Okay, I needed a couple days to think on this one. This was a very complex introduction into what I assume to be a series considering the way it ended? I found myself intrigued throughout the book to try and put together this puzzle piece of a world. I really have not read anything quite like this. It was a very detailed world with very complex and interesting aspects. This book makes you feel like you possibly ingested some hallucinogenics and stepped into the matrix. I found myself lost a few times and had to go back to reread to create my own glossary. I definitely feel like this book would benefit from a glossary or system break down so the reader has a better time navigating through the two worlds and navigating the different building blocks that make up this world, I will be excited to continue the story and dive back in.

this was a strong opening chapter to the Onyros Chronicles series, it had that scifi elements that I was hoping for and enjoyed from this type of book. It was a unique concept and worked with the world that was going on. The characters had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. I was engaged with the world and characters and glad it was so well written. D. K. Thorne wrote this well and left me wanting more.

This novel is a feast for fans of immersive, thought-provoking science fiction. At its core, it asks urgent questions about the nature of reality, technology’s grip on human life, and the price we pay for building worlds more malleable than the one we were born into.

The story unfolds in Bellgraph, a bleak and ghostlike city overshadowed by Onyros, a virtual network so powerful that most of humanity has chosen to dwell within it. What begins as an intriguing cyberpunk premise quickly expands into something more philosophical and unsettling. The author doesn’t just examine what it means to enter a virtual space, he challenges readers to reflect on the dissonance we experience when leaving it. If “reality” is defined by the things we cannot change, what happens when technology allows others to rewrite it for us?

At the heart of this narrative is Logon, a sharp, cynical, and deeply flawed protagonist whose voice anchors the reader amid the book’s dazzling, and at times dizzying, terminology. His perspective grounds the more abstract explorations, especially when he begins uncovering a hidden truth within Onyros. The character work here is excellent: Logon is not a sanitized hero but a complex figure whose cracks only make him more human. His occasional moments of breaking the fourth wall add intrigue while deepening our sense of who he is.

The world-building is dense, layered, and unapologetically technical. Readers may initially find the jargon challenging, and a glossary might have been a welcome addition. Yet, once past the first stretch, the narrative rewards persistence with rich, gritty detail and a pace that balances bursts of action with moments of existential reflection. The mood throughout is tense and oppressive, with the looming threat of neurological decay from prolonged virtual immersion casting a shadow over the entire cast.

What makes this book stand out is the author’s dual commitment: to tell a thrilling story while also probing the consequences of human ambition in technology. Themes of identity, power, and the blurred lines between the virtual and the real resonate long after the final page. The writing style itself is often striking - lush in description, raw in tone, and capable of shifting seamlessly from high-stakes action to passages of haunting beauty.

Overall, this is a bold, cerebral, and unsettling entry into the genre. It will especially appeal to readers who love dystopian and cyberpunk settings that aren’t afraid to challenge their assumptions. For those willing to grapple with its complexity, the reward is an unforgettable dive into a world that feels uncomfortably close to our own future.

Highly recommended for sci-fi lovers who crave both grit and philosophy in their fiction.

Thank you to Net Galley and Victory Editing for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Bold, cerebral, and unsettling in the best way.

One of the most refreshing aspects of Splinter is its MMC, Logan Bochniak—not a slick twenty-something hacker or chosen prodigy, but a man in his forties carrying years of scars, regrets, and lived experience. In a genre often dominated by youthful rebellion or hyper-genius leads, Logan stands out as a flawed, world-weary professional who feels both grounded and deeply human.

Logan’s age shapes the narrative in powerful ways. As a cognitive extractor, he’s not just navigating the fractured psyches of Onyros’ casualties; he’s also confronting his own inner fractures. His maturity lends weight to his perspective: he recognizes patterns others might dismiss, questions the promises of digital utopia with the skepticism of someone who’s already seen dreams turn hollow, and carries the exhaustion of a man who has lived through too many cycles of hope and disillusionment.

Rather than being sidelined as a mentor or secondary figure, Logan drives the story. His resilience, tempered by vulnerability, makes him a compelling lens through which to explore the crumbling city of Bellgraph and the dangerous allure of Onyros.

D. K. Thorne’s choice to center the novel on a MMC over 40 adds a richness rarely found in dystopian or cyberpunk fiction. Logan’s maturity makes his flaws sharper, his doubts more poignant, and his occasional moments of tenderness more impactful. He isn’t invincible; he’s tired, he’s haunted, and he’s aware of his limitations. And that makes his struggle to hold onto reality in the face of Onyros’ seductive power all the more relatable.

Splinter is more than just a high-concept cyberpunk story—it’s also a reminder that heroism doesn’t belong only to the young. Logan’s perspective gives the novel a layer of realism and gravity, grounding its metaphysical explorations in the life experience of someone who has already endured and lost much.

Splinter is a daring, thought-provoking start to The Onyros Chronicles. It’s cyberpunk for readers who love their fiction layered with philosophy, metaphysics, and psychological intrigue. Fans of works like Neuromancer, Altered Carbon, or The Matrix will find familiar territory, but Thorne pushes into even more abstract and unsettling ground.

This is not a book for everyone—but for those willing to dive in, it’s an unforgettable exploration of humanity splintering at the edge of reality.

For readers craving science fiction that values maturity and depth in its characters, Splinter delivers. It’s cerebral, unsettling, and fiercely human

This is a great read for anyone who loves sci-fi. The writing is excellent and if you love dystopian novels, this is a book you’ll want to read. The book has great pacing and will keep you engaged. I will add that there’s a lot of terminology and technical explanations that can be confusing but it’s very thought provoking.