This novel captivated me. Imagine living your life in Wyoming and then being transported to another place exactly like where you,were, except there is no civilization. Life is hard. And there seems to be some sort of magic.........I look forward to Moyer's sequel.

Splinter is such a fun sci‑fi escape! Imagine being suddenly transported into a whole new reality where things are familiar yet different. Your survival depends on discovering your own hidden powers — yep, it’s as cool as it sounds.

The story pulls you right into the adventure, and the characters are written with so much heart that you can’t help but root for them every step of the way. It’s engaging, imaginative, and just an all‑around enjoyable read for anyone who loves exploring strange worlds.

Brian Moyer does an excellent job blending survival, mystery, and elemental magic into a story that feels both grounded and imaginative. The slow-burn character development and harsh, beautifully realized setting made the journey feel authentic and emotionally engaging. A strong start to a series that left me wanting more.

I received an ARC of this book. My review is based on that copy. The published work may differ from what I read.

I knew absolutely nothing about this book going in other than the summary. It ended up being a thought provoking deep dive into survivalism, human nature, community, and growth, set against a unique world and filled with creative magical ideas. The book has a fascinating premise, and I liked the prose. It’s brisk, descriptive, and sharp, if occasionally choppy. There are a few sections that were condensed and moved more quickly than I liked, but not to the point of being frustrating. Overall, the pacing was slow and unrushed.

The world building is extensive. There’s a lot of detail and the progress of Esah, the main point of view character, is slow. It worked though. I enjoyed seeing him figure out how to exist in the world, making mistakes but trying, and slowly discovering what works and what doesn’t. The slow revealing of the culture and community interested me. I liked seeing how trust and reputation mattered, and the way everything revolved around usefulness and trade.

The cast of characters is diverse, and how Esah builds friendships and connections over time was rewarding. There were no instant answers, just slow work put in to establish trust. There are missteps and consequences and all of it is human and recognizable. The plot and the stakes deepen throughout the story, and in spite of the premise and the fantastical elements it all felt grounded and real.

There were a few areas that needed more work. The magical elements were unique, but not explained coherently. I was confused about how they worked, why they worked, and what the limits were. Some things are repeated constantly, and others are not explained at all. I either wanted more information, or much less. It ended up in a nebulous middle ground that frustrated me. The character relationships were also lacking in a few areas. The individual people were interesting and developed well but some of their connections were brushed over. There was a lot that was not shown, and some relationships that are dropped from the narrative without explanation.

In spite of a few notable issues, I enjoyed reading this. If you are a fan of slower pacing and intricate world building, this will be right up your alley.

Splinter completely pulled me in from the start. As someone who loves dystopian fiction with a strong science element, this was exactly the sort of book I enjoy getting lost in. The world building felt believable and unsettling, creating a version of society where survival depends on adaptation, instinct and knowing who you can trust.

What really kept me invested though were the characters. Watching them try to survive in a world that no longer follows the rules they once knew was fascinating. New abilities are emerging, alliances constantly shift and every relationship feels balanced between connection and self preservation. I liked that nobody could fully let their guard down because the stakes always felt high.

The tension builds steadily throughout and there is a real sense of danger running underneath everything as characters are forced to evolve, protect what makes them different and work out who is willing to exploit them. The scientific elements added an extra layer of intrigue without overwhelming the story itself.

A gripping and immersive dystopian thriller with strong characters and a really compelling premise.

With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I received an ARC OF THIS BOOK, and my comments are a result of this reading.

I was captivated and drawn in immediately. A person wakes up and finds themselves in a familiar landscape, but one unpopulated with what they remember. In fact, nothing but the geography is familiar. This could have been done poorly, a “ fish out of water” like all the rest. But don’t be deceived, this is an original concept that contains a complex society, engaging world-building, and subtle characters. It’s also great to have dialogue that doesn’t sound stiff but manages to convey a society that has evolved in unusual circumstances.

Without saying any more, reading this was a memorable experience, which I recommend to everyone.


I read it all in one day, and I anxiously await more from this author.

I really liked how this book turned out. In the beginning it was a little slow, but other than that it was a phenomenal book! It truly had me feeling like I was there watching it all play out. I really enjoy how the author embedded his own life into the story. I definitely will be back for the rest of the series!!

What a breath of original air this book was for me after a stretch of quasi-samesies contemporary reads! I was enthralled immediately by the concept, and found myself flying through the pages to find out what happened next. I found it perfectly immersive, and I find myself anticipating more time in this desolate world.

Splinter off into a Portal Fantasy with real costs...

Imagine driving through the harsh terrain of Southern Wyoming only to find yourself transported into an alternate reality where your car, the gas station you were parked at, the clothes on your back, no longer exist. You're alone in the bare terrain with no map, no food, no water, and no understanding of what the hell just happened to you.

The lucky ones stumble upon other travelers.

But not everyone is lucky.

We experience the world mostly through the experience of Esah, who was on his way to college to study chemistry when he Splintered. He's one of the lucky ones, at least to start. He finds a mentor to teach him the basics of surviving in the harsh environment, how to prepare for the inevitable winter, the basics of trading, and the etiquette expected from all new citizens of this strange new world.

I was fascinated by the world building. Everything felt very honest to what you might expect from a desolate world where a series of small mistakes can end in disaster for even the most experienced souls. In some places I felt like the pacing was a little slow, but it was only to get into more detail about the characters, their real-world stakes, and the concepts behind the fledgling magic system.

It felt like what it very much is — the first book in a series which describes itself as a 'saga'. I could tell there was groundwork being laid that will probably pay of more deeply in the next volumes more than they necessarily did here, and that makes me even more excited to continue following along with this series.

The concept of Splintering itself reminded me of a book that recently rearranged my brain chemistry, Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch. On some level, it uses the same multiverse idea—that there are other places, not necessarily very different from our own—no more than a breath away. In Splinter, the characters just happen to slip into a new one.

Obviously I'm quite a fan of this book, and I would absolutely recommend it for anyone looking for a nice dose of escapism. I can't stop thinking about what might happen next!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is a portal fantasy adventure, where the barrier between our reality and another version of Earth is thin enough for people to splinter off so that one version of them ends up in this different place, with different rules. Meanwhile, there is still a version of them which continues to live out their lives in their original timeline, though it was never made clear how exactly anyone knew this, as no one managed to return.

This tale essentially follows two young people who have splintered and charts their struggles to survive in a harsh environment, where everyone is busy trying to ensure they have enough resources to keep themselves alive. Moyer clearly knows the area very well. And he also gives a viscerally realistic portrayal of what it takes to be able to keep alive and safe in such a landscape. I was immediately drawn into this story – Ama’s initially dazed confusion as she struggles to come to terms with what has happened to her gripped me from the beginning. Particularly as the first person she encounters isn’t necessarily looking out for her, despite his apparent help and friendliness.

Esah is another young person who arrives in this alternate reality and while equally disorientated and horrified at the prospect of losing his former life, he is far more at home within the landscape. He has spent a lot of time out in the desert as his grandfather had a mine and would take him out to show him how the geology of the area works. While he makes some mistakes, this is a world where Esah manages to settle in. The idea of everyone acquiring some sort of magical power connected to the elements, or their daily tasks is also introduced. It’s quite complicated and powers a couple of the main plotlines throughout the story.

Initially, I got a tad impatient with all the talk and effort going into acquiring capabilities. But after a few moment’s reflection, I realised that without these various bits of help – a lot of people were able to start fires, while others were able to heal infections, for instance – the overall standard of living would have been far lower and the death toll would’ve been far higher. Eking out a living in such a marginal landscape takes skill and luck.

But what made this story stand out for me is the lyrical descriptions of the landscape. Moyer clearly knows this area exceptionally well and loves it. That doesn’t mean he is remotely sentimental about it, either. I’m not talking about someone who tours around in an RV – Moyer has evidently walked distances in the desert, observing the landscape, flora and fauna, so is very aware of how lethal it can be. He’s slept under the stars and that knowledge sings off the pages in amongst Esah’s adventures – because the desert is also breathtakingly beautiful. Amongst other issues – Moyer examines what makes a community and how do you control those who don’t want to abide by the rules, how do you teach vital skills without someone becoming too reliant upon you – this book is also a love letter to a savage wilderness that even with all our modern technology, hasn’t been tamed.

I generally write my reviews immediately I’ve completed a book – this time due to illness, I was unable to do that. But this time around, it hasn’t been a problem. Because this book has remained in my memory and I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the characters. It isn’t faultless – there is some unevenness of pacing and I think the book should have opened with Esah’s arrival, instead of Ama. His story ends up powering most of the narrative, anyway and like others, I was left feeling a bit short-changed that I didn’t see more of Ama’s journey, given she was the first character I bonded with. That said, it’s an impressive debut and if you want a portal fantasy adventure that offers something completely different from the This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me dynamic – then give this one a go. Highly recommended. The second book, Unbound, is coming out on 2nd August – I’ve made a note of it as I’m keen to discover what happens next to these characters. While I obtained an arc of Splinter from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10