Review: Ensnared by A.G. Howard

Title: Ensnared
Author: A.G. Howard
Series: Splintered #3
Publication: January 6th 2015 by Amulet Books
Genre: Young Aduly ~ Paranormal
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 4/5

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?

First of all, I can't believe this series is over. It's been one of my favorites right from the start and I absolutely loved all the books. Ensnared was also really good. And the ending was pretty perfect to me. 

First I want to talk about Alyssa for a bit. I've loved her since the first book and you can clearly see how much she changed. I mean, everything is out in the open in this book... herself, her feelings for Jeb and Morpheus, her need for wanting to restore Wonderland and her love for her family. She's always been a fantastic character but I ended up liking her the most in Ensnared. She was just so fierce!

The big question of this book was of course, who is Alyssa going to end up in the end. No spoilers here but I had expected it to end the way it did and I am definitely not disappointed. I'm pretty sure whether you're a Morpheus or a Jeb fan, you'll be pleased either way. 

Like I said, Ensnared was really good but I have to admit that I enjoyed it a little less than the other two books. I just thought it was a little slow but other than that it was awesome. This series is also and will always be my favorite retelling of Alice in Wonderland and pretty much everything. I loved how A.G. Howard created this Wonderland and how she executed it. Her writing style is probably one of my favorites, it's just so gorgeous and whimsical at time - much like Wonderland is.

I don't want to give too much away about Ensnared but there were times were I was practically dying with nerves because some unexpected things happened. Some were good some were bad and some were just making me want to throw this book away. But overall I really liked the way the story went, aside from at times it was a bit too slow. 

I'm a big Morpheus fan. Everyone who knows me a little will probably know that. And he was bloody brilliant in this book. I've probably said that about the previous books also but it's so very true. And I also must say that I wasn't hating on Jeb as much as I did in the other books. All characters changed a lot from the first book. 

Overall, Ensnared by A.G. Howard was a very good ending to one of my favorite series. I'll admit that I teared up, reading the epilogue. Epilogues always get to me. But this one was really beautiful. But anyway, if you haven't read this series, I would highly recommend that you go read them right now. One of the best series ever and I'll miss these characters so much!

Favorite Quotes:

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.

I look at him dead-on. "I finally have a secret of my own. Not so fun being on the other side of one, is it?"
The slow burn of amusement warms his features. He leans in and whispers, "On the contrary, My Queen. I cannot imagine anything more delicious than peeling away your defenses, layer by layer, and baring your precious... secret."
Heat climbs my chest and fills my neck and cheeks. It's beyond unsettling, how quickly he can shift between comforter and tormentor.

“Bah." Morpheus snags a paintbrush. "She should be draped in starlight and clouds, lace and softness. Nothing less should touch her skin." He points the bristles at Jeb. "I saw what you put Thomas in. You are not painting her into one of those goon suits. She is royalty. Dress her like royalty. Give her some glitter... some glitz. And a crown.”

About the Author:

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A.G. Howard was inspired to write SPLINTERED while working at a school library. She always wondered what would've happened had the subtle creepiness of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland taken center stage, and she hopes her darker and funkier tribute to Carroll will inspire readers to seek out the stories that won her heart as a child.

When she's not writing, A.G.'s pastimes are reading, rollerblading, gardening, and family vacations which often include impromptu side trips to 18th century graveyards or condemned schoolhouses to appease her overactive muse.