A review by inkysplodge
The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson

adventurous challenging reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

  • characters: 3/10
  • atmosphere: 3.5/10
  • writing: 3/10
  • plot: 4/10
  • intrigue: 4/10
  • logic: 1/10
  • enjoyment: 5/10

i enjoyed the story but the writing is very clearly from a 16 - 18 year old and the only thing that makes it new adult rather than young adult is swearing. the story has so much potential and i feel that with experience (and a better editor), this book could have been amazing. a LOT of typing errors (there was literally about 3 short chapters without any and this is a 43 chapter book) and inconsistencies e.g. one chapter switches between being in a garden and in a room... 3 times; Obi was
abandoned at 8, 2 pages later it's 10, then it's later confirmed his father was there for his Anchoring at 13
; there are a fair few historical inaccuracies which are especially weird because the author loves Regency settings etc. etc. overall: a good example of why your first book written shouldn't also be your first book published. however, there were a few really good quotes and 2 scenes that i LOVED
pretty much all character development (including relationships) happened off-page so i struggled to care about the stakes later on because i felt no connection to them. we also go the whole book knowing they're part of a prophecy which the characters know exists, but they only really find out they're a part of after 75% of the book is done

i'll be trying book 2 only because the author was young when she wrote this and now she has a degree in English Literature so hopefully the writing will be better (still needs a better editor though). this story has serious potential and i hope we get to see it fully realised
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