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Esperance
The history-bending speculative fiction from Adam Oyebanji, award-winning author of BRAKING DAY.
An impossible death: Detective Ethan Krol has been called to the scene of a baffling murder: a man and his son, who appear to have been drowned in sea-water. But the nearest ocean is a thousand miles away.
An improbable story: Hollie Rogers doesn’t want to ask too many questions of her new friend, Abi Eniola. Abi claims to be an ordinary woman from Nigeria, but her high-tech gadgets and extraordinary physical abilities suggest she’s not telling the whole truth.
An incredible quest: As Ethan’s investigation begins to point towards Abi, Hollie’s fears mount. For Abi is very much not who she seems. And it won’t be long before Ethan and Hollie find themselves playing a part in a story that spans cultures, continents… and centuries.
An extraordinary speculative thriller about the scars left by the Atlantic slave-trade, by a master of the genre.
An impossible death: Detective Ethan Krol has been called to the scene of a baffling murder: a man and his son, who appear to have been drowned in sea-water. But the nearest ocean is a thousand miles away.
An improbable story: Hollie Rogers doesn’t want to ask too many questions of her new friend, Abi Eniola. Abi claims to be an ordinary woman from Nigeria, but her high-tech gadgets and extraordinary physical abilities suggest she’s not telling the whole truth.
An incredible quest: As Ethan’s investigation begins to point towards Abi, Hollie’s fears mount. For Abi is very much not who she seems. And it won’t be long before Ethan and Hollie find themselves playing a part in a story that spans cultures, continents… and centuries.
An extraordinary speculative thriller about the scars left by the Atlantic slave-trade, by a master of the genre.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 2025
75 people are currently reading
6450 people want to read
About the author
Adam Oyebanji
5 books120 followersAdam Oyebanji is an SF/Crime novelist whose work blends thrilling plots with thought-provoking ideas, often exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the occasional whodunnit. His work has been praised for its originality, rich world-building, and sharp storytelling. Born in the United Kingdom but having spent much of his time in the United States and West Africa, Adam draws on a global perspective shaped by a career in law and a lifelong passion for speculative fiction and murder mysteries. He is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, the British Science Fiction Association, and the Crime Writers’ Association.
When not writing, Adam works as a lawyer specializing in counter-terrorist financing. A profession that has taken him to places significantly stranger than fiction.
When not writing, Adam works as a lawyer specializing in counter-terrorist financing. A profession that has taken him to places significantly stranger than fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
July 27, 2025
The combination of sci-fi and police procedural was tantalizing, particularly when it notes it will include non-white viewpoints, so when I read Richard's enthusiastic review Richard's enthusiastic review , I immediately went to NetGalley and requested it. Unfortunately, while I very much wanted to like this, I very much didn't.
It starts with a modern day Chicago, and a white police officer investigating the suspicious deaths of a Nigerian medical student father and his baby. The white mother was found unconscious and already carted off to the hospital. But why is there a barracuda on the floor as well? It's as if they were dumped into the Shedd Aquarium and mysteriously transported back to the apartment. Conversation with the mildly racist doorman reveals they had a washer-dryer recently installed. Ethan himself is struggling with estrangement from his daughter as well as seeming to make plans for the end of his life, although we don't know why (as a nurse, I can tell you almost nobody does this outside of a life-altering diagnosis, and even then, it's unlikely. Get your wishes written down, people!)
Such a premise! Catnip for someone like myself. Alas! The writing is probably deliberate. The primary narrative, at least at first, is from Ethan Krol, a white lieutenant with Chicago's finest. There's dialogue as he investigates, which is appreciated. However, the non-dialogue writing retains the staccato chop of an abrupt, interrogative policeman, and it's a hard sell for me. It felt unpolished, but was so prevalent, it must be deliberate. Right?
"Yeung laughed. Gave the washing machine a dismissive kick. Polished leather met weathered enamel in a dull thud."
or
"He kept seeing the baby. And the pools of water. And the scratch marks on the ceiling. Non of it made sense. Who would kill a baby like that? And why? And how could Amadi Okoro, a small but well-build man, have been drowned in an apartment with no bathtub?"
or
Cara's eyes turned flinty. Like her voice. 'What 'things,' dad?'... Cara rose from the table. Unlike her mother she did it slowly. Deliberately. So as not to cause a scene."
In retrospect, I get it, I think. Oyebanji is probably retaining the voice of the detective even in the non-dialogue narrative. But it is annoying for me, the short sentences and periods breaking up the chance to get into a flow. It's one of those writing conventions, I suppose: we know that even if the main narrator is an illiterate dope, we will get scene descriptions that ignore that perspective. So probably, Oyebaji is being very clever, immersing us completely in Ethan's head. But it's occasionally awkward enough for me that I stopped and noticed it, and in mysteries, I'm more prone to read, read, read to see the pieces fall into place.
Later, we jump to the voice of Abidemi Eniola, after she has "stepped unwillingly through the gate, Ayo and Kehinde's long-ago tears still hot against her face." Like Ethan, it appears Abi is struggling with some issues, not the least of which is how awful this new place is: "It would have been stunningly beautiful if it hadn't smelled so bad. The Story made no mention of the smell. There was an overpowering aroma of... people. And animals. And other things. Waste. Sulfur. Partially burned hydrocarbons. She tried hard not to gag. And then there was the noise." Darn it; although it appears Oyebanji will wax slightly more lyrical when in Abi's point of view, he will not let the staccato writing go. I begin to suspect it is either a 'style' or unfinished writing. I push on.
In a more 'fun' twist, Abi speaks like a 1920s gangster-wannabe. She meets with a jeweler: "how much kale can I get for these babies?" ....
"Are these real, madam?"
"Hey, don't crust me mister. I wouldn't lay sour rocks on you. They're real all the way."
Ugh. I get it; her time machine, translator, or whatever is all wrong. We're cued into this when she sees a statue of Cary Grant and remarks, 'oh, he got famous.' But more style over substance again. Where's our detective mystery? Who knows? We've moved to a new mystery, of why we are in the head of a totally new person who is behaving as if she is out of her normal time and place. Well, whatever. I settle in, until Abi crashes into a young white woman, Hollie, who is clearly an opportunist but might have a heart of gold, particularly when she is outraged that the fence they go to is probably trafficking women. For sci-fi, I was having a hard time latching onto this storyline.
I don't know; I might pick it up again, but I'll have to be in the mood. It gives off serious vibes of an attempt at Octavia Butler, only not as well done. One of Butler's joys is that she immerses and seduces the reader into the most unfortunate situations through almost--but not quite--sympathetic characters. It's lovely, really. Anyway, this isn't it, for me at least. It might be a Vonnegut-type style, but it's been so many years that I can't say for sure (definitely don't care for his writing, pseudo-sci-fi or not).
TL;DR: What I maybe liked are the core ideas: a strange mystery and multiple cultures and ethnicities. What I really didn't enjoy was the writing style and the way the narratives are broken up. Because each gets 8-9 chapters at a time, it's almost like reading two different books. I quit around 20%. Hopefully, other readers will have better luck than I did.
Apologies to Netgalley and DAW for the delayed and unhappy review. Obviously, all opinions my own.
