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The Split Second
A boy split in one a hero, one a villain.But which is which?Desperate to escape his eerie prison cell, Win unwittingly splits himself into two Win, a freed Basal embraced by Time, and Ether, an embittered Deist trapped with a demon quickly driving him mad…Thrilled to finally be free from his demon and eager to leave his past behind, Win returns home to a city at war with itself. Powerful Speakers from warring factions use the city as a battleground, and Win struggles to survive while searching for allies to help rescue Lisbet from prison.Meanwhile, Ether and Lisbet are quickly going mad, trapped in prison, tortured by the whispers of an unknown demon. War rages outside and Ether is powerless to help. When the demon saves Ether and Lisbet from assassins and promises Ether the power to protect those he loves, they must journey into the depths of the prison to free the mysterious being.If Ether is to end the war, he’ll have to accept the grim reality of his destiny and become a true a god of death.When Win discovers his old demon is alive and wreaking havoc, he’ll have to face his past before it destroys everything he loves.____________________Also by Brit Timespeaker SeriesBook 1: The Timespeaker (A 2023 Whitney Award Nominee!)Book 2: The Split SecondBook 3: Coming soonLook out for more books! Join the Future House Publishing newsletter for updates on the latest sci-fi/fantasy releases.
300 pages, Paperback
Published February 21, 2024
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27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 17, 2024
I loved the first book's social worldbuilding and secondary characters; learning about the world, meeting new characters, and trying to figure out who and what to trust was very engaging! This second book had very little of that. It's probably to be expected, given its nature as a sequel, but I was still a bit disappointed by the fact. And despite not needing to take time to introduce the complex worldbuilding pre-established from the first book, the pacing was also fairly slow. The combination of these two things made the book feel sort of "hollow" in my opinion. I also felt like this was missing the prosaic moments from the first book -- there were several lines that were just *good* lines that made me stop and think in the first one, but there were much fewer of those in this one, which doesn't help its hollowness.
But despite all of these critiques, I'm still rating the book 3 stars, which is a good rating by my book...
[next part of review contains light to medium spoilers for BOOK ONE]
I'll admit I was a bit critical about the splitting of Etherwin at the end of book 1, but I think the author did an excellent job of justifying the in-world logic of the split, as well as continuing to make both characters compelling. Both Ether and Win felt like the character we knew and loved from the first book, so the way they very quickly diverge in viewpoint was very compelling. So if you're here for the character work, this book certainly won't disappoint. The magical worldbuilding has also been expanded in an interesting direction, initiating a main point of curiosity for the third book.
So in summary, I think this book suffered from being the middle in a trilogy, where so much time needed to be dedicated to characters reacting and regrouping from the revelations and climax from book 1 and preparing the narrative for the finale -- but I'm easily forgiving of a weak middle, given that I loved the first book, and I have high hopes again for the third book. Given how various worldbuilding, character work, and plot points are now set on a collision course, I think the author has set themselves up to hit a homerun with the conclusion to this series.
But despite all of these critiques, I'm still rating the book 3 stars, which is a good rating by my book...
[next part of review contains light to medium spoilers for BOOK ONE]
I'll admit I was a bit critical about the splitting of Etherwin at the end of book 1, but I think the author did an excellent job of justifying the in-world logic of the split, as well as continuing to make both characters compelling. Both Ether and Win felt like the character we knew and loved from the first book, so the way they very quickly diverge in viewpoint was very compelling. So if you're here for the character work, this book certainly won't disappoint. The magical worldbuilding has also been expanded in an interesting direction, initiating a main point of curiosity for the third book.
So in summary, I think this book suffered from being the middle in a trilogy, where so much time needed to be dedicated to characters reacting and regrouping from the revelations and climax from book 1 and preparing the narrative for the finale -- but I'm easily forgiving of a weak middle, given that I loved the first book, and I have high hopes again for the third book. Given how various worldbuilding, character work, and plot points are now set on a collision course, I think the author has set themselves up to hit a homerun with the conclusion to this series.
February 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the pacing was mostly good, the progression arc was done well and the ending was satisfying. I wasn't sure how I felt about the idea of the main character being split in half in the beginning of the book, but I found both perspectives very interesting, and I was unsure which side of Win I was routing for. (However, I don't feel like Ether was truly a demon.)
Stanford's writing style is excellent. The emotions of the characters really came through in her writing, allowing readers to easily empathize with them.
The novel also portrayed a realistic view on war. I wasn't even sure which side I wanted to win. I just wanted the war to be over because it seemed so terrible. However, I felt like neither side was right.
The chapters where Ether was in prison were quite disturbing. I think they were really well written (the emotion was really clearly potrayed), but they did make me a bit uncomfortable. Some of the scenes were also a little bit graphic with gore.
Two things that annoyed me in the writing style were that the Basals were constantly described having white hair, but they all have white hair, so it was obvious and the description was redundant.
Many scenes also went into the past, like flash backs. I found this halted the flow of the book and slowed the pace.
There were also many scenes where I felt like people said Win's name in front of Lisbet, but she wasn't listening. I really wanted to see her reaction, so this was a bit unsatisfying.
Overall, an excellent book, and I would recommend it.
Stanford's writing style is excellent. The emotions of the characters really came through in her writing, allowing readers to easily empathize with them.
The novel also portrayed a realistic view on war. I wasn't even sure which side I wanted to win. I just wanted the war to be over because it seemed so terrible. However, I felt like neither side was right.
The chapters where Ether was in prison were quite disturbing. I think they were really well written (the emotion was really clearly potrayed), but they did make me a bit uncomfortable. Some of the scenes were also a little bit graphic with gore.
Two things that annoyed me in the writing style were that the Basals were constantly described having white hair, but they all have white hair, so it was obvious and the description was redundant.
Many scenes also went into the past, like flash backs. I found this halted the flow of the book and slowed the pace.
There were also many scenes where I felt like people said Win's name in front of Lisbet, but she wasn't listening. I really wanted to see her reaction, so this was a bit unsatisfying.
Overall, an excellent book, and I would recommend it.
March 5, 2024
It’s About Time. Literally!
This sequel is even better than the first book! It’s notoriously hard to write and find a series that has a strong second book in the series, but Brit Stanford really pulls this off well. Spoilers ahead!
I was excited for this sequel and was not disappointed. The final book’s scene left us with Etherwin splitting himself into versions of his past and present self thanks to his Timespeaking powers. Stanford does something so unique and interesting I have never seen before: Her original protagonist POV has been split into two main characters. There’s the familiar hero Win. And now there’s also Ether, his demon counterpart. Ether is focused on surviving the most secure prison in the land and getting Lisbet out safely. Win is focused on reconnecting with his old friends and leading the rebellion to free his people from oppressive slavery.
The plot and character arcs were interesting in how you get to see from both Win and Ether’s perspectives. The world-building was expounded in believable yet surprising ways I didn’t see coming. Usually I don’t enjoy love triangles or love squares, but this book thoughtfully crafts each relationship so they feel real. While reading I was actively rooting for many relationships throughout!
The stakes—and body count—are both high by the end of this book. It’s a well worthwhile read. Stanford goes even above and beyond her last book, and her third seems like it will be even better.
This sequel is even better than the first book! It’s notoriously hard to write and find a series that has a strong second book in the series, but Brit Stanford really pulls this off well. Spoilers ahead!
I was excited for this sequel and was not disappointed. The final book’s scene left us with Etherwin splitting himself into versions of his past and present self thanks to his Timespeaking powers. Stanford does something so unique and interesting I have never seen before: Her original protagonist POV has been split into two main characters. There’s the familiar hero Win. And now there’s also Ether, his demon counterpart. Ether is focused on surviving the most secure prison in the land and getting Lisbet out safely. Win is focused on reconnecting with his old friends and leading the rebellion to free his people from oppressive slavery.
The plot and character arcs were interesting in how you get to see from both Win and Ether’s perspectives. The world-building was expounded in believable yet surprising ways I didn’t see coming. Usually I don’t enjoy love triangles or love squares, but this book thoughtfully crafts each relationship so they feel real. While reading I was actively rooting for many relationships throughout!
The stakes—and body count—are both high by the end of this book. It’s a well worthwhile read. Stanford goes even above and beyond her last book, and her third seems like it will be even better.
February 27, 2024
Amazing!
Brit Stanford did it again.
Brit Stanford did it again.
The Split Second continues the story of Win JorHali, who gets a split-second time to travel through time to change everything and save everyone. The plot was engaging and well-paced, full of twists and turns. I loved the clever title and its significance in the story. I found the history and secrets of Banaan intriguing.
The characters were relatable, unique, and flawed in their own way. Win continues to fight for what's right. Stanford beautifully portrays how people's morals can be tested in difficult times. Stanford shows through Win how with great power comes great responsibility and sacrifice. I miss Win's banter with Pider and Militen. I miss the camaraderie that he developed with Joan, Pider, and Militen. I wonder what happened to Sitha, Hali, and Bandon. I wish we could see more of them in the next book. I wish we could see more of the relationship development between the characters. Stanford continues to portray the invisible line that stands between and separates truth from false.
I would rate this book a 4.5/5. I will recommend this book to readers who love fantasy novels with a touch of Mystery and Power. I cannot wait to see how Win tackles and solves everything in the next book!!
April 26, 2024
A mind-blowing entry back into the series, with an amazing twist and a unique set of challenges for our protagonist. A literal split within Will causes his inner demons to come to life, who he has to ultimately chase down and destroy or watch it destroy everything he holds dear to him. The logic of the split and the expansion of the world were explained well and went in directions that were quite unpredictable and I was genuinely surprised by them, in a good way. Compared to the first book which was very character driven with an equally fast-paced plot, the second book fails to hold up to the mark. The second book is more of a slow burn, with high stakes but relatively slow-moving plot. Although there are a few ‘wow’ moments in the book, the book moves at a really slow pace compared to the first, where a lot is happening simultaneously. Maybe this was because there was no need to establish the world or the characters in the second book, it left more room for the plot and because the plot moved slowly, it made the book seem flat, at least in my opinion. I wish there was more happening in the book, but alas, like every second book in a trilogy, it suffered. However, I am excited for the next book and to further be a part of Will’s painful journey.
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February 26, 2024I really liked the first book, and the sequel did not disappoint. I was surprised by the idea of splitting the main character into two. It was interesting to see both characters doing well in their own ways. I appreciated how both Win's characteristics stayed consistent despite all the changes around him. The author portrayed the war in a realistic way, and I could understand the reasons for both sides wanting control. It seems like both sides have valid points, and I'm curious to learn more about the past war. There was a little information on sharders and their role in history, and I'm looking forward to learning more about that in the third book. I highly recommend this book, and I love Stanford's writing style.
October 8, 2025
Never have I read a book with two protagonists who are the same person! That task is not easy to write, but Brit Stanford does not disappoint. I loved both Ether and Win so much and couldn’t decide who I loved more—perhaps because they are the same person. Or are they? This story’s world is so beautiful and enthralling, and the characters are so easy to connect with and love. Stanford leaves us with theme after theme to think about and engulfs us in a world where things are not just simple or complex, good or evil, colored or colorless. Just like something both terrifying and beautiful, this book screams chaos and will leave you in a never-ending, turn-paging cycle.
January 19, 2024
A great addition to the series!! The name of the book is so clever. I enjoyed the world building and the character development. I can't wait for the third.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews