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Splinter
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Expected 1 Jun 26Ama is two days from starting her graduate program when she pulls off a Wyoming highway to rest her eyes. She wakes on bare earth beneath unfamiliar stars. Her car is gone. The highway is gone.
The world she's fallen into looks like Wyoming — the Red Desert, the Great Divide Basin, sage and sandstone — but it runs on different rules. People here develop capabilities: the ability to move water, heat stone, push air in ways physics back home can't explain. Those without capabilities survive on skill, trade, and instincts about who to trust.
Esah arrived the same way. A young man from Wamsutter who woke one morning to find his world replaced, he's further into the Basin's economy of survival than Ama — and deeper into its dangers. What neither of them understands is why people keep arriving. Or what happens to the ones who don't adapt.
Splinter is a science fantasy portal novel set in an alternate Wyoming where elemental magic functions like physics and survival depends on knowledge as much as power.
For readers of N.K. Jemisin, Hugh Howey, and Andy Weir.
Book 1 of the Splintered World series — an ongoing saga.
The world she's fallen into looks like Wyoming — the Red Desert, the Great Divide Basin, sage and sandstone — but it runs on different rules. People here develop capabilities: the ability to move water, heat stone, push air in ways physics back home can't explain. Those without capabilities survive on skill, trade, and instincts about who to trust.
Esah arrived the same way. A young man from Wamsutter who woke one morning to find his world replaced, he's further into the Basin's economy of survival than Ama — and deeper into its dangers. What neither of them understands is why people keep arriving. Or what happens to the ones who don't adapt.
Splinter is a science fantasy portal novel set in an alternate Wyoming where elemental magic functions like physics and survival depends on knowledge as much as power.
For readers of N.K. Jemisin, Hugh Howey, and Andy Weir.
Book 1 of the Splintered World series — an ongoing saga.
400 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC of this book. My review is based on that copy. The published work may differ from what I read.
I knew absolutely nothing about this book going in other than the summary. It ended up being a thought provoking deep dive into survivalism, human nature, community, and growth, set against a unique world and filled with creative magical ideas. The book has a fascinating premise, and I liked the prose. It’s brisk, descriptive, and sharp, if occasionally choppy. There are a few sections that were condensed and moved more quickly than I liked, but not to the point of being frustrating. Overall, the pacing was slow and unrushed.
The world building is extensive. There’s a lot of detail and the progress of Esah, the main point of view character, is slow. It worked though. I enjoyed seeing him figure out how to exist in the world, making mistakes but trying, and slowly discovering what works and what doesn’t. The slow revealing of the culture and community interested me. I liked seeing how trust and reputation mattered, and the way everything revolved around usefulness and trade.
The cast of characters is diverse, and how Esah builds friendships and connections over time was rewarding. There were no instant answers, just slow work put in to establish trust. There are missteps and consequences and all of it is human and recognizable. The plot and the stakes deepen throughout the story, and in spite of the premise and the fantastical elements it all felt grounded and real.
There were a few areas that needed more work. The magical elements were unique, but not explained coherently. I was confused about how they worked, why they worked, and what the limits were. Some things are repeated constantly, and others are not explained at all. I either wanted more information, or much less. It ended up in a nebulous middle ground that frustrated me. The character relationships were also lacking in a few areas. The individual people were interesting and developed well but some of their connections were brushed over. There was a lot that was not shown, and some relationships that are dropped from the narrative without explanation.
In spite of a few notable issues, I enjoyed reading this. If you are a fan of slower pacing and intricate world building, this will be right up your alley.
I knew absolutely nothing about this book going in other than the summary. It ended up being a thought provoking deep dive into survivalism, human nature, community, and growth, set against a unique world and filled with creative magical ideas. The book has a fascinating premise, and I liked the prose. It’s brisk, descriptive, and sharp, if occasionally choppy. There are a few sections that were condensed and moved more quickly than I liked, but not to the point of being frustrating. Overall, the pacing was slow and unrushed.
The world building is extensive. There’s a lot of detail and the progress of Esah, the main point of view character, is slow. It worked though. I enjoyed seeing him figure out how to exist in the world, making mistakes but trying, and slowly discovering what works and what doesn’t. The slow revealing of the culture and community interested me. I liked seeing how trust and reputation mattered, and the way everything revolved around usefulness and trade.
The cast of characters is diverse, and how Esah builds friendships and connections over time was rewarding. There were no instant answers, just slow work put in to establish trust. There are missteps and consequences and all of it is human and recognizable. The plot and the stakes deepen throughout the story, and in spite of the premise and the fantastical elements it all felt grounded and real.
There were a few areas that needed more work. The magical elements were unique, but not explained coherently. I was confused about how they worked, why they worked, and what the limits were. Some things are repeated constantly, and others are not explained at all. I either wanted more information, or much less. It ended up in a nebulous middle ground that frustrated me. The character relationships were also lacking in a few areas. The individual people were interesting and developed well but some of their connections were brushed over. There was a lot that was not shown, and some relationships that are dropped from the narrative without explanation.
In spite of a few notable issues, I enjoyed reading this. If you are a fan of slower pacing and intricate world building, this will be right up your alley.
May 20, 2026
I requested this arc because I was intrigued by its description. Someone resting near the Highway and suddenly everything was different.
The world you once new gone, only its surroundings remained intact. Only thinking about such eventuality would give
you goosebumps.
The author tells his tale in a third person point of view, the main focus is on Esah yet he often shifts his focus
on other people as well. All stuck in that new world, familiar yet unknown.
Letting go of their past lives takes time, accommodating to this new world and learning on how to survive doesn’t
has such luxury.
What makes this new life special? People appear to have powers or capabilities as they’re called.
It doesn’t represent you as a person, yet it’s a tool that works for you.
This book is a lesson in antropology, human history and our ability to evolve.
Evolution has always allowed our species to last over time, in any world.
How we do it, that’s the interesting part.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me this opportunity.
The world you once new gone, only its surroundings remained intact. Only thinking about such eventuality would give
you goosebumps.
The author tells his tale in a third person point of view, the main focus is on Esah yet he often shifts his focus
on other people as well. All stuck in that new world, familiar yet unknown.
Letting go of their past lives takes time, accommodating to this new world and learning on how to survive doesn’t
has such luxury.
What makes this new life special? People appear to have powers or capabilities as they’re called.
It doesn’t represent you as a person, yet it’s a tool that works for you.
This book is a lesson in antropology, human history and our ability to evolve.
Evolution has always allowed our species to last over time, in any world.
How we do it, that’s the interesting part.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me this opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Splinter follows Esah as he arrives in an alternate reality Wyoming. The world building in this novel is extensive and detailed. Elements of the story are based on actual scientific concepts. At times it was almost philosophical. It is a slow paced story but well written. I was a little confused that the prologue began with Ama's story but the rest of the novel focused on Eash. I would've liked to have seen more of Ama and how she adjusted to her new environment.
My only critique is that the story did get a little repetitive at times, especially towards the end. Some of the character dialogue was repeated almost word for word very close together in the story.
Since this is the first book in a series I am interested to see where the author takes the story and the characters.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My only critique is that the story did get a little repetitive at times, especially towards the end. Some of the character dialogue was repeated almost word for word very close together in the story.
Since this is the first book in a series I am interested to see where the author takes the story and the characters.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The premise of this story immediately caught my attention. A survival focused portal fantasy set in the desert sounded incredibly promising, and the opening definitely creates a strong sense of mystery and displacement.
Unfortunately, this one ultimately wasn't the right fit for me. I struggled to fully connect with the writing style and some of the early character interactions, which made it difficult for me to stay immersed in the story. I also found myself wanting a bit more grounding and gradual development in the worldbuilding and dialogue.
That said, the concept itself is genuinely interesting, and I think readers who enjoy fast moving portal fantasy adventures with immediate survival stakes may have a better experience with it than I did.
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC.
Unfortunately, this one ultimately wasn't the right fit for me. I struggled to fully connect with the writing style and some of the early character interactions, which made it difficult for me to stay immersed in the story. I also found myself wanting a bit more grounding and gradual development in the worldbuilding and dialogue.
That said, the concept itself is genuinely interesting, and I think readers who enjoy fast moving portal fantasy adventures with immediate survival stakes may have a better experience with it than I did.
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews