Marieke Nijkamp, Splinter & Ash, HarperCollins Publishers, January 2025, 368 pp., RRP $24,99 (hbk), ISBN 9780063326262
Reading the blurb of Splinter & Ash reminded me of the Tamora Pierce books which made me very excited to read it. And when I reached the end and found that the author was inspired by Alana’s adventures, I felt very happy.
Splinter & Ash takes on familiar middle grade fantasy tropes – an unlikely friendship, a country at war with its neighbours, a quest to discover the truth – and adds in layers of diversity which are welcome and meaningful. These work together to create a warm, adventurous story which I hope will continue with more volumes.
Princess Ash has been recalled home to the Castle to support her mother the Queen to discover traitors in their midst. She is not welcomed by everyone, nor does she feel comfortable or at home. As a child she was injured and now she walks with a cane. People see her through a lens of disability and underestimate her abilities. She has learnt to shoot a bow very effectively, is clever and compassionate, and this is why readers are on her side.
When Ash meets Splinter, a friendship begins and very quickly becomes more when Ash decides to engage Splinter as her squire, allowing her to begin a journey to become a knight – a lifelong dream. Not only because her brother is now a knight, away fighting their enemies, but also because the world sees Splinter as a girl and it’s not really how she sees herself.
Splinter’s identity is not a major crisis in the story apart from the fact that girls have never been able to be a squire and Ash’s support means the world to her. The other squires make it hard for Splinter but that doesn’t deter the pair from their decisions. Splinter’s fierce determination and strong self-belief are important aspects of her character. While the text uses ‘she/her’ pronouns, readers are conscious that these don’t fit Splinter, she just doesn’t have the language to identify herself any other way.
As the quest begins and complications arise, Ash and Splinter are forced to work separately to solve the mysteries of the war-torn country. Loyalty and motivations are tested, and readers are completely immersed in the actions and drama of the deepening twists and turns.
While the novel does have a satisfactory ending, not all the questions are answered. I look forward to more adventures with these brave and resourceful characters.
Highly recommended for fantasy lovers aged 11 to 13, this edition is a beautiful hardback. Let’s hope future books follow in this format
Reviewed by Trish Buckley
