SuitabookUnhinged
A. G. Howard
- Reading
- Because the story moves between school life and a threatening fantasy world, pause after major shifts to discuss what Alyssa knows, fears and chooses; check in before continuing if the danger feels too intense.
- Themes
- Two worlds and belonging: Alyssa is drawn between her human life, her plans for art school and a Wonderland where she partly belongs. The book leaves its stance open to more than one reading.
- Protection and personal agency: Alyssa’s mother is protective and suspicious, while Alyssa worries that remaining in the human realm could endanger people she loves. The book does not clearly resolve its stance on this.
- Truth, memory and relationships: Alyssa is trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he has forgotten while Morpheus returns and unsettles her real-world life. The book leaves its stance open to more than one reading.
- Worth knowing
- Consider whether the combination of disturbing imagery, a deadly confrontation, asylum-related family disruption and romantic uncertainty suits the reader’s current comfort with intense fantasy conflict.