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Sentinel Trilogy #3
Splinter:
Review
“A sort of Buffy meets Shadowhunters meets Morse! I liked this a lot” – Elizabeth Corr, co-author of The Witch’s Kiss Trilogy “I wish there had been more books like this around when I was a teen. I would have devoured them all, one after another” – The Eloquent Page “Solidly entertaining” – Starburst “Not for the faint-hearted” – The Book Bag “This is one of those books that I started and couldn’t stop until it was finished. It has hints of Rowling, Clare, and even Whedon, but still stands on its own. Take a gamble on this one, lovers of YA; I promise you won’t be disappointed” – MiniMac Reviews “Fast-paced and wonderfully written. I loved the characters” – Between The Pages “Fantastic, gripping, action-packed! There is not a dull moment” – Wall-To-Wall Books
About the Author
Joshua Winning is an author and film journalist who writes for Total Film, SFX, and Radio Times. He has been on set with Kermit the Frog, devoured breakfast with zombies on The Walking Dead, and sat on the real Iron Throne. Jeff Goldblum once told him he looks a bit like Paul Bettany. He is also the author of YA thriller Vicious Rumer and '80s teen horror Camp Carnage.
“A sort of Buffy meets Shadowhunters meets Morse! I liked this a lot” – Elizabeth Corr, co-author of The Witch’s Kiss Trilogy “I wish there had been more books like this around when I was a teen. I would have devoured them all, one after another” – The Eloquent Page “Solidly entertaining” – Starburst “Not for the faint-hearted” – The Book Bag “This is one of those books that I started and couldn’t stop until it was finished. It has hints of Rowling, Clare, and even Whedon, but still stands on its own. Take a gamble on this one, lovers of YA; I promise you won’t be disappointed” – MiniMac Reviews “Fast-paced and wonderfully written. I loved the characters” – Between The Pages “Fantastic, gripping, action-packed! There is not a dull moment” – Wall-To-Wall Books
About the Author
Joshua Winning is an author and film journalist who writes for Total Film, SFX, and Radio Times. He has been on set with Kermit the Frog, devoured breakfast with zombies on The Walking Dead, and sat on the real Iron Throne. Jeff Goldblum once told him he looks a bit like Paul Bettany. He is also the author of YA thriller Vicious Rumer and '80s teen horror Camp Carnage.
- GenresYoung AdultFantasy
516 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2018
1 person is currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 16, 2018
Well Joshua did it again! He writes a fantastic ending to a very exciting series! I loved book one - Sentinel, I very much liked book 2 - Ruins, but, book 3 - Splinter was just brilliant, the best one yet. It took me back to what I loved about book one. When you keep reading a book because you just HAVE to know what happens - that's a great book.
The same fantastic characters, mmm except maybe even better. No matter how much bad-ass/save-the-world-from-evil fighting they do, they are still just people. Young adults that have been selected (or thrown) into this situation. I loved their "humanness", the sarcasm, the bickering back and forth, the quirkiness, and even their desperation and wanting to give up at times (after all they are only human). But still - they save the world in the end!
"The world is dying. The Dark Prophets have returned and they are seeking to claim the world for themselves." ~ Yep, that about sums it up!
And, surprise surprise - one of my favorite characters from book two that I thought was lost forever was back!!
Joshua has a way of painting a movie in your head with his descriptions. I could see it all happening even when it got a little crazy, OK a lot crazy! I was so in the mood for this book. I had just finished watching the series "Stranger Things" on Netflix. So I was well prepared for this story.
What a thrilling series with non-stop action! I can't wait to see what Josh has in store for us next. I will be standing in line!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from The author - Thank You!
The same fantastic characters, mmm except maybe even better. No matter how much bad-ass/save-the-world-from-evil fighting they do, they are still just people. Young adults that have been selected (or thrown) into this situation. I loved their "humanness", the sarcasm, the bickering back and forth, the quirkiness, and even their desperation and wanting to give up at times (after all they are only human). But still - they save the world in the end!
"The world is dying. The Dark Prophets have returned and they are seeking to claim the world for themselves." ~ Yep, that about sums it up!
And, surprise surprise - one of my favorite characters from book two that I thought was lost forever was back!!
Joshua has a way of painting a movie in your head with his descriptions. I could see it all happening even when it got a little crazy, OK a lot crazy! I was so in the mood for this book. I had just finished watching the series "Stranger Things" on Netflix. So I was well prepared for this story.
What a thrilling series with non-stop action! I can't wait to see what Josh has in store for us next. I will be standing in line!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from The author - Thank You!
August 25, 2018
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS A JOINT REVIEW FOR THE WHOLE SERIES
Pros: On the whole, a fast-paced, high-stakes adventure, with a strong ensemble cast and plenty of heart.
Cons: Slow start, tapping into your typical orphan-to-chosen-one trope. Book 1 also has a strangely quaint atmosphere.
WARNING! Contains many elements of horror and gore, plus nightmarish monsters.
Will appeal to: Those who like apocalyptic scenarios (in the truest sense), everyday heroes, surprises...and cats. Those who like seeing characters come of age under exceptional circumstances.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I was offered a review copy by the author, having previously reviewed another one of his books (Vicious Rumer). We also follow each other on Twitter. This didn't influence my opinion on the series.
HITTING THE STRIDE
Straight-up fantasy books are not my thing, but I'm drawn to urban fantasy from time to time, and I do enjoy my Supernatural 😊. That's why I decided to take a chance on this series. I won't lie - Book 1 left me a bit lukewarm. I understand that world-building is necessary and takes time, plus we see most events through Nicholas' eyes, while on the one hand he discovers a new, terrifying world, and on the other is smothered in secrets for his own protection (ha! the old excuse). But my main problem with Sentinel was that its atmosphere is oddly dated, and I couldn't help but feeling like I was reading a historical novel. Of course, old England plays a huge part in the series, with settings like Cambridge or Bury St. Edmunds, and it was indeed nice to be able to visit a world that doesn't come up often in YA - but I'm talking about something deeper here, that to me prevented the series to fully spread its wings. Not to mention, there were a few tropes in Book 1 that sounded too typical - recently orphaned and clueless kid destined to save the world, old mentor, secret room, you name it. Luckily, once I started Book 2, I got sucked up into the story: the author seems to find his feet in Ruins, (not only because most of the world-building and the secrets are out of the way), and Splinter is a poignant, strong finale - while the Witchpin novella, set in a distant past but tied to the events recounted in the trilogy, is a welcomed glimpse into a different era and the origins of a certain pivotal character. [...]
Whole review here.
PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS A JOINT REVIEW FOR THE WHOLE SERIES
Pros: On the whole, a fast-paced, high-stakes adventure, with a strong ensemble cast and plenty of heart.
Cons: Slow start, tapping into your typical orphan-to-chosen-one trope. Book 1 also has a strangely quaint atmosphere.
WARNING! Contains many elements of horror and gore, plus nightmarish monsters.
Will appeal to: Those who like apocalyptic scenarios (in the truest sense), everyday heroes, surprises...and cats. Those who like seeing characters come of age under exceptional circumstances.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I was offered a review copy by the author, having previously reviewed another one of his books (Vicious Rumer). We also follow each other on Twitter. This didn't influence my opinion on the series.
HITTING THE STRIDE
Straight-up fantasy books are not my thing, but I'm drawn to urban fantasy from time to time, and I do enjoy my Supernatural 😊. That's why I decided to take a chance on this series. I won't lie - Book 1 left me a bit lukewarm. I understand that world-building is necessary and takes time, plus we see most events through Nicholas' eyes, while on the one hand he discovers a new, terrifying world, and on the other is smothered in secrets for his own protection (ha! the old excuse). But my main problem with Sentinel was that its atmosphere is oddly dated, and I couldn't help but feeling like I was reading a historical novel. Of course, old England plays a huge part in the series, with settings like Cambridge or Bury St. Edmunds, and it was indeed nice to be able to visit a world that doesn't come up often in YA - but I'm talking about something deeper here, that to me prevented the series to fully spread its wings. Not to mention, there were a few tropes in Book 1 that sounded too typical - recently orphaned and clueless kid destined to save the world, old mentor, secret room, you name it. Luckily, once I started Book 2, I got sucked up into the story: the author seems to find his feet in Ruins, (not only because most of the world-building and the secrets are out of the way), and Splinter is a poignant, strong finale - while the Witchpin novella, set in a distant past but tied to the events recounted in the trilogy, is a welcomed glimpse into a different era and the origins of a certain pivotal character. [...]
Whole review here.
