Book Review: Splinter Effect

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.

Splinter Effect, the debut novel by Andrew Ludington, will be published March 18, 2025. St. Martin's Press provided an early galley for review.

This seems to be my year for time-travel books which is fine by me (I tend to enjoy them). Ludington doles out the world-building details on an as-needed basis which works in the book's favor. I like that relationships come first. When he does get down to the mechanics of the time travel, they are in a manner that are practical and not overpowering. When dealing with such a fantastical concept, having some built in limitations always makes the story more interesting and higher-stakes.

The author clearly is also into history; the details of ancient times are informative in an entertaining manner. I am certain I learned quite a bit just from reading this novel.

There certainly appears to be potential for a sequel down the road. If Ludington revisits Rabbit and his world, I would certainly be on board for another jump.