A. G. Howard

Ensnared

After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She's determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles . . . and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world; a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts.

a novel

Briar's Reviews

Many, many moons ago I read the first two books in this series and LOVED them. Then, this final book came out and I bought it immediately but... I didn't want the series to end. I stared at this book for seven long years and I finally gave in. I needed to read this incredible Alice in Wonderland take and I needed to finish this series - A.G. Howard is just so good, how could I not let myself finish this series?

While it was kind of hard not remembering everything that happened in the last two books (seven years is a LONG time...), this book was magical and everything I had hoped it would be... and more! I adored this book and sincerely need to keep diving back into fun, YA adaptions of classics. Especially more by A.G. Howard.

Alyssa is going mad, and she's embracing it. How can you not when you are determined to save your Mom, Dad, Mad Hatter friend who seems to be madly in love with you, and your best friend/kind of ex-boyfriend who you kind of got in massive trouble? It's a lot to put on a teen, but Alyssa is tough. Throw in the wicked Queen Red, a closed of rabbit hole, mutated creatures, and a whole lot of "wrong" going on, and you've got one incredible adventure in this finale.

This book is FUN. That's what I really liked out of it. It's a magical and fun book that also added in a dash of romance. I liked the ending - it made me smile. I do wish I had gone back and read the first two books to be able to give a fully honest review, but this one I let myself read for enjoyment rather than for criticism. I'm sure there's lots of odds and ends that stick out in this book, but for pure enjoyment level? Super high for me! I had a great time escaping into this book.

Overall - it's a lovely YA book if you want to escape into Wonderland (all of the weird and delightful worlds of Wonderland).

Four out of five stars.

Splintered Book Three

Nessa Luna

Read this review and more on October Tune!

Two years ago, I bought a book called Splintered because I was intrigued by the summary and the promise of a creepy Wonderland - and because of that cover. I read the book and fell in love, though I did also have some things I didn't like about the book (hence it only having three stars though I did love the story). Then Unhinged came out with another gorgeous cover and an even better story. And this year, Ensnared, the final book in the series was released. I had pre-ordered it and picked it up at my local bookstore as soon as they got it, and then I kind of let it lie on my desk for a couple of days because I was afraid of starting it and ending up completely disappointed by what happened in the end.

And I have to say I wasn't super happy with how the book ended, but more on that later. I just want to explain why I gave this book only three (and a half) stars, while I did love the previous one. Because in this book there was a lot more love-triangly things going on. This book was just full-on 'should I choose Jeb or should I choose Morpheus', and though there was enough action to compensate for that at least a bit, the whole triangle thing annoyed me so much in this book. Especially because both boys were so keen on having Alyssa. (view spoiler)[Seriously I think at some point they even started arguing/fighting about it while she was there, like seriously?! (hide spoiler)]

Like with the previous two books, a lot of things were described in such detail that I found amazing. Though I had a hard time imagining half of those things, I really liked it in this book for some reason (though normally I do not like detailed descriptions of things). I just guess it fit in this story and it would have been a lot weirder to imagine most of the creatures from Wonderland and the Looking Glass world without those descriptions. But I still just can't imagine the clothes that Alyssa wears, I think I just need to see them drawn or in a picture before I can think 'oh so that's what it looks like'.

In this book, I started to dislike Morpheus more and more but I think I am one of the very few because I think at least 90% of the fandom loves him and I... Just... Can't... See... It... He's an ass, he's manipulative, he just wants Alyssa all to himself and he probably just kept Jeb alive because if he didn't Alyssa would probably be effing pissed at him or something. I don't know, I just don't like him. So yeah I was rooting for Jeb throughout this book (and in the previous book as well). I know he's not perfect either (he was a bit annoying in the first book as well, I have to admit that), but I just liked him better than Morpheus.

Like I said there were some nice action scenes in this book, but my favourite has got to be the part in the courtyard of Queen of Hearts' castle. Wow. Some things happened in that scene that made me really really scared, but in the end it all came out okay and I was happy again! But there was one scene that I really really missed in this book, and it actually made me feel a bit betrayed, honestly. (view spoiler)[The part where Ivory and Alyssa were supposed to put Wonderland back into it's original shape. The whole book led up to Alyssa having to defeat Red and bring back Wonderland and it DOES NOT HAPPEN. Instead Morpheus and Jeb do the thing and ugh I'm just a bit pissed at this. First of all Red was defeated in a bamf way (the courtyard thing), but then Alyssa almost dies and the 'men' do all the work. (hide spoiler)] I really - ugh - I just can't really put it into words without repeating myself.. I am very disappointed by this.

As for the ending, I am both happy and not so happy with it - but it's a kind of spoiler (and I have already used some spoiler tags in this post, so I won't be using another one). If you want to know how the book ends, and (probably most importantly) who Alyssa ends up with, you should definitely read Ensnared.

My opinion on this book in one gif:

Thais Souza Passos

It is just me or this ending didn't fit at all? I didn't like the ending, the choice she had to make and everything involved. But I loved the book btw, I really did, expect for this ending.

Rachel Kanyid

4.5/5
This was a beautiful conclusion to the series!!

Gisela Ayala 

All while reading this book, my heart broke in two. Although biased in the beginning, by the end of Ensnared, I was really able to dive into Alyssa's character and see why her heart was truly divided, emotionally and quite literally. 

A.G. Howard did what only great authors are able to accomplish, and that is to completely have yourself surrender to a story and become part of the protagonist's journey. I felt exactly what Alyssa felt as she faced impossible odds. 

I was angry for a lot of the book as well. I hated when almost all the characters in story undermined her potential without realizing that she is stronger than she looks, which is why I had a hard time with Jeb's character. Noble he is, and I don't think I've seen someone sacrifice as much as he does, but I felt like pulling my hair every time he felt the need to put Alyssa in her place. I'm happy when he finally acknowledged more towards the end of the book that he was the one needing protecting. 

The ending was bittersweet for me. Too many emotions, although it was a perfect ending. I think I'm just having a hard time knowing the series is over.

Meghan M

Loved the ending where she got both of her loves

Maria Banning

A Fantastical end to an amazing series. "Skater-girl" gets the best of both worlds!

Weronika

Uwielbiam całą serię, książka super, końcówka trochę basic ale po prostu autorka chciała na końcu wszystko uspokoić i wyjaśnić jak to bywa w takich książkach. Polecam całym sercem.

Eleanor Luhar

I read the first novel of the Splintered series and immediately fell in love with it - purchasing the entire series as paperbacks. This is book #3 in the series by A.G. Howard.

If you haven't read the first two novels then I don't want to spoil anything for you. But I will say what I can about the plot and character development (of which there is plenty).

Alyssa takes us on another crazy journey, from the human realm through AnyElsewhere and, of course, Wonderland. Again, she finds herself stuck between her two halves - and between her two loves.

Along with her parents, Morpheus and Jeb, Alyssa must banish Red's spirit forever, return Wonderland to its former glory, and find a way to balance the two halves of her heart. But the travel to this magical realm has changed Jeb, and he's found something he's not willing to leave behind anymore.

There's a lot of madness and magic in this, which is my favourite part. The pure craziness and mystery of Carroll's Wonderland is captured beautifully by Howard. There are weird and terrifying creatures - my favourite being the strange butterflies native to AnyElsewhere, even if they do endanger the life of one of our beloved characters - as well as beautiful landscapes and clever backstories. The whole origin of Carroll's story is put into question, Alyssa slowly uncovering how he discovered the magical land all those years ago.

The main part of this is about Alyssa trying to placate the two halves of her heart. After her previous run-in with Queen Red, there's something strange going on inside her heart - something that hurts when her human side and netherling side are fighting. What's wrong with her? How can she live like this?

And Morpheus and Jeb still aren't the best of friends, either. They're almost constantly competing for her affections - despite being stuck alone together for who knows how long. I'm always routeing for Morpheus, even if he is a bit of a troublemaker.

The ending is quite a nice compromise, a clever and clean way to stitch everything together. And the epilogue is really good, in my opinion. I won't tell you what happens. But it's short and brief, leaving so many questions and opportunities at the end that makes me reeeally want to read the next book.

It is sometimes a little too perfect, if you know what I mean, but it's not sickeningly good or sweet. I think the solutions they conjure are really creative and clever, and when they're in trouble I'm always wondering what they'll come up with this time.

As for development, Jeb and Morpheus have a clear "epiphany" sort of moment toward the end. But I found that Alyssa also developed a lot, slowly - little realisations that shape her being over time, shape her as a queen.

I do love a good Wonderland story. This isn't, in my personal opinion, quite as the first novels, but I still really enjoyed it. 4 stars for Ensnared.

"Alyssa travels to Wonderland once again to free both her mother and Jeb, and to set right all that's gone wrong"--

After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She's determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves-- even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles. The only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world-- a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts.

Alyssa travels to Wonderland once again to free both her mother and Jeb and to set right all that has gone wrong. The plot contains sexual references and graphic violence. Book #3

Ella Zegarra

También en: El Extraño Gato del Cuento

Finales. Es tan triste despedirse de los personajes que amas, tan triste saber que cabe la posibilidad que no obtengan su final feliz. Te preocupas por ellos como si fueran gente de verdad... o en mi caso, más que por la gente de carne y hueso (si hacen algo malo, le puedes echar la culpa la escritora :v). Esta trilogía la empecé a leer cuando ya tenía el blog y la terminó aún teniendo el blog. Tres años ya casi. Juntos... No quiero despedirme de mis chicos D:

Comentario exclusivamente de Ensanared (milagrosamente sin spoiler)

No sé si fue cosa mía o Allie ya era así en los libros anteriores pero estoy tan enamorada de Morpheo que me importó bien poco la muchacha pero... ¡Qué pesada estuvo al inicio! Siendo la persona fría y sin corazón que soy, para mí no es tan difícil tomar ciertas decisiones por lo que los triángulos amorosos son lo peor para mí pero tiendo a seguir leyendo porque quiero saber si mi personaje favorito tendría su final feliz. Sólo que esta vez de verdad quería que A.G. Howard matará a Allie, que Morfeo lo sufriera y luego lo superará y final feliz para él. Pero los lectores no tenemos el poder de cambiar la mente de una autora.

Jeb y Allie son perfectos el uno para el otro, emos y llorones como no hay otros. Me la pasé gritando en todo el libro: ¡Morfeo me tienes a mí, deja a esa emo con el otro emo y seamos felices! Me gusta el drama pero no los dramáticos, una cachetada para esos dos no hubiera estado mal. Y para Morfeo también para que entre en razón.

Le puse un cuatro de cinco porque sentí que no avanzó mucho, no digo que sea un libro aburrido, todo lo contrario, lo leí rapidísimo (considerando mi última escasez de tiempo), narrativamente es muy atractivo, es solo que se quedaron en un lugar para luego pasar al otro y tratar de solucionar el problema. Creo que el hecho que la escritora nos haya hecho pasear por varios escenarios en sus libros anteriores, deja a este muy por detrás.

¿Ofendida por el final?

Mucha gente está bastante molesta por como terminó, creo que el hecho de que algunas cosas hayan pasado en tan pocas páginas dejó fríos a muchos lectores. ¿Hubiera preferido un final diferente? Sí, no lo voy a negar, soy del tipo todo o nada. Es bastante agridulce esta conclusión, mucho más que cualquier otro que haya leído, y es más por la cantidad de hojas en las que se dedicó. La misma A.G. Howard dice no estar del todo contenta con el final, que ella hubiera querido uno diferente pero que los personaje son demasiado vividos para ella y ellos tomaron sus decisiones, ella solo es su interprete.

