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Reflections #3

Splintered

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Most girls would have killed to be in Adri’s shoes, in fact several people think that’s exactly what she did. Of course life with a pack of shape shifters isn’t quite what she expected. The time with Alec is great, but now that the rival pack is out of the picture, Alec’s wolves are all starting to turn on each other, and Adri is finding there is less and less she can do to help hold the pack together.

Alec’s determination to keep her at arm’s length physically is just as frustrating as always, but his ongoing refusal to explain the larger world the pack is operating in is starting to become more than just something that keeps Adri up at night. It’s starting to look like something that could get them all killed.

Readers new to the series should start with Broken which is temporarily discounted in price.

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2011

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551 people want to read

About the author

Dean Murray

61 books316 followers

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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads).
710 reviews201 followers
April 17, 2012
From: http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....

3.5 stars

The Good
When Paranormal Seems Normal...
I realized this time around what I like about Murray's writing. He has a way of making the paranormal seem normal. Sometimes I forget that I am even reading about shape-shifters because the concept is so expertly interwoven into the story. In that, I have to applaud Murray on a job well done.

My Summary...
Adri and Alec's relationship is still at a stand still. Even with Alec's rival shifter pack effectively taken care of, no longer in the way to ruin their relationship, Alec can't help but fear his shape-shifter touch will addict Adri. An addiction that has been proven through other human-shifter relationships. But their shaky relationship has to be put further on hold when an even bigger threat rolls into town. One that tests and weakens the bond between Alec and his pack. And this new threat might just be the last straw for Adri's willingness to wait for Alec to become what he was meant to be: a true leader and protector.

It has Teeth, Maybe Alec Can Borrow Them...
I was really into the viciousness in Splintered. The fighting between the shifters was awe-inspiring. It really amped up my adrenaline, and I simply couldn't look away (or stop reading as it were) at the ferociousness that took place in the world Murray created.

I feel like Adri is finally finding out who she is and what she wants in life. She takes a more active role in maintaining friendships instead of pining for Alec. It made me respect her a whole lot more in this book. Alec was a different story. This was the first time I didn't like him. He just didn't handle any situation very well, and I wanted to yell at him to grow a pair. But I liked that Murray had Alec become a little more human. Alec made mistakes and let fear control his actions. While I disliked him more, I also liked that he wasn't perfect and that he could mess up his life as easy as the rest of us.

A World With No Limits...
The bad guys were simply perfect. I literally got chills every time they walked into the scene. In this world, shape-shifters have many rules but all the rules tend to make life harder to live and cause way more bloodshed than needed. And the people in charge, who happen to also be the bad guys, are the worst kind of people. They use their power for their own good and to spread fear amongst their brethren. I'd like to see a lot more of their kind in future books because they add that needed dread that makes this series so entertaining. You just never know what is going to happen when they are around because they have no limits.

Second Verse, Luckily Not the Same as the First...
All my complaints about the two previous books were wiped clean in Splintered. There was less writing focused on school and mundane things and more on action and relationships. We also got to learn a little more about the other pack members which was nice. They have interesting stories all on their own.

The Bad
Since this series does lean a little more toward paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy (though this book was way more in the urban fantasy area), I was sorely disappointed by the lack of romance and the ending, which was left very much open. I understand why Murray thought it was best to end it the way he did, but it does not negate the fact that I was left dissatisfied.

The Snuggly
I am getting hugely annoyed with Alec's reluctance with Adri. I understand why he wants to protect Adri from his addictive touch, but this cannot go on. He either needs to get over it or end the relationship. That being said, there was very little romance in this book and I wish there was more. When it comes to sex, this is the cleanest young adult book out there.

Overall
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It kept my interest the whole time and the character development was superb. Though I didn't like the ending, I like the direction this whole series is going. I for one can't wait for the next installment. A recommended read.

Quote
Marco leaned down and whispered into my ear. "How about you and I get a little more friendly? I can show you things Graves hasn't even thought of yet."

My voice came out even and strong. "If you touch me I'll do my absolute best to kill you. I'll probably fail, but you're going to have to kill me to stop me. Trust me, you don't want to be the guy who kills me. Alec will tear you apart regardless of what else it might cost him."
Profile Image for Jaime.
122 reviews
August 1, 2019
This was an excellent book with a sad and surprising that is well set up the next part of the series.

I have no idea what is in store for the rest of the series but I'm excited!
Also hoping that the end of this series will have a happy ending because if it doesn't I might cry.
Profile Image for ☕️Kimberly  (Caffeinated Reviewer).
3,600 reviews784 followers
April 6, 2012
Splintered, is the third novel in a series involving shape-shifters living in Sanctuary, written by author Dan Murray. In February I reviewed the first novel, Torn and loved it.(see review) This novel brings problems from Agony, the Coun’hij, the pack, and Adri’s Mom. Fans of this series will enjoy the tale and be shocked by the ending.

Splintered picks up shortly after the first novel. (Torn is written from Alex’s POV and Broken from Adri’s POV.) In my opinion, Splintered would not work well as a standalone. It continues the story without a lot of back history. I had to refresh my memory to reestablish who, what and where. Alex is trying to clean up the mess left by Brandon’s pack and discovers they were involved in some illegal activity. He leaves Sanctuary to straighten things out and finds himself in serious trouble. Meanwhile, the two wolves they accepted into the pack are having difficulty adjusting to their new lower rankings. Sam, shares his feelings with Adri and she is appalled by how things work within the pack. Jasmin is quick to warn her not to object or she will undermine Alec. When Agony shows up with his pack it causes havoc for Alec and puts Adri in jeopardy. The tale that unfolds was an entertaining, easy read. The ending surprised me and I felt ended abruptly. I think readers will either love it or hate it.

We get to meet more pack members and see the violent side of a packs hierocracy. Adri has trouble dealing with all of this, she isn’t seeing Alex enough and her Mom is back in town and suddenly wants to be an involved parent. Sadly, Adri annoyed me a little in this novel. She doesn’t listen to Alec, even when it puts her at risk. She gets in the middle of things and just rubbed me the wrong way. Being leader of the pack is taking its toll on Alec and with the Coun’hij there it just goes from bad to worse. I loathed Agony and hated how he took pleasure from manipulation and fighting. There is very little development in the romance department with Alec and Adri. It is clear they have feelings for each other, but things are just messy.

Splintered didn’t impress me the way that Torn did, but it was still an enjoyable read. I recommend it to fans who have read the series and those who like character driven paranormal romances. Torn, Broken and Splintered are available as eBooks.

I want to thank the author for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Profile Image for Rachel.
2,355 reviews132 followers
July 10, 2016
Splintered was so good, it's told mostly from Adri's POV but Alec has a few chapters as well. The story picks up just a week or so after the ending of Broken/Torn and now that Brandon and most of his pack is gone you would think that Alec and his pack are safe, you couldn't be more wrong.

The pack is now turning on each other, three members from Brandon's pack joined Alec's pack and now everything is out of balance and the original members are fighting with the new members. Adri is now considered a pack member and she is starting to see a lot more of Alec's world, even though he tries to shield her from the darkest parts of his world he can't shield her for long. Trouble is coming and no one is coming out unscathed.

Adri and Alec are together and I like them as a couple. Adri helps Alec stay more human, to see the good in the world while Alec helps Adri see that there is still a life to live. It's a balance relationship, they help each other and even though Alec has to deal with all of this crap he tries to make sure that Adri is safe, Adri is still amongst his top priorities.

Adri is learning more and more about the shapeshifter world. She is learning where she fits in, some of the rules of the pack and she is dealing with the violence of this world but also sees faults in how things are. Also on top of all that Adri's mom is back and things do not go well, this is one story that starts off with a parent that's not really there to a parent that is starting to take notice and that is going to cause a lot of problems.

Alec is trying so desperately to hold everything and everyone togather and I feel for the guy, I mean he is only 17 or 18 and he is running everything and having to deal with an incredible violent world. Then trouble shows and his job to keep everyone safe get a whole hellva lot harder.

Overall
Splintered was good and the story was compelling; there was pack politics, action and more. After the danger leaves and the dust settles no one is the same, things between the pack are strained to the max and the ending was something that I really didn't see coming. I have to read the next book, Intrusion because Dean Murray has to fix the mess he made a the end.

P.S.
Am I the only one who thinks that Adri has a power?
Profile Image for Merissa (Archaeolibrarian).
4,198 reviews119 followers
March 2, 2014
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.

Okay, so Broken was written from Adri's point of view and Torn was from Alec's perspective. Splintered is from both of them and revolves less around their relationship than the pack relationship as a whole. This series is so hard to put down! I love that in these books there actually is a pack hierarchy. It isn't just all friends together. There is a reason for each member and a dominant needs to have submissives around. Splintered leads you deeper into the world of the pack and just what is involved in leading one and also just being a member of one.

The characters continue to grow and change. Old characters strengthen - Adri is really starting to find out who she is. It isn't all plain sailing though, far from it. And there is an argument in the book between her and her mum that is long overdue in my opinion. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

As Adri finds her strength, Alec finds his vulnerabilities. He has decisions to make and things to do that affect the whole pack and the humans associated with them. Is this easy? No. But he does it anyway because it is the lesser of two evils. I won't say more than that and ruin it for anyone else. I will say though that Adri and Alec are fast becoming my favourite, most well-balanced couple!

We have new characters pop up in this book too but, like with any of these books, things aren't always as they seem. I need to know more about Oblivion but once again, I won't won't say more than that. *wicked LOL*

There is a twist at the end of the book that some reviewers have been disappointed in. I wasn't, in any way, shape or form. This is part of a series, not stand-alone books, and as such I expect the story to carry on unfolding in the books that follow this one. I love that Dean Murray has done it this way and it is yet another way in which this book differs from the majority.

Once again, definitely recommended for all fans of paranormal, urban, fantasy, YA.

http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogsp...
10 reviews
Read
July 13, 2016
This book was so good i finished it in a days time. Splintered was different in a good way from Broken and Torn by the point of view. It was in Alecs' and Adris' point of view. The twists with the new members of the pack and just everything else that happens throughout the book are amazing. What Alec would do to protect his loved ones and the rest of the pack come into play more as the series develops. Agony comes into play and shows what he will do to keep fear and loyalty in order throughout the pack. Adri gets deeper into the dangers of the shape shifter world with Agony now in play. No matter what happens next I can't wait to read the next book and to continue reading the series. I hope everyone loves the book and series as much as I do.
Profile Image for Heather Allen.
12 reviews
August 5, 2012
Wow, What can I say about this series?
I loved every minute of it. It is unique and unlike anything I've read before.

I will say, I do not understand fully why Adri left at the end. I feel as if her reasoning was all wrong, but I suppose it will all become clearer once the next novel is available.


I cannot wait to finish this journey with Alec and Adri!
Profile Image for Reviewer King.
436 reviews13 followers
July 2, 2016
I really loved this book. My favorite couple, ugh but the ending killed me. The story started off nice. Finished it in one sitting. But there were some grammatical errors which were hard to ignore. And some of pages were filled with boring and unnecessary details. It did drag a bit. I just loved the Adri & Alec parts. Get this book, it's worth the time.
80 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2012
I loved this book but was slightly disappointed in the ending. I am hoping there are big things to come in another book about Alec and Adri! I want to believe love conquers all!! I also think that the author has set up the character Adri to be quiet unique.
Profile Image for Ilene.
1,140 reviews19 followers
January 15, 2014
More on Adri and Alec. Pack life is tough and she witnesses firsthand just how gory the beasts actually are.

She is not happy with Alec's decision on whom to save. She ends it with him because of that and b/c her mom is forcing her away.

This was a great addition to this series.
Profile Image for Winnifer Hile.
2 reviews
July 14, 2014
I loved all three of the books. I hope you make a other base on that story. I
would love to see if they get back together. The end of splitter make me about cry.
I had hope for so much more for Adrianna and Alec. But all in all they were great books.
Profile Image for Amanda.
144 reviews
July 24, 2016
I would have to say that a sign of a good story is that it makes you feel one way or another. and this book definitely did that. there were a few times I found myself unhappy with the way the characters were handling things. can't wait to see what happens next.
11 reviews2 followers
October 20, 2012


Enjoying he series. The ending was a surprise for me, but looking forward to future books in the series!
Profile Image for Cristina.
335 reviews2 followers
October 22, 2012
WOW, so did not see some of that coming that is for sure... I do hope there is a other book and that this time they are able to come back togetter!!!! :(
Profile Image for Azra tariq.
404 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2013
Good read contributes to the whole series perfectly.
3 reviews
September 2, 2014
Simply amazing! I didn't know what to expect this entire book. I've read almost the whole series in 3 days. I'm hooked
Profile Image for Anna.
644 reviews
January 14, 2015
love the great storylines and detail towards the characters in the series not just from one character point of view but you have from many and maybe more
Profile Image for Lissy Liz.
406 reviews
February 1, 2015
I love Dean Murray, read all his books usually can't stop reading till I see the last page, but I'm forced to wait until the next one. Too bad he can't write them as fast as we read them.... :)
Profile Image for Shannon Rowsey.
4 reviews
February 5, 2017
Loved it

It's captivating. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. When I had time, I couldn't put the book down
Profile Image for Rachel.
11 reviews
August 8, 2012
I hated how it ended but other than that it was good. I wish there was another one :(
19 reviews
July 14, 2017
Again, not exactly my genre but I enjoyed reading it. ending was so sad. it took me more then a month to read this so that says something.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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