Slivers

by Vicki Atkinson

In a single week in the summer of 1973, a quiet suburban neighborhood implodes when generations of mystical deceit become too much to bear. Drawn to the web of secrets and lies, the other worldly slivers refuse to be ignored, pushing one family to the brink.

284 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2026

Reviews

[Melanie McGauran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disembodied voices. Moving objects. Mind-reading. We jump right into Vicki Atkinson’s Slivers with her characters besieged by supernatural forces they don't understand. The slivers are getting bolder; a terrible tension is building. With Atkinson’s “in-the-moment” storytelling, I felt it almost immediately.
Over one week in the summer of 1973, we see the three protagonists struggle against not only the slivers, but the emotional exposure of a terrible family secret shattering everything they once knew.

Slivers is a story of discovering one’s true identity. These characters can finally face the truth of who they are and their roles in protecting the ancient Hiraeth. There is magic and mysticism, and strong intuition at play.
As the story progresses, Slivers gave me author Anne Rice vibes. Humans and entities finding a fragile peace and work to share a common ancient history. Love that! I enjoyed so many details of this highly creative storyline. I hope Atkinson continues on this track.

As a fan of supernatural stories, Slivers delivers.

[Michelle Oram · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first pages, Slivers delivers all the elements of a classic ghost story—strange voices, moving objects, spooky houses and mysterious neighbours.

As teenage friends Jane, Katie and Eric struggle to make sense of what’s happening, they start to piece together a dysfunctional family history and a tangled web of lies and well-intentioned deceit. When all is revealed, their lives will be changed forever.

I enjoyed Vicki’s memoir, Surviving Sue, and I’ve been following her updates on her blog as she wrote her debut novel. I was so excited to read it, and it didn’t disappoint. I’m not usually a fan of ghost stories, but I found myself drawn into the labyrinth of family secrets and lies and couldn’t wait to find out how the story would end.

[Linda Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slivers is a captivating supernatural coming-of-age story that blends mystery, suspense, and friendship into an unforgettable adventure. Set during one extraordinary week in 1973, the novel follows best friends Jane and Katie as they navigate the challenges of growing up while uncovering eerie ancestral secrets and present-day deceits.

What begins with strange voices, shared thoughts and spooky houses quickly spirals into a thrilling journey that keeps readers guessing at every turn. The bond between Jane and Katie gives the story heart and authenticity, while the supernatural elements create an atmosphere that is both chilling and exciting.

The novel shines in its ability to capture the uncertainty of adolescence alongside the terror of discovering that the world is far stranger than it seems. With twists, suspense, and a strong sense of mystery, Slivers delivers a fast-paced and entertaining ride from beginning to end.

Readers who enjoy supernatural fiction mixed with friendship, family secrets, and eerie small-town intrigue will find plenty to love in Slivers. Hang on tight - this rollicking adventure takes readers on a haunting and memorable journey they will not soon forget.

[Edward Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great supernatural novel where three characters—Jane, Katie, and Eric—find themselves dealing with inexplicable phenomena that have actually been occurring for generations. The author does an excellent job connecting the past with the present, developing the mystery of the Slivers and the Hiraeth (a portal of sorts that provides a thin space between worlds where the impossible happens). The story really picks up the pace once you reach the chapter titled “The Accident - 1965," and I couldn’t put it down after that. Watching Jane, Katie, and Eric unravel the truth of these encounters with the help of a character from the past kept me hooked until the very end.

[Vickie Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vicki – Your talent amazes me! Vicki Atkinson’s first book, a memoir titled Surviving Sue, touched me personally and was filled with honesty, compassion, and hope. It was impossible to forget. And now she does it again!

With Slivers, Vicki shows that her talent encompasses more than one genre. Slivers takes place in the summer of 1973 and is a compelling supernatural fiction that exhibits the same qualities that made her first book so captivating- richly developed characters and a true understanding of family dynamics. Her background in psychology makes the supernatural elements feel like real-life experiences we all share.

Slivers is a story about family, identity, intuition, and the discovery of truths long hidden. The suspense kept me turning pages.

I also loved the real-life connection to George!

Many writers master one genre; Vicki has now mastered two... Slivers and Surviving Sue. Vicki Atkinson is a gifted storyteller who leaves you thinking about her stories long after the book ends. I highly recommend Slivers as your next read!

[Pete Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've followed Dr. Vicki Atkinson's blog for some time, and having previously read her memoir, Surviving Sue, I was excited to learn that she was writing fiction. I can only hope that she continues down this path because Slivers is a terrific supernatural fiction novel that skillfully peels away the layers of generations of secrets in a dysfunctional family.

Set in 1973, this story follows three sisters as they attempt to hide a terrible family secret from their children. Though the mothers intend to protect their children, they do so through outright lies, deceit, and absurd insincerity. As the teens begin to connect the dots, the mothers become more desperate and act even more irrationally, attempting to cover up the messes they've already made. While the overall tale spans one week in the present, we learn much of the backstory as the novel unfolds. It was suspenseful throughout, and I kept wondering what lengths the adults would go to carry out the charade.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vicki Atkinson is a good writer. I "met" her through our blogs and have enjoyed her posts each and every time. I read her first book, Surviving Sue, a memoir about being raised by a mom with mental health issues, addiction, and ultimately Alzheimer's, while protecting her disabled younger sister. The memoir was not easy to read, not because of the excellent writing, but the subject matter. Yet, Vicki's courage in writing this book is helpful to so many who have been raised in dysfunctional childhoods.
Slivers is different, it's a supernatural thriller that also addresses family dysfunction. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that I get freaked out by supernatural stories with so many elements of truth. I generally don't read these kinds of books, but Slivers is another example of Vicki Atkinson's writing skill. Well done.

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

You may think your family is a tribe of misfits, but what if there’s a backstory from generations earlier? I’ve never chewed my fingernails, but I could have with this story of ancestral secrets run amok. Teenagers living with secrets, rituals, tension, deceit, assured by their mothers that things are okay but sensing otherwise. Important things, worrisome, unspoken. Family dysfunction on steroids.

With whispers about the gift of intuition in her own family from generations across the ocean, Vicki Atkinson has woven a compelling story of inherited tentacles deeply entangled in the lives of younger descendants.

[Kathleen Canfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking to read a book that keeps you engaged and wanting to know more Silvers is for you. It brings you into life in the 70's to a family's intricate dynamic that is complex and interesting. Though fictional, the narrative is rooted in the author's own history, lending the characters to a rare depth and familiarity. You can visualize them in your mind, the way they look, dress, and feel, it's like you are in the room with them observing as the plot unfolds. Mystery, spiritual undercurrents, and the complexities of family life intertwine seamlessly, creating a story that lingers long after you finish. You will be left wanting to know that happens next to Jane and Katie.

[Muriel Harlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my time reading this book. Story arc and character development are excellent. Use of language, descriptions, varied sentence lengths to enhance action, use of humor and teen patois, as well as dialogue and atmosphere are outstanding. SLIVERS is a study in how to write a multi-layered novel. As a ‘reader-reader’ instead of a ‘writer-reader’, I found the only "flaw" in SLIVERS was it simultaneously urged me to race forward while I wanted to read slowly and enjoy to the fullest every nuance this talented author delivers.

[Wynne Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets are meant to be kept—but never without consequence. In Slivers, Vicki Atkinson masterfully weaves good intentions with a tangled past, crafting a rich story of family, gifts, and legacy. This emotionally resonant novel explores how secrets can both protect and wound, ultimately celebrating those who survive—and thrive—despite them. A captivating read that lingers long after the final page.