Es triste despedirse de ellos... bueno, es triste despedirme de Morfeo, como amo a este tipo, es la mejor cosa de la vida Y SÍ, ME GUSTA QUE SEA UN LOCO MANIPULADOR. Es divertido, tienes que pensar mucho. Mi amor es intelectual... Sí, quiero un montón al muchacho.

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Alex Hill 

I loved it! I loved the ending and omg the feels.

Katie Egan

That ending was beautifully sad, but happy at the same time. It made me feel all the feels.

Kaeli Wolf 

This book was wonderfully enticing. I couldn't put it down for the life of me and I cried when it ended, whether from happy tears or something else I can't explain. On to the companion "Untamed" now.

Chantale

I am sad but not because the book wasn't any good (it is fantastic) but because this is the last book in the trilogy :'( 

This book was fantastic and it was just a soon as Splintered and Unhinged. If you haven't read this YA trilogy than I suggest you get on it RIGHT NOW.

After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She’s determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles . . . and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world—a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts.In the final installment of the wildly popular Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that’s gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But if they succeed and come out alive, can everyone truly have their happily ever after? Read all the books in the New York Times bestselling Splintered series: Splintered (Book 1), Unhinged (Book 2), Ensnared (Book 3), and Untamed (The Companion Novel). Praise for Splintered: STARRED REVIEW "Fans of dark fantasy, as well as of Carroll’s Alice in all her revisionings (especially Tim Burton’s), will find a lot to love in this compelling and imaginative novel." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Alyssa is one of the most unique protagonists I've come across in a while. Splintered is dark, twisted, entirely riveting, and a truly romantic tale." —USA Today "Brilliant, because it is ambitious, inventive, and often surprising — a contemporary reworking of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,’’ with a deep bow toward Tim Burton’s 2010 film version." —The Boston Globe "It’s a deft, complex metamorphosis of this children’s fantasy made more enticing by competing romantic interests, a psychedelic setting, and more mad violence than its original." —Booklist " Protagonist Alyssa...is an original. Howard's visual imagination is superior. The story's creepiness is intriguing as horror, and its hypnotic tone and setting, at the intersection of madness and creativity, should sweep readers down the rabbit hole." —Publishers Weekly "While readers will delight in such recognizable scenes as Alyssa drinking from a bottle to shrink, the richly detailed scenes that stray from the original will entice the imagination. These adventures are indeed wonderful." —BookPage "Attention to costume and setting render this a visually rich read..." —Kirkus Reviews "Wonderland is filled with much that is not as wonderful as might be expected, and yet, it is in Wonderland that Alyssa accepts her true nature. The cover with its swirling tendrils and insects surrounding Alyssa will surely attract teen readers who will not disappointed with this magical, edgy tale." —Reading Today Online "Creepy, descriptive read with a generous dollop of romance." —School Library Journal

Ensnared (Splintered Series #3)

Yanni Wilson

Jessica 

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Spoiler free review; a more in depth one will be released when the novel is officially available in bookstores.

In this vivid conclusion to one of my favorite series, Ensnared captures the brilliance of the two previous books and wraps up the dark fantasy in a way that is sure to satisfy fans of the trilogy. I, for one, don’t have much to complain about except the fact that Splintered is done.

Can you believe it’s nearly over? No more Alyssa? No more Morpheus? No more Jeb? No more of this deliciously dark Wonderland? What?! I really hate to say goodbye! Alas… all good things must come to an end. And never has there been a more fitting end than Ensnared.

By the epilogue, we have our conclusion, we have our answers and we have a memorable ending to an incredibly unique and underrated trilogy. It will tug on your heartstrings, it will make your heart race and leave you twirling in the midst of dark and intriguing plots. Ensnared certainly goes out with a bang.

A.G Howard, once again, blows me away with her hypnotic and slightly creepy take on Wonderland. Not many authors can pull off revisions to a classic work and make it her own, but she has an undeniable style to her writing and characters that makes it so very possible. You can see these images come to life instantly and find yourself unable to put it down.

Full review will be up on http://bookgirl.co.vu within 24 hours of this being posted.