#Saturday Review - Untamed by A.G. Howard (Young Adult, Fantasy)

Series: Splintered # 3.5
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages
Release Date: December 15,2015
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

A post-Ensnared collection of three stories—available in both print and e-versions.

Alyssa Gardner went down the rabbit hole and took control of her destiny. She survived the battle for Wonderland and the battle for her heart. In this collection of three novellas, join Alyssa and her family as they look back at their memories of Wonderland. 

In Six Impossible Things, Alyssa recalls the most precious moments of her life after Ensnared, and the role magic plays in preserving the happiness of those she loves. Alyssa’s mother reminisces about her own time in Wonderland and rescuing the man who would become her husband in The Boy in the Web. And Morpheus delves into Jeb’s memories of the events of Splintered in The Moth in the Mirror, available in print for the first time.

This collection expands upon Ensnared's epilogue, and includes some deleted scenes to provide a “director’s cut” glimpse into the past and futures of our favorite Splintered characters. 

Untamed is a companion novel to the Splintered Trilogy which ended with the release of Ensnared. Untamed features a collection of three stories that feature Alyssa and her family. The stories look into the future after Alyssa left Wonderland, and what happened next to Alyssa, Morpheus, and Jeb who continues to get so much hate mail, that it really saddens me. 

The Boy in the Web is from the perspective of Alyssa's mother Alison Gardner. This story tells Alison's story from the time she first met Morpheus and was tricked into trying to become Queen, to falling in love with her own knight in shining armor (Thomas Gardner who spent 10 years as Sister Two's prisoner), to becoming mortal for the first time since she was 16 years old. I liked this story because we really didn't get a full scope of what really happened between Alison, Wonderland, and Morpheus. Although the story is relatively short at 73 pages, it fills in story gaps and that is perfectly acceptable. Especially the adorable romance between Alison and Thomas.

The second story is called The Moth in the Mirror. This story has a good name actually. Morpheus's machinations. We get a look at Morpheus looking into Jebediah's life and trying to ruin any chance he has with Alyssa. Perhaps this story can enlighten readers as to why you should cut Jeb a break. Morpheus played Jeb like a violin time and time again to get him to go away so that he, Morpheus, could have Alyssa all to himself. I respect Jeb after reading this. I respect him because he gave up everything, including his muse, in order to protect, and be with Alyssa. I've always felt funny about how the trilogy was left off with Alyssa having (2) people in her heart, and being "allowed" to have a normal human life with Jeb, before having an immortal one with Morpheus.

Six Impossible Things is the longest of the three stories and the most emotional as well. It begins decades into the future with Alyssa as an old woman knowing that her life as a human is coming to an end. Alyssa has had a full life with children and grandchildren of her own, and a life with Jeb with no regrets. The story slides back in time to important periods of Alyssa's life with Jeb, and the memories they made together. Author really got me with the chapter called Memory 3; Stardust. Definitely one of the more emotional chapters in this entire series. I warn you, have tissues nearby. Don't discount Stones, or Seashells for their importance to Alyssa and her human life. The book ends with Alyssa's new immortal life with Morpheus and being the Red Queen once again and a nice surprise for readers who stood by these characters from the first book, forward.

Overall, I respect that author Howard wrote this companion novel for her fans. I respect that we get more than just a simplistic Epilogue at the end of Ensnared. Although I still have anger issues towards Morpheus at times, you can't just ignore him, or his love for Alyssa, or how much he got her ready to become the Red Queen. 

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*Book Review* Ensnared by A.G. Howard (YA-Fantasy)

Series: Splintered # 3
Publisher: Abrams Books
Released: January 6, 2015
Source: Library
Format: Hardcover, 416 pages
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

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 sadistic netherling outcasts.

In the final installment of the 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 even if everyone succeeds and comes out alive, can they all truly have their happily ever after?

In the final installment of the Splintered Trilogy, Ensnared, Alyssa Gardner's journey comes full circle. Ensnared is a story that once again pushes the envelope on imaginary world building, unique characters, action, adventure, and of course, romance. From a train filled with memories, to meeting her father's side of the family and getting his memories back, to arriving in AnyElsewhere to save Jeb & Morpheus, to saving Wonderland before Red tears it apart at the seams, Alyssa definitely has her work cut out for her.

A year has gone by since Alyssa learned that Lewis Carroll's Wonderland exists, and that she, like her mother Alison, are descendants of the Red Queen. Along the way, Alyssa has had two men by her side in Jebediah, and Morpheus who first introduced Alyssa to the world that she would soon become a part of. Alyssa has since survived prom, accepted her madness and powers and broke out of the asylum she was sent to. So, it all comes down to this.

Can Alyssa save her mother, Jeb, Morpheus, her father, and Wonderland from the Red Queen's machinations? Will Alyssa settle the question between who she should be with, Jeb, or Morpheus, or will it be a Clockwork Princess moment? Will Alyssa finally find the strength, courage, and determination to finally put Red out of her misery, or will she fall into the lure of power that she has plenty of? Will Alyssa return to the mortal world, or stay in Wonderland forever?

Each of the men have played a large role in Alyssa's life. Jeb as her best friend, boyfriend, and defender. Morpheus as the figure who allowed Alyssa to accept that she's different from other girls her age, and that's perfectly fine. Each has also made it inherently impossible to choose between the two of them without hurting someone's feelings. I think that Howard made a good point in how she connected each character. I actually enjoyed the fact that Jeb and Morph put aside their hatred for each other to support Alyssa.

“Jeb is an anchor; he holds me grounded to my humanity and compassion. But Morpheus is the wind; he drags me kicking and screaming to the highest precipice, shoves me off, then watches me fly with netherling wings. When Jeb's at my side, the world is a canvas--unblemished and welcoming; when I'm with Morpheus, it's a wanton playground--wicked and addictive.”

Even though Morpheus continued to drive me to brink of insanity with his narcissistic tendencies, manipulations, snarky attitude, and twisted sense of getting things done, he's never failed in his determination to love Alyssa or make her a better Queen. Jeb, on the other hand, has his own issues which makes for an interesting storyline. He's a lost soul in a land that he doesn't care for. He's had a hard life, and being introduced to Wonderland has changed him forever. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about Howard's ending. In one way it makes sense. In another, it's really sad.

Ensnared is probably the best ending that we can expect from this series when you consider all that's happened and the twisted triangle of love that apparently was necessary. Morpheus got under my skin a few times too many, and Jeb was a piss·ant most of the time in this story. However, both characters truly love Alyssa, and their actions speak louder than words. Loved that Chessie, and Ivory return after the series took a detour of sorts in Unhinged. Definitely a must read for all ages no matter your reading tastes.

Other Books in Series:

(Covers are Alyssa, Morpheus, Jeb and Alyssa)