Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5 stars)
Mackenzie has long used video games as a method of coping with tragedy. But, she never expected these video games to come in handy! When she wakes up in Kurat Manor captive to the sadistic and psychopathic Jumal, Mackenzie has to use her knowledge from video games and horror movies to survive. But with the walls constantly shifting, faceless creatures lurking, and her new companion Ezra constantly disappearing, it may be more difficult to get out alive than in her video games. After all, it’s not like you can press pause on life.
In an eerie and captivating story that leaves you on the edge of your seat, Kaitlyn Keller’s Splitter brings out some of the best and most suspenseful elements of horror. The monsters – Catalysts, Mundanes, and Splitters – are those of nightmares. I saw each of them clearly as I ran with Mackenzie through the manor, and their tendrils of fear and lack of humanity followed even into my mind.
The beauty of Splitter is that it’s not just about monsters; it’s about humanity. This is not just about Mackenzie running for her life, but it is also about accepting feats in her past. Her kindness is her asset, but its her own kindness that riddles her with guilt over deaths she could not control. Her sadistic captor sees himself as the righter-of-wrongs, the vigilante-with-a-vendetta, and as the hand-of-God. Mackenzie’s only chance of escape is not just to defeat the monsters, but help reclaim her humanity, as well as those standing in her way.
At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book. The book is the type that is fast paced, and will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time – reminiscent of horror movies and horror video games. But the beginning does jump straight into the action, and we don’t have time to get to really know Mackenzie. This made it hard for me to get into the story at first, but after reading it, I see that it was done with a purpose. Would I have liked some breathing moments? Sure. Were some parts cheesy – with breadcrumbs spread throughout the house – like a horror movie or video game? Absolutely! But that’s the point. None of these hindered my enjoyment in the end.
So even though it’s long past October, if you don’t mind a bit of spookiness and horror to fill your day, definitely check out Splitter. I ended up enjoying it way more than I thought I would!
What’s it about?
When twenty-three-year-old Mackenzie Foster wakes up in Kurat Manor to find herself captive to a sadistic stranger, she doesn’t panic or cower in a corner. Instead, using her knowledge of horror video games, she comes up with a plan and prepares for the worst. But with insane, faceless creatures lurking the halls, notes detailing the experiments taking place inside, and a timid school teacher who’s more of a hindrance than a help, surviving the night might be more than she’s capable of.
E.S. Barrison 