Thank you to netgalley for the free ARC!

As a fan of stories about time travel, I was looking forward to reading this book. However, it was a very uneven read for me. The good parts: The author did a really good job with action scenes and with more emotional scenes. It was interesting to learn about the rules of time travel in this universe, the splinter effect. The book just did not work for me as a whole though. The pacing was very uneven. While the action parts picked up the pace, the level of description that was used for some of the scenes became excessive and the book dragged. Also, when time traveling to different places, at times, it became difficult keeping track of some of the characters. At the beginning of the book, it was difficult to take it too seriously as one of the main characters' names is Rabbit. When this nickname is further explained later on in the book, it completely makes sense and it helped me understand why he would stick with this name. Having the explanation towards the beginning of the story would have helped. There were also some descriptions of historical references. It seemed like there was an expectation that there would be some level of knowledge on the reader's part before reading the book that I just did not have and so had difficulty following along with some of these historical descriptions.

Time-traveling archeologist Rabbit Ward has made a name for himself by going back in time to retrieve priceless artifacts before they are lost to history. However, twenty years ago he lost his chance of obtaining a precious menorah. He also lost his mentee Aaron along the way, and both losses have deeply affected him ever since. The Smithsonian has called him back into action to finish what he started by retrieving the menorah again and rectifying the wrongs of his past.

Splinter Effect by Andrew Ludington is a thrilling historical adventure novel filled with plenty of thrills, twists, and action. Being a fan of history myself, I was captivated by the story and seeing historically significant cities during the height of their prominence was incredible. There are plenty of obstacles that Rabbit has to contend with including a mysterious woman who seems to steal the artifacts away from him at the last moment. He also has to work against time as Constantinople’s gangs seem to be after him. This book felt like a science fiction Indiana Jones story and as someone who loves Indy, that was right up my alley!

Ludington also does an exceptional job with the characters. You really feel for Rabbit who is still filled with regret for losing Aaron all those years ago, and you get the sense that he’s a man who will do anything for his friends and loved ones.

If you love historical adventure stories or time traveling tales, you’ll really enjoy Splinter Effect! I hope there are more in the series, I want to see where (and when) Rabbit will travel to next!

Review: This novel takes off like a rocket into a past rich in historical fact married to the fiction of the moment.

I loved the detailed history coupled with constant movement as Rabbit and his hottie pard wend their way through the past to secure a religious artifact. This novel left me wanting more. The characters all play off of each other in a well rendered display that builds depth and attachement.

If you love history and time travel that is better than Dr. Who by a long shot, GET THIS!

Publisher: There is an error where Rabbit refers to Aarons relationship to his Uncle as father and son.

This rip-roaring action packed adventure takes archaeologist Rabbit Ward back in time to retrieve a historically important menorah from 6th century Constantinople for the Smithsonian. He isn't the only time-traveller there on a mission which adds more layers of suspense. Laws, natural and politcal, that regulate time travel also play a part. Thoroughly entertaining, I'm sad I can't start handing it to folks who want to read this type of exciting escapism tomorrow, instead having to wait until NEXT MARCH when it will be published. It is a terrific readalike for fans of the Raiders of the Lost Ark movies and fans of the Antiquity Affair by Lee Kelly.