Well I think I can adequately explain how much this book meant to be. I stayed up to midnight for the date to tick over and then proceeded to change my amazon store so I could get it that teensy tiny bit earlier.

And it delivered.

Reliquary was amazing. Splinter was ten times better.

The world building remains unique and complex and fascinating. The characters even more so. God I hate Ben. I wish there had of been a tiny bit more resolution between him and Mattie and Mattie and her parents, but I'm also sure the next book will address the loose ends. Asa was his usual snarky self. Mattie really grew up, god knows she did it kicking and screaming but she eventually pulled her out of the sand and owned her decisions. Splinter was epic.

I'm dying to read Mosaic. I don't think I can wait until November. ( )

Cute

*Spoilers*
I feel like she went too long dragging Ben on when she obviously loves Asa. Nice payoff at the end though. ( )

After [b: Reliquary|39030|Reliquary (Pendergast, #2)|Douglas Preston|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386922100s/39030.jpg|65004] and everything Ben did and did to her Mattie is still going to marry him. I have no idea why, except for that white picket fence dream she admits to having. But get over that, Mattie, because Ben used mind-control sex-magic on you without your consent, spent all your money on a magic addiction, and he doesn't seem to have improved at all.

Mattie's sick, everyone is pampering her, her friend thinks she has cold feet, Ben will barely let her do anything (controlling dick), and she thinks she's just lovesick for Asa. (Why are you marrying Ben, Mattie? I do not understand you.) Then, because Ben is a huge dick, disaster strikes, and Mattie ends up back in the magic game with Asa coming to her rescue.

There was stuff and plot and it was less interesting than the first book because it was more predictable. It was clearly the second book in a trilogy, the one where things happen because they have to in order for us to reach the third book.

I hope in the third book with Mattie embracing her power and working with Asa that the atmosphere of the first book, that combination of pleasure and wariness with overwhelming desire, returns. I'd like to concentrate more on the magical world and how Mattie feels the magic and how she and Asa work together.

[I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.]
( )

Do not try to read this book before reading #1 in the series. The world portrayed is incomprehensible without introduction. I tried and was completely befuddled.

I received a review copy of "Splinter: Reliquary Series, Book 2" by Sarah Fine (47North) through NetGalley.com. ( )