Reviews

The Split by Kit Frick

abbuelita's review

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Kinda went off the rails a bit at the end but I really enjoyed this! I loved the idea of two different timelines and getting to see how the story unfolded in different paths after one decision point. I thought the author did a good job of keeping the two timelines close enough to each other that it made sense. 

misha_ali's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This was an enjoyable family drama, mystery/thriller. I believe it's the first novel by the author and it's pretty good for a debut. I appreciate the strong characterization, some likeable and unlikeable characters, lots of red herrings tossed in and the mystery slowly revealed through the dual split narrative. I was concerned that alternating chapters for each "split" would be confusing but there's a fairly clear difference that keeps the thread consistent.

Enjoyable, fun to figure out, and there wasn't one obvious culprit from the start but multiples ones across the two timelines so enjoyable even as just a mystery.

leel154's review

2.0

Liked the idea of how one event can change your course of life, but this book did not need this element. Both of the stories had plot lines that matched up regardless of the incident, which made me wonder what the point of the element was. Confusing, and a bit of a let down. 

yuuto's review

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

nadjsim's review

3.0

While I loved the concept of split timelines, the mystery/thriller part of it let me down a little in the end. It's possible I need a break from this genre now.

summerbende's review

5.0

I loved this book! The way it was written was genius!! Following two outcomes of a decision was so intriguing. I was so into both stories! Very well written!

librarianshell's review

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

2.5

tmleblanc's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

A unique approach to a suspense/thriller told in two differing timelines based on single decision made by the main character.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

bernluvsbooks's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

gillian0231's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

3.5

While I really enjoyed the whole concept of the book, not only the alternating timelines but exploring the complexities of toxic family dynamics,  I don't think it was done really well. Overall, the book had a really strong start. At first I was a little confused with the changing timelines, but once I get into the rhythm, I really liked it. The writing was very good, the mysteries were layered and kept me guessing, and the characters, while not entirely likeable, were very realistic and interesting.
However, the closer we got to the end the more I was getting worried the ending would not be good. I was unfortunately correct. I really wish there could have been a connection between the two timelines. Obviously some big plot points happened in both stories, but it really just seems like the author had two different ideas for the mystery, couldn't chose between the two, and just decided to write both in the same book. I think a part of this disconnect is that we never get Esme's POV. The entire story is from Jane's POV, so everything we know about Esme is through Jane's perceptions of her. We never get Esme's inner thoughts or too much motivations for her actions besides what she eventually tells Jane. Because of this, Esme (in both timelines) seems really one dimensional and incredibly unlikable to the point that I really liked the ending of the Gone timeline. There is also a very stark difference in her personalities in the two timelines so it just seems so unrealistic that both endings are the same person. If we had gotten even just one chapter from Esme's POV explaining just a little bit of her feelings and actions, I think both personalities and endings could have been so more cohesive.
Maybe the whole point of the story is that one small action can lead to wildly different endings, but if that was the case it was not done well. It was a fast-paced book, which I really enjoy in mysteries, and I didn't want to put it down at times. There was so much potential that was so close to being fulfilled.