Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrew Ludington for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Splinter Effect coming out March 18, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I received it directly from NetGalley. I really love the time travel genre. There were a few things that seemed a little complicated dealing with the time travel aspect. Sometimes I just prefer simple explanations when it comes to that. I don’t need all the science behind it to be into the time travel. I really enjoyed the historical research in the book. I loved the focus on Rabbit in the past. I think the writing was fast-paced and had tons of action. I would check out more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys time travel books!

Thank you Net galley for the early access to this book! I’m excited to read. Indiana Jones vibes with time travel. Count me in!

Splinter Effect by Andrew Ludington is a gripping, thought-provoking thriller that explores the fragility of truth in a world fractured by technology and human ambition. Ludington weaves an intricate narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, blending suspense with moments of deep introspection about morality and the consequences of our choices.

The story revolves around a protagonist caught in a web of lies, betrayal, and hidden agendas. Ludington’s characters are well-drawn and multifaceted, with flaws and motivations that make them feel real and relatable. The pacing is sharp, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the stakes are consistently high.

What sets Splinter Effect apart is its exploration of timely themes like the impact of technology on relationships, the blurred lines between reality and manipulation, and the ripple effects of our actions. Ludington’s writing is both engaging and intelligent, challenging readers to think beyond the immediate plot.

If you enjoy thrillers that combine a fast-paced narrative with deeper questions about human nature and societal pressures, Splinter Effect is a fantastic read. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, sparking reflection long after the final page. Ludington has delivered a compelling debut that’s sure to resonate with fans of contemporary suspense.

I didn't realize this was the start of a series. It is an interesting story and I liked the writing style. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Other reviewers have provided synopses and plot details, and I will not repeat their efforts.

I am reminded of an older comedic sci-fi book by Connie Willis, "To Say Nothing of the Dog," in which time travelers attempt to rescue a particular artifact from Coventry Cathedral before it is destroyed by the Luftwaffe. "Splinter Effect" is also about traveling through time to obtain artifacts before they are forever lost to history. Most of the story takes place in and around Constantinople, in the 6th century AD. It romps along at a very fast pace, and was hard to put down between reading sessions. There were a few surprises along the way, which I will not spoil. All in all, a good read, if you like that sort of thing.

I liked the time hopping aspect of this but I will admit that, for a thriller, it was average. Those new the genre I would recommend this to, but to others it will feel like they've been there done that

4.5 Stars. What a wonderful debut novel by Andrew Ludington! I'm a sucker for time travel stories, there's just so much potential for exploring new worlds. This one explores a past, so long ago, most of us cannot relate, but in SPLINTER EFFECT, Ludington makes it real and relatable. Partly, he does this by NOT trying to write dialogue using ancient-suggesting dialects or manners of speech. This works extremely well (with one exception that's not worth mentioning in detail). Like many reviewers, I found the middle to bog down a bit, but it was still fun to wade through. For me, I figured out a major plot twist early on, but that added to the tension pulling me forward.

Thank you to Macmillian/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the chance to read an advance copy

time-travel, archaeology, archaeologist, Jewish-history, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, action-adventure, thriller, suspense, debut-novel, first-in-series, historical-fiction, sci-fi*****

Clive Cussler meets up with Dr. Who working for the Smithsonian in a Quantum Leap.
Dr. Rabbit (AKA Robert) Ward is a contract archaeologist with the Smithsonian, as well as a time traveler who "lost" a historical Menorah and is on the hunt for it once again. I geek history and delight in diving into whatever a book brings me to investigate for history vs imagination only. In this one the time travel aspects and international laws are super imagination, but the Constantinople/Rome/Jewish history is totally researchable. Great plot complete with quixotic twists and all kinds of unexpected fun!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail Mar 18, 2025 #SplinterEffect by Andrew Ludington #SplinterEffectBk1 @MinotaurBooks @StMartinsPress #NetGalley #TimeTraveler #HistoricalSciFi

Splinter Effect gives you a little bit of Indiana Jones alongside a little bit of Jumper. We start the hunt for a lost holy relic by studying historical records of where it was last seen, then jump back in time to secure the relic. - what a fun job! Amid the constraints of not changing the events of the known time line, there is also the danger of of being caught in a more brutal period, or missing your return jump and remaining in the past. I very much enjoyed the history lesson, and the discussion about the changes to the landscape over time. I enjoyed the adventure, but also appreciated the connections that Rabbit made with Aaron, Helen and Andor. The twist at the end was a refreshing surprise! The book is fun all around, and although the quest is complete, the door was still left open for future adventures!

A time-traveling archaeologist named Rabbit goes on planned missions to the past to recover specific artifacts. This time he's trying once again to recover a special menorah that had escaped his grasp before. Not only did he lose the menorah, he lost a mentor and friend. Now it's payback time. So it's Indiana Jones with a time machine...what could go wrong?

It reminded me at times of Indiana Jones, but with time travel, and a bit more history to it. Overall enjoyable, but suffers from pacing issues, which is something I think can be corrected in any sequels.

Uneven book, especially the pacing. Archaeologist Rabbit Ward is a time traveler, who seeks patrons to go back in time to recover lost artifacts from the ancient world. Unfortunately, he remains traumatized by losing the son of a patron on a mission from 20 years ago. Rabbit gets a rare opportunity to return to the period to try to recover the golden menorah once; however, things begin to go wrong as soon as he arrives in 6th century, Constantinople, because he seems to have a competitor or two from the future. I thought the author really left Rabbit's relationship with Helen unexplored, perhaps leaving this for future books in the series, but it was unfulfilling. 2.5 stars, reluctantly rounded up.

3.5 stars, rounded up

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for an ARC!

