Book Review: Splintered by A. G. Howard

Splintered by A.G. Howard

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


How do I express the amount of love I have for this book?!?

First of all, the cover is just plain awesome. How could I NOT pick up this book to read? Second, I will admit I am a sucker for books that reimagine fairy tales we all grew up with and loved. The idea of Alice leaving Wonderland forever altered (not in a good way) therefore cursing all her female descendants was too good to pass up.

Will I read the sequel? Yes, YES, and yes. Which reminds me...I hate reading really awesome books in a series before the series is complete. However, I recommend you DON'T WAIT! The book was satisfying to read as a solo novel. Unlike some books in series that leave you totally suspended to the point you are now angry you read the book before having the next book in hand...you will not regret reading this book now.

The best part of all, a student actually told me I HAD to read this. I love it when my high schoolers find me great books to read!



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Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Incarceron Book Trailer

Overview:  Sealed for centuries, Incarceron was supposed to turn even the hardest criminal into the perfect citizen.  Instead it created a hostile environment for its own amusement.  You see...the prison is watching.

Finn doesn't remember anything before suddenly waking up inside a prison cell.  It is impossible to enter or escape Incarceron, so he must have been born of the prison, right?  


Outside the prison, Claudia is forced to keep up the appearances of living in an earlier period despite huge technological advances.  She soon will be sent off for an arranged marriage to the future king.  She is desperate to find where her father, the Warden of Incarceron, has hidden the entrance to the prison and find freedom from her own plight.


Soon Claudia and Finn are planning escape, but they must not underestimate Incarceron....you see, the prison is alive.



Opinion:  I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 star rating.  I appreciate the uniqueness to the storyline, but I was left with a take-it or leave-it feeling.  Taking place in a future, dysotopian society, the author leaves enough mystery that you are never completely sure if Finn is the missing (REAL) heir to the throne or not.  The biggest surprise...finding out where the Warden has hidden Incarceron.  Whoa!  The final test for me in whether a book was good or not is...do I want to read the sequel or not.  The answer is YES! 

More Info:

Author's website

Don't forget to read the sequel: Saphique

And check out her latest 4 part adventure: Relic Master (released May, June, July, and August 2011 consecutively.

Movie in the works!  Currently set to star Taylor Lautner as Finn.  Possible release date in 2013!!
  

**I read this book for the Eliot Rosewater 2012-2013 book selection committee.  I received a copy of Incarceron from the publisher for my consideration.**