July 10, 2018
Splinter is the final book in The Sentinel Trilogy and brings everything to an apocalyptic conclusion. Nicholas has his own Scooby gang comprising of Rae (fire starter), Dawn (fountain of knowledge) and Merlyn (a worldy wise Sentinel).They have all grown in the short time they have known each other and it was great to see their friendship bloom. The trilogy is definitely a coming of age story; friends overcoming adversity, discovering themselves and finding love along the way. There are genuinely terrifying moments in these books and it would make a fantastic graphic novel/TV series. I was so invested in all the characters and was genuinely gutted that their story is complete. I loved the climax to Splinter, no spoilers but WOW I was not expecting that! So buy the whole trilogy and lose yourself in this world of Murklings, Harvesters, Hunters and all the demons you can imagine!
July 12, 2018
I’m always a little sad when I get to the last book in a series I’ve really enjoyed. I know that all good things must come to an end, but I’ll miss the characters I’ve grown to like. And so, with a heavy heart, we find ourselves having reached the final book in the Sentinel trilogy. I read the first two books, Sentinel and Ruins respectively, way back in 2015, and I’ve been waiting for Splinter to arrive ever since.
Nicholas Hallow is at the vanguard of the Sentinel movement. Previously he discovered his family legacy and the powers that allow him to help battle evil. Now, with the situation going from bad to worse, he has to take the lead and engage the enemy in a final confrontation. There is a chance that the world could literally turn to Hell and the only thing standing between us and demonic Armageddon are a small group of steadfast fighters. Nicholas, Dawn, Rae and Sam, along with the rest of the Sentinels need to stop the Dark Prophets by any means necessary.
Winning is great at defining his characters, it’s the thing that has kept me coming back with each new novel. Nicholas has evolved consistently since book one and the other Sentinels are just as well rounded. Sam, the grouchy mentor/surrogate father figure, has become an indispensable part of Nicholas’ life. Dawn and Rae are learning to achieve their own potential, but still keep Nicholas grounded. Even Esus, the enigmatic warrior spirit, plays a part in defining who Nicholas will become.
Every hero needs a villain and Malika is an ideal antagonist. Though she is completely consumed by her bloodlust, she also manages to remain coolly controlled and calculating. It makes her that much more frightening. She has goals, she is driven, and she will stop at nothing to achieve them. That mixture of viciousness and focus makes her an even match to our hero.
As the plot rattles towards its climax, the action remains exciting and unpredictable. You could easily compare events to scenes in a Hollywood movie. Swords and crossbows versus tooth and claw, talk about breath-taking. As things get increasingly desperate, the pace of the novel shifts gear and the fighting ramps up a notch. This is the battle to end all battles after all and Winning lets us know it.
Now you might be thinking that Splinter sounds like just an action-fest and nothing else, you would be dead wrong. If you dig a bit deeper, underneath all the conflict, there is extra depth to the narrative. The story also tracks Nicholas’ emotional journey. You get the sense Nicholas is still trying to come to terms with his place in the world. The young man’s abilities are driven by instinct and his emotional state directly impacts on the decisions he makes. Chaos and death surround Nicholas so there is little surprise he is in a constant state of turmoil. When I was his age I had little idea about the kind of person I wanted to be. I do know I would not have been able to cope with the stresses and strains of leading an army. Hell, on most days I could barely manage to get out of bed.
Joshua Winning weaves other more complex, introspective aspects into the plot flawlessly. It’s impressively done, I reckon you could remove all reference to the supernatural/demonic from the book and it would still be utterly engrossing read. In many respects Splinter marks Nicholas finally coming of age. He begins to understand what responsibility, love and family actual mean. These previously alien concepts now make a certain kind of sense. I’m not saying he understands everything, just that he now has the tools he needs to start his journey into adulthood. When I started reading these novels I don’t think I expected them to be quite so thought provoking. It a nice added bonus.
In book three Nicholas gets the opportunity to finally faces his demons, metaphorically and in the flesh as it turns out. The entire series has been building towards a huge apocalyptic showdown and when we get there it does not disappoint. One of the things I found particularly fitting was the location for this momentous event. I loved it, in fact I’ll go further, it is absolutely perfect. Don’t worry, I’ll not say any more as it would spoil the surprise.
One of the things I love about being an avid reader is the opportunity to follow a writer’s career. The chance to watch an author find their style and how it informs their writing holds a deep fascination. Earlier in the year I reviewed Vicious Rumer, also by Joshua Winning, and at the time I talked a little about how I felt that he had found his unique voice. Further evidence, if required, can be found here. The confident, self-assured writing ensures that the Sentinel trilogy ends on a high note.
Nicholas Hallow is at the vanguard of the Sentinel movement. Previously he discovered his family legacy and the powers that allow him to help battle evil. Now, with the situation going from bad to worse, he has to take the lead and engage the enemy in a final confrontation. There is a chance that the world could literally turn to Hell and the only thing standing between us and demonic Armageddon are a small group of steadfast fighters. Nicholas, Dawn, Rae and Sam, along with the rest of the Sentinels need to stop the Dark Prophets by any means necessary.
Winning is great at defining his characters, it’s the thing that has kept me coming back with each new novel. Nicholas has evolved consistently since book one and the other Sentinels are just as well rounded. Sam, the grouchy mentor/surrogate father figure, has become an indispensable part of Nicholas’ life. Dawn and Rae are learning to achieve their own potential, but still keep Nicholas grounded. Even Esus, the enigmatic warrior spirit, plays a part in defining who Nicholas will become.
Every hero needs a villain and Malika is an ideal antagonist. Though she is completely consumed by her bloodlust, she also manages to remain coolly controlled and calculating. It makes her that much more frightening. She has goals, she is driven, and she will stop at nothing to achieve them. That mixture of viciousness and focus makes her an even match to our hero.
As the plot rattles towards its climax, the action remains exciting and unpredictable. You could easily compare events to scenes in a Hollywood movie. Swords and crossbows versus tooth and claw, talk about breath-taking. As things get increasingly desperate, the pace of the novel shifts gear and the fighting ramps up a notch. This is the battle to end all battles after all and Winning lets us know it.
Now you might be thinking that Splinter sounds like just an action-fest and nothing else, you would be dead wrong. If you dig a bit deeper, underneath all the conflict, there is extra depth to the narrative. The story also tracks Nicholas’ emotional journey. You get the sense Nicholas is still trying to come to terms with his place in the world. The young man’s abilities are driven by instinct and his emotional state directly impacts on the decisions he makes. Chaos and death surround Nicholas so there is little surprise he is in a constant state of turmoil. When I was his age I had little idea about the kind of person I wanted to be. I do know I would not have been able to cope with the stresses and strains of leading an army. Hell, on most days I could barely manage to get out of bed.
Joshua Winning weaves other more complex, introspective aspects into the plot flawlessly. It’s impressively done, I reckon you could remove all reference to the supernatural/demonic from the book and it would still be utterly engrossing read. In many respects Splinter marks Nicholas finally coming of age. He begins to understand what responsibility, love and family actual mean. These previously alien concepts now make a certain kind of sense. I’m not saying he understands everything, just that he now has the tools he needs to start his journey into adulthood. When I started reading these novels I don’t think I expected them to be quite so thought provoking. It a nice added bonus.
In book three Nicholas gets the opportunity to finally faces his demons, metaphorically and in the flesh as it turns out. The entire series has been building towards a huge apocalyptic showdown and when we get there it does not disappoint. One of the things I found particularly fitting was the location for this momentous event. I loved it, in fact I’ll go further, it is absolutely perfect. Don’t worry, I’ll not say any more as it would spoil the surprise.
One of the things I love about being an avid reader is the opportunity to follow a writer’s career. The chance to watch an author find their style and how it informs their writing holds a deep fascination. Earlier in the year I reviewed Vicious Rumer, also by Joshua Winning, and at the time I talked a little about how I felt that he had found his unique voice. Further evidence, if required, can be found here. The confident, self-assured writing ensures that the Sentinel trilogy ends on a high note.
July 12, 2018
Splinter is the final book in Joshua Winning’s Sentinel trilogy. In the interest of full disclosure, I read an earlier draft of the book as well as the final version. As I’d enjoyed the previous two,
Sentinel
and
Ruins
, a lot, I was looking forward to reading this final instalment in the series and finding out whether and how Nicholas and friends would vanquish the Dark Prophets. Splinter was definitely worth the wait though as it is a great wrap up of this very entertaining series.
Nicholas has certainly grown up a lot in over the course of the series. Where in the first book I complained that he didn’t seem to have a lot of agency and being mostly led by his elders, in Splinter he almost runs the show. What I did like is that he didn’t do so obstinately: he was willing to take counsel and weigh the advice before taking a decision, but when he decides, he takes full responsibility. He never utters a whiney ‘Why me?’ as Eddings' Garion was wont to do — even when he acknowledges that it isn’t fair that he has to make certain choices, he always follows that with the realisation that someone would have to make the choice so it may as well be him.
Splinter is action packed, with a lot of monster fighting going on. There were some tricksy turns in the plot that I thought were very well done. They were inventive and created some interesting emotional challenges for Nicholas. The action is well-paced, with a few slightly less frantic sections to allow both the characters and the readers to breathe. It all ramps up to an explosive finale, which was very satisfying.
The characters all showed a lot of development, not just Nicholas. I liked that we saw the gang of four teens split up and saw Dawn and Rae become closer and got to see more from their point of view as well. Dawn’s growing self-confidence and certainty in her research abilities were lovely, as were the moments where Rae allowed her friends to see more of her vulnerable side. I really liked the way the relationship between Nicholas and Merlyn developed. It was surprisingly uncomplicated, even if taking place in the middle of an apocalypse. Often when YA characters fall in love with someone of the same sex it becomes an angsty tale not just of falling in love and agonising over whether the object of their affection returns their feelings, it also focuses on their realisation and/or acceptance of their own sexual preferences. Or at least, that used to be a rather common trope. All of that was absent here. Nicholas falls for Merlyn and the only worry there was whether Merlyn liked him back (and whether they’d survive the apocalypse obviously). I loved that.
Splinter offers a wonderful resolution to the tale told in the Sentinel trilogy, even if I’m a little sad to say goodbye to Nicholas, Isabel and friends. Winning ties up al of the loose ends while leaving you with the feeling that Nicholas’ and the Sentinels' story continues after you close the book. The series overall was a pleasure to read and it was interesting to see not just Nicholas develop into a leader, but also to follow Winning’s growth as a writer. I can’t wait to see where he goes next.
This book was provided for review by the author.
Nicholas has certainly grown up a lot in over the course of the series. Where in the first book I complained that he didn’t seem to have a lot of agency and being mostly led by his elders, in Splinter he almost runs the show. What I did like is that he didn’t do so obstinately: he was willing to take counsel and weigh the advice before taking a decision, but when he decides, he takes full responsibility. He never utters a whiney ‘Why me?’ as Eddings' Garion was wont to do — even when he acknowledges that it isn’t fair that he has to make certain choices, he always follows that with the realisation that someone would have to make the choice so it may as well be him.
Splinter is action packed, with a lot of monster fighting going on. There were some tricksy turns in the plot that I thought were very well done. They were inventive and created some interesting emotional challenges for Nicholas. The action is well-paced, with a few slightly less frantic sections to allow both the characters and the readers to breathe. It all ramps up to an explosive finale, which was very satisfying.
The characters all showed a lot of development, not just Nicholas. I liked that we saw the gang of four teens split up and saw Dawn and Rae become closer and got to see more from their point of view as well. Dawn’s growing self-confidence and certainty in her research abilities were lovely, as were the moments where Rae allowed her friends to see more of her vulnerable side. I really liked the way the relationship between Nicholas and Merlyn developed. It was surprisingly uncomplicated, even if taking place in the middle of an apocalypse. Often when YA characters fall in love with someone of the same sex it becomes an angsty tale not just of falling in love and agonising over whether the object of their affection returns their feelings, it also focuses on their realisation and/or acceptance of their own sexual preferences. Or at least, that used to be a rather common trope. All of that was absent here. Nicholas falls for Merlyn and the only worry there was whether Merlyn liked him back (and whether they’d survive the apocalypse obviously). I loved that.
Splinter offers a wonderful resolution to the tale told in the Sentinel trilogy, even if I’m a little sad to say goodbye to Nicholas, Isabel and friends. Winning ties up al of the loose ends while leaving you with the feeling that Nicholas’ and the Sentinels' story continues after you close the book. The series overall was a pleasure to read and it was interesting to see not just Nicholas develop into a leader, but also to follow Winning’s growth as a writer. I can’t wait to see where he goes next.
This book was provided for review by the author.
July 18, 2018
This story is the third and final book in the Sentinel Trilogy. I loved it!
Nicholas Hallow is a fantastic character. I liked him very much when I first met him in Sentinel, the first book of the trilogy. He has dealt with tragedy and faced danger which has destroyed his world with more bravery than even I would have in the same situation. I love how he's grown emotionally throughout the trilogy. He's been forged in fire and gained maturity through adversity. He has been chosen by the Trinity to help protect the Sentinels, but as danger threatens, he finds himself making some difficult decisions.
The story continues from the end of the second book and sees Nicholas dealing with his world being torn apart by the malevolent Malika. As he tries to pick up the pieces, his life receives several more blows. There are secrets revealed, and the nightmare surrounding the impending return of the Dark Prophets grows. Nicholas will have to dig deep to resurrect the Trinity. However, the sacrifices may be too difficult.
