Splintered: The Labyrinth, Book 3

by Brian Keene

All is lost in the aftermath of The Seven's confrontation with Behemoth, Leviathan, and Nodens. Frankie, Bloom, and Lucifer are missing and feared dead. Tony is in ancient Rome. The Exit is imprisoned outside of space and time. Teddy, LeHorn, and Sarah are on a quick mission to Teddy's hometown, where both old friends and enemies await. The remaining Thirteen are on the offensive. Heaven and Hell are mustering for war. The Labyrinth is damaged. The splintering of reality has begun. And the universe's last remaining hope may be... Ob, Lord of the Siqqusim?

Brian Keene's THE LABYRINTH Book 3

The End continues, and this is the last dance...

Genres: Horror

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2023

About the author

BRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and occasional journalism for money. He is the author of over forty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture’s current interest in zombies. Keene’s novels have been translated into German, Spanish, Polish, Italian, French, Taiwanese, and many more. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.

Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions.

Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.

Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror 2014 Grand Master Award, two Bram Stoker Awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.

The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Alex McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in Keene’s labyrinth mythos, Splintered finds The Seven separated and scattered across separate realities. How they wind up back together and continuing the fight makes for damn fine reading, truly some of Keenes best.
The group is splintered (natch) into smaller numbers, with Teddy and Nelson in an alternate version of Teddys hometown. That portion of the story was my favourite. It made for some of Keenes most poignant writing on the nature of love, male friendship and forgiveness. With survivor Sarah they battle Thirteen member Purturabo in a kick ass dance battle filled with dismembered body parts, magic and hymns.
Tony winds up in an arena battle with other Gladiators in an alternate Ancient Rome, fighting Thirteen member Meeble. A giant ape man thing. Which sounds silly. And it kinda is to be honest. But it’s also kinda awesome. And there’s a sword gun. I was fully committed with a smile on my face.
The last portion features Ob, that longtime Keene antagonist and super murder-y member of the Thirteen, who of course has taken over Blooms corpse. He does asshole things and then gets pulled like the other members of the Seven out of time and space to fight another member of The Thirteen. Seems Ob wants to form a truce and turn against his master Nodens, head of all Thirteen. Oh my whatever shall they do…..
This book was excellent. Hands down my favourite of the series thus far and thats including the fact i dislike Blooms death and feel Ob taking over was a way out of some writers corner by Keene…. The pacing is excellent and the plot wholly satisfying. Action, character and story development get gold stars while Keene shows his maturity and still growing talent as a storyteller.
My excitement for book 4 is unreasonable.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in 2018 or so, I was listening to a bunch of Zombie audio books. Then I hit The Rising, and was hooked, I forgot about the rest of the zombie books and went full time Keene. In those 7 years, I have read 33 of his full books, and a couple short stories also. I feel like the why the charactors talk, and act lines up with how my brain works, its like hanging out with buddies. I have instantly been a fan. Especially everything Levi Stoltzfus, I was a little bummed he wasn't one of the 7, but every time he is mentioned in the Labyrinth series I am jumping around like a little kid. I have grown to love Tony over the years.
I would say this is Keene's "avengers" where you finally get to see all your favorites come together, but its honestly more then that, too many days my wife has come home to an excited me trying to explain why the latest thing in the book was amazing, and catching her up on the mythos.
I recommend this book to everyone, of course don't start on this book, I would start with The Rising or with anything with Levi, but then you will quickly get to this book.

[Christopher Munch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keene is on a roll….

The legend is keeping up his amazing work with this entry in the series and I can’t wait for the next four or so books. Buy and read all three, you won’t be disappointed .

[Zach Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 3 is as spectacular as the previous 2 instalments
Lots of strange goings on
And Ob as a good guy ! Started in Keene’s first novel as the main enemy and looks to be turning saviour in his magnum opus !
Cannot wait for part 4 Fallen Angels
Roll on 2024

[Brett Grossmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought the book cause it was listed as third in the series. On Amazon is says 3 of 3. If I had know Keene was using this series to string us along I would have waited….after the last in the series is published he will put he books together and sell it complete.

[FictionFreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

another bomb novel in a great series

If you’ve read the other books before this one, don’t stop now! This series is a Brian Keene fan’s dream, now a reality. I can’t wait for the next one!!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. As a fan it is good to see his mythos all come together with the characters I have enjoyed reading about

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Brian Keene does not disappoint. The continuing saga of the labyrinth continues . Can’t wait for book 4 and see what direction it goes