I love a good mystery/suspense novel, one that keeps me engaged from the first word until the end. SPLINTER EFFECT kept me guessing and I enjoyed that. The book is about a time-jumping archaeologist named Robert “Rabbit” Ward. Because of a major failure on a past mission, Rabbit is under serious restriction and suspicion. On a previous jump his assistant was lost in time, having not returned at the proper moment. Now, against better judgment, his superior has given him this one last chance to redeem himself and restart his career.
The mission is to return in time and retrieve the item that was not recovered on the previous jump: the menorah from Jerusalem's Second Temple. Positive proof that it was in Constantinople in the year 535 CE. All he has to do is make the jump, get to Constantinople, retrieve the menorah, and get back to the return site within the time limit.
The complication is that another time-jumper has been detected, a “stringer” named Helen. This is a complication that could seriously jeopardize Rabbit's mission. The key risk is that something happens to significantly change history and cause a splinter effect, something that changes everything in the time line from that point in history on.
Following Rabbit on this delicate journey through time was captivating. The author created a well crafted plot that was fresh and engaging. The only thing that held me back was that there were times when it felt as though we were given too much extraneous information about the architecture and history of a particular city or region. This seriously slowed down the reading and actually pulled me away from the plot of the novel—the place where I wanted to be.
Still, I recommend this novel to anyone why enjoys a good historical adventure filled with suspense. I thank NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this novel and offer my honest review.

Andrew Ludington
SPLINTER EFFECT

This was a wild, unpredictable journey through time (455, 535, 2018 CE) to Alexandria, Constantinople, Greece, Rome, London, Washington D.C. Glad to be “safe inside a book” while reading of such risky travel while Robert AKA Rabbit, time traveler/archaeologist, takes all the chances while seeking lost treasures
Time travel requires one to be careful of what or whom is lost and what is found, and above all, to be sure to be on time back to the “decay point,” the point of entry into a new time. There are other rules, and suspected rules, and there are other forces at work, including Helen, rival or ally? Who’s to be sure of which?
SPLINTER EFFECT caught me in its web of intrigues so much that bedtime was delayed and the TV stayed off, and these characters live on in my mind . . . and maybe in another book? Please?

We love an action packed story with a different timeline and going back in time involved in the story! Very interesting since it involves different civilizations and traveling to different times, just the thought of changing one small thing could lead to a huge ripple in the present and future! Recommend for action readers!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I love a good time travel novel and have read several but this kind of fell flat to me. I'm not sure exactly why but I just had a hard time getting into this book. I read/listened to the audio and feel like the narrator, Roger Wayne, did a great job though.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 18 March 2025

A Splinter Effect (hard from Minotaur Books) is what happens when a time traveler makes too great a change in the past .Andrew Ludington tells an exciting tale of trying to retrieve the menorah stolen by Rome in 70 ad. It made its way to Byzantium under Justinian in the fifth century CE. Smithsonian archaeologist Rabbit Ward, who's been retrieving objects from the past for two decades, has less than a week to steal and hide it to be recovered in his present. There’s a mysterious woman who sometimes hinders, and sometimes helps. There’s a gangster in the city whose goons are after him. Very exciting. I’m hoping it's the start of a series.

This was such a non-stop action filled tourist attraction! I've never been to Europe, but it was so fascinating to hear about all of the different historical places and people while also being taken through an incredible journey for artifacts.

It was also really cool to see Rabbit working through past traumas while also growing to right his old wrongs, all with a little sprinkle of budding feelings on the side.

In this debut novel by Andrew Ludington, time travel exists and it is both privately funded and publicly controlled. There are a fair amount of rules and due to the vagaries of private funding, it is used primarily to recover items from the past right before they disappear or are destroyed. If, somehow, you screw up something and change the past, the timeline splinters and creates a new reality separate from the one you are in. Interesting concepts, but they aren't explored very much in the story. Instead, we have "Rabbit" Ward heading back to the 6th century to retrieve an item and most of the story takes place in this time period. Despite the difficulty in funding and arranging for travels to the past, Rabbit is competing with two other people from the present all vying for the same item at the same time. In addition, Rabbit is haunted by losing his partner 20 years prior on a different mission. The details from 6th century Constantinople were fascinating and you can really picture that time period. While I enjoyed the story, I think I would have preferred a less rushed ending to the story and some more time travel details, especially about splintering, considering the book was even named for that effect.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance ecopy. My opinion is my own.

I ended up really liking this story, I did have a hard time getting into it, because I kept thinking about Quantum Leap while reading it. But, at about the 40% mark I was hooked and then read it every chance I got.

