At first glance, Esperance is a mystery thriller that immediately draws you in. Like many mystery thrillers, it keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to piece together clues to solve the mystery. Unlike most, however, Adam Oyebanji expertly weaves in elements of science fiction, playing with reality while simultaneously delving into the histories of racism and the very real horrors of intergenerational trauma.

Some of the reveals and discoveries genuinely took me by surprise, and I appreciated how the author handled these realisations within the wider story arc. The characters' reactions felt authentic and grounded in real-time. However, I felt that some of the reveals and conclusions were a little rushed, leaving me desperate for more. I would have loved more time to explore the later developments, as they truly piqued my interest and felt deserving of greater depth within the overarching thematic narrative.

I was surprised to very quickly grow attached to many of the characters and really appreciated how each character felt incredibly distinct from the next, with differing but clear personal motivations for their roles in the story, even if we do have to wait until the end for some clarity on a backstory or two. 

Ultimately, I am grateful to Adam Oyebanji for sharing the story of Esperance with the world. Esperance is the perfect crossover between the mystery thriller genre and the ever-growing collection of essential Afrofuturism works.

Thanks to NetGalley and DAW for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.