When was the last time a book surprised you? And I mean, had you beaming, questioning, and lamenting. For me, that book was Esperance by Adam Oyebanji. I’ve never read anything by him and to tell the truth, I kinda thought this was his debut. It is not. It is his fourth book.

Esperance is a mystery, science fiction, and crime thriller mashup with undercurrents of historical fiction. I never expected to find enjoyment in such a read. When so many genres exist in a novel, I am skeptical of just how tight the author will be able to keep the story.

Oyebanji makes nothing suffer here. The prose is sharp, the mystery compelling and affecting, the science exciting and relevant, the characters are engaging and fit the setting spectacularly. Unexpected friendships, dazzling technology and research, and relatable communication issues all make this novel both fresh and grounded.

So, if you are looking for a read that will keep you turning the pages, look no further than Esperance.

P. S. I highly recommend the audiobook experience narrated by Délé Ogundiran.