This story has been eagerly awaited by myself for some considerable time; it's been three long years, but it was worth it. Due to the length of time between the release of books, I decided to read the first two books before tackling this one. I'm glad I did that because it reminded me of things I'd forgotten. I found myself hooked from the first page, and I loved meeting the characters once more; Dawn, Sam, Rae, Merlyn, Jessica and Isabel. I even missed Malika, as she's a character I loved to hate.
This book is told from Nicholas's point of view and is just as fast-paced and exciting as the other two. There are several twists and turns in this book that I didn't see coming, but they just added to an utterly enthralling read! I found myself on an emotional roller coaster ride from beginning to end. I had to wipe a few tears during this book, so keep hankies or a tissue handy, just in case. Speaking of the end, I love how all the loose ends from the previous books were tied up. I will not say more on that due to spoilers. But, I will say that I will miss these characters. A lot. However, I can now visit them whenever I get the urge.
Joshua Winning has written a fantastic end to his debut series. I love his fast-paced writing style, and the story flowed beautifully. This author is one to watch. He is one of only a handful of male authors that I have added to my favourite author's list, and I can't wait to see what he will come up with in the future.
As this book is a Young Adult fantasy, I highly recommend this book (and series) to young readers aged 12+ and to adults who love YA stories filled with witches, demons, supernatural beings, danger and adventure! - Lynn Worton
Nicholas Hallow is a fantastic character. I liked him very much when I first met him in Sentinel, the first book of the trilogy. He has dealt with tragedy and faced danger which has destroyed his world with more bravery than even I would have in the same situation. I love how he's grown emotionally throughout the trilogy. He's been forged in fire and gained maturity through adversity. He has been chosen by the Trinity to help protect the Sentinels, but as danger threatens, he finds himself making some difficult decisions.
The story continues from the end of the second book and sees Nicholas dealing with his world being torn apart by the malevolent Malika. As he tries to pick up the pieces, his life receives several more blows. There are secrets revealed, and the nightmare surrounding the impending return of the Dark Prophets grows. Nicholas will have to dig deep to resurrect the Trinity. However, the sacrifices may be too difficult.
This story has been eagerly awaited by myself for some considerable time; it's been three long years, but it was worth it. Due to the length of time between the release of books, I decided to read the first two books before tackling this one. I'm glad I did that because it reminded me of things I'd forgotten. I found myself hooked from the first page, and I loved meeting the characters once more; Dawn, Sam, Rae, Merlyn, Jessica and Isabel. I even missed Malika, as she's a character I loved to hate.
This book is told from Nicholas's point of view and is just as fast-paced and exciting as the other two. There are several twists and turns in this book that I didn't see coming, but they just added to an utterly enthralling read! I found myself on an emotional roller coaster ride from beginning to end. I had to wipe a few tears during this book, so keep hankies or a tissue handy, just in case. Speaking of the end, I love how all the loose ends from the previous books were tied up. I will not say more on that due to spoilers. But, I will say that I will miss these characters. A lot. However, I can now visit them whenever I get the urge.
Joshua Winning has written a fantastic end to his debut series. I love his fast-paced writing style, and the story flowed beautifully. This author is one to watch. He is one of only a handful of male authors that I have added to my favourite author's list, and I can't wait to see what he will come up with in the future.
As this book is a Young Adult fantasy, I highly recommend this book (and series) to young readers aged 12+ and to adults who love YA stories filled with witches, demons, supernatural beings, danger and adventure! - Lynn Worton
March 30, 2025
It's such a shame when such wonderful trilogies go completely under the radar. If I hadn't come across Joshua & and his Sentinel stand at YALC back in 2019, I never would have known about this, and I would have missed out on a wonderful series with absolutely stunning covers.
This trilogy is action packed, and the pages just fly by. And best of all, in my opinion, it doesn't feel like that typical YA, making you forget that's the audience!
Would most definitely recommend.
This trilogy is action packed, and the pages just fly by. And best of all, in my opinion, it doesn't feel like that typical YA, making you forget that's the audience!
Would most definitely recommend.
November 30, 2020
Just never got better, unfortunately. See my reviews for the prior books in the trilogy for further explanation. This last volume suffers from the same shortcomings. Very little tension built, and the back half reads more like a combination super hero story and Buffy episode.
July 7, 2018
4.5 stars
November 5, 2019
Having finally finished Splinter, I can safely say it is colossal, action packed and satisfying! The only downside of this bad boy is the realisation you will inevitably have that more writers should learn to pen action scenes like Josh because they truly make you thirsty for more.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews