What do you think?
Pax Terminus #1
Splinters of Heaven
Souls fuel the Empire, magic arms the legions, and the end is always coming. The cycle has repeated for millennia: heroes rise, cataclysms are delayed, civilization survives another generation. But every salvation comes at a cost…and the bill is overdue.
Syl is a battle-worn Vigil Hunter whose faith in the Empire and in his own revenge begins to fracture after an unexpected act of mercy. His job might be to ask questions, but there are some answers that he should know better than to pursue.
Vali is a young soldier from the provinces hungry to prove himself in a system that barely sees him as one of their own. Becoming a hero of the Empire will cost him more than the stories promised, but what hero would be dissuaded by that?
Darya is a survivor from the frozen wastes, caught between desperate tribes pushing south and an Empire that suffers no encroachment. Sent on a mission to find new allies, she discovers something far older stirring within her and realizes survival may demand she become something else entirely.
When a new Riftgate tears open in the north, they must each decide what they’re willing to become to change their world—breaking it free of its endless cycles, or damning it forever.
A necro-industrial dark fantasy for fans of The First Law, The Black Company, and The Witcher.
Syl is a battle-worn Vigil Hunter whose faith in the Empire and in his own revenge begins to fracture after an unexpected act of mercy. His job might be to ask questions, but there are some answers that he should know better than to pursue.
Vali is a young soldier from the provinces hungry to prove himself in a system that barely sees him as one of their own. Becoming a hero of the Empire will cost him more than the stories promised, but what hero would be dissuaded by that?
Darya is a survivor from the frozen wastes, caught between desperate tribes pushing south and an Empire that suffers no encroachment. Sent on a mission to find new allies, she discovers something far older stirring within her and realizes survival may demand she become something else entirely.
When a new Riftgate tears open in the north, they must each decide what they’re willing to become to change their world—breaking it free of its endless cycles, or damning it forever.
A necro-industrial dark fantasy for fans of The First Law, The Black Company, and The Witcher.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2026
About the author
Theo Tsirigotis
2 books15 followersTheo Tsirigotis is the author of the Pax Terminus series.
Before that, he served in the 75th Ranger Regiment and as a Green Beret captain. He now lives in Austin, Texas.
Splinters of Heaven is his debut novel. Find out more, see upcoming work, and get a free prequel novella (coming 1 July 2026) at https://www.theotsirigotis.com.
Before that, he served in the 75th Ranger Regiment and as a Green Beret captain. He now lives in Austin, Texas.
Splinters of Heaven is his debut novel. Find out more, see upcoming work, and get a free prequel novella (coming 1 July 2026) at https://www.theotsirigotis.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 1, 2026
4/5 stars ✨
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
Splinters of Heaven is a slow paced, but rewarding, adventure through a world constantly torn asunder by humanity-induced cataclysms.
With deep character development, lots of action, and multiple introspective moments, this book is as much a fantasy as it is a reflection on what it means to do the right thing in a world with limited choices. I felt deeply attached to the the characters and was especially moved by Syl’s journey.
As another reviewer noted, the plot often felt lost in the mix of POVs and the world building could be better fleshed out to really drive the impact of the characters’ arcs.
All said and done, this was a strong debut and I look forward to reading more about the lore behind the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
Splinters of Heaven is a slow paced, but rewarding, adventure through a world constantly torn asunder by humanity-induced cataclysms.
With deep character development, lots of action, and multiple introspective moments, this book is as much a fantasy as it is a reflection on what it means to do the right thing in a world with limited choices. I felt deeply attached to the the characters and was especially moved by Syl’s journey.
As another reviewer noted, the plot often felt lost in the mix of POVs and the world building could be better fleshed out to really drive the impact of the characters’ arcs.
All said and done, this was a strong debut and I look forward to reading more about the lore behind the story.
September 18, 2026
My rating is 4.25
I was very happy to be able to have the opportunity to listen to this audio ALC after picking up the prequel novella Memory's Gate which I loved. I highly recommend starting there prior to diving into this full length novel.
Picking up after the events of Memory, Splinters of Heaven introduce us to new characters and far more worldbuilding. The rich lore and deep characters made this a joy to read. I was gripped by the gritty nature of the world, the magic, the monsters and the POV's of Syl, Vali and Darya.
Theo's voice in fantasy is strong and sure and will continue to grow as he progresses.
The audio narration done by Toby J. Smith was excellent. His performance brought nuance and emotion to each chapter and once things really heated up toward the end, a heightened tension you could feel in your bones.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC to enjoy. My thoughts are my own.
I was very happy to be able to have the opportunity to listen to this audio ALC after picking up the prequel novella Memory's Gate which I loved. I highly recommend starting there prior to diving into this full length novel.
Picking up after the events of Memory, Splinters of Heaven introduce us to new characters and far more worldbuilding. The rich lore and deep characters made this a joy to read. I was gripped by the gritty nature of the world, the magic, the monsters and the POV's of Syl, Vali and Darya.
Theo's voice in fantasy is strong and sure and will continue to grow as he progresses.
The audio narration done by Toby J. Smith was excellent. His performance brought nuance and emotion to each chapter and once things really heated up toward the end, a heightened tension you could feel in your bones.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC to enjoy. My thoughts are my own.
February 1, 2026
ARC Review
The empire is going down. With betrayal going deeper than you could ever imagine, and characters left with impossible choices. A side has to be chosen, or be doomed with the wrong choices.
If you love dark fantasy Theo Tsirigotis is someone you should have on your radar.
Splinters of Heaven is the first book in Pax Terminus series, with a novella also coming in not to long.
I really had a great time reading different povs that you will root with and feel with in this amazing world, rather that just following along. You will follow Syl, Darya and, Vali. Where Vali started as a favorite in the first half, and Darya switched over to be my finish favorite in the second half. But all 3 characters are amazing, with their characters growth and dealing with impossible choices and see where their choices gets them.
You are gonna have a fantastic time in Theo's world. With incredible deep lore and worldbuilding, relatable characters, and a badass magic system.
The end is what really sets the tone on how next book in this world will be, and I can't wait!
Coming out February 7th
The empire is going down. With betrayal going deeper than you could ever imagine, and characters left with impossible choices. A side has to be chosen, or be doomed with the wrong choices.
If you love dark fantasy Theo Tsirigotis is someone you should have on your radar.
Splinters of Heaven is the first book in Pax Terminus series, with a novella also coming in not to long.
I really had a great time reading different povs that you will root with and feel with in this amazing world, rather that just following along. You will follow Syl, Darya and, Vali. Where Vali started as a favorite in the first half, and Darya switched over to be my finish favorite in the second half. But all 3 characters are amazing, with their characters growth and dealing with impossible choices and see where their choices gets them.
You are gonna have a fantastic time in Theo's world. With incredible deep lore and worldbuilding, relatable characters, and a badass magic system.
The end is what really sets the tone on how next book in this world will be, and I can't wait!
Coming out February 7th
January 28, 2026
Splinters of Heaven is a solid and intriguing introduction to the world of Pax Terminus. With expansive worldbuilding geared towards dark fantasy, there is so much to be explored within this book, and so much I am excited to see explored in future installments.
-Worldbuilding/Magic
The Empire looms as a monolith, with details being revealed through the book, at plot relevant points. The magic system is largely left up to mystery, save for sparse explanations of abilities relevant to protagonists and antagonists. Out of the worldbuilding and magic concepts presented, I think this is a solid foundation for the continuation of the series and did a good job of building intrigue, especially towards the latter half of the novel.
-Plot/Pacing
The first two thirds of the book almost feel entirely different than the last third. Overall, the first two thirds feel like an extended introduction that doesn’t leave the reader with a ton of clues as to what the plot is building up to. I think the first two thirds would have benefitted from more worldbuilding/magic details added to slowly give context to the relevance of the plot progression. However, the last third is where the narrative really shines. The combat sequences throughout the book are written brilliantly, with the best of them showcased at the end. The narrative is woven together quite satisfyingly and yet leaves the reader wanting more answers from the next installment.
-Character Work
Out of the POVs present in the novel, Syl’s POV feels like it takes the most precedence to the importance of the story, and feels like it has the most attention to detail. Darya and Vali certainly seem like characters that have potential for some great development in future installments. I think the particular emphasis on the ethics, or lack thereof, of the work Syl and others carry out, along with their emotional responses to it, is one of the most fascinating parts of this book. It often offers insight when worldbuilding or magic details are not revealed within the narrative, creating an interesting balance that draws the reader in.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I think the world of Pax Terminus has a great deal of potential. The prose in this novel was extremely well written, and I think the themes explored along with the worldbuilding/magic presented are fascinating. I look forward to the next installment!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this Advanced Review Copy.
-Worldbuilding/Magic
The Empire looms as a monolith, with details being revealed through the book, at plot relevant points. The magic system is largely left up to mystery, save for sparse explanations of abilities relevant to protagonists and antagonists. Out of the worldbuilding and magic concepts presented, I think this is a solid foundation for the continuation of the series and did a good job of building intrigue, especially towards the latter half of the novel.
-Plot/Pacing
The first two thirds of the book almost feel entirely different than the last third. Overall, the first two thirds feel like an extended introduction that doesn’t leave the reader with a ton of clues as to what the plot is building up to. I think the first two thirds would have benefitted from more worldbuilding/magic details added to slowly give context to the relevance of the plot progression. However, the last third is where the narrative really shines. The combat sequences throughout the book are written brilliantly, with the best of them showcased at the end. The narrative is woven together quite satisfyingly and yet leaves the reader wanting more answers from the next installment.
-Character Work
Out of the POVs present in the novel, Syl’s POV feels like it takes the most precedence to the importance of the story, and feels like it has the most attention to detail. Darya and Vali certainly seem like characters that have potential for some great development in future installments. I think the particular emphasis on the ethics, or lack thereof, of the work Syl and others carry out, along with their emotional responses to it, is one of the most fascinating parts of this book. It often offers insight when worldbuilding or magic details are not revealed within the narrative, creating an interesting balance that draws the reader in.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I think the world of Pax Terminus has a great deal of potential. The prose in this novel was extremely well written, and I think the themes explored along with the worldbuilding/magic presented are fascinating. I look forward to the next installment!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this Advanced Review Copy.
August 17, 2026
Splinters of Heaven is dark fantasy built around one of the ugliest things people can tell themselves: I didn’t have a choice.
Syl, Vali, and Darya come at that idea from completely different sides of a civilization that’s been surviving one cataclysm after another for millennia. The Empire has gotten very good at making cruelty sound reasonable when it’s dressed up as survival or order, but the people resisting it aren’t magically spared from that logic either. Everyone has reasons. Some of them are even good ones. Tsirigotis lets his characters be understandable without letting them off the hook, and I loved that.
The world around them is just as good. Souls literally power the empire, ancient civilizations are still buried beneath the current one, and the riftgates sit at the center of so much fear and control. “Necro-industrial dark fantasy” sounded cool going in. Turns out he meant it pretty literally, which is even better. The 3 main POVs take their time developing separately, but that patience pays off once their stories start colliding. By the final stretch, even some of the victories feel a little wrong around the edges. I loved that too.
🎧 Toby J. Smith also absolutely crushed the audiobook. He gave the story grit without turning every scene relentlessly grim, and the dry humor landed exactly where it needed to. More importantly, he made a huge, unfamiliar world feel easy to disappear into. The characters felt distinct, the dialogue had life, and the performance never got in the way of the story. It pulled me deeper into it. Truly fantastic narration.
Pax Terminus has me.
Thank you to NetGalley, the narrator Toby J. Smith, and the author Theo Tsirigotis for providing me this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Syl, Vali, and Darya come at that idea from completely different sides of a civilization that’s been surviving one cataclysm after another for millennia. The Empire has gotten very good at making cruelty sound reasonable when it’s dressed up as survival or order, but the people resisting it aren’t magically spared from that logic either. Everyone has reasons. Some of them are even good ones. Tsirigotis lets his characters be understandable without letting them off the hook, and I loved that.
The world around them is just as good. Souls literally power the empire, ancient civilizations are still buried beneath the current one, and the riftgates sit at the center of so much fear and control. “Necro-industrial dark fantasy” sounded cool going in. Turns out he meant it pretty literally, which is even better. The 3 main POVs take their time developing separately, but that patience pays off once their stories start colliding. By the final stretch, even some of the victories feel a little wrong around the edges. I loved that too.
🎧 Toby J. Smith also absolutely crushed the audiobook. He gave the story grit without turning every scene relentlessly grim, and the dry humor landed exactly where it needed to. More importantly, he made a huge, unfamiliar world feel easy to disappear into. The characters felt distinct, the dialogue had life, and the performance never got in the way of the story. It pulled me deeper into it. Truly fantastic narration.
Pax Terminus has me.
Thank you to NetGalley, the narrator Toby J. Smith, and the author Theo Tsirigotis for providing me this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2026
Read as a judge for Indie Blog-Off Remnants (IBOR), the second chance competition for books that didn’t make it through the 2026 SPFBO lottery.
I loved this book! There’s a LOT packed into it, all of which is right up my alley (that is exceptionally rare).
If elite imperial inquisitorial squads/witch hunters armed to the teeth with arcane gear vs rogue “Stained” with uncontrolled Rift superpowers is your cup of tea, then add this to your TBR now.
Think Geralt of Rivia in a grim/dark/grimdark empire that is crumbling and struggling to maintain control. Morally grey AF to my gleeful delight - authoritarian narrative, blind obedience, burying the truth, balancing pragmatism, trying to do the right thing and absolute loyalty. What is the price of mercy in this harsh regime?
From the first chapter you’re thrown straight into the action and I was hooked, lined and sinkered. Again possibly biased because I absolutely devoured the story.
Absolutely torn because my group had two fantastic books, both of which I would have put through to the next stage in a heartbeat. Literally sat there for several days contemplating this. In the end the better pacing for the other and some minor details narrowly edged it out.
If anything that reinforces my objectivity because the other book was not my usual type of read.
So I guess this would be my IBOR informal quarter finalist, definitely an exceptional honourable mention.
Fantastic props to the author and looking forward to more from the Pax Terminus series!
I loved this book! There’s a LOT packed into it, all of which is right up my alley (that is exceptionally rare).
If elite imperial inquisitorial squads/witch hunters armed to the teeth with arcane gear vs rogue “Stained” with uncontrolled Rift superpowers is your cup of tea, then add this to your TBR now.
Think Geralt of Rivia in a grim/dark/grimdark empire that is crumbling and struggling to maintain control. Morally grey AF to my gleeful delight - authoritarian narrative, blind obedience, burying the truth, balancing pragmatism, trying to do the right thing and absolute loyalty. What is the price of mercy in this harsh regime?
From the first chapter you’re thrown straight into the action and I was hooked, lined and sinkered. Again possibly biased because I absolutely devoured the story.
Absolutely torn because my group had two fantastic books, both of which I would have put through to the next stage in a heartbeat. Literally sat there for several days contemplating this. In the end the better pacing for the other and some minor details narrowly edged it out.
If anything that reinforces my objectivity because the other book was not my usual type of read.
So I guess this would be my IBOR informal quarter finalist, definitely an exceptional honourable mention.
Fantastic props to the author and looking forward to more from the Pax Terminus series!
February 22, 2026
So I requested this advanced copy based on the recommendations based on those that enjoyed Red Rising amongst a few other titles. And let me tell you, I loved the Red Rising series! So this story is told from basically three different points of view.
The first being Syl, a battle worn Oathknight, imbued with the powers of 6 people who can channel power from the “Rift”. This makes him somewhat of a super soldier whose task is to seek out and find those channeling from the Rift and either kill or collar them. Syl has a bleak past that puts him on this road of vengeance, but the origins of his rage may fall into question.
Next we have Darya, a young girl who is following her brother to find new allies in their fight against the Empire that seeks to control everyone. When tragedy strikes an unlikely source of help leads her on a new path.
Finally there is Vali, a young man who has dreams of becoming a hero of the empire he idolizes. With a father in politics his road is made easier but the choices he has to make may leave those he loves behind.
Overall the writing and world building were absolutely top notch. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever read. I definitely see the comparisons to Red Rising but this unnamed world is unlike any I have come across. I do with more had been explained about the rift and the cataclysmic events that repeat throughout the history of this world but it did not keep me from thoroughly enjoying this book. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series as it comes out.
I highly recommend for anyone enjoying an epic science fiction world that you can definitely lose yourself in with characters you definitely come to love.
The first being Syl, a battle worn Oathknight, imbued with the powers of 6 people who can channel power from the “Rift”. This makes him somewhat of a super soldier whose task is to seek out and find those channeling from the Rift and either kill or collar them. Syl has a bleak past that puts him on this road of vengeance, but the origins of his rage may fall into question.
Next we have Darya, a young girl who is following her brother to find new allies in their fight against the Empire that seeks to control everyone. When tragedy strikes an unlikely source of help leads her on a new path.
Finally there is Vali, a young man who has dreams of becoming a hero of the empire he idolizes. With a father in politics his road is made easier but the choices he has to make may leave those he loves behind.
Overall the writing and world building were absolutely top notch. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever read. I definitely see the comparisons to Red Rising but this unnamed world is unlike any I have come across. I do with more had been explained about the rift and the cataclysmic events that repeat throughout the history of this world but it did not keep me from thoroughly enjoying this book. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series as it comes out.
I highly recommend for anyone enjoying an epic science fiction world that you can definitely lose yourself in with characters you definitely come to love.
September 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ NetGalley Review
Splinters of Heaven is a very in-depth fantasy with a strong focus on political intrigue, shifting loyalties, and characters beginning to question everything they thought they knew.
I was slightly lost in the beginning because the author intentionally keeps a lot of information hidden while building the world. There are multiple POVs, political conflicts, history, magic, and several plot threads developing at once. However, instead of making me want to stop reading, it made me want to keep going because I needed to understand what had happened and why everyone believed what they did.
One of my favorite parts of the story was watching the characters' morals and loyalties shift as they learned more about what had been hidden, manipulated, or lied about.
The audiobook narration was decent overall. At first, some parts of the performance felt a little over-exaggerated to me, but either the delivery mellowed out after the first few chapters or I became more accustomed to the narrator's style because it stopped distracting me.
The transitions worked well. The narration felt more like an outside narrator telling the story rather than each character personally narrating their POV, so the lack of dramatic voice changes between characters fit the narrative style.
The pacing of the narration was also comfortable. I could listen at 1.0x without feeling like the narrator was speaking too slowly, and I was able to increase the speed to around 1.3x without having difficulty understanding the performance.
This is definitely a story that requires attention, especially in the beginning, but there is a lot of depth underneath everything being introduced. By the end, I was invested enough in the characters, politics, and unanswered questions that I absolutely want to continue with the next book.
⭐️ 4/5 overall
🎧 Narration: 3.5/5
Splinters of Heaven is a very in-depth fantasy with a strong focus on political intrigue, shifting loyalties, and characters beginning to question everything they thought they knew.
I was slightly lost in the beginning because the author intentionally keeps a lot of information hidden while building the world. There are multiple POVs, political conflicts, history, magic, and several plot threads developing at once. However, instead of making me want to stop reading, it made me want to keep going because I needed to understand what had happened and why everyone believed what they did.
One of my favorite parts of the story was watching the characters' morals and loyalties shift as they learned more about what had been hidden, manipulated, or lied about.
The audiobook narration was decent overall. At first, some parts of the performance felt a little over-exaggerated to me, but either the delivery mellowed out after the first few chapters or I became more accustomed to the narrator's style because it stopped distracting me.
The transitions worked well. The narration felt more like an outside narrator telling the story rather than each character personally narrating their POV, so the lack of dramatic voice changes between characters fit the narrative style.
The pacing of the narration was also comfortable. I could listen at 1.0x without feeling like the narrator was speaking too slowly, and I was able to increase the speed to around 1.3x without having difficulty understanding the performance.
This is definitely a story that requires attention, especially in the beginning, but there is a lot of depth underneath everything being introduced. By the end, I was invested enough in the characters, politics, and unanswered questions that I absolutely want to continue with the next book.
⭐️ 4/5 overall
🎧 Narration: 3.5/5
February 13, 2026
Splinters of Heaven is grim fantasy done right.
Theo Tsirigotis delivers a harsh, blood-soaked story where victory never comes clean and every choice feels like a compromise with something darker. The action is gritty and visceral without becoming gratuitous — you feel the weight of every clash, every loss, every hard-earned step forward.
What stood out most to me were the characters. No one is operating from a place of purity. They’re driven by duty, loyalty, survival — and often forced into choosing between the “bad option” and the “worse option.” That moral tension gives the story its teeth. You’re not reading to see who wins; you’re reading to see what it costs them.
The dialogue sets a perfect tone and never feels like something to be suffered through between the action.
The world itself feels lived-in and scarred, which suits the tone perfectly. That said, I would have appreciated a map. With so many locations and shifting fronts, a visual reference would have helped ground the geography and deepen immersion.
Overall, Splinters of Heaven is a strong entry into grim fantasy — unflinching, character-driven, and unapologetically brutal. If you enjoy morally gray casts and stories where survival demands sacrifice, this one is worth your time. I look forward to Book 2!
Theo Tsirigotis delivers a harsh, blood-soaked story where victory never comes clean and every choice feels like a compromise with something darker. The action is gritty and visceral without becoming gratuitous — you feel the weight of every clash, every loss, every hard-earned step forward.
What stood out most to me were the characters. No one is operating from a place of purity. They’re driven by duty, loyalty, survival — and often forced into choosing between the “bad option” and the “worse option.” That moral tension gives the story its teeth. You’re not reading to see who wins; you’re reading to see what it costs them.
The dialogue sets a perfect tone and never feels like something to be suffered through between the action.
The world itself feels lived-in and scarred, which suits the tone perfectly. That said, I would have appreciated a map. With so many locations and shifting fronts, a visual reference would have helped ground the geography and deepen immersion.
Overall, Splinters of Heaven is a strong entry into grim fantasy — unflinching, character-driven, and unapologetically brutal. If you enjoy morally gray casts and stories where survival demands sacrifice, this one is worth your time. I look forward to Book 2!
January 20, 2026
Splinters of Heaven is a gritty, character fantasy by Theo Tririgotis that fans of Joe Abercrombie should lap up.
This was intense, it was dark, and it was impressive. I wasn't sure where the story was going to go from the start but by the end it proved to be deeply emotional, full of consequence and an enjoyable (for lack of a better word) read.
This was intense, it was dark, and it was impressive. I wasn't sure where the story was going to go from the start but by the end it proved to be deeply emotional, full of consequence and an enjoyable (for lack of a better word) read.
March 31, 2026
amazing start to a new series
I’ve read a lot of books on kindle unlimited from new authors, and this is easily one of the best. It has a unique setting, magic system, and cast of characters. It’s not the usually feel good happy go lucky fantasy, but it’s not dark and depressing either. The prose is smooth, and the story balances the three POVs nicely.
I’ve read a lot of books on kindle unlimited from new authors, and this is easily one of the best. It has a unique setting, magic system, and cast of characters. It’s not the usually feel good happy go lucky fantasy, but it’s not dark and depressing either. The prose is smooth, and the story balances the three POVs nicely.
June 9, 2026
Damn, what a book. I picked this up by chance because I loved the cover, and that might possibly have been the best decision I’ve made this year so far, because this is going straight onto my “favourite” shelf on my bookcase.
I’m a sucker for character-led dark, epic fantasies where the characters are so complex that, at times, you actually root against them, and this book delivered that with all three of its main POVs. At multiple times throughout the course of the narrative, I had to readjust my stance on each of the main players and try to decide whether I even wanted them to succeed, only to reach the next chapter and have the rug pulled out from under me.
My favourite of the three was undeniably Syl, a jaded old veteran with a tragic backstory who continues to serve his empire because it’s all he’s ever done, and he can’t think of any other way of living now. However, he’s offered new perspectives when conversations and confrontations with the younger members of his crew force him to wonder whether there’s a point to his career, and whether he might not be the righteous warrior he’s always thought himself to be. After letting his colleague, Liora, convince him to spare a mage who’s been condemned to death, Syl begins to doubt. He still continues to serve his empire through violence and slaughter, but the seeds of his moral unravelling are there, and it was a true grimdark joy to follow along as he reaches a point where he starts to reevaluate every decision he’s made in his life.
Backing him up is Vali, whose path eventually collides with his. Vali is young and idealistic, seeking glory even at the expense of those around him. He throws himself into the most dangerous tasks because he craves recognition and knighthood but, like Syl, is soon confronted with the reality of the life he’s chosen for himself. A part of me wanted to protect Vali even as the rest of me was railing against him for not taking the advice of his elders and tempering his reckless ambition.
The third of the three, and mostly separate from the other two, is Darya, a young tribeswoman who goes from being a renowned warrior’s younger sister to the lowest of the low in the overall hierarchy of the conglomeration of tribes she lives in. After a mission goes disastrously wrong, Darya and a few of her friends are spared, and a lifetime of painstakingly climbing back up the rungs of the social ladder has her feeling understandably nihilistic and hopeless. She allows herself to be swept up in events without trying to affect them because she truly believes she has nothing left to give. At times frustrating in a very authentic way, Darya, like Syl and Vali, has the blinders ripped away and the reality of her situation forced upon her. Her choices? Give up and allow her enemies to kill her or fight for herself and her friends.
All three of them experience authentic growth and development, but they remained deeply flawed and believable in a way that allows for far more expansion in the future.
Syl, Vali, and Darya struggle through their arcs within a world that feels raw and real and dark. Battles have consequences. People suffer. Collateral damage is suitably obscene. In a war between the empire and the Thousand (Darya’s collection of tribes), neither side is truly right or wrong and, as an impending apocalypse unfolds around them, you realise everyone is just trying to survive.
Which leads me to what I’m assuming is going to be the overarching plot of this series: a cyclical event referred to as a cataclysm, which begins with a catastrophic volcanic eruption and will presumably escalate across the sequels. The cataclysm was built up with appropriate dread and severity, and it truly felt like this was a world facing complete destruction at the hands of uncontrollable forces. This is the sort of book that starts with the smaller scale, more human struggles of individual players trying to consolidate themsevles, and will expand into more empire-wide stakes as matters progress. I, for one, cannot wait to see how things pan out.
I also want to take a moment to highlight the magic system, which was used to incredible effect to highlight to power imbalance in this world. People who can harness the power of Rifts (which themsevles seem tied to the impending cataclysm) are referred to as Stained by the empire and hunted down and eradicated by Syl and those like him. They’re framed as abominations, to be feared. And yet Syl and his fellow oathknights possess their own form of sanctioned magic, whereby they pull power from individuals bound to them. This weakens the bonded, and in many cases ends up killing them. What’s accepted for soldiers of the empire is cause for death in anyone outside its control, generating a feeling to insurmountable unfairness the main characters are initially wilfully blind to. In this way, the empire felt like it could stand alongside the nations we know in the real world, where the powerful decide what’s right, and every decision is made only to protect them at the expense of everyone else.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the writing style, which was punchy and streamlined. There was a particular sequence where Syl, Vali, and a large group of soldiers are travelling through an underground system of tunnels to rendezvous with an allied force. The tunnels aren’t quite as empty as everyone believed, and the entire sequence unfolded almost like its own miniature horror story, with creeping dread, crushing darkness, and claustrophobia expertly conveyed to the reader.
Overall, I loved this book and I’m so glad I gave it a shot. Splinters of Heaven is a prime example of the unrivalled quality self-published fantasy can offer to readers, and I’ll definitely be checking out the sequels.
I’m a sucker for character-led dark, epic fantasies where the characters are so complex that, at times, you actually root against them, and this book delivered that with all three of its main POVs. At multiple times throughout the course of the narrative, I had to readjust my stance on each of the main players and try to decide whether I even wanted them to succeed, only to reach the next chapter and have the rug pulled out from under me.
My favourite of the three was undeniably Syl, a jaded old veteran with a tragic backstory who continues to serve his empire because it’s all he’s ever done, and he can’t think of any other way of living now. However, he’s offered new perspectives when conversations and confrontations with the younger members of his crew force him to wonder whether there’s a point to his career, and whether he might not be the righteous warrior he’s always thought himself to be. After letting his colleague, Liora, convince him to spare a mage who’s been condemned to death, Syl begins to doubt. He still continues to serve his empire through violence and slaughter, but the seeds of his moral unravelling are there, and it was a true grimdark joy to follow along as he reaches a point where he starts to reevaluate every decision he’s made in his life.
Backing him up is Vali, whose path eventually collides with his. Vali is young and idealistic, seeking glory even at the expense of those around him. He throws himself into the most dangerous tasks because he craves recognition and knighthood but, like Syl, is soon confronted with the reality of the life he’s chosen for himself. A part of me wanted to protect Vali even as the rest of me was railing against him for not taking the advice of his elders and tempering his reckless ambition.
The third of the three, and mostly separate from the other two, is Darya, a young tribeswoman who goes from being a renowned warrior’s younger sister to the lowest of the low in the overall hierarchy of the conglomeration of tribes she lives in. After a mission goes disastrously wrong, Darya and a few of her friends are spared, and a lifetime of painstakingly climbing back up the rungs of the social ladder has her feeling understandably nihilistic and hopeless. She allows herself to be swept up in events without trying to affect them because she truly believes she has nothing left to give. At times frustrating in a very authentic way, Darya, like Syl and Vali, has the blinders ripped away and the reality of her situation forced upon her. Her choices? Give up and allow her enemies to kill her or fight for herself and her friends.
All three of them experience authentic growth and development, but they remained deeply flawed and believable in a way that allows for far more expansion in the future.
Syl, Vali, and Darya struggle through their arcs within a world that feels raw and real and dark. Battles have consequences. People suffer. Collateral damage is suitably obscene. In a war between the empire and the Thousand (Darya’s collection of tribes), neither side is truly right or wrong and, as an impending apocalypse unfolds around them, you realise everyone is just trying to survive.
Which leads me to what I’m assuming is going to be the overarching plot of this series: a cyclical event referred to as a cataclysm, which begins with a catastrophic volcanic eruption and will presumably escalate across the sequels. The cataclysm was built up with appropriate dread and severity, and it truly felt like this was a world facing complete destruction at the hands of uncontrollable forces. This is the sort of book that starts with the smaller scale, more human struggles of individual players trying to consolidate themsevles, and will expand into more empire-wide stakes as matters progress. I, for one, cannot wait to see how things pan out.
I also want to take a moment to highlight the magic system, which was used to incredible effect to highlight to power imbalance in this world. People who can harness the power of Rifts (which themsevles seem tied to the impending cataclysm) are referred to as Stained by the empire and hunted down and eradicated by Syl and those like him. They’re framed as abominations, to be feared. And yet Syl and his fellow oathknights possess their own form of sanctioned magic, whereby they pull power from individuals bound to them. This weakens the bonded, and in many cases ends up killing them. What’s accepted for soldiers of the empire is cause for death in anyone outside its control, generating a feeling to insurmountable unfairness the main characters are initially wilfully blind to. In this way, the empire felt like it could stand alongside the nations we know in the real world, where the powerful decide what’s right, and every decision is made only to protect them at the expense of everyone else.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the writing style, which was punchy and streamlined. There was a particular sequence where Syl, Vali, and a large group of soldiers are travelling through an underground system of tunnels to rendezvous with an allied force. The tunnels aren’t quite as empty as everyone believed, and the entire sequence unfolded almost like its own miniature horror story, with creeping dread, crushing darkness, and claustrophobia expertly conveyed to the reader.
Overall, I loved this book and I’m so glad I gave it a shot. Splinters of Heaven is a prime example of the unrivalled quality self-published fantasy can offer to readers, and I’ll definitely be checking out the sequels.
January 20, 2026
Read this review and more on my Medium page: Distorted Visions
Score: 3.5/5
Since this is an ARC, the review aims to be as Spoiler-free as possible.
The debut novel of author Theo Tsirigotis, Splinters of Heaven is a gritty, nigh-grimdark foray, with plenty of brutality, betrayal, and dark fantasy rift magic shenanigans!
Kicking off the Pax Terminus series, Splinters of Heaven is a character-driven, post-technological, dark fantasy tale. With a setting the author dubs as “necro-industrial”, the world has subtle nods to a post-apocalyptic future world which has reverted to magical tendencies (like Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire trilogy). The central core of characters, the Vigil Hunter Rift-enhanced templar/hunter Syl is the Empire’s sharpened blade, hunting down errant magic users in the empire. These magic users, the Stained, channel the Rift, thereby hastening new cycles of catastrophic world-breaking events. Along with Syl, Vali is a nobility-spawned soldier, willing to do whatever it takes to attain glory for himself and his family. Rounding out the central POV characters is Darya, finding herself on the other side of the battle against the Empire.
The setup and world of Splinters of Heaven is not the most groundbreaking, especially for those of us deeply steeped in the genre. However, Tsirigotis draws us in with his tight, well-crafted prose and extremely solid character work. For a debut offering, his work with the characters, their motivations internal and external conflicts, and agency with the world feel believable, have depth, and feel rewarding in their progression. A sticking point where most authors stumble in their early works, Tsirigotis writes with a heft of a much more seasoned writer. The story proceeds at a quick clip, especially in the opening chapters, successfully grabbing my attention and maintaining it even through the inevitable third-act slowdown.
Splinters of Heaven is a character-driven book, doing what it does best in the gritty fantasy subgenre, pushing the focus right in the faces of our core trio of characters, making us feel their anguish, their pithy victories, and their cutting defeats. Tsirigotis excels at writing these sections, with plenty of violent action setpieces, and plenty of twists and turns, which feel both surprising yet believable. However, with such a deep focus on character work, the other aspects of a well-rounded dark fantasy novel fall to the wayside. The worldbuilding, while not completely vacuous, does feel thin at times, with new aspects being dripfed more to push the characters along, rather than be a setting. In this vein, the scale is smaller, and those expected an “epic” dark fantasy may be disappointed.
The biggest aspect holding Splinters of Heaven from being a near-slamdunk debut is the absence of a defined plot. While the exposition in the final chapters do open up a larger story, a major chunk of the story feels like the characters pushed along from one checkpoint to another. The pacing also has some questionable editing choices, with characters seemingly jumping past travel and even conflict sections, which leads me to believe that there was an overzealous editing blade involved. The final chapters with major leaps in narrative also feel a bit over-rushed, especially with a slower third act, which also points less towards the author's drafting, but a brutal editor.
Though better than many (daresay most) debut offerings I have reviewed recently, Tsirigotis does struggle with maintaining a distinct “voice” to his characters. In particular, Syl and Vali flatten into very similar archetypes for large chunks of their arcs. With an overarching sense of bleak misery, constant woolgathering and questioning their own morals and purpose, Syl, Vali, and even Darya do begin to resemble each other, giving a similar feeling to all the chapters, with each of them pushed through their own version of the dark fantasy meatgrinder. I sincerely hope that Tsirigotis allows the characters to evolve differently and show different, distinct archetypical qualities in the sequels.
With Splinters of Heaven, we have a very strong debut. A strong case of character-driven gritty fantasy, Pax Terminus is off to a promising start. With an added emphasis on distinct character voices, a larger focus on an overarching plot and a more fleshed out world, this trilogy could bloom into the bloody treat the grim and dark among us are thirsting for.
Advanced Review Copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to author Theo Tsirigotis, Victory Editing, and NetGalley
Score: 3.5/5
Since this is an ARC, the review aims to be as Spoiler-free as possible.
The debut novel of author Theo Tsirigotis, Splinters of Heaven is a gritty, nigh-grimdark foray, with plenty of brutality, betrayal, and dark fantasy rift magic shenanigans!
Kicking off the Pax Terminus series, Splinters of Heaven is a character-driven, post-technological, dark fantasy tale. With a setting the author dubs as “necro-industrial”, the world has subtle nods to a post-apocalyptic future world which has reverted to magical tendencies (like Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire trilogy). The central core of characters, the Vigil Hunter Rift-enhanced templar/hunter Syl is the Empire’s sharpened blade, hunting down errant magic users in the empire. These magic users, the Stained, channel the Rift, thereby hastening new cycles of catastrophic world-breaking events. Along with Syl, Vali is a nobility-spawned soldier, willing to do whatever it takes to attain glory for himself and his family. Rounding out the central POV characters is Darya, finding herself on the other side of the battle against the Empire.
The setup and world of Splinters of Heaven is not the most groundbreaking, especially for those of us deeply steeped in the genre. However, Tsirigotis draws us in with his tight, well-crafted prose and extremely solid character work. For a debut offering, his work with the characters, their motivations internal and external conflicts, and agency with the world feel believable, have depth, and feel rewarding in their progression. A sticking point where most authors stumble in their early works, Tsirigotis writes with a heft of a much more seasoned writer. The story proceeds at a quick clip, especially in the opening chapters, successfully grabbing my attention and maintaining it even through the inevitable third-act slowdown.
Splinters of Heaven is a character-driven book, doing what it does best in the gritty fantasy subgenre, pushing the focus right in the faces of our core trio of characters, making us feel their anguish, their pithy victories, and their cutting defeats. Tsirigotis excels at writing these sections, with plenty of violent action setpieces, and plenty of twists and turns, which feel both surprising yet believable. However, with such a deep focus on character work, the other aspects of a well-rounded dark fantasy novel fall to the wayside. The worldbuilding, while not completely vacuous, does feel thin at times, with new aspects being dripfed more to push the characters along, rather than be a setting. In this vein, the scale is smaller, and those expected an “epic” dark fantasy may be disappointed.
The biggest aspect holding Splinters of Heaven from being a near-slamdunk debut is the absence of a defined plot. While the exposition in the final chapters do open up a larger story, a major chunk of the story feels like the characters pushed along from one checkpoint to another. The pacing also has some questionable editing choices, with characters seemingly jumping past travel and even conflict sections, which leads me to believe that there was an overzealous editing blade involved. The final chapters with major leaps in narrative also feel a bit over-rushed, especially with a slower third act, which also points less towards the author's drafting, but a brutal editor.
Though better than many (daresay most) debut offerings I have reviewed recently, Tsirigotis does struggle with maintaining a distinct “voice” to his characters. In particular, Syl and Vali flatten into very similar archetypes for large chunks of their arcs. With an overarching sense of bleak misery, constant woolgathering and questioning their own morals and purpose, Syl, Vali, and even Darya do begin to resemble each other, giving a similar feeling to all the chapters, with each of them pushed through their own version of the dark fantasy meatgrinder. I sincerely hope that Tsirigotis allows the characters to evolve differently and show different, distinct archetypical qualities in the sequels.
With Splinters of Heaven, we have a very strong debut. A strong case of character-driven gritty fantasy, Pax Terminus is off to a promising start. With an added emphasis on distinct character voices, a larger focus on an overarching plot and a more fleshed out world, this trilogy could bloom into the bloody treat the grim and dark among us are thirsting for.
Advanced Review Copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to author Theo Tsirigotis, Victory Editing, and NetGalley
March 7, 2026
What an incredible debut in the Pax Terminus trilogy by Theo Tsirigotis!
A quick snapshot: Splinters of Heaven is set in a world that runs on souls, with the perpetual threat of world-ending cataclysms. It follows three intertwined protagonists on opposite side of a war, all the while otherworldly magic threatens to end the current world.
There is no shortage of rich character development and you get hooked in the first chapter. Each of the three leads offers a distinct moral lens, and the narrative balances brutal action scenes with quieter moments of character development and inner conflict. I can’t reiterate how many times I had to remind myself I haven’t seen the movie (because it doesn’t exist…), the narrative is just that good.
Each scene has you processing the many ways the situation could go, but only Theo has the master plan. During the course of this book, Theo manages to capture all 7 universal emotions: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise, and contempt. That is one tough feat. In sum, there are no clean heroes, only people making compromises in really difficult situations.
Read this book if you: are into dark, character-driven, fantasies; like magic; want an escape from reality (this is a no brainer); liked The Witcher, or you’re impatient for Pierce Brown’s Red God to come out!
***Standout scenes, quotes, and teasers (without revealing spoilers!)***
-The twist in the swamp scene was a jaw dropper. I didn’t think Darya had it in her.
-“Syl remembered being the new member of the team as well. It wasn’t only being new; it was knowing that you were the replacement for someone whose boots you could never truly fill.”
-Incredibly vivid and emotional narration in the Blood and Snow chapter. Heart wrenching.
-“Woke, as always, under the comforting sky of hide tent walls, but with a deep sense of wrongness, the knowledge that there was something she should remember. Mikael."
-“The sun wouldn’t – couldn’t – break through the clouds, because it knew better than to waste its light here.”
-“This loss will define you, but you get to decide how. So, decide. Quickly.”
-“Never assume conspiracy when incompetence will suffice.”
-“For all the weapons he kept razor-sharp, the equipment he kept perfectly repaired, and the fighting instincts he drilled incessantly, this part of him was rusted almost beyond use.”
-"Liora considered him for a long moment, studying his face for something there. Syl would have done anything for her to find it, whatever it was she was looking for, but she shook her head eventually and turned back to watch ahead.”
"Yes, it does. It always ends in violence. The one indisputable truth of the worlds. The inescapable reason the world has to fall apart."
---
A few administrative observations: Theo’s choice of vocabulary stood out in a good way. I had a dictionary handy to look things up along my reading journey. I found it interesting that there were no chapter numbers, only chapter titles (I think this is a first for me, and something I decided didn't make a huge difference). Lastly, I personally think the paperback is superior in quality to the hardcover.
I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the Pax Terminus trilogy, Chains of Prophets, and Memory’s Gate (Book 0.5, Novella)!
A quick snapshot: Splinters of Heaven is set in a world that runs on souls, with the perpetual threat of world-ending cataclysms. It follows three intertwined protagonists on opposite side of a war, all the while otherworldly magic threatens to end the current world.
There is no shortage of rich character development and you get hooked in the first chapter. Each of the three leads offers a distinct moral lens, and the narrative balances brutal action scenes with quieter moments of character development and inner conflict. I can’t reiterate how many times I had to remind myself I haven’t seen the movie (because it doesn’t exist…), the narrative is just that good.
Each scene has you processing the many ways the situation could go, but only Theo has the master plan. During the course of this book, Theo manages to capture all 7 universal emotions: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise, and contempt. That is one tough feat. In sum, there are no clean heroes, only people making compromises in really difficult situations.
Read this book if you: are into dark, character-driven, fantasies; like magic; want an escape from reality (this is a no brainer); liked The Witcher, or you’re impatient for Pierce Brown’s Red God to come out!
***Standout scenes, quotes, and teasers (without revealing spoilers!)***
-The twist in the swamp scene was a jaw dropper. I didn’t think Darya had it in her.
-“Syl remembered being the new member of the team as well. It wasn’t only being new; it was knowing that you were the replacement for someone whose boots you could never truly fill.”
-Incredibly vivid and emotional narration in the Blood and Snow chapter. Heart wrenching.
-“Woke, as always, under the comforting sky of hide tent walls, but with a deep sense of wrongness, the knowledge that there was something she should remember. Mikael."
-“The sun wouldn’t – couldn’t – break through the clouds, because it knew better than to waste its light here.”
-“This loss will define you, but you get to decide how. So, decide. Quickly.”
-“Never assume conspiracy when incompetence will suffice.”
-“For all the weapons he kept razor-sharp, the equipment he kept perfectly repaired, and the fighting instincts he drilled incessantly, this part of him was rusted almost beyond use.”
-"Liora considered him for a long moment, studying his face for something there. Syl would have done anything for her to find it, whatever it was she was looking for, but she shook her head eventually and turned back to watch ahead.”
"Yes, it does. It always ends in violence. The one indisputable truth of the worlds. The inescapable reason the world has to fall apart."
---
A few administrative observations: Theo’s choice of vocabulary stood out in a good way. I had a dictionary handy to look things up along my reading journey. I found it interesting that there were no chapter numbers, only chapter titles (I think this is a first for me, and something I decided didn't make a huge difference). Lastly, I personally think the paperback is superior in quality to the hardcover.
I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the Pax Terminus trilogy, Chains of Prophets, and Memory’s Gate (Book 0.5, Novella)!
February 27, 2026
What a dynamite debut novel from @theotsirigotis!
I picked this up almost solely for the cover art! But the comparisons to The First Law trilogy and The Witcher definitely intrigued me as well.
The story follows three different character POVs: Sil, a special forces-type soldier with a tragic past; Vali, a young soldier who wants to prove himself to the Empire; and Darya, a tribeswoman who is honestly just trying to survive but is being pushed to be something more.
A new Riftgate has opened in the land, a sign of the coming cataclysm and a catalyst for awakening and strengthening powers in the Stained, a group of people who are able to draw power from the rifts. The Empire, along with Sil and Vali, wants to prevent the cataclysm and therefore must hunt and kill the Stained and close the Riftgate. Darya is part of the Thousand Tribes, a collection of tribes and peoples from the north who are just trying to head to safety in the south. Naturally, they get caught in the middle.
I enjoyed all the characters, and I felt like they had good arcs, but my favorite POV was by far Darya. There were a few of her chapters that I immediately reread because they were just so awesome! 🔥 Not to get too spoilery, but one of her chapters reminded me of the “Battle of the Bastards” episode of GOT, and my adrenaline was pumping!
There are some really killer action scenes in this book. Theo knows how to write action! It is bloody and visceral, and I felt every crunch and slice of the blade.
This did very much remind me of The Blade Itself in that, there is a lot of character moments and less propulsive plot movement. Not a bad thing! I love The Blade Itself and this nuzzled up right beside it. There are some very exciting things that are set up for the next books, and I’m very much looking forward to reading them!
One more thing I loved about this story is that there really isn’t a “good” side. There’s no outright paragon to root for. Each faction is trying to do the right thing for THEM. It makes the choices that the characters are forced to make throughout the story very fun and interesting.
On the inverse side, I will say, I was a bit lost for a good bit of the first third of the book. Not everything is spelled out for you. The lore and worldbuilding are given to you in bits and pieces, and it took me towards the last third to really feel like I had a grasp on the world, the terms, and everything else. I would’ve liked maybe a little more explanation toward the beginning, but that’s just me because I need help sometimes 😂
Overall, really fantastic book! I truly loved it! The characters, the action, the writing, were all 🤌🏼 *chef’s kiss!
I picked this up almost solely for the cover art! But the comparisons to The First Law trilogy and The Witcher definitely intrigued me as well.
The story follows three different character POVs: Sil, a special forces-type soldier with a tragic past; Vali, a young soldier who wants to prove himself to the Empire; and Darya, a tribeswoman who is honestly just trying to survive but is being pushed to be something more.
A new Riftgate has opened in the land, a sign of the coming cataclysm and a catalyst for awakening and strengthening powers in the Stained, a group of people who are able to draw power from the rifts. The Empire, along with Sil and Vali, wants to prevent the cataclysm and therefore must hunt and kill the Stained and close the Riftgate. Darya is part of the Thousand Tribes, a collection of tribes and peoples from the north who are just trying to head to safety in the south. Naturally, they get caught in the middle.
I enjoyed all the characters, and I felt like they had good arcs, but my favorite POV was by far Darya. There were a few of her chapters that I immediately reread because they were just so awesome! 🔥 Not to get too spoilery, but one of her chapters reminded me of the “Battle of the Bastards” episode of GOT, and my adrenaline was pumping!
There are some really killer action scenes in this book. Theo knows how to write action! It is bloody and visceral, and I felt every crunch and slice of the blade.
This did very much remind me of The Blade Itself in that, there is a lot of character moments and less propulsive plot movement. Not a bad thing! I love The Blade Itself and this nuzzled up right beside it. There are some very exciting things that are set up for the next books, and I’m very much looking forward to reading them!
One more thing I loved about this story is that there really isn’t a “good” side. There’s no outright paragon to root for. Each faction is trying to do the right thing for THEM. It makes the choices that the characters are forced to make throughout the story very fun and interesting.
On the inverse side, I will say, I was a bit lost for a good bit of the first third of the book. Not everything is spelled out for you. The lore and worldbuilding are given to you in bits and pieces, and it took me towards the last third to really feel like I had a grasp on the world, the terms, and everything else. I would’ve liked maybe a little more explanation toward the beginning, but that’s just me because I need help sometimes 😂
Overall, really fantastic book! I truly loved it! The characters, the action, the writing, were all 🤌🏼 *chef’s kiss!
January 31, 2026
If you like your fantasy grimy, brutal, and morally uncomfortable, have I got a book for you: Splinters of Heaven. Is it worth your time? Absolutely! This book does not warm you up or ease you in. It drops you straight into a world that already feels half broken and expects you to keep up.
The setting is heavy in the best way. Most of the story takes place in Getacia, a cold northern province full of old wars, ruined cities, and unrest that never quite settles. Humanity is living under the constant threat of another cataclysm, and that fear bleeds into everything. There are terrifying biomechanical monsters, remnants of ancient technology, and an empire holding things together through force more than faith.
We follow three different points of view. Syl is a veteran Oathknight working for the Vigil, tired and worn down but still pushing forward out of duty. Vali is young and ambitious, desperate to prove himself and blind in ways that made me nervous. Darya is a survivor from the Thousand Tribes, caught in brutal internal politics where weakness is not forgiven. I liked that each perspective added tension instead of comfort.
The action and pacing were spot on. The combat is tactical and messy. Fights feel chaotic and exhausting. There's always a feeling that things can go wrong at any moment. The magic system reinforces that. Power always comes at a cost. Oathknights burn through their stamina and damage the conduits they rely on. At the same time, the Stained wield dangerous energy that terrifies the empire enough to justify horrible choices.
One of the many things that gave me pause is how willing this book is to sit in moral gray areas. The Vigil maintains order through fear, torture, and execution, believing it is the only way to prevent another world-ending disaster. I kept going back and forth between understanding their reasoning and being deeply uncomfortable with it. It was one of the many things I loved about this read.
If you enjoy military fantasy that is dark, thoughtful, and unafraid to make you question who the good guys really are, this is a strong start to the Pax Terminus trilogy. Brutal, intelligent, and unsettling in all the right ways. A great read in a world I definitely plan to visit again as the adventure continues.
ARC provided by Hollow Crown Press through NetGalley. Many thanks for the early copy.
The setting is heavy in the best way. Most of the story takes place in Getacia, a cold northern province full of old wars, ruined cities, and unrest that never quite settles. Humanity is living under the constant threat of another cataclysm, and that fear bleeds into everything. There are terrifying biomechanical monsters, remnants of ancient technology, and an empire holding things together through force more than faith.
We follow three different points of view. Syl is a veteran Oathknight working for the Vigil, tired and worn down but still pushing forward out of duty. Vali is young and ambitious, desperate to prove himself and blind in ways that made me nervous. Darya is a survivor from the Thousand Tribes, caught in brutal internal politics where weakness is not forgiven. I liked that each perspective added tension instead of comfort.
The action and pacing were spot on. The combat is tactical and messy. Fights feel chaotic and exhausting. There's always a feeling that things can go wrong at any moment. The magic system reinforces that. Power always comes at a cost. Oathknights burn through their stamina and damage the conduits they rely on. At the same time, the Stained wield dangerous energy that terrifies the empire enough to justify horrible choices.
One of the many things that gave me pause is how willing this book is to sit in moral gray areas. The Vigil maintains order through fear, torture, and execution, believing it is the only way to prevent another world-ending disaster. I kept going back and forth between understanding their reasoning and being deeply uncomfortable with it. It was one of the many things I loved about this read.
If you enjoy military fantasy that is dark, thoughtful, and unafraid to make you question who the good guys really are, this is a strong start to the Pax Terminus trilogy. Brutal, intelligent, and unsettling in all the right ways. A great read in a world I definitely plan to visit again as the adventure continues.
ARC provided by Hollow Crown Press through NetGalley. Many thanks for the early copy.
January 27, 2026
3.5 stars.
Splinters of Heaven promises the grit of an Abercrombie novel---it was an auspicious claim that, for me, fell short. I'm used to our characters being absolutely demolished (emotionally but also physically, like....there's gonna be a *lot* of blood) and having to suffer through several bouts of sacrifice. This world was bleak, but I wasn't sold on how harsh it was. I honestly think that was the purpose of Darya's character but it didn't hit home for me. When we do get a "big" sacrifice, it was something I wasn't emotionally invested in at all. I was honestly surprised that it affected a character so strongly. The dynamic that was attempted there was noooot very strong. It felt like an afterthought addition to give the sacrifice some heft.