I will definitely continue with this series. The premise was one I haven't read before and I found the action enjoyable. Plus, there was a cliff hanger and I have to see what happens next.

I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book. The story is about time traveling to obtain lost treasures. This is kind of an Indiana Jones type time travel thing, and I was half expecting the bad guys to be Nazis who had figured out time travel first and just messed up reality. No, it was much closer to home. I would definitely recommend,

Who doesn't love a great mystery with a bit of time travel thrown in, and a slow burn romance to boot? I'm a big fan of the slow burn as these types of relationships seem to last. I wouldn't call it a romance though,more Sci-fi in nature. I find with these types, I need to read a second or 3rd time because 1. I always read fast on the first go around and 2. I pick up more details I missed in the first read through. Especially if it's a fast-paced book.

I don't seek out sci-fi, but I often end up reading and immensely enjoying time travel novels. This one is excellent for fans of ancient history, especially ancient Rome ( includes an epic chariot race ) and Egypt. I fell in love with ancient Egypt during grade ten history class. It was the only history class I enjoyed.

I couldn't read this fast enough, wanting to know how it ended. Will he or will he not get the menorah? Regardless will he make it back to his own time, in the original time line? Or will the time line splinter changing life as he knows it forever.

A well paced mystery that spans the ages, with a twist that is oh so good, and an extra-slow burn romance in the background.

Great for fans of The Ministry of Time!


Thanks @NetGalley and @stmartinspress for an E-ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up!

Recently released, March 18th, 2025!

The concept of a time traveling archeologist going back in time to rescue artifacts before they are forever lost in time was unique and entertaining. The time traveler’s mission is to recover the artifacts without doing anything to alter history or there will be a splinter effect in the historical timeline. The snapshots of ancient history were interesting. Rabbit Ward has traveled back to 535 CE Constantinople to retrieve a menorah in hopes he’ll find redemption from a previous mission to recover the menorah that went horribly wrong. Rabbit, as well as his career, have never recovered from the loss of his mentee, Aaron, on that failed mission. There’s plenty of suspense and action in this enjoyable story.

I like science fiction and time travel. I like the premise of a time when time travel is common and specific rules have been made made to cover it. I like the idea of competition where more than one person may be back to the same time, desiring the same artifact. I like exploring the concept of changing an act in the past causing history to splinter off.

I was not prepared for how much of this novel took place in 535 Rome. Many historical facts are shared in this section and I felt the momentum of the plot slowed down because of it. Readers who like historical fiction may like the novel, especially if they are interested in that Roman time. I would have liked more of the actual time travel experiences and perhaps a little more of the technology involved.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This is quite an adventure. I would be great if you could travel through time to see what it was really like in the past. Rabbit has been going back in time for years, but one particular time, he lost the man who went with him. He felt very guilty, and it did affect the funding. He is wondering if he will continue to have a job. When asked to go back in time to get a menorah, he jumps at the chance to right a wrong. There is woman who has been showing up at the same place for the last few times and he doesn't know what her agenda is. While in the past, he runs into someone he never thought he would see. When he goes back to his time, things are in chaos and he and his team are under investigation. Rabbit needs to go back to a time close to the one he was at before, but that is against the law. Can he chance it? Will he be able to get the menorah this time? Will he even return?

I love a good time travel story, and Splinter Effect immediately caught my attention with its intriguing premise. Smithsonian archaeologist Rabbit Ward travels to the past on expeditions to retrieve artifacts just before they are lost to history. While he’s exceptional at his job, he’s haunted by a past failure—twenty years ago, he not only lost the menorah of the Second Temple but also his mentee, Aaron, who became stranded in 455 Rome.

Now, with new evidence placing the menorah in 6th-century Constantinople, Rabbit gets another chance at redemption. However, things quickly spiral out of control. Not only is an unlicensed and frustratingly capable rival, Helen, also hunting for the artifact, but Constantinople itself is on the verge of revolution. The city’s oppressed Jewish population is ready to rise, dangerous factions are at play, and someone is willing to kill to claim the menorah. With Rabbit’s past failures looming over him and new dangers at every turn, time might finally be up—not just for his redemption, but for his life.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Splinter Effect is the world it builds around time travel. In this alternate universe, time travel is legal but prohibitively expensive, meaning only the wealthiest individuals and organizations fund expeditions—often for their own benefit rather than academic research. This adds an interesting layer to the story, highlighting the ethical and financial struggles surrounding time travel.

