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A review by melcanread
The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
4.75
Asha Akindele, who has lived her entire life on the oppressive planet Gahraan, discovers she has a sister imprisoned by Emperor Thracin, forcing her to choose between remaining a slave or risking everything for family. Aided by Obi, a hapless time-traveller yearning to return to 1812 London and his almost-boyfriend, the only son of George IV, Asha embarks on a perilous journey across the stars to rescue her sister and, in the process, save entire worlds.
I rated this book 4.75 stars for its exceptional blend of the best writing elements from Doctor Who and Star Wars, while maintaining a unique and independent narrative. From the very first page, the world-building captivated me. It's clear that an immense amount of time and effort was invested into creating a rich, immersive universe that felt both expansive and meticulously detailed. As a history enthusiast, I especially appreciated the clear historical backdrop, which added layers of depth and authenticity to the story.
Each character is beautifully flawed and human, making them relatable and compelling. Asha's journey from a life of oppression on Gahraan to a star-spanning quest to save her sister is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. Obi, the hapless time-traveller, and his almost-boyfriend George, add a unique dynamic to the narrative, blending historical intrigue with sci-fi adventure. Jikiemi-Pearson’s willingness to make difficult, yet fitting, choices for her characters added to the book’s authenticity and emotional impact. She doesn't pander to the audience, allowing the story to unfold naturally, even if it means taking risks with character arcs.
However, I found one historical inaccuracy hard to overlook. George IV's portrayal as having a son set to inherit the crown felt like an erasure of his actual only legitimate heir, Princess Charlotte. This alteration seemed unnecessary and detracted from the historical integrity of the narrative. It felt like a convenient way to create a gay character, which, while important for representation, could have been handled differently. Asha and Obi's genders could have been swapped to maintain an LGBTQIA+ subplot without compromising historical accuracy. In fact, featuring a sapphic relationship might have provided valuable representation for sapphic novels, which often lack the attention they deserve.
Despite this, the book remains a thoroughly engaging read with its compelling characters and masterful storytelling. Jikiemi-Pearson has crafted a narrative that is both familiar in its genre elements and refreshingly original in its execution. The balance of high-stakes adventure, rich world-building, and deeply human characters makes this a standout novel that is well worth reading.
I rated this book 4.75 stars for its exceptional blend of the best writing elements from Doctor Who and Star Wars, while maintaining a unique and independent narrative. From the very first page, the world-building captivated me. It's clear that an immense amount of time and effort was invested into creating a rich, immersive universe that felt both expansive and meticulously detailed. As a history enthusiast, I especially appreciated the clear historical backdrop, which added layers of depth and authenticity to the story.
Each character is beautifully flawed and human, making them relatable and compelling. Asha's journey from a life of oppression on Gahraan to a star-spanning quest to save her sister is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. Obi, the hapless time-traveller, and his almost-boyfriend George, add a unique dynamic to the narrative, blending historical intrigue with sci-fi adventure. Jikiemi-Pearson’s willingness to make difficult, yet fitting, choices for her characters added to the book’s authenticity and emotional impact. She doesn't pander to the audience, allowing the story to unfold naturally, even if it means taking risks with character arcs.
However, I found one historical inaccuracy hard to overlook. George IV's portrayal as having a son set to inherit the crown felt like an erasure of his actual only legitimate heir, Princess Charlotte. This alteration seemed unnecessary and detracted from the historical integrity of the narrative. It felt like a convenient way to create a gay character, which, while important for representation, could have been handled differently. Asha and Obi's genders could have been swapped to maintain an LGBTQIA+ subplot without compromising historical accuracy. In fact, featuring a sapphic relationship might have provided valuable representation for sapphic novels, which often lack the attention they deserve.
Despite this, the book remains a thoroughly engaging read with its compelling characters and masterful storytelling. Jikiemi-Pearson has crafted a narrative that is both familiar in its genre elements and refreshingly original in its execution. The balance of high-stakes adventure, rich world-building, and deeply human characters makes this a standout novel that is well worth reading.