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Splinter's Edge: Alternate World Science Fiction Thriller
THE UNIVERSE IS TRYING TO KILL HIM
Lahn just wants to ignore the world, build some code with his AI, and hide from the starless green sky.
But when horrible visions of future-tech destruction invade his carefully curated calm, he will have to risk his life and fight his fears to find out if the visions are real, or a product of his own depersonalization.
If the visions are real, everyone’s at risk, especially those he loves most. And no one but Lahn can save them all.
Probably time to put on some pants.
Lahn just wants to ignore the world, build some code with his AI, and hide from the starless green sky.
But when horrible visions of future-tech destruction invade his carefully curated calm, he will have to risk his life and fight his fears to find out if the visions are real, or a product of his own depersonalization.
If the visions are real, everyone’s at risk, especially those he loves most. And no one but Lahn can save them all.
Probably time to put on some pants.
- GenresScience Fiction
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2024
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Boydell Bown
2 books4 followersAs a software engineer by day, and a supervillain by night, Boydell finds it a challenge to spend enough time writing to let free the stories plaguing his soul. But as a lover of all things Speculative Fiction, Sci-Fi and Fantasy, he is dedicated to make the necessary sacrifices. Outside of writing, Boydell loves spending time with his family, playing games, and making Star Wars costumes and wearing them in public. Much better than going out in public in normal clothes
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 10, 2024
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in return for a fair review.
This was a really fun read for me, I usually don't gravitate to this kind of sci-fi story but it was really well done.
Splinter's Edge is about a main character suffering from mental health issues that finds himself in an insane situation. Feelings of Deja Vu is constant and he is so concerned that it is all related to his mental health struggles...but is it?
This is a type of sci-fi story modern audiences may be familiar with, while reading it, I felt a lot of similarities to Blake Crouch, with perhaps less accurate science. I am no expert in science or physics or anything but there were a few scenes or ideas that you do have to further suspend your sense of disbelief a little bit because it seems rather fictitious.
The characters for me were fantastic, I absolutely loved all of the characters and character types that were presented to us. They were fun, and odd but felt really realisitc. For me as someone who has suffered my own kinds of mental health struggles I felt that the main character was really well written. There is an AI character that I could see some people may get annoyed with, but I thought she was awesome honestly. I thought she was funny and a nice break in what is generally a bit more of a serious story.
My only real issues with this story is that I felt like the ending was a little bit cliche. It does a good job trying to set up this big multi-world universe but given how the rest of the book went, I thought the twists and turns set up in the book were pretty predictable. I also felt that for an alternate world with very different levels of tech, that the pop culture references were a bit too much. It reminded me a bit too much of a Ready Player One in that sense and not in a good way.
Overall I really enjoyed this read, it was very well done for an indie/smaller publisher. It's doing a pretty unique idea of trying to have this large shared universe via multiple authors, not many can pull this off with quality but so far, this is a really strong attempt. The editing was solid and there weren't a whole lot of grammar mistakes or errors.
If you are generally a fan of Sci-Fi thrillers or like indie/self publishes works then it's probably worth a shot with this one.
This was a really fun read for me, I usually don't gravitate to this kind of sci-fi story but it was really well done.
Splinter's Edge is about a main character suffering from mental health issues that finds himself in an insane situation. Feelings of Deja Vu is constant and he is so concerned that it is all related to his mental health struggles...but is it?
This is a type of sci-fi story modern audiences may be familiar with, while reading it, I felt a lot of similarities to Blake Crouch, with perhaps less accurate science. I am no expert in science or physics or anything but there were a few scenes or ideas that you do have to further suspend your sense of disbelief a little bit because it seems rather fictitious.
The characters for me were fantastic, I absolutely loved all of the characters and character types that were presented to us. They were fun, and odd but felt really realisitc. For me as someone who has suffered my own kinds of mental health struggles I felt that the main character was really well written. There is an AI character that I could see some people may get annoyed with, but I thought she was awesome honestly. I thought she was funny and a nice break in what is generally a bit more of a serious story.
My only real issues with this story is that I felt like the ending was a little bit cliche. It does a good job trying to set up this big multi-world universe but given how the rest of the book went, I thought the twists and turns set up in the book were pretty predictable. I also felt that for an alternate world with very different levels of tech, that the pop culture references were a bit too much. It reminded me a bit too much of a Ready Player One in that sense and not in a good way.
