#Audiobook #Review: 3 out of 5 stars for Ensnared by A.G. Howard @aghowardwrites @BlackstoneAudio @RebeccaGibel ‏

TITLE: Ensnared

SERIES: Splintered, Book #3

AUTHOR: A.G. Howard

NARRATOR: Rebecca Gibel

PUBLISHER: Blackstone Audiobooks

PUBLICATION DATE: January 6, 2015

FORMAT: Unabridged audiobook

LENGTH: 13 hrs and 28 mins

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

ISBN: 9781481522663

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?

MY REVIEW:

It's been a while since I listened to Unhinged, the second book in the Splintered series, which was way back in February 2016. One of my ongoing reading goals is to finish the series that I've started, so I figured it was time to get to this final book in the trilogy.

Ensnared is a rescue mission. Alyssa and her dad (Thomas) have to save their loved ones, with Alyssa's mom trapped in Wonderland and Morpheus and Jeb in AnyElsewhere. With the Rabbit Hole destroyed, Alyssa and her dad have to find an alternate entry to the nether realm.

I've been a big fan of this dark and bizarre series from the beginning, but this last installment in the trilogy was my least favourite of all three books. Although I loved getting Thomas' backstory, I found that the first portion of the book lagged for me. I was happy when Alyssa was finally reunited with Morpheus and Jeb, but it was a bit anticlimactic for me. I'm not too thrilled with how things ended.

I don't like that Alyssa was given a free pass at the end, that she gets to be with both loves of her life. I think she should have had to choose! She got to live out her human life with Jeb, and then returned to the nether world as a teenager when her human life was all used up to spend eternity with Morpheus. It left a bad taste in my mouth, almost like Alyssa was just waiting around for Jeb to die so that she could go and be with Morpheus. I would have enjoyed the ending more if Alyssa would have been forced to make a sacrifice: Either Jeb or Morpheus. I didn't like that she got them both!

Overall, I'm still a fan of this series and will still go back and read the novellas. I love Howard's writing and will read more from her.

Memorable 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.” 

“The littlest things I once took for granted have become priceless treasures.” 

One of the best parts of the Splintered series? Rebecca Gibel - she's the fantastic narrator who held me entranced to her every word. She is truly a gifted narrator. What can I say that I haven't said before? I'm going to quote my earlier reviews. From Splintered: "I was already a fan of narrator Rebecca Gibel, and this audiobook is an excellent showcase of her talent! She brought the story to life with her distinctive vocalizations, and this is definitely a piece of ear candy!"  From Unhinged: "Rebecca Gibel is a fabulous narrator! She is never dull, and she has me swooning a bit when I hear Morpheus’ voice." Don't take my word for it. See for yourself! Here is a sample of the narration:

MY RATING:

3 stars!! It was good, and I enjoyed it.

This book qualifies as:

#37 for my Audiobook Challenge 2018

#40 for my Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018
#59 for my Beat the Backlist 2018 Challenge

#54 for my The Backlist Reader Challenge 2018

#15.1 for my 2018 Finishing The Series Reading Challenge

#42 for my 2018 Reading Challenge (Linz The Bookworm)
#9 for my Ivyclad Bingo 2018
Bonus #1K for my 2018 Literary Escapes Challenge
#59A for my Good Rule Reading Challenge
#51 for my Monthly Mix-up Mania
#27 for my What An Animal Reading Challenge 2018
#22 for my 2018 Paranormal Reading Challenge
#15 for my Science Fiction vs Fantasy Bingo 2018
#3 for my Once Upon A Reading Challenge

#21 for my 2018 YA Reading Challenge
Task #16 for my Goodreads 2018 Summer Scavenger Challenge: Music Styles
#9 for my Chapter Break June Bookish Bingo
#7 for my Bookish Bingo Summer 2018
#4 for my Big Book Summer Challenge
#6 for my COYER Big Summer Birthday Bash

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