way, and without any distractions lets you enjoy the story and its characters; this is precisely what Rebecca Gibel accomplished with this novel.

She did a good job with Alyssa, and as a first person narrative, she delivers a well balanced character, clearly conveying her emotions.

I had no problems with any of the character’s voices. The variations in tone worked well for me; Morpheus’ accent was credible enough, I enjoyed her interpretation.

I really don’t know what's happening to me, but again, I was more comfortable listening

at 1.5, speed. I’m beginning to think that this just might be my personal preference, and it’s not due to a slow pace from the reader. Anyway, after I made the switch, I just settle-down and let Ms. Gibel take me into the story, and just enjoy the mind blowing descriptions.

Overall, this was a very good narration that never got in the way of my enjoyment.

The Author

A. G. Howard

I like to thank the Audio Jukebox and AudioGo for providing me with a review copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.