It starts with a modern day Chicago, and a white police officer investigating the suspicious deaths of a Nigerian medical student father and his baby. The white mother was found unconscious and already carted off to the hospital. But why is there a barracuda on the floor as well? It's as if they were dumped into the Shedd Aquarium and mysteriously transported back to the apartment. Conversation with the mildly racist doorman reveals they had a washer-dryer recently installed. Ethan himself is struggling with estrangement from his daughter as well as seeming to make plans for the end of his life, although we don't know why (as a nurse, I can tell you almost nobody does this outside of a life-altering diagnosis, and even then, it's unlikely. Get your wishes written down, people!)
Such a premise! Catnip for someone like myself. Alas! The writing is probably deliberate. The primary narrative, at least at first, is from Ethan Krol, a white lieutenant with Chicago's finest. There's dialogue as he investigates, which is appreciated. However, the non-dialogue writing retains the staccato chop of an abrupt, interrogative policeman, and it's a hard sell for me. It felt unpolished, but was so prevalent, it must be deliberate. Right?
"Yeung laughed. Gave the washing machine a dismissive kick. Polished leather met weathered enamel in a dull thud."
or
"He kept seeing the baby. And the pools of water. And the scratch marks on the ceiling. Non of it made sense. Who would kill a baby like that? And why? And how could Amadi Okoro, a small but well-build man, have been drowned in an apartment with no bathtub?"
or
Cara's eyes turned flinty. Like her voice. 'What 'things,' dad?'... Cara rose from the table. Unlike her mother she did it slowly. Deliberately. So as not to cause a scene."
In retrospect, I get it, I think. Oyebanji is probably retaining the voice of the detective even in the non-dialogue narrative. But it is annoying for me, the short sentences and periods breaking up the chance to get into a flow. It's one of those writing conventions, I suppose: we know that even if the main narrator is an illiterate dope, we will get scene descriptions that ignore that perspective. So probably, Oyebaji is being very clever, immersing us completely in Ethan's head. But it's occasionally awkward enough for me that I stopped and noticed it, and in mysteries, I'm more prone to read, read, read to see the pieces fall into place.
Later, we jump to the voice of Abidemi Eniola, after she has "stepped unwillingly through the gate, Ayo and Kehinde's long-ago tears still hot against her face." Like Ethan, it appears Abi is struggling with some issues, not the least of which is how awful this new place is: "It would have been stunningly beautiful if it hadn't smelled so bad. The Story made no mention of the smell. There was an overpowering aroma of... people. And animals. And other things. Waste. Sulfur. Partially burned hydrocarbons. She tried hard not to gag. And then there was the noise." Darn it; although it appears Oyebanji will wax slightly more lyrical when in Abi's point of view, he will not let the staccato writing go. I begin to suspect it is either a 'style' or unfinished writing. I push on.
In a more 'fun' twist, Abi speaks like a 1920s gangster-wannabe. She meets with a jeweler: "how much kale can I get for these babies?" ....
"Are these real, madam?"
"Hey, don't crust me mister. I wouldn't lay sour rocks on you. They're real all the way."
Ugh. I get it; her time machine, translator, or whatever is all wrong. We're cued into this when she sees a statue of Cary Grant and remarks, 'oh, he got famous.' But more style over substance again. Where's our detective mystery? Who knows? We've moved to a new mystery, of why we are in the head of a totally new person who is behaving as if she is out of her normal time and place. Well, whatever. I settle in, until Abi crashes into a young white woman, Hollie, who is clearly an opportunist but might have a heart of gold, particularly when she is outraged that the fence they go to is probably trafficking women. For sci-fi, I was having a hard time latching onto this storyline.
I don't know; I might pick it up again, but I'll have to be in the mood. It gives off serious vibes of an attempt at Octavia Butler, only not as well done. One of Butler's joys is that she immerses and seduces the reader into the most unfortunate situations through almost--but not quite--sympathetic characters. It's lovely, really. Anyway, this isn't it, for me at least. It might be a Vonnegut-type style, but it's been so many years that I can't say for sure (definitely don't care for his writing, pseudo-sci-fi or not).
TL;DR: What I maybe liked are the core ideas: a strange mystery and multiple cultures and ethnicities. What I really didn't enjoy was the writing style and the way the narratives are broken up. Because each gets 8-9 chapters at a time, it's almost like reading two different books. I quit around 20%. Hopefully, other readers will have better luck than I did.
Apologies to Netgalley and DAW for the delayed and unhappy review. Obviously, all opinions my own.
February 26, 2025
Esperance hooked me from page one and didn’t let go. I mean, how could it? It opens with an impossible murder - a father and son drown in seawater inside their 20th-floor Chicago apartment (with no water tank around, floors dry, and nail scratches on the ceiling). A dead barracuda is just lying there next to them. For me, that’s the kind of opening that demands attention, and trust me, Oyebanji knows exactly how to keep it.
All of this somehow ties to a woman in Bristol who dresses and speaks like she walked out of the 1930s Nigeria, has and builds tech that shouldn’t exist, and is on a very specific historical scavenger hunt. Yeah, I’m in.
The pacing is perfect - the short chapters told from two points of view (Detective Ethan Krol and Abi) fly by quickly thanks to the right mix of action, mystery, and those oh-crap moments where everything shifts. The sci-fi elements are there, but Oyebanji doesn’t over-explain them, which somehow makes them even cooler. I found the twists top-tier, but your mileage may vary. Anyway, just when I thought I had things figured out, nope. With that said, it’s possible some readers won’t be crazy about police procedural elements, but since I love them, I had no issues here.
I also loved the dynamic between Hollie and Abi. Hollie is basically most of us. Abidemi, on the other hand, is an enigma - charismatic, dangerous, and inhumanly brilliant. Their relationship had the odd but interesting energy, and I loved how their interactions went from trust and suspicion and back.
Even the antagonist had motivations that actually made sense. There’s logic to their actions, even if their methods are, let’s say, a lot.
By the time I hit the final act, I was all in. The twists come fast, the revelations hit hard, and the ending is equally satisfying and unsettling. I feel it’ll stick with me. If you’re into Blake Crouch-style thrillers, Neal Stephenson-esque tech mysteries, or just a smart, fast-paced story that refuses to be predictable, Esperance is absolutely worth your time.
ARC through NetGalley
All of this somehow ties to a woman in Bristol who dresses and speaks like she walked out of the 1930s Nigeria, has and builds tech that shouldn’t exist, and is on a very specific historical scavenger hunt. Yeah, I’m in.
The pacing is perfect - the short chapters told from two points of view (Detective Ethan Krol and Abi) fly by quickly thanks to the right mix of action, mystery, and those oh-crap moments where everything shifts. The sci-fi elements are there, but Oyebanji doesn’t over-explain them, which somehow makes them even cooler. I found the twists top-tier, but your mileage may vary. Anyway, just when I thought I had things figured out, nope. With that said, it’s possible some readers won’t be crazy about police procedural elements, but since I love them, I had no issues here.
I also loved the dynamic between Hollie and Abi. Hollie is basically most of us. Abidemi, on the other hand, is an enigma - charismatic, dangerous, and inhumanly brilliant. Their relationship had the odd but interesting energy, and I loved how their interactions went from trust and suspicion and back.
Even the antagonist had motivations that actually made sense. There’s logic to their actions, even if their methods are, let’s say, a lot.