I thought this was pretty solid. Artifact recovery via time travel is a fun concept. The Splinter Effect is much more historically focused than I expected though. Which isn’t a flaw by any means, but also not quite what I thought was getting into. It didn’t stop me from enjoying it, but perhaps I could have appreciated it a bit more if I were more knowledgeable.

Though I did enjoy the story, it also never had a complete grip on me. I found the pacing a bit uneven and there were a few parts that I skimmed through. Certain aspects were predictable to me, so I felt like I was constantly waiting for the reveal. Rabbit felt like a character that I’ve read about many times, just in a different font. I wanted more from him as to be a bit more engaging.

As the author’s first novel, I thought this was solid start and a fun read overall. I’m glad I had the opportunity to pick it up!

This could have been more interesting but instead the story dragged in places. I expected more science fiction given the premise of time travel but it felt more historical fiction than I was expecting.

This was an interesting read, and I had fun with it. Historical fiction is so much fun, as is time travel, and this book combined both into a fun story. The story was fun because it played on the butterfly effect that goes along with time travel. However, I struggled with the pacing. The first half of the book felt incredible slow and drawn out and I kept losing interest. Things did pick up a little in the second half and by then I was fully invested in the story, so I needed to see how it played out. I am glad I stuck this one out because it was rather entertaining. The story also had strong Indiana jones vibes because of the adventure aspect. I loved that this book wasn’t similar to other books I’ve read, it’s uniqueness really stood out for me and knocked it up on my enjoyment scale.

If you’re looking for a slower paced historical fantasy that will also appeal to mystery lovers, then check this one out.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Smithsonian archaeologist Rabbit Ward travels through time on sponsored expeditions to the past to secure precious artifacts moments before they are lost to history. Although exceptional at his job, Rabbit is not without faults. In a spectacular failure twenty years ago, he lost both the menorah of the second temple and his hot-headed mentee, Aaron. So, when new evidence reveals the menorah’s reappearance in 6th century Constantinople, Rabbit seizes the chance for redemption.

But from the moment he arrives in the past, things start to go wrong. Rabbit quickly finds out that his prime competition, an unlicensed and annoyingly appealing “stringer” named Helen, is also in Constantinople hunting the menorah. And that’s only the beginning. The oppressed Jewish population of the city is primed for revolution, Constantinople’s leading gang seems to have it out for Rabbit personally, and someone local is interested enough in the menorah to kill for it.

As the past closes in on him and his previous failures compound, will Rabbit be able to recover the menorah before it's once again lost in time? With new and old dangers alike hiding behind every corner, time might just be up for Rabbit’s redemption—and possibly his life.

Unfortunately I found this had too much of a historical feel . I also wasn't a big fan of the time travel.

2.5 out of 5 ⭐️

If you like historical fiction with time travel, you'll probably enjoy this book. I dont know much history about Rome and Constantinople, so not entirely sure if the chracters mentioned in this book during that time period were actual people or not. We meet Robert "Rabbit" Ward, who works to obtain artifacts from the past by time traveling to the past to retrieve said objects. The one object he didnt retrieve was one where his partner at the time had died and Rabbit had to leave Aaron behind, to the dismay of Aaron's parents. Another opportunity comes up where Rabbit can go back to try and retrieve the Menorah, and the book is mainly about this excursion. There is also a woman in play who seems to know where Rabbit is and steal the artifact from him. But with what happens in the book, they kind of work together to save each other.

I did enjoy this book. I might have enoyed this more if I knew the history more though. I know the author tries to explain, but still I sometimes was lost. I enjoyed the twist and wonder if there will be a romance. It was a bit slow between 30-50% of the book, but then the last half picked up when we finally got to the heist.

Okay some spoilers below:
Aaron being the Levi person and trying to leave Rabbit to rule shocked me! Also i think Rabbit and Helen will fall in love or something. I hope Andor is a good ruler. I liked his character. The end when Rabbit decides to save Aaron and bring him back this time was nice. Came somewhat full circle.

Splinter Effect is set in a world where time-traveling archaeologists go back in time to recover relics from the ancient past. Rabbit Ward has made many such trips and is now slated on a trip to ancient Rome to get a lost menorah. The plot moves quickly, and there's a lot of action. This is the first in a series, and I look forward to seeing where else the author takes us. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC.

A Transportive Adventure.

Robert "Rabbit" Ward is a sanctioned time traveler. His employer sends their travelers back in time to recover specific treasures, hide them to be found in current time. A menorah stolen by the Romans from the Jews in 535 Ce (AD) is the 2018 mission's object. Not all time travel organizations are sanctioned. If a traveler interferes with the past in a significant way it will create a splinter in time, aka an altered reality time line.

I found the entire theory and story lines quite an interesting genre. Split Effect told a complex situation in a readable flow of exciting situations.

I will definitely look for the next time travel novel by Andrew Ludington.

I was intrigued by the premise: a time traveling archeologist? Yes, please! Rabbit Ward is a time-traveling archeologist (aka a chrono-archeologist) who has a chance to get the menorah that he had lost in a previous mission. In that mission, he not only failed to procure the item, but his young mentee (and son of wealthy funders) was taken and presumably murdered. So, Rabbit heads to Constantinople (not Istanbul) in 535 BCE. While there, he encounters a myriad of characters, including another chrono-archeologist who has beat him in other missions. They end up teaming up to find the menorah and deal with the complexitities of Byzantium in the fifth century BCE.

Great premise, but I found it to be overly detailed and there also seemed to be a lack of editing. I don't need to be told three times that the last time a general has had a parade in his honor was 500 years prior--I got it the first time. The level of detail and research is absolutely impressive, but even as a a history geek, I found myself scanning rather than reading. There were some open-ended questions I would have liked answers, but I now see this is the first in a series, so presumably the answers will come in subsequent books.

Overall, a decent read. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.