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smtriska's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bekah1210's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
okevamae's review
4.0
Jane Connor and her sister Esme are not especially close, though Jane wishes they were closer. When Esme calls one stormy evening with the news that she’s leaving her rich husband and asks Jane to pick her up from a Manhattan bar, Jane has a decision to make: whether to brave the driving rain (and face her trauma around driving in bad weather) to go and pick Esme up, or to tell her sister to find another ride. At that point of decision, the story splits in two: on one timeline, Jane doesn’t go, and Esme goes missing. On the other, Jane picks up her sister and brings her back to Connecticut – but in the following days, Esme is acting very strangely.
The Split features a very interesting way to structure a mystery – each version of the story gives you different information at different times, allowing the reader to see a fuller picture of the mystery than either version of Jane is privy to. It was easier than I expected to keep the two versions separate in my mind, to keep track of which Jane knew what. The two timelines are written in different fonts, which I found helped my brain change gears. The two realities end in drastically different ways, both of them compelling.
Overall I thought this was a really good mystery told in a unique and interesting way, but it wasn’t quite a 5-star read. It’s hard to put my finger on why, all I can say is that it have that indefinable edge, it didn’t devour my brain the way I feel like a 5-star read should. For that reason, it’s 4.5, rounded down.
I recieved an advance copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Split features a very interesting way to structure a mystery – each version of the story gives you different information at different times, allowing the reader to see a fuller picture of the mystery than either version of Jane is privy to. It was easier than I expected to keep the two versions separate in my mind, to keep track of which Jane knew what. The two timelines are written in different fonts, which I found helped my brain change gears. The two realities end in drastically different ways, both of them compelling.
Overall I thought this was a really good mystery told in a unique and interesting way, but it wasn’t quite a 5-star read. It’s hard to put my finger on why, all I can say is that it have that indefinable edge, it didn’t devour my brain the way I feel like a 5-star read should. For that reason, it’s 4.5, rounded down.
I recieved an advance copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
books_by_blue's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dr_ari_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pagesplotsandpints's review
mysterious
medium-paced
3.25
Read Completed 3/12/24 | 3.25 stars
I'm always drawn to Kit Frick's writing and seem to get along with it fairly well, so I was interested in picking up this newly released adult thriller. I really liked the concept of a split decision and seeing what happens if one person changes one decision. I was definitely pulled into the story at first but ultimately, the thriller part just wasn't enough for me.
I really liked the concept and at first, there was a lot of intrigue surrounding Jane's relationship with her sister. I was curious what happened to her sister when she didn't turn up and what underlying motives there could be... but ultimately, it all just fell a little flat for me. The reveals seemed a little random and forced because some of the character motives were so hidden that what should have been surprising was just kind of like, "Huh. That's weird."
The characters also fell a little flat for me. Jane was apparently supposed to be "plain Jane" but she was a little boring with all of the other characters stealing the personality from her. I don't know... I just never really connected with her as much as I wanted to and I really don't know what I'd tell you about her after finishing the book.
There were a lot of good pieces here but I just didn't love the way they all came together. A few things fell flat and nothing really pulled it out of that feeling for me to make it shine. I really like the concept, but the ending was a little confusing as well. Sometimes with this type of plot, the two timelines end up converging and having the same ending but here, we get two endings. I guess it's up to the reader to choose which one they liked better, if the second one is how things really ended, or if there is no answer. It felt a little messy and unsatisfying to me.
Other recommended reads: THE CHOICE by Gillian McAllister
I'm always drawn to Kit Frick's writing and seem to get along with it fairly well, so I was interested in picking up this newly released adult thriller. I really liked the concept of a split decision and seeing what happens if one person changes one decision. I was definitely pulled into the story at first but ultimately, the thriller part just wasn't enough for me.
I really liked the concept and at first, there was a lot of intrigue surrounding Jane's relationship with her sister. I was curious what happened to her sister when she didn't turn up and what underlying motives there could be... but ultimately, it all just fell a little flat for me. The reveals seemed a little random and forced because some of the character motives were so hidden that what should have been surprising was just kind of like, "Huh. That's weird."
The characters also fell a little flat for me. Jane was apparently supposed to be "plain Jane" but she was a little boring with all of the other characters stealing the personality from her. I don't know... I just never really connected with her as much as I wanted to and I really don't know what I'd tell you about her after finishing the book.
There were a lot of good pieces here but I just didn't love the way they all came together. A few things fell flat and nothing really pulled it out of that feeling for me to make it shine. I really like the concept, but the ending was a little confusing as well. Sometimes with this type of plot, the two timelines end up converging and having the same ending but here, we get two endings. I guess it's up to the reader to choose which one they liked better, if the second one is how things really ended, or if there is no answer. It felt a little messy and unsatisfying to me.
Other recommended reads: THE CHOICE by Gillian McAllister
campreadkarin's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
abookwormwithwine's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Split by Kit Frick is a really hard book for me to rate and review. On one hand, I think the author did an excellent job showing how one little change can affect the course of your life but on the other, the setup of the book made it pretty repetitive and at times a touch confusing (on audio at least). I loved that the only viewpoint in the story is Jane's and that definitely helped keep the mystery alive. There were also plenty of twists that I didn't see coming as well as an ending that I was very satisfied with. I think it could be open to interpretation, but due to the epilogue I am choosing to believe that is how things ended and it is a conclusion I can live with.
I thought the audiobook was really easy listening, and I enjoyed Kelsey Navarro Foster as the narrator. I have listened to her before, and I thought she was a great fit for the audio as a whole and in all the ways for the characters. There is plenty of family drama and secrets thrown into the mix, along with some good ole fashioned revenge. I loved this mix, and I thought it was perfectly done! This is the author's first adult novel, but I can't say I could tell, and it did make me want to check out her backlist of YA titles. Read The Split if you are looking for something different and don't mind a bit of repetition.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I thought the audiobook was really easy listening, and I enjoyed Kelsey Navarro Foster as the narrator. I have listened to her before, and I thought she was a great fit for the audio as a whole and in all the ways for the characters. There is plenty of family drama and secrets thrown into the mix, along with some good ole fashioned revenge. I loved this mix, and I thought it was perfectly done! This is the author's first adult novel, but I can't say I could tell, and it did make me want to check out her backlist of YA titles. Read The Split if you are looking for something different and don't mind a bit of repetition.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.