By the time I hit the final act, I was all in. The twists come fast, the revelations hit hard, and the ending is equally satisfying and unsettling. I feel it’ll stick with me. If you’re into Blake Crouch-style thrillers, Neal Stephenson-esque tech mysteries, or just a smart, fast-paced story that refuses to be predictable, Esperance is absolutely worth your time.
ARC through NetGalley
October 22, 2025
‘Esperance’ by Adam Oyebanji is a thriller, a mystery, and a science fiction read! I could not put it down! Except when I had to do things, like eat and sleep. I enjoyed this fast moving novel, but it is not for sensitive readers. There are really really evil doings, horrifyingly so. However, the terrible doings are not lingered on but are mostly briefly described. There is some truly evil history included which add a whiff of higher intention to the motivations of one of the main characters, but not really if one stops to parse it out. Whatever. And all of the characters are kinda brief sketches because the author is relying on the readers’ familiarity with the usual and customary actors’ roles we consumers of pop fiction and horror movies know. Who cares? I was mightily entertained!
I have copied the book blurb:
”"[D]extrously blends genres in this suspenseful sci-fi mystery.... Rob Hart and Blake Crouch fans should check this out." — Publishers Weekly
"Lovers of sharp, fast sci-fi from the likes of Neal Stephenson will be right at home with Esperance." —BookPage (starred)
A whip-smart thriller in the vein of Blake Crouch, Andy Weir, and Neal Stephenson, Esperance plumbs the depths of a seemingly impossible crime rooted in racism, intergenerational trauma, and an inhuman concept of justice
Detective Ethan Krol is on the twentieth floor of a Chicago apartment building. A father and son have been found dead, their lungs full of sea water—hundreds of miles away from the ocean.
Abidemi Eniola has arrived in Bristol, England. She claims to be Nigerian, but her accent is wrong and she can do remarkable things with technology, things that her new friend, Hollie Rogers, has never seen before. Abi is in possession of a number of heirlooms that need to be returned to their rightful owners, and Hollie is more than happy to go along for the ride.
But neither Abidemi Eniola nor her heirlooms are quite what they seem. Abi is a target of Ethan Krol’s investigations, and Hollie’s life is about to become far stranger than she bargained for. In a clash of cultures, histories, and different ideas about justice, the consequences will be deadly…”
I liked the story very much and I highly recommend it as a good beach read! The thrills will carry readers breathlessly along, wondering what next? What next? But it left me with a lot of questions once I had a cup of coffee and thought about it, especially about a main character’s motivations. The murderous killer is completely senseless to me. Was he insane?
But if readers love the SciFi Channel’s monster-loose-and-murdering-young adults-for-some-strange-reason movies that are shown on Saturdays, this book reminded me a little of those - plot nominally sensible, a deep mystery which needs to be uncovered to solve the murders, some motivations a bit muddy or a lot crazy, lots of mysterious violent action and doubtful survival. Excellent fun! Right? Right? Shutup.
I have copied the book blurb:
”"[D]extrously blends genres in this suspenseful sci-fi mystery.... Rob Hart and Blake Crouch fans should check this out." — Publishers Weekly
"Lovers of sharp, fast sci-fi from the likes of Neal Stephenson will be right at home with Esperance." —BookPage (starred)
A whip-smart thriller in the vein of Blake Crouch, Andy Weir, and Neal Stephenson, Esperance plumbs the depths of a seemingly impossible crime rooted in racism, intergenerational trauma, and an inhuman concept of justice
Detective Ethan Krol is on the twentieth floor of a Chicago apartment building. A father and son have been found dead, their lungs full of sea water—hundreds of miles away from the ocean.
Abidemi Eniola has arrived in Bristol, England. She claims to be Nigerian, but her accent is wrong and she can do remarkable things with technology, things that her new friend, Hollie Rogers, has never seen before. Abi is in possession of a number of heirlooms that need to be returned to their rightful owners, and Hollie is more than happy to go along for the ride.
But neither Abidemi Eniola nor her heirlooms are quite what they seem. Abi is a target of Ethan Krol’s investigations, and Hollie’s life is about to become far stranger than she bargained for. In a clash of cultures, histories, and different ideas about justice, the consequences will be deadly…”
I liked the story very much and I highly recommend it as a good beach read! The thrills will carry readers breathlessly along, wondering what next? What next? But it left me with a lot of questions once I had a cup of coffee and thought about it, especially about a main character’s motivations. The murderous killer is completely senseless to me. Was he insane?
But if readers love the SciFi Channel’s monster-loose-and-murdering-young adults-for-some-strange-reason movies that are shown on Saturdays, this book reminded me a little of those - plot nominally sensible, a deep mystery which needs to be uncovered to solve the murders, some motivations a bit muddy or a lot crazy, lots of mysterious violent action and doubtful survival. Excellent fun! Right? Right? Shutup.
November 3, 2025
I liked it alot! Another unexpected treat. A thriller, a crime novel, a scifi novel .
Acknowledgement of the unpaid debt is (to me) a profound and unexplored idea, especially in the scifi range. I was invested and found it to be better than I expected.
4+ Stars
Listened to Audible. Dele Ogundiran was very good.
Acknowledgement of the unpaid debt is (to me) a profound and unexplored idea, especially in the scifi range. I was invested and found it to be better than I expected.
4+ Stars
Listened to Audible. Dele Ogundiran was very good.
October 14, 2025
Interesting murder mystery with some SSF element but a bit too long and got me impatient. Might make an interesting TV show though. Wonder if this qualifies as Afrofuturism.
March 31, 2025
Sci-fi thrillers are right up my alley, but this was just okay.
As much as I loved the focus on racism and history, it wasn't enough to carry the story. The novel would be entertaining as a movie or graphic novel, but as a novel, it wasn't really all that exciting until the last 20-25% when the climax and reveal came into play.
The MCs, both Abi and Ethan, felt like they were kept at a distance from the reader. There wasn't enough character development to get to really know them. Ethan read like a typical old school detective who's rough around the edges (and racist). Abi was more interesting, but only because she was a human with cyborg-like augments who was out of place and time.
The police procedural part was cool and I really liked the creepy sci-fi-esque murders that Ethan and Gutierrez were investigating. I especially liked the Chicago and East Coast settings.
But other than that, I wish we'd really get to know the MCs since they were carrying the story. We only know that Ethan has racist attitudes towards his daughter's fiance and doesn't want to go to their wedding. Abi was some kind of futuristic person who might or might not be the bad guy. And that was about it. They didn't feel fully fleshed out. They were just there as vessels to tell a story.
Overall, this was an okay read, but it was nothing to write home about.
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for this arc.
As much as I loved the focus on racism and history, it wasn't enough to carry the story. The novel would be entertaining as a movie or graphic novel, but as a novel, it wasn't really all that exciting until the last 20-25% when the climax and reveal came into play.
The MCs, both Abi and Ethan, felt like they were kept at a distance from the reader. There wasn't enough character development to get to really know them. Ethan read like a typical old school detective who's rough around the edges (and racist). Abi was more interesting, but only because she was a human with cyborg-like augments who was out of place and time.
The police procedural part was cool and I really liked the creepy sci-fi-esque murders that Ethan and Gutierrez were investigating. I especially liked the Chicago and East Coast settings.
But other than that, I wish we'd really get to know the MCs since they were carrying the story. We only know that Ethan has racist attitudes towards his daughter's fiance and doesn't want to go to their wedding. Abi was some kind of futuristic person who might or might not be the bad guy. And that was about it. They didn't feel fully fleshed out. They were just there as vessels to tell a story.
Overall, this was an okay read, but it was nothing to write home about.
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for this arc.
November 26, 2025
My thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for a free DRC of “Esperance” by Adam Oyebanji.
This is the best Speculative Thriller I ever had the pleasure of reading.
It captivated me from the first page with Detective Ethan having to solve an impossible murder, then when Abidemi, a mysterious woman, came into the picture and everything became even more gripping. Her dynamic with the Goth Brit Hollie was phenomenal.
This novel has it all: police investigations, a serial killer, quests, SF elements, advanced technology, action, humor, friendship, regret, ties to historical events and so much more.
The level of intrigue and my personal investment made this novel one of my favorite reading experiences of 2025.
This is the best Speculative Thriller I ever had the pleasure of reading.
It captivated me from the first page with Detective Ethan having to solve an impossible murder, then when Abidemi, a mysterious woman, came into the picture and everything became even more gripping. Her dynamic with the Goth Brit Hollie was phenomenal.
This novel has it all: police investigations, a serial killer, quests, SF elements, advanced technology, action, humor, friendship, regret, ties to historical events and so much more.
The level of intrigue and my personal investment made this novel one of my favorite reading experiences of 2025.
July 5, 2025
3.5 stars that (I think) rounds up — a great concept, with a few hiccups in its execution.
June 24, 2025
This was one of those quick reads that was very entertaining. The plot was strange enough in a Twilight Zone way to keep my interest but not too weird: just the perfect bit to be mysterious. After reading awhile I did figure some of it out but the main mystery isn't revealed until the very end. And yes, this has a very clear science fiction twist to the storyline. If you watched a lot of science fiction the first bit - the part about Abi - will be very obvious.
I liked the characters in here. And that means a lot to a book. Some books have those characters that just grate on your nerves or they are super annoying. Luckily there are none like that in here and that made the story flows very smoothly...
Ethan who is the Chicago cop is pretty no nonsense. He is trying to do his job but he runs into a problem right away. He has a drowning victim in a Chicago apartment! But the person drowned in sea water. That is what the autopsy says. Yes, actual sea water with all the little bits in it - but there is no sea anywhere near Chicago! In some ways this is kind of humorous; like the universe played a prank on Ethan. Because how do you solve something like that? Unfortunately that was only the beginning of his problems. Ethan is the character in here who faces the hardest problems, especially when it comes to what one believes. And it certainly is not easy for him.
Because Nigerians get involved.
But this Nigerian, named Abi, talks like a gangster from the 1930s. And she can do odd stuff. She has high tech. And her explanation for everything is "Nigeria". But it's kind of clear she's not from there at all... I have to admit Abi for quite awhile was probably the most mysterious to me. I couldn't decide whose side she was on or what her actual purpose was; what her goals were. The book does that very well and kept me guessing.
Then there is Hollie, a somewhat simple British woman. She gets involved with Abi. Some of her choices were probably the most surprising to me. Sometimes I wanted to yell at her about these choices because they are certainly not what I would do. But she most definitely grows through the story.
The plot moved fast and at the end everything is explained so it is very satisfying. And the book has a climax too. The ending and the location for the ending was not what I was expecting.
So basically this was a fun book to read.
I liked the characters in here. And that means a lot to a book. Some books have those characters that just grate on your nerves or they are super annoying. Luckily there are none like that in here and that made the story flows very smoothly...
Ethan who is the Chicago cop is pretty no nonsense. He is trying to do his job but he runs into a problem right away. He has a drowning victim in a Chicago apartment! But the person drowned in sea water. That is what the autopsy says. Yes, actual sea water with all the little bits in it - but there is no sea anywhere near Chicago! In some ways this is kind of humorous; like the universe played a prank on Ethan. Because how do you solve something like that? Unfortunately that was only the beginning of his problems. Ethan is the character in here who faces the hardest problems, especially when it comes to what one believes. And it certainly is not easy for him.
Because Nigerians get involved.
But this Nigerian, named Abi, talks like a gangster from the 1930s. And she can do odd stuff. She has high tech. And her explanation for everything is "Nigeria". But it's kind of clear she's not from there at all... I have to admit Abi for quite awhile was probably the most mysterious to me. I couldn't decide whose side she was on or what her actual purpose was; what her goals were. The book does that very well and kept me guessing.
Then there is Hollie, a somewhat simple British woman. She gets involved with Abi. Some of her choices were probably the most surprising to me. Sometimes I wanted to yell at her about these choices because they are certainly not what I would do. But she most definitely grows through the story.
The plot moved fast and at the end everything is explained so it is very satisfying. And the book has a climax too. The ending and the location for the ending was not what I was expecting.
So basically this was a fun book to read.
October 9, 2025
This is a standalone murder mystery SF set on the contemporary Earth. I read it as a part of the monthly reading for October 2025 at SFF Hot from Printers: New Releases group. The novel was published in 2025 and can be nominated for the next year’s awards.
The story starts with an impossible murder scene. Chicago’s Finest find three bodies on the 70th floor, who are humans: a boy and his father. And the third is a fish, barracuda. Moreover, despite the height, the humans were drowned, and it was done in ocean water (Chicago is about 2,250 miles (3,620 km) from the Atlantic Ocean). And here I guess the pre-knowledge of the genre plays a bad role – if it were a ‘true’ murder mystery, there is some way a reader can guess how it was done, but for SF, there are a lot of alternatives any fan may name.
While the police investigates the murder (and does it in a procedural style), a new character is introduced, who gave me a vibe of a benevolent Terminator (the character is different on many levels, I just describe my feelings). The race against time begins…
It is an interesting, well-paced story, with an unexpected (by me) final twist. At the same time, I cannot say that it was a memorable read that affected me.
The story starts with an impossible murder scene. Chicago’s Finest find three bodies on the 70th floor, who are humans: a boy and his father. And the third is a fish, barracuda. Moreover, despite the height, the humans were drowned, and it was done in ocean water (Chicago is about 2,250 miles (3,620 km) from the Atlantic Ocean). And here I guess the pre-knowledge of the genre plays a bad role – if it were a ‘true’ murder mystery, there is some way a reader can guess how it was done, but for SF, there are a lot of alternatives any fan may name.
While the police investigates the murder (and does it in a procedural style), a new character is introduced, who gave me a vibe of a benevolent Terminator (the character is different on many levels, I just describe my feelings). The race against time begins…
It is an interesting, well-paced story, with an unexpected (by me) final twist. At the same time, I cannot say that it was a memorable read that affected me.
October 10, 2025
This was a fast, exciting read with an interesting mystery and ideas. I did not connect with the characters that much.
November 24, 2025
A brilliant blend of murder mystery and science fiction with a touch of police procedural. I had finally gotten into a nice, steady pace in reading this book, when my Libby time was up and I had to wait an interminable month back in line to read the final half of the book.
There were many things I enjoyed about this book - the frenetic energy as two people with extraordinary talents race around the cities of Edinburgh and Chicago, the haunting mystery of the ship Esperance, and of course the horrid history of the ship that is the basis for the plot. Having read about the Zorg already, I knew what was coming. I did not anticipate Abi's story, however.
A wonderful book, from a new-to-me author I will be continuing to read.
There were many things I enjoyed about this book - the frenetic energy as two people with extraordinary talents race around the cities of Edinburgh and Chicago, the haunting mystery of the ship Esperance, and of course the horrid history of the ship that is the basis for the plot. Having read about the Zorg already, I knew what was coming. I did not anticipate Abi's story, however.
A wonderful book, from a new-to-me author I will be continuing to read.
June 3, 2025
Oooh this was a wild ride! It is brutal yet emotional, heartbreaking yet humorous, exciting yet still with well developed characters. Really, I don't think I can find a complaint for Esperance! Without giving too much away (since much of the fun is because the reader is trying to figure out the situation right alongside the detectives), there's a series of highly unsettling murders of innocent folks (this is not a spoiler- how can babies be anything but innocent, after all?) that are somehow connected, but so little is adding up.
We follow a detective, and an initially unknown entity (as in, we don't know what her role is) and wait to see how their paths will converge. Both characters are flawed, yet both are also sympathetic (and Abi in particular is so witty, and her newfound pal will definitely crack you up). Add to it, it is absolutely impossible to not want to know whodunit, as well as the why. I also loved the historical part, and when it is all tied together, it's just done so well. Especially because it makes you think, a lot, and is so next-level morally gray that Clarke Griffin is suing for copyright infringement.
Bottom Line: Exciting, dark, entertaining, heartfelt, and thought provoking to the core, I could not put Esperance down until I knew everything.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
We follow a detective, and an initially unknown entity (as in, we don't know what her role is) and wait to see how their paths will converge. Both characters are flawed, yet both are also sympathetic (and Abi in particular is so witty, and her newfound pal will definitely crack you up). Add to it, it is absolutely impossible to not want to know whodunit, as well as the why. I also loved the historical part, and when it is all tied together, it's just done so well. Especially because it makes you think, a lot, and is so next-level morally gray that Clarke Griffin is suing for copyright infringement.
Bottom Line: Exciting, dark, entertaining, heartfelt, and thought provoking to the core, I could not put Esperance down until I knew everything.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
April 1, 2025
This is a really odd book that I had trouble getting into as I usually don't enjoy fantasy. But once I got the gist of it, I was hooked and couldn't read fast enough! Ethan is investigating three dead bodies that have drowned in salt water in their apartment. There's no fish tank in sight and there are "claw-like" marks on the ceiling so he's totally flummoxed and not sure where to start. Then we meet Abi who is attempting to sell diamonds to a pawnbroker, It's a wild ride that kept me on my toes so prepare to let your imagination run wild!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
May 24, 2025
Darn, I really thought I would enjoy this. It was a mix of the writing/lack of character development and the narrator, I just could notttttt get into it at all. The only good parts of it were the last 20% or so.
June 6, 2025
Esperance is a speculative fiction novel which blends together police procedural, sci-fi and alt-history, written by Adam Oyebanji, and published by DAW Books. An impossible murder kickstarts a propulsive novel that doesn't explain much, letting the reader tie the knots between the two POVs, trusting them with a complex plot which hooks you until the end.
Detective Ethan Krol is investigating an impossible murder: a father and his son have been found drowned in seawater in a luxury condo in Chicago; at the same time, we are introduced to Abi, a mysterious woman who speaks like in the 1930s and claims to come from Nigeria, is also in the trail of this assassin, blindly followed by Hollie. Both characters will eventually cross their paths, starting a breakneck, globe spawning tale of impossible crimes, twists and turns, while they try to understand how and the motivations behind the murders.
Talking about the characters, on one hand, we have Ethan Krol, the prototypical detective that introduces us to the police procedural part of this story; struggling to understand how seawater might be in the middle of Chicago without any kind of tank, and discovering a chain of murders that he aims to stop.
On the other, we have Abi and Hollie; Hollie deeply admires Abidemi, and tries to help her as much as possible. The relationship between both is complicated, because while I think it might be a bit too fast in how it develops, it's also great to see how Abi can also get a bond with somebody that was a complete stranger when she arrived; Hollie might not understand what Abi is doing, but soon will prove her value.
We have a fast-paced thriller style of narration, softly introducing the sci-fi elements, without losing time in explaining them; the police procedural parts might be a bit too dense if you don't like the genre, but it is satisfying how Oyebanji doesn't hold readers' hand, letting them to form their own theories until the story collapses for the ending. While the reason behind the antagonist's acts might be a bit too thin (at least in terms of reasoning), it plays a good role in articulating the rest of the plot.
Esperance is a great speculative fiction novel, perfect if you prefer a softer approach to sci-fi with police procedural elements thrown in, in the style of Blake Crouch's novels; a nice standalone that I pretty much enjoyed reading!
Detective Ethan Krol is investigating an impossible murder: a father and his son have been found drowned in seawater in a luxury condo in Chicago; at the same time, we are introduced to Abi, a mysterious woman who speaks like in the 1930s and claims to come from Nigeria, is also in the trail of this assassin, blindly followed by Hollie. Both characters will eventually cross their paths, starting a breakneck, globe spawning tale of impossible crimes, twists and turns, while they try to understand how and the motivations behind the murders.
Talking about the characters, on one hand, we have Ethan Krol, the prototypical detective that introduces us to the police procedural part of this story; struggling to understand how seawater might be in the middle of Chicago without any kind of tank, and discovering a chain of murders that he aims to stop.
On the other, we have Abi and Hollie; Hollie deeply admires Abidemi, and tries to help her as much as possible. The relationship between both is complicated, because while I think it might be a bit too fast in how it develops, it's also great to see how Abi can also get a bond with somebody that was a complete stranger when she arrived; Hollie might not understand what Abi is doing, but soon will prove her value.
We have a fast-paced thriller style of narration, softly introducing the sci-fi elements, without losing time in explaining them; the police procedural parts might be a bit too dense if you don't like the genre, but it is satisfying how Oyebanji doesn't hold readers' hand, letting them to form their own theories until the story collapses for the ending. While the reason behind the antagonist's acts might be a bit too thin (at least in terms of reasoning), it plays a good role in articulating the rest of the plot.
Esperance is a great speculative fiction novel, perfect if you prefer a softer approach to sci-fi with police procedural elements thrown in, in the style of Blake Crouch's novels; a nice standalone that I pretty much enjoyed reading!
October 13, 2025
I had no expectations going in and did not know much about it and was pleasantly surprised. Esperance completely worked for me, I can understand why it wouldn't work for everyone or even most but I really enjoyed all of it.
The ending wrapped all the mysteries up, including the weird speech which probably was used too much but had a very good reason for existing. The method of the murders was a bit too cerebral and I get why they were done that way, maybe a slightly less involved method would have fine.
The themes of debt and how long should it be carried around were well done and made for some very thoughtful (in my brain with myself) discussions on how long should we be responsible for our father's sins so to speak.
My second Oyebanji and not my last
The ending wrapped all the mysteries up, including the weird speech which probably was used too much but had a very good reason for existing. The method of the murders was a bit too cerebral and I get why they were done that way, maybe a slightly less involved method would have fine.
The themes of debt and how long should it be carried around were well done and made for some very thoughtful (in my brain with myself) discussions on how long should we be responsible for our father's sins so to speak.
My second Oyebanji and not my last
May 7, 2025
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
A genre-blending tour de force, Esperance is a police procedural with a sci-fi twist.
The story begins with a murder, as all good detective stories do, and a very fascinating mystery. I will warn you that the story begins with the death of an infant. It’s not described in detail, as the baby has already passed when the story begins, but it does happen. If you’re sensitive to that, you might want to steer clear. As someone who does tend to avoid that sort of thing, I will say that it wasn’t too bad - it was sad, but it didn’t keep me up at night.
Anyway, it sounds very odd to say this right after that aside, but this book is excellent at straddling the line between serious and fun. The book has its serious moments, but it also allows itself space to breathe, to take a step back and drop some levity into the story, particularly regarding the character of Abi and her strange way of speaking and ‘fish-out-of-water’ elements. I loved those aspects, so I’m glad the book took the time to flesh them out a bit.
The characters are great, albeit not too deep. Ethan actually isn’t very likeable as he's the archetypal hard-boiled cop with a bad attitude, though how he’s a dick serves to make him realistic. Abi and Hollie, by contrast, are a delight. Abi is tough as nails but also naive in an entertaining way, and Hollie is just incredibly sweet. Their odd pair-up works; Hollie, as a counter-culture focused person, finds Abi, this enigmatic, charming woman who also is clearly not telling the truth about much, entirely fascinating, and Abi sees in Hollie someone she misses from back home (I won’t expand). It’s not a character-driven story, though; we don’t learn anything about Hollie’s backstory or much of Abi’s until the reveal, but this book is more about the mystery than a psychological profile of the characters. Likewise, the murderer, while 100% unforgivable in his actions, has motives that make sense if you’re just a little bit nuts.
The action scenes are top-notch, with great descriptions, excellent detail, and strong tension. Because of the, well, dead baby at the start of the book, you realize that no one is safe, so there’s always this thought of “no, that can’t happen! But then again…”
The sci-fi elements were well-described as well, with just enough to make sense but not enough for you to start to poke holes in it.
For a rather long book, I flew through it, as I was super engaged and really enjoyed it. When it comes to the story itself, I’m not sure if we were supposed to guess the main “twist” right off the bat, though I did, but there was a sort of sub-twist regarding a character’s motives that did catch me off-guard. As such, while one part wasn’t a surprise to me, the novel did have me doubting myself and threw in some red herrings along the way.
Without getting too deep into why, this is a book about a near-personification of generational and historical trauma, a theme I think the book pulled off very well and gave it a strong thematic weight.
Overall, a great police procedural for those who like them with emotional heft and a sci-fi bent.
A genre-blending tour de force, Esperance is a police procedural with a sci-fi twist.
The story begins with a murder, as all good detective stories do, and a very fascinating mystery. I will warn you that the story begins with the death of an infant. It’s not described in detail, as the baby has already passed when the story begins, but it does happen. If you’re sensitive to that, you might want to steer clear. As someone who does tend to avoid that sort of thing, I will say that it wasn’t too bad - it was sad, but it didn’t keep me up at night.
Anyway, it sounds very odd to say this right after that aside, but this book is excellent at straddling the line between serious and fun. The book has its serious moments, but it also allows itself space to breathe, to take a step back and drop some levity into the story, particularly regarding the character of Abi and her strange way of speaking and ‘fish-out-of-water’ elements. I loved those aspects, so I’m glad the book took the time to flesh them out a bit.
The characters are great, albeit not too deep. Ethan actually isn’t very likeable as he's the archetypal hard-boiled cop with a bad attitude, though how he’s a dick serves to make him realistic. Abi and Hollie, by contrast, are a delight. Abi is tough as nails but also naive in an entertaining way, and Hollie is just incredibly sweet. Their odd pair-up works; Hollie, as a counter-culture focused person, finds Abi, this enigmatic, charming woman who also is clearly not telling the truth about much, entirely fascinating, and Abi sees in Hollie someone she misses from back home (I won’t expand). It’s not a character-driven story, though; we don’t learn anything about Hollie’s backstory or much of Abi’s until the reveal, but this book is more about the mystery than a psychological profile of the characters. Likewise, the murderer, while 100% unforgivable in his actions, has motives that make sense if you’re just a little bit nuts.
The action scenes are top-notch, with great descriptions, excellent detail, and strong tension. Because of the, well, dead baby at the start of the book, you realize that no one is safe, so there’s always this thought of “no, that can’t happen! But then again…”
The sci-fi elements were well-described as well, with just enough to make sense but not enough for you to start to poke holes in it.
For a rather long book, I flew through it, as I was super engaged and really enjoyed it. When it comes to the story itself, I’m not sure if we were supposed to guess the main “twist” right off the bat, though I did, but there was a sort of sub-twist regarding a character’s motives that did catch me off-guard. As such, while one part wasn’t a surprise to me, the novel did have me doubting myself and threw in some red herrings along the way.
Without getting too deep into why, this is a book about a near-personification of generational and historical trauma, a theme I think the book pulled off very well and gave it a strong thematic weight.
Overall, a great police procedural for those who like them with emotional heft and a sci-fi bent.
October 5, 2025
Read this as a monthly book for the SFF Hot from Printers: New Releases group. Very good, a solid 4 stars, maybe 4.5; a murder mystery, a detective story with an SF overlay. It seems to me that this type of story more often has a fantasy overlay, as in The Tainted Cup or A Master of Djinn, and often an exotic location, so Esperance is more refreshing in that regard (part of it is located in Chicago, where I lived for almost 20 years). While I like the protagonist, the antagonists(?) are a bit unpleasant, but understood later in the story. The pacing and length of the story were both good, it wasn't dragged out. I could definitely see this first novel among the Hugo & Locus nominees next year.
July 30, 2025
I have to bump it up for creativity, as usual. And the audiobook was very well done, but until I started to understand the plot, I just couldn't get into it and was just trying to finish it. Glad I stuck with it, though,, because it is a very clever, creative storyline. Excellent idea.
September 30, 2025
This was a great surprise.
Soft SF and mystery, both done very well
It was fast paced and very satisfying, with a dual POV that worked very well. The SF aspects were pretty original and technology used smartly within the plot and the mystery. Everything was integrated smoothly and I never felt lost nor lectured to, in a plot that had otherwise a lot going on, and going fast.
I liked the Yoruba vocabulary coming up here and there - I know nothing of this language but took pleasure in looking it up. It wasn't immediately translated within the text (which I appreciated, as I tend to find such writing device very clumsy) but remained entirely inferable from the context, for those who don't enjoy putting their book aside to go into googling and Wikipedia rabbit holes.
Character work and moral of the story
I was really impressed by how Ethan Krol, the detective, is handled. This man is not straight up racist, he is not even clearly casually racist, he's racist in a kind of very elusive, culturally engrained, basal way, almost against his own accord at times. This is such a nuanced and subtle thing to address, and 1) it's done extremely well, 2) it's done with very little judgement - Ethan remains a flawed but very likeable character. Far from smoothing over the problem, this approach actually gives it a lot more impact: it's easier to turn one's head in disgust at an unlikeable boor. It's also easier to condemn a problem when it is outrightly malevolent and straightforward.
And this goes beyond Ethan's treatment on page: I really appreciated the delicate handling of the important, complex and charged topics the book explores (). Through all of this, the author never resorts to a didactic, moralistic approach. This is a book that manages to be highly non-judgemental toward the personal and societal fumbling (and more often than not, failing) to deal with the consequences of this in the present. And it does so while tackling matters pertaining to some of the most abject happenings of human history, which can't have been easy. It does pay off though, as, in my opinion, it is that very space it leaves its readers that amplifies the book's impact.
Erratum on one of my reading progress notes: the way our two strange characters talk is ABSOLUTELY not a "90's US police/army movie slang" as I conjectured, it's a Hollywoodian era gangster slang! It shows that I have watched all of those dubbed, before I moved to English speaking countries.
Soft SF and mystery, both done very well
It was fast paced and very satisfying, with a dual POV that worked very well. The SF aspects were pretty original and technology used smartly within the plot and the mystery. Everything was integrated smoothly and I never felt lost nor lectured to, in a plot that had otherwise a lot going on, and going fast.
I liked the Yoruba vocabulary coming up here and there - I know nothing of this language but took pleasure in looking it up. It wasn't immediately translated within the text (which I appreciated, as I tend to find such writing device very clumsy) but remained entirely inferable from the context, for those who don't enjoy putting their book aside to go into googling and Wikipedia rabbit holes.
Character work and moral of the story
I was really impressed by how Ethan Krol, the detective, is handled. This man is not straight up racist, he is not even clearly casually racist, he's racist in a kind of very elusive, culturally engrained, basal way, almost against his own accord at times. This is such a nuanced and subtle thing to address, and 1) it's done extremely well, 2) it's done with very little judgement - Ethan remains a flawed but very likeable character. Far from smoothing over the problem, this approach actually gives it a lot more impact: it's easier to turn one's head in disgust at an unlikeable boor. It's also easier to condemn a problem when it is outrightly malevolent and straightforward.
And this goes beyond Ethan's treatment on page: I really appreciated the delicate handling of the important, complex and charged topics the book explores (). Through all of this, the author never resorts to a didactic, moralistic approach. This is a book that manages to be highly non-judgemental toward the personal and societal fumbling (and more often than not, failing) to deal with the consequences of this in the present. And it does so while tackling matters pertaining to some of the most abject happenings of human history, which can't have been easy. It does pay off though, as, in my opinion, it is that very space it leaves its readers that amplifies the book's impact.
Erratum on one of my reading progress notes: the way our two strange characters talk is ABSOLUTELY not a "90's US police/army movie slang" as I conjectured, it's a Hollywoodian era gangster slang! It shows that I have watched all of those dubbed, before I moved to English speaking countries.
Read
November 3, 2025SciFi and Fantasy Book Club Discussions:
First impressions (no spoilers)
Final thoughts (spoilers)
First impressions (no spoilers)
Final thoughts (spoilers)
November 20, 2024
I was expecting a fast-paced cyberpunk techno-thriller with Africanfuturism flair from this book, and I did get that and in that this was an entertaining story. But I didn't connect with it as much as I had hoped; however I think this was just a case of it not being the right book for me.
This book tells the story of a hard-boiled police detective in Chicago, Ethan Krol, who's investigating the bizarre deaths of a family that was found drowned in seawater in their apartment building. Concurrently, a woman who speaks like a 1930s gangster movie who seems to have strange cybernetic implants is also on the trail of this mysterious killer, tagged along reverently by blindly trusting Hollie. Thus follows a breakneck, globe-spanning tale of twists and turns, racism and reparations as they struggle to understand the motive and means of the killer.
The detective I found to be a stereotype of a disgruntled, grumpy old white guy commonly found in noir films. The mystery was intriguing and the motives of the killer kept me reading to the end, but I kept wanting to DNF several times. It was just too heavy on the police procedural and investigation for my taste; I'm not a fan of gritty police procedurals.
This was a plot-driven thriller and I tend to prefer stories that focus more on character development. The characters in this just felt flat and underdeveloped. I didn't feel like I really got to know any of them as they got flung from one chase scene or action sequence to the next.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book tells the story of a hard-boiled police detective in Chicago, Ethan Krol, who's investigating the bizarre deaths of a family that was found drowned in seawater in their apartment building. Concurrently, a woman who speaks like a 1930s gangster movie who seems to have strange cybernetic implants is also on the trail of this mysterious killer, tagged along reverently by blindly trusting Hollie. Thus follows a breakneck, globe-spanning tale of twists and turns, racism and reparations as they struggle to understand the motive and means of the killer.
The detective I found to be a stereotype of a disgruntled, grumpy old white guy commonly found in noir films. The mystery was intriguing and the motives of the killer kept me reading to the end, but I kept wanting to DNF several times. It was just too heavy on the police procedural and investigation for my taste; I'm not a fan of gritty police procedurals.
This was a plot-driven thriller and I tend to prefer stories that focus more on character development. The characters in this just felt flat and underdeveloped. I didn't feel like I really got to know any of them as they got flung from one chase scene or action sequence to the next.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 16, 2025
3.5, rounding up. Esperance is a thriller that follows Ethan krol, a Chicago detective called to the scene when a parent and child are found seemingly drowned in their apartment – an apartment that is dry, devoid of any large fish tanks, and nowhere near the sea. At the same time, Hollie Rogers, a young goth living in Bristol, meets an an unusual stranger named Abi who says she is from Nigeria but between her unusual accent, unimaginable technology, and strange abilities seems to have a more complicated back story than she’s letting on. The book follows these two storylines which, inevitably, converge.
I like a lot about this – the muliple POVs feel distinctive and well developed, the pace is fast and exciting, and while elements of the connecting threads between the narratives and the murder victims are revealed over time, the ending has a real climax and some aspects I did not see coming. I also liked how some of Ethan’s backstory with his family was incorporated without overtaking the main storyline. A few things didn’t quite work for me. I wish that the historical elements, and particularly ways the impacts of slavery, historical trauma, and the need for reparations were so central to the story, were explored more – it felt like keeping the plot moving quickly took priority over fleshing these out more.
Content warnings: murder, death, injury detail, blood, racism, slavery, death of a child, death of a parent, terminal illness, rape (not on-page or graphic in any way), substance use + overdose, gun violence
Thank you to DAW, the author, & NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review.
I like a lot about this – the muliple POVs feel distinctive and well developed, the pace is fast and exciting, and while elements of the connecting threads between the narratives and the murder victims are revealed over time, the ending has a real climax and some aspects I did not see coming. I also liked how some of Ethan’s backstory with his family was incorporated without overtaking the main storyline. A few things didn’t quite work for me. I wish that the historical elements, and particularly ways the impacts of slavery, historical trauma, and the need for reparations were so central to the story, were explored more – it felt like keeping the plot moving quickly took priority over fleshing these out more.
Content warnings: murder, death, injury detail, blood, racism, slavery, death of a child, death of a parent, terminal illness, rape (not on-page or graphic in any way), substance use + overdose, gun violence
Thank you to DAW, the author, & NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review.
March 24, 2025
Esperance is an enthralling and captivating novel. It is mostly a mystery, and much of it revolves around determining who perpetrated an impossible crime. It is also a story of friendship, family, and a quest for justice.
The story begins quickly, with our impossible crime, introducing us to one of our main characters, Ethan. It is he and Abi, who we meet a little while later, who propel the story onwards, but they both have their own agendas and therefore, the reader is very much left in the dark about some elements. We quickly realise Abi is far from what she seems. We quickly realise Ethan has his own demons, but we're swept along in the mystery of the entire thing. I adored that Abi spoke with a 1930s flavour. It really gave her character an extraordinary shine.
I loved the historical elements of the story and how they combined with the otherworldly ones. I found the whole story quite extraordinary and incredibly enjoyable, although, of course, tinged with sorrow for the real-life elements it's built upon.
The ending, when it came, perhaps felt a little rushed. I would have loved to know more about the otherworldly elements.
That said, readers of quirky mysteries interlaced with otherworldly elements, as well as those who love a good tale of retribution, will devour this novel, just as I did.
If it's not quite a five-star read, it so very nearly is that I feel it would be wrong not to give it.
The story begins quickly, with our impossible crime, introducing us to one of our main characters, Ethan. It is he and Abi, who we meet a little while later, who propel the story onwards, but they both have their own agendas and therefore, the reader is very much left in the dark about some elements. We quickly realise Abi is far from what she seems. We quickly realise Ethan has his own demons, but we're swept along in the mystery of the entire thing. I adored that Abi spoke with a 1930s flavour. It really gave her character an extraordinary shine.
I loved the historical elements of the story and how they combined with the otherworldly ones. I found the whole story quite extraordinary and incredibly enjoyable, although, of course, tinged with sorrow for the real-life elements it's built upon.
The ending, when it came, perhaps felt a little rushed. I would have loved to know more about the otherworldly elements.
That said, readers of quirky mysteries interlaced with otherworldly elements, as well as those who love a good tale of retribution, will devour this novel, just as I did.
If it's not quite a five-star read, it so very nearly is that I feel it would be wrong not to give it.
June 21, 2025
#ad much love for my finished copy @dawbooks #partner
Also thanks for the paper slip inside the book! I wouldn’t have had a clue where the book came from - appreciate that so much! 🫶🏻
This was a fascinating mystery thriller that I fully enjoyed. The story pulled me in from the start and only kept getting more and more intriguing. Can’t say I’ve ever read a murder-mystery with this much depth. And I’ve read a lot of them.
Esperance by Adam Oyebanji is a fast-paced police procedural that has an intriguing mystery happening. And while the book gets a little technical, it’s not the type of facts that go over your head. Everything is explained perfectly.
I began reading this one just to kill some time before I began reading another book but ended up not starting that other book and instead finished this one. Seriously just a fab read. Haha, it’s the truth.
The writing, characters, mystery, plot, pacing, and chapter length are all perfect. An easy five star read. While this was my first time reading this author it won’t be my last.
Also thanks for the paper slip inside the book! I wouldn’t have had a clue where the book came from - appreciate that so much! 🫶🏻
This was a fascinating mystery thriller that I fully enjoyed. The story pulled me in from the start and only kept getting more and more intriguing. Can’t say I’ve ever read a murder-mystery with this much depth. And I’ve read a lot of them.
Esperance by Adam Oyebanji is a fast-paced police procedural that has an intriguing mystery happening. And while the book gets a little technical, it’s not the type of facts that go over your head. Everything is explained perfectly.
I began reading this one just to kill some time before I began reading another book but ended up not starting that other book and instead finished this one. Seriously just a fab read. Haha, it’s the truth.
The writing, characters, mystery, plot, pacing, and chapter length are all perfect. An easy five star read. While this was my first time reading this author it won’t be my last.
July 16, 2025
I enjoyed the pacing, and the crime element was compelling and interesting. I was invested in finding the clues that would reveal how exactly the murders were occurring and how the suspect kept eluding capture as well as following the detectives' as they grapple with what seems like an impossible solve. Our characters are compeling and unique in many ways, and their interactions reveal uncertainties and an unwillingness to change in an attempt to save face.
The historical threads that were used to propel this plot amidst the science fiction backdrop was great, and the way Oyebanji seamlessly blended them into this mystery was satisfying. Everything came together brilliantly at the end as you are able to now understand the motives and repercussions of actions past and present.
The historical threads that were used to propel this plot amidst the science fiction backdrop was great, and the way Oyebanji seamlessly blended them into this mystery was satisfying. Everything came together brilliantly at the end as you are able to now understand the motives and repercussions of actions past and present.
May 27, 2025
Solid sci fi lite thriller. Esperance begins with a Chicago detective investigating an impossible murder. A man and his son found drowned with ocean water in a luxury condo. Soon after we’re introduced to an odd woman claiming to be from Nigeria with all kinds of odd behaviors and gadgets. After a few more inexplicable murders we end up on a journey that deftly switches between historical and cosmic.
Oyebanji is a new author for me and I really enjoyed this one. It definitely has that sci fi vein but isn’t overly in depth with the science aspects making it very accessible. The cast of characters is fairly large between our various protagonists and those impacted by their actions. I do think the story may have benefitted from a few less characters and more depth added to some of the main players. We never really get much background on the characters and at times I didn’t fully understand the motivations between them.
Overall if you like mysterious sci fi with a bit of a detective edge then I’d recommend Esperance. I found it difficult to put down and by the time Oyebanji starts revealing some of twists I was fully submerged into the book. Great read.
Oyebanji is a new author for me and I really enjoyed this one. It definitely has that sci fi vein but isn’t overly in depth with the science aspects making it very accessible. The cast of characters is fairly large between our various protagonists and those impacted by their actions. I do think the story may have benefitted from a few less characters and more depth added to some of the main players. We never really get much background on the characters and at times I didn’t fully understand the motivations between them.
Overall if you like mysterious sci fi with a bit of a detective edge then I’d recommend Esperance. I found it difficult to put down and by the time Oyebanji starts revealing some of twists I was fully submerged into the book. Great read.
August 23, 2025
Detective Ethan Krol is on the 20th floor of a Chicago apartment building. A father and son have been found dead,their lungs full of seawater -- hundreds of miles away from the ocean.
Abidemi Eniola has arrived in Bristol, England. She claims to be Nigerian, but her accent is wrong and she can do remarkable things with technology.
As more similar murders are committed, Ethan and Abidemi (Abi's) path start to cross. And a mystery starts to unfold.
I must say this is the strangest novel I have ever read. But as weird as it is the Authors imagination truly saves this book.
Abidemi Eniola has arrived in Bristol, England. She claims to be Nigerian, but her accent is wrong and she can do remarkable things with technology.
As more similar murders are committed, Ethan and Abidemi (Abi's) path start to cross. And a mystery starts to unfold.
I must say this is the strangest novel I have ever read. But as weird as it is the Authors imagination truly saves this book.
October 18, 2025
Im Meer ertränkte Leichen werden in einem Hochhaus gefunden, wie ist das passiert? Und eine übernatürlich fähige Frau, die sehr altmodisch redet, versucht die Geschichte eines über 200 Jahre alten Schiffs zu klären. Sehr gut gelungene Mischung aus Detektivgeschichte und SF.
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