Who knew off with her head! could mean something so horrifying? But the Wonderland of Splintered is dark and twisted. Thanks to the Disney version, we think of Wonderland as a place that’s strange and silly. I thought the depiction of the landscape was the strongest aspect of the novel. I can’t say it’s ever occurred to me to think of Wonderland and its denizens as a land of Faerie and Fae.

This is an interesting take on Wonderland. Unfortunately, Alice also upset the balance of Wonderland and it’s up to Alyssa to set things right if she’s to free the women of her bloodline from the curse. Because it turns out Alice’s adventures were true. This quest leads her to secret family heirlooms, which in turn send her back to Wonderland. When her mother’s condition deteriorates, she decides to find a way to break the curse. Ever since Alice, every woman has ended up in a mental institution. She has no desire to follow in her mother’s footsteps so she hides this fact from everyone.īut then Alyssa learns of the curse that afflicts the women in her family. It’s this sort of thing that led to the institutionalization of her mother years before. Alyssa can hear bugs and flowers talk, which is not considered normal by most of society.

The jibes and insults are better than the reality, however. She grew up amongst constant teasing from her peers. But because children are cruel, this has brought her nothing but grief. I was promised creepiness and Splintered delivered.Īlyssa Gardner is a descendant of Alice Liddell, the basis of Alice from Lewis Carroll’s work. I’m sure there are plenty but I’ve never sought them out. Other than the original, I don’t think I’ve read a novel based on Alice in Wonderland. Jia B- Reviews Faeries / Fantasy / friends-to-lovers / mental illness / Young-Adult 8 Comments

Splintered book