Splintered is second in the unique and compelling crime drama, urban fantasy series. Expertly weaving an exciting story with interesting characters similar in style to Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden books, Schultz is an author to watch, breathing fresh life into an overworked genre. This one will go on my keeper shelf to re-read and show to friends.
Summary:
Karyn Ames is held hostage by hallucinations and premonitions that have cut her off from reality. Anna Ruiz and her sorcerer friend, Genevieve and ex-soldier Nail will do anything to get Karyn help, including shaking down every shady magic practitioner in the occult underworld of LA. After a magical heist went all wrong, the crew has been working for Enoch Sobell, crime lord and failed magus. Coming to the realization that they are in over their heads, the crew’s battles with evil forces and fanatics who want to take advantage of Karyn’s abilities come to a head.

Penguin Group and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Splintered. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Anna Ruiz, along with her friends Nail and Genevieve, have been forced to work for crime lord Enoch Sobell after disaster ended their last job. Their fourth team member, Karyn, was injured psychically during the operation and Anna will do anything to help her. The crew must take whatever missions that Sobell deems necessary, even ones that are dangerous. Edgar Van Horn is deranged and has an entourage that is wreaking havoc. When Sobell directs the team to kidnap Van Horn, giving the group more than they bargained for, will they be able to finish the job without anyone getting hurt? Will getting help for Karyn end up costing the team everything?

I put myself at a disadvantage by not reading the previous novel first, but it did not take too long to get into the action of this book. The story is a little light, with very small amounts of character development and not much of a plot. The cliffhanger ending was too abrupt and added nothing to the book itself. Anna would not have been as naive as she is portrayed and would have done a better job of self preservation. Despite the fact that there were very few dull moments in Splintered, I did not think there was enough here to warrant another book. I am not sure if I would recommend Splintered, as I do not feel that there was a strong enough plot or characterization.