I will admit, the ending of 'Splintered' (A.G. Howard and last weeks review) did not have me dying of desperation for a sequel, as it didn't really end on the classic cliffhanger you expect of a book with a sequel. However, I was intrigued to see the life Alyssa built for herself without Wonderland, and particularly with her family and I thought this book would most likely be quite like the first, with different adventures thrown in for variety. I was wrong. It's so, so much better than that.
Sequels have a tendency in films to try and remake their original, and create a slightly paler version. Luckily, 'Unhinged' does not make the same mistakes. Standing as a slowly unravelling mystery, wrapped in a thriller, it does an excellent job of not attempting to remake the constant pace and action of the first. This story creeps inside your skin in a way that the first didn't quite manage for me (which, to be fair, is near damn impossible in firsts in series), and it shone for this. The tone and style have really moved with the story, and all the cracks of betrayal were so well placed I can honestly say I didn't see all of them coming. Alyssa grew a lot in this novel as well, and she's stopped having irritating moments, which became known collectively in my head as "You can't tell me what to do, you're not my Dad" moments. Wonderland was as well created as I mentioned in my previous review (I won't start again on that fangirling, I promise), and I love the growth of newer characters from 2D to humans, like her mum, the Ivory Queen, Chessie etc. But, more than anything, I liked the way the plot swerved in this book, and being a fan of the story may sound old fashioned, but it's what really sold 'Unhinged' to me.
I had two problems with this Wonderland novel, the first of which was that it lacked Wonderland for me. I know that it was intended to represent the differences between it and the real world, and the infiltration of the real world by netherling magic, but as the creation of Wonderland was so strong in 'Splintered', I missed it a little here (although the train and the iron bridge were very clever). I raise my hands in prayer that the final book will be set entirely in the other realm. My other issue actually began on Twitter with the hashtags #MothMinions and #JebJunkies. My largest problem with both the gentlemen is that firstly, despite both of them knowing Alyssa's potential and power, they still feel the need to patronise and protect her (Morpheus, I'll admit, less so, but it is still very much there). My other issue is that neither of them are all that nice, or even understanding, to her during the story, and seem to have a strange desire to possess her rather than love her. Maybe it's because I don't fall for Jeb's diamond-in-the-rough style or Morpheus' seductive charms, but I'm tagging #AlyssaAgency.
Having said this, I did really appreciate the way Alyssa's love life was treated in this novel, more than the first, where her journey and her work towards defeating the forces of evil worked alongside the romance, rather than it simply jumping front of the plot occasionally. 'Unhinged' builds on 'Splintered' in the best way, and Howard has really done an excellent job with this development. It's a gripping read, that really works on the mystery behind the story, and, more than anything, leaves me dying for Book Three. 2015 can't come quicker.
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