The novel *does* start really strong. I was gladly hooked for the first half of the book. The setting is post-apocalyptic after an era of advanced technology. It took me a little bit to grasp that. I was under the assumption that we were working with a world that happened after the destruction of our own. It's actually post apocalypse after cyberpunk-esque world. It's closer to vague on the Emperor, Fallen, Chosen and Gods, but that will probably reveal itself more in later books. At least I hope so!
When I hit the 60% mark things started to slow down badly for me. There was action, but not enough to drive anything forward. The best example I can think of is the first time we get to meet Ironspawn. We're met with: cut to black, scene change, wait to get back to those characters, but when we do come back--- suddenly we're farther along. We just have to assume everyone was successful and all is well. The scene was done before it even got started. When we don't get to engage with the action it's just spinning tires at that point. It DID pick back up around 84%, but trying to keep my interest for over 20% felt like a chore and led me to listing it for 3.5 stars.
As a debut, this really is a great start. It's a hefty genre to tackle and it was done with multiple povs. It already has fans and I think more experience will only work wonders for the development of the series!
A big thank you to Tsirigotis and Book Sirens for granting me an ARC. I was stoked to read it.
Splinters of Heaven promises the grit of an Abercrombie novel---it was an auspicious claim that, for me, fell short. I'm used to our characters being absolutely demolished (emotionally but also physically, like....there's gonna be a *lot* of blood) and having to suffer through several bouts of sacrifice. This world was bleak, but I wasn't sold on how harsh it was. I honestly think that was the purpose of Darya's character but it didn't hit home for me. When we do get a "big" sacrifice, it was something I wasn't emotionally invested in at all. I was honestly surprised that it affected a character so strongly. The dynamic that was attempted there was noooot very strong. It felt like an afterthought addition to give the sacrifice some heft.
The novel *does* start really strong. I was gladly hooked for the first half of the book. The setting is post-apocalyptic after an era of advanced technology. It took me a little bit to grasp that. I was under the assumption that we were working with a world that happened after the destruction of our own. It's actually post apocalypse after cyberpunk-esque world. It's closer to vague on the Emperor, Fallen, Chosen and Gods, but that will probably reveal itself more in later books. At least I hope so!
When I hit the 60% mark things started to slow down badly for me. There was action, but not enough to drive anything forward. The best example I can think of is the first time we get to meet Ironspawn. We're met with: cut to black, scene change, wait to get back to those characters, but when we do come back--- suddenly we're farther along. We just have to assume everyone was successful and all is well. The scene was done before it even got started. When we don't get to engage with the action it's just spinning tires at that point. It DID pick back up around 84%, but trying to keep my interest for over 20% felt like a chore and led me to listing it for 3.5 stars.
As a debut, this really is a great start. It's a hefty genre to tackle and it was done with multiple povs. It already has fans and I think more experience will only work wonders for the development of the series!
A big thank you to Tsirigotis and Book Sirens for granting me an ARC. I was stoked to read it.
January 8, 2026
Splinters of Heaven pulled me in immediately with its sense of scale and inevitability. From the opening chapters, it’s clear this is a world shaped by war, religious beliefs, power, and by the people caught inside systems far larger than themselves. This is grimdark fantasy at its most thoughtful: brutal when it needs to be, restrained when it matters, and deeply concerned with consequence.
The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, primarily following Darya, Syl, and Vali, each standing at a different fault line of an empire under strain. Their lives intersect with politics, faith, and a dangerous source of magic drawn from the Rift. The Rift is a power that is never free and always leaves scars. What I appreciated most is that no single viewpoint dominates; each character brings a different moral lens, forcing the reader to sit with conflicting truths rather than a single heroic narrative.
Tsirigotis excels at worldbuilding, not through endless exposition, but by embedding history into every decision. Myths are weaponized. Gods are distant and unsettling. Empires justify cruelty through stories they’ve told themselves for generations. The magic system reinforces this perfectly. The cost is physical, psychological, and spiritual, and its use always feels like a gamble with the future.
Where the novel really shines is in its emotional realism. The characters don’t make choices lightly, and when they do, those choices linger. Several moments after battles, the quiet, reflective scenes of aftermath hit harder than the combat itself. I often found myself pausing to think, "Would I have done the same?" That moral discomfort feels intentional and effective.
That said, this is not a fast or easy read. The density of the lore and political landscape slows the pacing early on, and readers who prefer immediate clarity may struggle at first. The complexity pays off, but it does demand patience. The ending also leaves doors very intentionally open, but not frustrating, clearly designed to set up a larger arc rather than offer full closure.
Still, those critiques feel minor compared to what the book accomplishes. Splinters of Heaven isn’t interested in comfort or clean victories. It’s about power bought with suffering, faith bent into control, and people trying to retain humanity inside collapsing systems.
If you enjoy dark fantasy that respects your intelligence, challenges your moral certainty, and lingers long after the final page, this book is absolutely worth your time. Thank you to Hollow Crown Press and Edelweiss for this eARC in return for my honest review. If you are a fan of The Witcher or The First Law, you'll enjoy this Dark Fantasy. It's out now, so pick up your copy!
⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5 Stars)
#SplintersofHeaven #HollowCrownPress #Edelweiss
The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, primarily following Darya, Syl, and Vali, each standing at a different fault line of an empire under strain. Their lives intersect with politics, faith, and a dangerous source of magic drawn from the Rift. The Rift is a power that is never free and always leaves scars. What I appreciated most is that no single viewpoint dominates; each character brings a different moral lens, forcing the reader to sit with conflicting truths rather than a single heroic narrative.
Tsirigotis excels at worldbuilding, not through endless exposition, but by embedding history into every decision. Myths are weaponized. Gods are distant and unsettling. Empires justify cruelty through stories they’ve told themselves for generations. The magic system reinforces this perfectly. The cost is physical, psychological, and spiritual, and its use always feels like a gamble with the future.
Where the novel really shines is in its emotional realism. The characters don’t make choices lightly, and when they do, those choices linger. Several moments after battles, the quiet, reflective scenes of aftermath hit harder than the combat itself. I often found myself pausing to think, "Would I have done the same?" That moral discomfort feels intentional and effective.
That said, this is not a fast or easy read. The density of the lore and political landscape slows the pacing early on, and readers who prefer immediate clarity may struggle at first. The complexity pays off, but it does demand patience. The ending also leaves doors very intentionally open, but not frustrating, clearly designed to set up a larger arc rather than offer full closure.
Still, those critiques feel minor compared to what the book accomplishes. Splinters of Heaven isn’t interested in comfort or clean victories. It’s about power bought with suffering, faith bent into control, and people trying to retain humanity inside collapsing systems.
If you enjoy dark fantasy that respects your intelligence, challenges your moral certainty, and lingers long after the final page, this book is absolutely worth your time. Thank you to Hollow Crown Press and Edelweiss for this eARC in return for my honest review. If you are a fan of The Witcher or The First Law, you'll enjoy this Dark Fantasy. It's out now, so pick up your copy!
⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5 Stars)
#SplintersofHeaven #HollowCrownPress #Edelweiss
February 8, 2026
My first finished book in two weeks, and what a return to form. Splinters of Heaven by Theo Tsirigotis didn’t just break my reading slump, it shattered it into something sharp, violent, and beautiful.
From the opening pages, Tsirigotis signals his lineage. If Joe Abercrombie’s moral brutality, Glen Cook’s ground-level grit, Sapkowski’s myth-laced cynicism, or George R.R. Martin’s political savagery stir your blood, this book belongs on your shelf immediately. Yet this is no imitation.
Tsirigotis speaks with his own voice, one that is confident, controlled, and startlingly mature for a debut.
The multiple POV structure is a major strength. Each perspective feels purposeful, revealing not just events but the cost of surviving them. Characters evolve under pressure rather than plot convenience. Ideals rot, loyalties fracture, and survival reshapes people into harder, stranger versions of themselves. No one is static, and no one is safe from consequence. Even minor characters feel fully inhabited, their choices rippling outward in believable, often devastating ways.
Thematically, Splinters of Heaven wrestles with power and corruption, faith and disillusionment, and the brutal distance remembers between who we were and who the world forces us to become. There is no clean morality here, only trade-offs soaked in blood and regret. The title itself feels earned as hope fractures, not disappears, but splinters into dangerous, painful fragments that still cut.
For a debut novel, this is frankly astonishing. Tsirigotis has crafted a world that feels lived-in, cruel, and magnetic, and a story that refuses to pull its punches. Splinters of Heaven stands shoulder to shoulder with the best grimdark fantasy has to offer. Theo Tsirigotis is not a name to watch. He has already arrived.
From the opening pages, Tsirigotis signals his lineage. If Joe Abercrombie’s moral brutality, Glen Cook’s ground-level grit, Sapkowski’s myth-laced cynicism, or George R.R. Martin’s political savagery stir your blood, this book belongs on your shelf immediately. Yet this is no imitation.
Tsirigotis speaks with his own voice, one that is confident, controlled, and startlingly mature for a debut.
The multiple POV structure is a major strength. Each perspective feels purposeful, revealing not just events but the cost of surviving them. Characters evolve under pressure rather than plot convenience. Ideals rot, loyalties fracture, and survival reshapes people into harder, stranger versions of themselves. No one is static, and no one is safe from consequence. Even minor characters feel fully inhabited, their choices rippling outward in believable, often devastating ways.
Thematically, Splinters of Heaven wrestles with power and corruption, faith and disillusionment, and the brutal distance remembers between who we were and who the world forces us to become. There is no clean morality here, only trade-offs soaked in blood and regret. The title itself feels earned as hope fractures, not disappears, but splinters into dangerous, painful fragments that still cut.
For a debut novel, this is frankly astonishing. Tsirigotis has crafted a world that feels lived-in, cruel, and magnetic, and a story that refuses to pull its punches. Splinters of Heaven stands shoulder to shoulder with the best grimdark fantasy has to offer. Theo Tsirigotis is not a name to watch. He has already arrived.
April 5, 2026
Alright 😊 Splinters of Heaven. First off, great book.
Now for the review. This book grabs you early. Battle scene, swamp chaos, a saved kid—Tsirigotis comes out swinging. And then he pulls back and starts building. It’s a masterclass in the art of storytelling. You’ve already seen what he’s capable of. So as the world unfolds around you—the lore, the empire, the politics—you’re not frustrated. You’re waiting. You know exactly what’s coming once he’s laid the foundation. You’re just watching him pour the concrete. Tsirigotis earns every page of setup because when this book takes off, I’m here to tell you, it takes off.
Three POVs carry the story: Syl, Vali, and Darya. For whatever reason, the men blurred for me early. But give it time. They couldn’t be more different, and the story makes that undeniable.
Darya is the one who’ll get to you.
She starts out feeling like a complainer. Reactive, almost fragile compared to the world she’s inhabiting. And then she scorches someone and everything changes. What you realize, and this is the mark of a writer who knows exactly what he’s doing, is that Tsirigotis wasn’t writing weakness. He was concealing power. She didn’t get let off the leash. She accidentally escaped the leash she didn’t know she was wearing. That moment hit me like a hammer, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
Patience is a lost art. In a world of three-second attention spans, slow burns get dismissed before they ignite. Don’t make that mistake here. The build is intentional, it’s necessary, and it’s completely worth it.
Hell of a debut, Theo. Can’t wait to see what else you have in store.
Now for the review. This book grabs you early. Battle scene, swamp chaos, a saved kid—Tsirigotis comes out swinging. And then he pulls back and starts building. It’s a masterclass in the art of storytelling. You’ve already seen what he’s capable of. So as the world unfolds around you—the lore, the empire, the politics—you’re not frustrated. You’re waiting. You know exactly what’s coming once he’s laid the foundation. You’re just watching him pour the concrete. Tsirigotis earns every page of setup because when this book takes off, I’m here to tell you, it takes off.
Three POVs carry the story: Syl, Vali, and Darya. For whatever reason, the men blurred for me early. But give it time. They couldn’t be more different, and the story makes that undeniable.
Darya is the one who’ll get to you.
She starts out feeling like a complainer. Reactive, almost fragile compared to the world she’s inhabiting. And then she scorches someone and everything changes. What you realize, and this is the mark of a writer who knows exactly what he’s doing, is that Tsirigotis wasn’t writing weakness. He was concealing power. She didn’t get let off the leash. She accidentally escaped the leash she didn’t know she was wearing. That moment hit me like a hammer, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
Patience is a lost art. In a world of three-second attention spans, slow burns get dismissed before they ignite. Don’t make that mistake here. The build is intentional, it’s necessary, and it’s completely worth it.
Hell of a debut, Theo. Can’t wait to see what else you have in store.
August 25, 2026
⭐ 3.5/5 | 🎧 Narration: 4/5
Splinters of Heaven definitely puts the GRIM in grimdark. This was a dark, sad read with an interesting world and characters, but unfortunately, I was still pretty confused about what was happening even by the end.
Syl was easily my favorite character, and I really enjoyed his arc. I also liked Darya and the development she went through over the course of the story. Vali, on the other hand, never really worked for me.
The magic system was interesting, but I really wanted more explanation. There were still things being introduced toward the end—including a character's particular kind of magic—that I barely understood. And the all-knowing-being-who-only-speaks-in-riddles archetype? A little frustrating when I'm already trying desperately to figure out what's going on. 😂
I do think the ending was one of the strongest parts. I loved finally seeing the different threads begin to align and understanding how everything connected.
For the audiobook specifically, Toby J. Smith's smooth narration was enjoyable and earned a solid 4 stars from me. My biggest issue with the audio format was figuring out whose POV I was in. I really wish there had been some kind of audible chapter/POV heading because I had to pay close attention at the beginning of every chapter to catch whose story we'd switched to.
Overall, there were pieces of Splinters of Heaven that I really liked, particularly Syl, Darya, the magic, and the way everything began coming together at the end. But I spent far too much of the book confused about the world, magic, and what exactly was happening for this one to completely land for me.
Audiobook ARC provided by NetGalley and Victory Editing in exchange for an honest review.
Splinters of Heaven definitely puts the GRIM in grimdark. This was a dark, sad read with an interesting world and characters, but unfortunately, I was still pretty confused about what was happening even by the end.
Syl was easily my favorite character, and I really enjoyed his arc. I also liked Darya and the development she went through over the course of the story. Vali, on the other hand, never really worked for me.
The magic system was interesting, but I really wanted more explanation. There were still things being introduced toward the end—including a character's particular kind of magic—that I barely understood. And the all-knowing-being-who-only-speaks-in-riddles archetype? A little frustrating when I'm already trying desperately to figure out what's going on. 😂
I do think the ending was one of the strongest parts. I loved finally seeing the different threads begin to align and understanding how everything connected.
For the audiobook specifically, Toby J. Smith's smooth narration was enjoyable and earned a solid 4 stars from me. My biggest issue with the audio format was figuring out whose POV I was in. I really wish there had been some kind of audible chapter/POV heading because I had to pay close attention at the beginning of every chapter to catch whose story we'd switched to.
Overall, there were pieces of Splinters of Heaven that I really liked, particularly Syl, Darya, the magic, and the way everything began coming together at the end. But I spent far too much of the book confused about the world, magic, and what exactly was happening for this one to completely land for me.
Audiobook ARC provided by NetGalley and Victory Editing in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2026
Spoiler Free!
*Splinters of Heaven* hit me with that rare mix of awe and quiet dread—the feeling that I was watching history being written by people who knew they were about to be judged by it. From the opening pages, the book carries a weight of inevitability: wars that feel ancient even as they unfold, gods who are distant and dangerous, and characters who understand that duty often demands terrible choices. This was very much a “just one more chapter” read for me.
What stood out most was the sense of scale. Tsirigotis doesn’t just describe battles; he captures how war fractures belief, loyalty, and memory. The worldbuilding feels lived-in, especially the way history itself becomes a weapon—myths, half-truths, and divine narratives shaping empires as much as swords ever do. Several scenes involving the aftermath of conflict stuck with me far longer than the battles themselves, particularly moments where characters grapple with whether their sacrifices actually mattered.
The tone reminded me of authors like Joe Abercrombie and R. Scott Bakker, with echoes of *The Silmarillion* in how legend and tragedy intertwine. This is not a comfort read—it’s thoughtful, grim, and often unsettling—but that’s precisely its strength.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy epic fantasy that leans philosophical, especially fans of morally complex worlds, god-haunted histories, and stories where victory always comes at a cost. If you like fantasy that respects your intelligence and lingers in your thoughts long after you finish, *Splinters of Heaven* is well worth your time.
*Splinters of Heaven* hit me with that rare mix of awe and quiet dread—the feeling that I was watching history being written by people who knew they were about to be judged by it. From the opening pages, the book carries a weight of inevitability: wars that feel ancient even as they unfold, gods who are distant and dangerous, and characters who understand that duty often demands terrible choices. This was very much a “just one more chapter” read for me.
What stood out most was the sense of scale. Tsirigotis doesn’t just describe battles; he captures how war fractures belief, loyalty, and memory. The worldbuilding feels lived-in, especially the way history itself becomes a weapon—myths, half-truths, and divine narratives shaping empires as much as swords ever do. Several scenes involving the aftermath of conflict stuck with me far longer than the battles themselves, particularly moments where characters grapple with whether their sacrifices actually mattered.
The tone reminded me of authors like Joe Abercrombie and R. Scott Bakker, with echoes of *The Silmarillion* in how legend and tragedy intertwine. This is not a comfort read—it’s thoughtful, grim, and often unsettling—but that’s precisely its strength.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy epic fantasy that leans philosophical, especially fans of morally complex worlds, god-haunted histories, and stories where victory always comes at a cost. If you like fantasy that respects your intelligence and lingers in your thoughts long after you finish, *Splinters of Heaven* is well worth your time.
January 2, 2026
Splinter of Heaven was an absolute blast to read. It’s a gritty, character-driven fantasy that immediately reminded me of the sharp edge and moral weight found in Joe Abercrombie’s work, while still feeling confident and distinct in its own voice. The novel opens at a measured pace, carefully laying the foundation of its world and characters before the narrative momentum begins to surge. Once it does, the pacing sharpens, the stakes rise, and it becomes genuinely difficult to put down.
One of the most satisfying aspects of the novel is Darya’s character arc. The brutality of her journey never feels gratuitous or hollow; instead, it fuels growth that feels earned and deeply compelling. From her first introduction of being chased through the swamp and forced to live with the consequences of survival-driven decisions, to her gradual internal discovery of power, resilience, and self-understanding, her evolution is gripping to witness. That blend of raw survival and hard-won personal growth makes her story especially rewarding and memorable.
Overall, Splinter of Heaven is an intense, immersive fantasy that balances action, darkness, and character development with impressive control. It’s the kind of book that draws you in patiently and then refuses to let go. If you enjoy fantasy that doesn’t flinch from darkness, but uses it to deepen characters rather than overwhelm the story, Splinter of Heaven is well worth your time.
One of the most satisfying aspects of the novel is Darya’s character arc. The brutality of her journey never feels gratuitous or hollow; instead, it fuels growth that feels earned and deeply compelling. From her first introduction of being chased through the swamp and forced to live with the consequences of survival-driven decisions, to her gradual internal discovery of power, resilience, and self-understanding, her evolution is gripping to witness. That blend of raw survival and hard-won personal growth makes her story especially rewarding and memorable.
Overall, Splinter of Heaven is an intense, immersive fantasy that balances action, darkness, and character development with impressive control. It’s the kind of book that draws you in patiently and then refuses to let go. If you enjoy fantasy that doesn’t flinch from darkness, but uses it to deepen characters rather than overwhelm the story, Splinter of Heaven is well worth your time.
March 26, 2026
Splinters of Heaven is a grimdark fantasy that features three exceptional and interesting POV characters. A scared girl who’s trying to fight the Empire, a young man who’s people were conquered by the empire who wants to be accepted, and a magic hunter who’s trying to protect the hunter. Throughout the novel, these characters faced the challenges of living in an evil empire with a magic system that destroys the world on a cyclic basis.
This was definitely a character first book, which is my kind of fantasy. I really enjoyed the characters’ individual arcs, especially as they often headed in different directions. But what really kept my attention was how the three POVs showed different perspectives of the world. These perspectives often overlapped and crossed each other in really interesting and sometimes thought-provoking ways.
The magic system was interesting, and I liked its cataclysmic interaction with the constant cycle of the world’s destruction. I wish the magic system had been fleshed out earlier in the novel, but it honestly didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.
I didn’t care for a specific trick the author used a couple of times, but honestly, it didn’t ruin the read for me.
Pick up Splinters of Heaven if you enjoy a character-forward fantasy and you don’t mind the (well worth it) wait for the world to become as exciting as the characters and the rest of the plot in the latter half of the book.
This was definitely a character first book, which is my kind of fantasy. I really enjoyed the characters’ individual arcs, especially as they often headed in different directions. But what really kept my attention was how the three POVs showed different perspectives of the world. These perspectives often overlapped and crossed each other in really interesting and sometimes thought-provoking ways.
The magic system was interesting, and I liked its cataclysmic interaction with the constant cycle of the world’s destruction. I wish the magic system had been fleshed out earlier in the novel, but it honestly didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.
I didn’t care for a specific trick the author used a couple of times, but honestly, it didn’t ruin the read for me.
Pick up Splinters of Heaven if you enjoy a character-forward fantasy and you don’t mind the (well worth it) wait for the world to become as exciting as the characters and the rest of the plot in the latter half of the book.
July 18, 2026
I'm back and forth on this one. It's not a true 3 but it's also missing something to make it a solid 4 for me.
I liked the concept of the cataclysm and circular nature of them, using a magic force to hunt down magic users (the opening scene truly evoked the opening of Inglorious Basterds), and the neat hints at tech. Though I felt like there was very little actually revealed about any of this lore, and even at the end when some things were brought up, they were still partially hidden, and even one character told the other character to speak plainly and that did not happen. I don't know, nothing felt resolved enough for me.
As far as characters go, aside from Syl, the other two POVs did very little for me, one I mostly skimmed their chapters. I just didn't connect with that POV nor the motivations. Syl was a great character, and his grief and arc I really enjoyed. He reminded me a lot of Christian Bale's character from Equilibrium, a hardened killer uncovering some truths about his believed reality (but like I mentioned before, those truths are verrrry murky still for unknown necessity). Of the side characters, Leon and Liora were great foils for Syl. The rest were fine.
The middle felt like a prolonged set-up and then the ending, while action packed, felt very rushed. There is a ton to like about this world but it wasn't fully pulling me in.
All in all, it's a decent book and I know other readers will enjoy it, it just didn't hit hard enough for me.
I liked the concept of the cataclysm and circular nature of them, using a magic force to hunt down magic users (the opening scene truly evoked the opening of Inglorious Basterds), and the neat hints at tech. Though I felt like there was very little actually revealed about any of this lore, and even at the end when some things were brought up, they were still partially hidden, and even one character told the other character to speak plainly and that did not happen. I don't know, nothing felt resolved enough for me.
As far as characters go, aside from Syl, the other two POVs did very little for me, one I mostly skimmed their chapters. I just didn't connect with that POV nor the motivations. Syl was a great character, and his grief and arc I really enjoyed. He reminded me a lot of Christian Bale's character from Equilibrium, a hardened killer uncovering some truths about his believed reality (but like I mentioned before, those truths are verrrry murky still for unknown necessity). Of the side characters, Leon and Liora were great foils for Syl. The rest were fine.
The middle felt like a prolonged set-up and then the ending, while action packed, felt very rushed. There is a ton to like about this world but it wasn't fully pulling me in.
All in all, it's a decent book and I know other readers will enjoy it, it just didn't hit hard enough for me.
Review of advance copy
I loved my first read through of Splinters of Heaven.
This was a darker and more in-depth read than I was expecting.
Definitely a sit there and consider your own life choices kind of read. As in, “would I have done the same as Darya? Or Syl?”
The decisions the characters are forced to, or choose to make in the book feel as real as my own.
The world building is unique and alludes to something bigger going on than meets the eye.
A whole new system of magic, and a world that has similarities to our own, but with a “end of the world” vibe that really hits home for me.
It has the action packed sword and shield piece that I love, but balances is very well with a level of deep emotional connection to the characters.
The author seems to be able to tap into an emotional level with his characters, that makes their decisions and outcomes feel like your own.
I felt the characters emotions in real time, which helped to bring the world to life for me.
I haven’t had a book really hit me this hard in awhile. The unique world, in-depth characters, and gritty realism mixed with fantasy speaks to me on a spiritual level.
I would highly recommend to anyone that is a fan of dark fantasy and fiction, similar to Abercrombie or Andrzej Sapkowski (Witcher).
This was a darker and more in-depth read than I was expecting.
Definitely a sit there and consider your own life choices kind of read. As in, “would I have done the same as Darya? Or Syl?”
The decisions the characters are forced to, or choose to make in the book feel as real as my own.
The world building is unique and alludes to something bigger going on than meets the eye.
A whole new system of magic, and a world that has similarities to our own, but with a “end of the world” vibe that really hits home for me.
It has the action packed sword and shield piece that I love, but balances is very well with a level of deep emotional connection to the characters.
The author seems to be able to tap into an emotional level with his characters, that makes their decisions and outcomes feel like your own.
I felt the characters emotions in real time, which helped to bring the world to life for me.
I haven’t had a book really hit me this hard in awhile. The unique world, in-depth characters, and gritty realism mixed with fantasy speaks to me on a spiritual level.
I would highly recommend to anyone that is a fan of dark fantasy and fiction, similar to Abercrombie or Andrzej Sapkowski (Witcher).
March 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Hollow Crown Press for the arc copy of this book.
The base/technical writing for this book is on point. I wasn’t frustrated with adult characters acting like children or feeling that there were definite self-insert characters getting in the way of the rest of the characters. The 3 main characters themselves are interesting and can stand alone from each other.
I unfortunately DNF’d this book around page 126 for a few reasons. First, the story itself wasn’t engaging or interesting enough for me. I set it down multiple times and had difficulties just getting to page 100. Second, while following three main characters can be done well, I felt a bit of whiplash with the first couple of chapters with how quickly the viewpoints changed. Third, while I was reading at a group outing the other day, I realized if someone asked me what the book was about, I didn’t really have an answer for them. I have no idea why there’s such urgency in delaying the rift other than it’ll be catastrophic. But it seems like people might survive afterwards? I’m just confused and have no general plot description to give out to others.
I may come back to this book after some time has passed. But I currently don’t recommend it.
The base/technical writing for this book is on point. I wasn’t frustrated with adult characters acting like children or feeling that there were definite self-insert characters getting in the way of the rest of the characters. The 3 main characters themselves are interesting and can stand alone from each other.
I unfortunately DNF’d this book around page 126 for a few reasons. First, the story itself wasn’t engaging or interesting enough for me. I set it down multiple times and had difficulties just getting to page 100. Second, while following three main characters can be done well, I felt a bit of whiplash with the first couple of chapters with how quickly the viewpoints changed. Third, while I was reading at a group outing the other day, I realized if someone asked me what the book was about, I didn’t really have an answer for them. I have no idea why there’s such urgency in delaying the rift other than it’ll be catastrophic. But it seems like people might survive afterwards? I’m just confused and have no general plot description to give out to others.
I may come back to this book after some time has passed. But I currently don’t recommend it.
January 11, 2026
🗡️ SPLINTERS OF HEAVEN by Theo Tsirigotis - (Spoiler free review)
Splinters of Heaven presents a dark and deeply crafted world, where the story stands not only on action or magic, but also on a political backdrop filled with tension, hard choices, and consequences that ripple across every corner of the Empire.
This balance makes the story feel organic, grounded, and full of weight.
The novel unfolds through three distinct perspectives (Darya, Syl, and Vali), each offering a unique lens into the conflict, the magic, and the forces moving behind the scenes. No voice overshadows the others; all three carry the story forward with equal strength, keeping the narrative engaging without ever slipping into filler.
Although the worldbuilding is dense, it's delivered with care: the world feels alive, shaped by clashing cultures, historical grudges, borders under pressure, and belief systems strained to their limit. All wrapped around a magic system that comes with real cost. Drawing power from the Rift is vivid, dangerous, and never free.
The pacing is steady but gripping. It opens with impact, builds confidently, and rises into an ending that raises the stakes without closing every door, setting up what promises to be an even larger sequel.
✨✨✨✨✨ (5/5)
Amazing cover by Kyle Enochs.
Splinters of Heaven presents a dark and deeply crafted world, where the story stands not only on action or magic, but also on a political backdrop filled with tension, hard choices, and consequences that ripple across every corner of the Empire.
This balance makes the story feel organic, grounded, and full of weight.
The novel unfolds through three distinct perspectives (Darya, Syl, and Vali), each offering a unique lens into the conflict, the magic, and the forces moving behind the scenes. No voice overshadows the others; all three carry the story forward with equal strength, keeping the narrative engaging without ever slipping into filler.
Although the worldbuilding is dense, it's delivered with care: the world feels alive, shaped by clashing cultures, historical grudges, borders under pressure, and belief systems strained to their limit. All wrapped around a magic system that comes with real cost. Drawing power from the Rift is vivid, dangerous, and never free.
The pacing is steady but gripping. It opens with impact, builds confidently, and rises into an ending that raises the stakes without closing every door, setting up what promises to be an even larger sequel.
✨✨✨✨✨ (5/5)
Amazing cover by Kyle Enochs.
January 20, 2026
This was an amazing read for anyone looking for a vibrant world and the kind of characters you’re instantly invested in. Personally, I found all three main characters interesting in their own way and was curious to see how or if their stories would intersect. One of my favorite characters was Vali, who I really liked from the beginning and was especially interested in seeing how he’d develop over the novel.
By far, my favorite aspect of the book was the world building. I liked how the book didn’t spend too much time explaining everything at the beginning and instead wove in background information as the plot progressed. Although it might seem like a grim and brutal world where everything is constantly at stake, there still remains hope in the midst of hopelessness.
“But the truth is, when your world is nothing but darkness, it’s easy to see a light no matter how small.”
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys unique fantasy worlds and an array of complex characters. Super excited to see what happens next!
By far, my favorite aspect of the book was the world building. I liked how the book didn’t spend too much time explaining everything at the beginning and instead wove in background information as the plot progressed. Although it might seem like a grim and brutal world where everything is constantly at stake, there still remains hope in the midst of hopelessness.
“But the truth is, when your world is nothing but darkness, it’s easy to see a light no matter how small.”
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys unique fantasy worlds and an array of complex characters. Super excited to see what happens next!
February 27, 2026
I struggled to get into the book and it took me some time to find my footing. The worldbuilding is ritch and paints a grimdark fantasy that feels gritty and lived in. The world and the magic system feels vast and deeper than what is shown on the page.
Each of the different POV characters brings something new to the page. We get to see politics, war, magic and the forces behind trough well chosen perspectives. We get to follow the charactes and see how they react to the challenges in front of them.
There is a lot of exposition, that is done well and sets a solid foundation for the rest of the series to come. The pacing shifts after two thirds of the book. First we get an introduction and then the book shifts more to the plot. How the storylines interveves makes you anticipate the next book in the series.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Each of the different POV characters brings something new to the page. We get to see politics, war, magic and the forces behind trough well chosen perspectives. We get to follow the charactes and see how they react to the challenges in front of them.
There is a lot of exposition, that is done well and sets a solid foundation for the rest of the series to come. The pacing shifts after two thirds of the book. First we get an introduction and then the book shifts more to the plot. How the storylines interveves makes you anticipate the next book in the series.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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