While most of the book follows Rabbit’s quest to retrieve the artifact in 535 Constantinople, there’s also a secondary storyline involving Aaron, the time traveler left behind in 455 Rome. This aspect of the book was compelling, but I wish it had been more developed. There’s a sense of mystery surrounding Aaron’s fate and how it ties into Rabbit’s current mission, which kept me guessing. That said, my inner detective was way off in trying to predict how things would unfold!

Rabbit is a well-developed protagonist, embodying that classic Indiana Jones mix of intelligence, adventure, and personal flaws. His rivalry with Helen adds an entertaining dynamic, as they reluctantly work together while constantly trying to outmaneuver each other. However, beyond Rabbit and a few key characters, the rest of the cast felt a bit underdeveloped—more like background figures than fully realized individuals.

The book is packed with historical details, which will likely be a treat for history buffs. Rabbit constantly rattles off obscure historical facts about the people, places, and politics of the time. While this adds authenticity and depth to the setting, the frequent info dumps occasionally disrupted the story’s flow. For those less invested in Greek and Roman history, these moments might feel more like interruptions than enhancements.

The pacing is generally steady to fast, with plenty of action, intrigue, and shifting alliances. The second half of the book, where Rabbit and Helen navigate the treacherous world of Constantinople while scheming against each other, was particularly engaging. Despite a few minor frustrations—such as the sometimes heavy-handed historical exposition and underdeveloped side characters—the story kept me hooked.

The ending was a definite highlight, leaving me with a good feeling and a smile. Overall, Splinter Effect is an entertaining time-travel adventure with an intriguing premise, solid character development for Rabbit, and a well-researched historical backdrop. While it didn’t completely blow me away, it was still a fun and worthwhile read.

This is an action packed novel by Andrew Ludington about a time traveling archaeologist “Rabbit” Ward who goes into the past to procure and hide precious artifacts that then can be retrieved when he returns to the present. For a first novel I found it to be well written and the story flows nicely. Twenty years earlier his mission to find a famous menorah and save it from the Vandels who were overrunning Rome and taking all the valuables, was a huge failure. Not only did he not save the menorah he also left behind the son of his sponsor. Was he dead or fated to live in old Rome? Rabbit didn’t know but it wore on him ever since. His last few missions were interrupted by a “stringer” an illegal time traveler, who stole part or all his findings. This caused his sponsorships to wane was he to be forced into retirement by lack if funding? He soon found evidence in a mummy that the menorah he did not get was not lost but in Constantinople when the Romans conquered the Vandels. They had brought it there along with all the other treasures to march it through the streets in victory. With an unusual anonymous sponsorship Rabbit has a chance to redeem himself. In Constantinople everything does not go smoothly. He spots his rival she has been following him, the Jewish population is oppressed and looking toward revolution, there is a faction that is looking to do him harm. One night they catch him watching a warehouse and chase him & he falls into the sea. He can’t get himself up the sea wall but sees a light flickering. He makes it just as the cold water seems to be winning only to find the stringer there to save him. Of course, there is a catch, she wants to team up to get the menorah then when they return they each go their own ways to see who gets to it first. He agrees they work together but can they get the menorah and get back to their transfer spots in time to get home or will they be destined to live the rest of their lives in the past or worse.
Thanks to St Martin’s Press, the author, and Net Galley for allowing me to read an advanced copy for me opinion.

Splinter Effect by Andrew Ludington is a fantastic, adrenaline packed debut novel. I really enjoy a great time travel book that is a mashup of different genres. Splinter Effect is the perfect blend of science fiction, history and thriller. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to get to the conclusion of this action-packed book. A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, the author and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of the book.

In this adventurous story Rabbit Ward is a time traveling Smithsonian archaeologist who is on the hunt through time to find precious artifacts before they are lost forever to history. However, Rabbit is still haunted, and carries plenty of guilt over his own past mistakes from many years ago. He lost a treasured menorah, and his young protégé Aaron. When new evidence of the menorah surfaces the chase is on to retrieve it. But when Rabbit returns to the past chaos ensues, everything that can go wrong does. As danger closes in will he be able to reclaim the menorah and redeem himself before time actually runs out?

Splinter Effect is an enthralling, highly entertaining, fun debut novel with a satisfying ending. I couldn’t put this excellent book down, and I definitely cannot wait to read more from Andrew Ludington.

Rabbit Ward is a Smithsonian archaeologist who travels through time to secure precious artifacts moments before they are lost to history. Twenty years ago, he lost the menorah of the second temple and his mentee, Aaron. The menorah might be in 6th century Constantinople, and Rabbit sees it as redemption. As soon as he arrives, things go wrong. He's not the only one after the menorah, and Constantinople’s leading gang is after Rabbit. He's desperate to recover the menorah before it's lost again, but time isn't on his side.

The idea of time travel in the service of historical information and archaeology is a fun one. There are laws and conventions about its use, and of course, there are private interests as well as government contracts. The title comes from the idea that altering the past creates a new reality, a splinter of the original place the time jumper came from, which then is its own timeline. Rabbit is called to find the menorah by a manifest in a mummified rabbit, and he enters the past to try to find it. He knows the time period well, making both allies and enemies as he looks for its location, trying to keep a step ahead of his rival. It's more dangerous than he thought, both for himself and the allies, and even the rival.

While there was the constant threat in the past/present as Rabbit tracked down the menorah, he didn't try to change history. His guilt over the past followed him, and the final quarter of the novel sees all the threads come together. Once it does, I had to keep reading to see how it would end. I really enjoyed the story, and the author pulled off the ending. It worked and was very fitting. Definitely worth the read!

Jodi Taylor's St Mary's series might need to smarten up their extremely British...let's be honest, English...monomania if Rabbit of the Smithsonian catches on. Much as I love Max, Peterson, and Markham, they need some competition, and here they've got it.

Opening at (one of the several events leading to) the burning of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Alexandria" target="_blank">Library of Alexandria</a> was a genius bait-and-switch. By itself that is an event I would, and have, eagerly read a book about, but here it's only a teaser for Rabbit and his relationship to the Smithsonian. Time travel, inherently threatening to powerful people, is here presented as a tech tightly wrapped in rules. Of course these favor the status quo, and the very, very rich. But I repeat myself...Rabbit's a nepo baby with some time-travel failures behind him including a search for the maguffin in this book, the menorah stolen by Rome from the Jews. It's a real white-whale tale, and not just for Rabbit.

Helen, his antagonist, is also hot for this (solid-gold) candelabra of god's. She's not at all as well-developed as Rabbit is, and frankly I hope they drop her in any future iterations of the book...I didn't like Clive Ronan either (IYKYK). Their reasons aren't explored. I don't think they matter. After all, it's made of gold so greed's more than enough. Here's probably a good place to note that the world as we know it is part of a multiverse. In this splinter (note resemblance to title), there's legal-but-restricted time travel. In others, there's none whether legal or not. You see how immense this storyverse is? Imagine for a moment the things a writer can do in this sandbox!

Earlier versions of this idea have mostly centered around the Time Patrol (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poul_Anderson_bibliography" target="_blank">Poul Anderson</a>) or The Paratime Police (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._Beam_Piper#Paratime" target="_blank">H. Beam Piper</a>) tasked with preventing anyone from causing time loops or retrocausal gubbins or generally being dickish to our hominin ancestors. (I think it's telling that intertemporal stories about <i>Homo sapiens</i> interacting with any earlier species, or even earlier time in history, all contain some fraud or slavery elements.)

Here the only thing remotely criminal is, arguably, the richest benefiting from Rabbit and his ilk going into the past to retrieve things that're lost to history by idiotic violence, sheer human stupidity, or Earth's natural processes (eg, earthquakes or fires). I'm not squeamish enough about this to give the book a black mark. I *am* squeamish about young, hot Helen being Rabbit's nemesis and Doctor PJ being his girlfriend, because absolutely nothing can be left un-romance-ified and of course that means heterosexual. Ugh. There went a half-star. (Though, to be fair, there are hints that Rabbit himself might be, um, heteroflexible.)

The other half-star disappeared because, though I liked the richly detailed world of 536 Constantinople a lot, I'd've liked more people instead of labels talking. It feels more like infidumping when I have no idea who "the customs official" or any of the other so-yclept faceless ones are. Still, four stars is the absolute minimum a book with this ending could possibly receive. Even moreso because, if this isn't a series-starter, I'll eat my hat for breakfast without ketchup.

I'll be right here waiting for more Rabbit. Without a ketchup bottle.

Splinter Effect is a book I wouldn't normally gravitate towards, it involves time travel and I don't tend to pick up books that involve time travel. But, I was given the opportunity to read this book, and it does have one thing I love, and that is history and it sounded so interesting. I am glad I read this one!

Most of the book takes place in 535 C.E. Constantinople. A period of time I really know nothing about.

This book involves time traveling archeologists who recover and conceal important historical artifacts to be recovered when they return to the present. Our main character, Rabbit Ward, is gone back in time to recover a precious menorah. In doing so he encounters many dangers and is racing against the competition.

This book is action packed and the historical aspects are fascinating. As I got to the end, I couldn't put it down.

This is an excellent debut novel for Andrew Ludington and I look forward to more by this authour.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for the advanced digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.