Splinter Effect by Andrew Ludington is an absolute genre mash-up that kept me entertained from start to finish. This intriguing story effortlessly blends time travel and historical fiction with an exciting adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Rabbit, the protagonist, works on sponsored expeditions into the past, aiming to save precious artifacts before they vanish from history. Currently, Rabbit is trying to save a Menorah, but things haven't gone as planned. The setup for this story is truly unique and complex. Ludington has done an exceptional job incorporating the rich history of Constantinople, while still making the story engaging and action-packed.

Several side characters play important roles in the overall narrative, including a past failed mission and an illegal time traveler named Helen. The story takes a number of fascinating twists and turns, and not all the action takes place in the past.

I found Splinter Effect to be exceptionally well-written, keeping me engaged from the very first page. Rabbit is likable and easy to root for as he navigates various scrapes, using his wits and creativity to come up with clever solutions.


Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

What I know about sixth-century Constantinople would fit on the head of a pin. But I love time travel books, so I decided to risk it. I’m glad I did. “Splinter Effect” is one of those books that, the more you read, the more you want to read. With any time travel book, chances are probably pretty good that the main character will return to his home safe and sound at some point. I wasn’t really sure about Dr. Robert “Rabbit” Ward’s chances. Either outcome could have led to a really captivating story.

“Splinter Effect” begins in 2018 and Rabbit has already been a time-traveling archaeologist for 20 years. Most of his missions have gone well but recently a thief has emerged, threatening Rabbit’s livelihood.

I’ve observed that most time travel books utilize: 1. A machine; 2. A portal; or, 3. A random event in which the traveler awakens in a different year and often in a different body. Rabbit uses a machine to travel to the past, then establishes a “decay point” to return to for his trip back.

I recommend “Splinter Effect.” Most of the book takes place in Constantinople and the action moves quickly. Rabbit doesn’t know whom to trust and he’s constantly in jeopardy. It reminds me of spy novels and movies: I know I don’t have the nerve for it. I got nervous on Rabbit’s behalf.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of “Splinter Effect.” This is my honest review.

What an epic time traveling adventure through history. This was a wonderful debut novel. Danger and suspense around every corner. I see good things in the future for this author.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. Sorry to say that I wasn't expecting too much from this book, but I was totally wrong. It pulled me into the story immediately and it was hard to put down. I definitely want to read more in this series. It reminded me a bit of Indiana Jones if he was a time-traveling archeologist. A very unique and adventure-filled book.

I generally stay away from time travel books because they make my head hurt trying to figure out what, where, and when. LOL! However, this blurb appealed to me anyway. We started with a bang, and the plot never really let me go. I wasn’t sure I really liked Rabbit, but I did love Helen, much to my surprise. I grew to like Rabbit by the end, though. Add in an interesting universe, some intense characters, and an action-filled plot. I didn’t really like all the history (personal preference), but I would have if this wasn’t a fiction book, and I know some will love it. All in all, a fun, interesting read. I really did enjoy it aside from a few times my head hurt. LOL! Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Heavy on the history with an interesting time travel element to it. But these kind of took back stage to the main character and his life as a time travel and the results of doing so.

Splinter Effect is an exciting combination of time-travel sci-fi and historical adventure heist. The premise is fairly simple: Rabbit Ward travels back in time to find and hide precious artifacts so they can be found in present time. It's not as easy it sounds, since he had to face dangerous situations and potential interference from other time-travellers.

The first half of the book sets the scene of ancient Rome and Constantinople, and there's the awe of being there with the historical figures and architecture. And the second half really picks up with the action of the heist, and Rabbit would need to face consequences of his past and present decisions.

Overall it's a really fun book that pulls you in with the plot! It's light on sci-fi elements, and probably more enjoyable as an adventure story!

I enjoyed the time travel concept and the history throughout this book. Rabbit read a little flat as a character, but I loved Helen. I would read the next book just to find out more about her!

Indiana Jones meets Back To The Future? Kind of. Sounds great alright although this one didn’t quite hit the mark.

A story of people travelling back in time to find precious lost artefacts, hide them so they can be found in the future and jump back to present day within a certain time.
Time travel is legal but heavily regulated and although it is used by museums, there are also privately funded missions also.

I thought this one would be a lot more fun than it was. Interesting ideas but the vast majority of the book takes place approximately 500AD and I found it a little boring. Too heavy on detail of the setting, buildings etc and not enough happening or even dialogue. I also found it hard to keep track of all the characters.

It’s not a bad book per se and it had some cool ideas but it dragged a lot for me and ended up feeling all a bit convoluted.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.

I found the premise of this novel interesting as I tend to drift to any time-travel novel. The journey to ancient Rome and the excessive detail about life there seemed to pull down the pacing. As other promotional material states, this work is very similiar to Raiders of the Lost Ark but not as suspenseful. A bit of suspension of reality is needed to accept that there is no real language barrier. It takes some time to find out about the treasure and why Rabbit Ward is so intent of acquiring the menorah. There are some flaws but overall a fairly enjoyable tale

Smithsonian archaeologist Rabbit Ward's job has been to travel through time and secure precious artifacts moments before they are lost forever to history. New evidence reveals the menorah Rabbit lost on his disasterous previous mission may have reappeared in 6th century Constantinople.

I have to confess being a little confused by the first part of the book and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. Once the book got going, however, I really enjoyed it! I very much liked Rabbit and the other main characters. The pace picked up nicely and Splinter Effect became a story of intrigue, danger, history, and maybe even a wee bit of romance. I really, really hope this is the start of a series!!

Thank you #MinotaurBooks for providing this book for review consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This book has an expected publication date of March 18, 2025.

#AndrewLudington, #TimeTravel, #Science Fiction #Archaeology

I'm not normally one for sci-fi but this one sucked me in immediately and did not let me go. It couples the sci-fi elements with the tried-and-true Indiana Jones effect to great success.

Rabbit is a chrono-archaeologist, who travels back in time to find artifacts from history. In a moment of spectacular failure, Rabbit loses a historic artifact and his mentee, Aaron. With both of them lost to time, he is faced with the chance to find the memory again, twenty years later. He jumps at this chance of redemption. But everywhere he goes, a mysterious woman shows up, and thwarts his plans.


This story was a fast-paced, action-packed thrill ride! I enjoyed every moment of this book. I so desperately want this to be turned into a tv show or movie (preferably a tv show)! The characters had depth, being both stuck in the past, yet plowing forward into new adventures. I love how Rabbit craves the adventure of the past, yet must deal with the mundanity of modern day academia fundraisers. It’s a hilarious irony.

I hope there is a follow up book planned, I feel like Rabbit has many more stories to tell.

Dr. Robert Ward, better known as Rabbit, is a chromo-archeologist. He travels the time stream, looking for artifacts that could change the course of history. Lately, he has been plagued by another group of time travelers, including a woman named Helen, who he has come up against in the past. Rabbit receives intelligence that the menorah from the Second Temple in Jerusalem has surfaced in Constantinople during the reign of Justinian. The menorah was the worst failure of Rabbit's career, he lost both it and his apprentice, Aaron, the first time he tried to retrieve it. The Jewish population in Constantinople are ready to revolt; their oppression is legendary. But the leader of the Jewish opposition is the last person Rabbit would have ever expected to find. He and Helen must team up just to get out of the past safely and leave the timeline intact or it will splinter and they will never return to their correct future. An interesting take on time travel.

A gripping and suspenseful time travel story
A very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters. The tension builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. I definitely had the feel of actually being transported to the past into the city of Constantinople. Very well done, a great plot line with plenty of suspense, tension and history. I love time travel stories and this has been one of the best I have read. It is hard to believe this is a debut novel, it is like this author has a lot of experience in his writing abilities. A smooth flow, well worded, clear and detailed with plenty of depth. I know this is a fictional story, but I am sure there is also a lot of correct historical context as well. I found it to be very interesting from a historical viewpoint as well as entertaining as a novel. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.

Loved it! History, adventure, action, danger, Themes of loyalty, friendship, morality, This is Andrew Ludington’ s first novel and hopefully, not his last. You don’t have to be a regular reader of science fiction or of history to enjoy all the feats of derring-do and on the edge of your seat suspense of Splinter Effect. Just suspend all disbelief and enjoy the ride.
Archaeologist Robert (Rabbit) Ward time travels to locate and bury historical artifacts so that they can be dug up and recovered in the future. His latest trip back through time is to discover a lost menorah in Ancient Rome. Twenty years previously, Ward had and lost the menorah along with his young travel partner and mentee, Aaron, who he could not rescue and had to leave behind. According to new evidence seemingly meant for him, the menorah is in Constantinople in the 6th century. Rabbit is determined to retrieve the menorah and right the wrongs of his past as well as assuage his guilt over his failure to rescue his young protege. Rabbit must accomplish his task during a time of imminent revolution by the Jewish population as well as race against Helen, his competitor, who is also in Constantinople searching for the menorah. Rabbit must survive marauding gangs in the streets, a murderer on the loose, and the events, politics, and justice system of 535 CE and get back to the Washington, DC in 2018. Travel with Rabbit back in time to Greece, Constantinople, and Rome in 455 CE and his story ending in Macedonia in 335 BCE.
The story moves along quickly, the characters are important to the plot and they interact and bond in a way that is important to Rabbit’s success. The plot is about more than the retrieval of an important historical object. It revolves around the growth of the main characters, the importance of friendship and loyalty, the effects of power, and the desire and need to set things right. Set against historical settings, you get a story of kinship, bravery, and the possibility of science to restore the treasures of the past.
I look forward to reading more about Rabbit Ward and to further enjoy his exploits and travels. Bring it on!
I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of Spliinter Effect. This is an honest review of Andrew Ludington’s novel.

The Splinter Effect is fascinating if you are into time travel.
This is a fantastic book and kept me breathless on the edge during the diverse time travels and jumping back into the present.
Andrew Ludington is marvelous making me feel like I was right there with Rabbit Ward as we jumped through time, being chased by palace guards.
I would give this book a 10 if I could.
This book is way beyond the realm that I usually read and I loved it. It was hard to put down and my housework stayed set on pause until I finished it.
#TheSplinterEffect
AndrewLudington
#MinatourBooks
#NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this early review copy!

I was delightfully surprised by this book! I don't typically like sci fi books, but this book turned out to be heavier in the historical fiction area than sci fi, which I absolutely loved. I wasn't too sure how I felt about Rabbit, the main character, in the beginning, but I grew to love him. It looks like this may be the beginning of a series, and I truly hope it is because by the end of the book I was ready to go on another time traveling adventure with Rabbit!

In this book, agents travel into the past to rescue priceless items right before they disappear in history. Sometimes the reasons that the items were lost were dangerous: such as a volcanic eruption, earthquake, an invading army, rioting, or contagious illness with a high fatality rate, for example. There is also danger from other time travelers looking for the same item for different reasons. They may mean to sell it for profit or may have been paid to retrieve it for a collector or an institution.

Rabbit Ward is the central character, an archaeologist who works for the Smithsonian. Rabbit's worst trip into the past led to him losing both the ancient menorah he was sent to find and his very young partner. Now the menorah has surfaced in 6th century Constantinople. Rabbit goes there and discovers some unpleasant facts: the city of Constantinople is about to explode into rioting, and he has other competitors looking for the prize, some contemporary and some from the future.

Then he spots someone from his past who can't possibly be there. I received this e-arc from the publisher St. Martin's Press and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

Indiana Jones with a time machine. I loved it. Modern politics, ancient life, lots of detail that I'll take as accurate.