Overall I really enjoyed this read, it was very well done for an indie/smaller publisher. It's doing a pretty unique idea of trying to have this large shared universe via multiple authors, not many can pull this off with quality but so far, this is a really strong attempt. The editing was solid and there weren't a whole lot of grammar mistakes or errors.
If you are generally a fan of Sci-Fi thrillers or like indie/self publishes works then it's probably worth a shot with this one.
May 19, 2024
This was an ARC read, and I'm writing an honest review.
As a devoted fan of sci-fi thrillers, I fell comfortably into the story. The time travel subgenre, a personal favorite of mine, was familiar and 100% in my wheelhouse. The pacing, the characters, the events as they unraveled, and the bizarre realities were easy to get immersed in, and I'm confident others will find them enjoyable as well.
The characters were easy to engage with, even though we didn't have much backstory; actions defined them. Lahn and Lucia were my favorites; both felt the most real and fleshed out. Maddox I never connected to, though I wanted to.
The way the tech talk and time paradox explanations were revealed and explained made total sense. I don't need to know how everything works, and you'll lose me in a thriller with too much techy jargon. What I didn't understand seemed compatible with the story, and so I went on believing the scientific rules of this world.
The pace of the story was just right, keeping me hooked from start to finish. I devoured this book in three days, eager to uncover the mystery. The author's skill in maintaining a balance between action and suspense was commendable, and it was this constant sense of anticipation that kept me turning the pages.
The only problem I encountered was the dialogue. At times, it flowed nicely and naturally, and other times, it was extremely stiff, almost robotic, which was jarring when the prose was moving so naturally. Maddox was the best example throughout, and this may be part of the reason I never fully connected with his character, though I was still rooting for him.
This was a lot of fun. If you're into Science Fiction Thrillers with a time travel cherry on top, I'd recommend this, and I'd absolutely read more books by the author.
As a devoted fan of sci-fi thrillers, I fell comfortably into the story. The time travel subgenre, a personal favorite of mine, was familiar and 100% in my wheelhouse. The pacing, the characters, the events as they unraveled, and the bizarre realities were easy to get immersed in, and I'm confident others will find them enjoyable as well.
The characters were easy to engage with, even though we didn't have much backstory; actions defined them. Lahn and Lucia were my favorites; both felt the most real and fleshed out. Maddox I never connected to, though I wanted to.
The way the tech talk and time paradox explanations were revealed and explained made total sense. I don't need to know how everything works, and you'll lose me in a thriller with too much techy jargon. What I didn't understand seemed compatible with the story, and so I went on believing the scientific rules of this world.
The pace of the story was just right, keeping me hooked from start to finish. I devoured this book in three days, eager to uncover the mystery. The author's skill in maintaining a balance between action and suspense was commendable, and it was this constant sense of anticipation that kept me turning the pages.
The only problem I encountered was the dialogue. At times, it flowed nicely and naturally, and other times, it was extremely stiff, almost robotic, which was jarring when the prose was moving so naturally. Maddox was the best example throughout, and this may be part of the reason I never fully connected with his character, though I was still rooting for him.
This was a lot of fun. If you're into Science Fiction Thrillers with a time travel cherry on top, I'd recommend this, and I'd absolutely read more books by the author.
June 5, 2024
Daaannng..... What a ride!! (wait, did someone else already say that? Well, it really is)
This book roped me immediately and didn't let go! And I enjoyed every minute of it.
I appreciated how Lahn's mental health issues were handled and described, and enjoyed how they factored into the plot.
Loved the AI! (and hope we hear more about that in the future)
Well, I could go on and on, but clearly I'm not much of a writer, and Boydell is an amazing one, so do yourself a favor, get this book, and find a place to hide, so that you can read this start to finish!
This book roped me immediately and didn't let go! And I enjoyed every minute of it.
I appreciated how Lahn's mental health issues were handled and described, and enjoyed how they factored into the plot.
Loved the AI! (and hope we hear more about that in the future)
Well, I could go on and on, but clearly I'm not much of a writer, and Boydell is an amazing one, so do yourself a favor, get this book, and find a place to hide, so that you can read this start to finish!
March 16, 2024
AAAACK!! Nononono!
You can't stop there! Say it isn't so!! Dang it, Boydell! Imma spent the rest of the day saying that over and over!
You can't stop there! Say it isn't so!! Dang it, Boydell! Imma spent the rest of the day saying that over and over!
March 25, 2024
Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review. Splinters Edge as a truly, wildly visual personal journey for Lahn, who suffers from what's called depersonalization- catastrophic visions that have destroyed Lahn's life; and without tight knight friends, his sanity would be in question. It's when Lahn begins to witness a whole new set of visions beyond DP, Lahn's world that her understands begins to spiral out of control and putting hum into the cross hairs of the authority.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
September 14, 2024
‘Splinter’s Edge’ is one of a number of novels set in ‘the Splinterverse’. It involves Lahn – a man who suffers from ‘Depersonalization’ (DP) - his sister, and his best friend, who encounter fell deeds that in some way threaten the world. They get involved in time travel as they try to stop three bombs going off that do/might kill people AND somehow end the universe. There are also hints throughout that this is not OUR world, but one of a series of alternative realities, where history is slightly different, and all the stars have disappeared.
Let’s start with the positives. This is technically well written, and the main character, Lahn, does have a voice – even if it’s an occasionally annoying one. And the writing has nice pacing and is easy to read, while the author is good at sprinkling clues through the chapters that advance our understanding of the world. For the first half, this was going to be a five star review, and I loved it. But then…
The problem is, the potential is ultimately not delivered, partly because – it’s clear at the end – the author wants to keep his powder dry and eke out the mystery in one or more books. But the result here is that there’s too much that’s left hanging, unresolved, or indeed, makes little sense. Here’s a starter: who placed these three bombs in the first place, why, and how did the team (via ‘the Faceless One’ – whose identity I won’t spill) discover this in the first place? Frustrating! And a second frustration is Lahn’s ‘Depersonalization’ syndrome. He’s continuously worrying about it: sometimes he thinks he’s having it when he isn’t, sometimes he agonises when going through it. On and on and on. I get that this is an important aspect of his character, and a vital element of the plot, but I found myself tuning out - perhaps a bit like Lahn himself - whenever the topic came up and he started doing breathing exercises. When you start skipping bits, that’s a bit of a red flag to me. Aaaaargh!
In the end, I think this is a bit of a mess, BUT I think the author has potential, and so does this Splinterverse of his, so I’ll give it four stars.
Let’s start with the positives. This is technically well written, and the main character, Lahn, does have a voice – even if it’s an occasionally annoying one. And the writing has nice pacing and is easy to read, while the author is good at sprinkling clues through the chapters that advance our understanding of the world. For the first half, this was going to be a five star review, and I loved it. But then…
The problem is, the potential is ultimately not delivered, partly because – it’s clear at the end – the author wants to keep his powder dry and eke out the mystery in one or more books. But the result here is that there’s too much that’s left hanging, unresolved, or indeed, makes little sense. Here’s a starter: who placed these three bombs in the first place, why, and how did the team (via ‘the Faceless One’ – whose identity I won’t spill) discover this in the first place? Frustrating! And a second frustration is Lahn’s ‘Depersonalization’ syndrome. He’s continuously worrying about it: sometimes he thinks he’s having it when he isn’t, sometimes he agonises when going through it. On and on and on. I get that this is an important aspect of his character, and a vital element of the plot, but I found myself tuning out - perhaps a bit like Lahn himself - whenever the topic came up and he started doing breathing exercises. When you start skipping bits, that’s a bit of a red flag to me. Aaaaargh!
In the end, I think this is a bit of a mess, BUT I think the author has potential, and so does this Splinterverse of his, so I’ll give it four stars.
March 13, 2024
In "Splinter's Edge," Lahn delves into deciphering complex content, uncovering a timeline of recent attacks and potential threats. Collaborating with Tia, he unravels clues tied to Living Bliss, confronting fragmented memories and discovering overlapping worlds. Faced with a cryptic message and unsettling visions, Lahn must discern if the future-tech threat is real or a product of his depersonalization, posing a danger to those he cares about.
The exploration of organic proxy algorithms for encryption in a conversation between Lahn and Lucia adds a fascinating layer to the narrative, showcasing advanced technology and AI capabilities. However, the narrative lacks clarity on Lucia's hacking activities and leaves intriguing concepts like aliens and telekinesis underdeveloped. While characters have distinct roles, insufficient exploration of motivations hampers reader connection. Despite these points, the overall content remains a very interesting book with a promising premise that could benefit from more thorough plot and character development for a cohesive and engaging narrative.
By the way, I received an ARC of this book for free, and I am writing this review voluntarily.
The exploration of organic proxy algorithms for encryption in a conversation between Lahn and Lucia adds a fascinating layer to the narrative, showcasing advanced technology and AI capabilities. However, the narrative lacks clarity on Lucia's hacking activities and leaves intriguing concepts like aliens and telekinesis underdeveloped. While characters have distinct roles, insufficient exploration of motivations hampers reader connection. Despite these points, the overall content remains a very interesting book with a promising premise that could benefit from more thorough plot and character development for a cohesive and engaging narrative.
By the way, I received an ARC of this book for free, and I am writing this review voluntarily.
November 18, 2024
Lahn is the MC in this story. He's a bit neurotic, dealing with depersonalization episodes that paralyze him for lapses of time. He get pulled into a sci-fi mystery that takes him back 2 days in time. He relives those days, trying to figure out the mystery and stop bad things from happening that he already knows will happen. The writing was good and pulled me along, although this isn't my normal reading genre. It was a little mind-tripping, trying to figure out what is going on, who is where (And when!), but it made for a fun mystery thriller. The ending didn't thrill me; it had a lot of loose ends not tied up (to be continued in another book), but it did tie up this adventure (mostly--I just still had some big questions unanswered). Overall, the writing and story were riveting enough not to dock it for a cliff-hanger ending. The idea of alternate universes is toyed with in this book, so more stories will hopefully come out later set in these weird universes.
July 17, 2024
In Splinter’s Edge, we follow Lahn, a software engineer who seeks solace in coding and escaping the world’s chaos. However, his carefully curated calm is shattered when he experiences disturbing visions of future-tech destruction. These visions force him to confront his fears and question his own sanity. Is he witnessing a real threat, or is it a product of his depersonalization?
What sets this novel apart is its twisted narrative and the quirky AI companion, Lucia. As Lahn battles the universe’s attempts to kill him, readers are drawn into an alternate world where reality blurs with technology and fear. Bown’s writing keeps you on the edge, wondering what’s real and what’s imagined.
If you enjoy speculative fiction, sci-fi, and thrilling twists, Splinter’s Edge is a captivating read that will keep you guessing until the very end. 📚🌟
What sets this novel apart is its twisted narrative and the quirky AI companion, Lucia. As Lahn battles the universe’s attempts to kill him, readers are drawn into an alternate world where reality blurs with technology and fear. Bown’s writing keeps you on the edge, wondering what’s real and what’s imagined.
If you enjoy speculative fiction, sci-fi, and thrilling twists, Splinter’s Edge is a captivating read that will keep you guessing until the very end. 📚🌟
March 16, 2024
Firstly, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was an enjoyable read, delving into multiple worlds overlapping and the possible consequences. Spoiler alert, Lahn does have to put on his pants in order to try and save all he loves.
It played with some interesting concepts, especially on the idea of AI and future technology. The entire plot met the expectation set with the description, leaving me with wanting more.
This was an enjoyable read, delving into multiple worlds overlapping and the possible consequences. Spoiler alert, Lahn does have to put on his pants in order to try and save all he loves.
It played with some interesting concepts, especially on the idea of AI and future technology. The entire plot met the expectation set with the description, leaving me with wanting more.
January 31, 2025
The writing style was very refreshing. Clean and creative. It helped immerse me into the story. It's not often you find a solid novel these days. It's a great sci-fi story that was gripping from the beginning. There are mysterious elements too, which to me is always a plus. It kept it on my toes, wanting to keep finding out what was going to happen next. If you like science fiction, I certainly recommend this book.
February 27, 2024
It was great! I loved it. I read it like 50 times. Of course, might have been while I was writing it. But you can trust me, I wouldn't lie to you!
February 27, 2024
I really related to Lahn and his anxiety and I WISH I had a cool AI to talk to instead of people. This action-packed book grabbed me from the start and didn't let me go.
March 23, 2024
Love Lucia, I’m still thinking about her. And poor Lahn and his terrible anxiety made a great main character in this scifi mystery.
November 30, 2025
Review to come!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews