• The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
  • The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
  • The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
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The Principle of Moments

Longlisted for the 2024 TikTok Book Awards
  • Author
    • Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
£10.99
£10.99

Anticipated publication date

Sep 25, 2025

We will deliver the product within a reasonable period of time following the publication date

The publication date is an estimated date only and is subject to change.

We anticipate that the book will be published on this date. However, should the estimated publication date change for whatever reason, we will notify you within a reasonable period of time.
  • Published: Sep 25 2025
  • ISBN: 9781399633598
'My favourite kind of grand space opera' BEN AARONOVITCH

She's searching for the emperor who stole her sister.
He's searching for the prince who stole his heart.
The entire universe is at stake.

The Principle of Moments is a centuries-spanning adventure unmissable for fans of the spacefaring found family of Becky Chambers, the magical London of V. E. Schwab, and the epic climate-craft of N. K. Jemisin.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:

'This book! OMG this book was everything I could hope for! A queer love story, a space story, a rebel story and so well written' 5-star reader review
'An absolute stonker of a debut... I was hooked the whole way through' 5-star reader review
'I absolutely devoured this book! Everything I could possibly want with Star Wars / Doctor Who vibes mixed in with Pride and Prejudice' 5-star reader review
'THIS is how you write a "chosen one" story! Jikiemi-Pearson is going straight on my "instant read" list of authors' 5-star reader review
'I have read quite a few debuts this year and this was easily my top of the year' 5-star reader review
'OMG, this book was amazing... Fantastic if you like N.K. Jemisin and Doctor Who... Well worth five stars' 5-star reader review
'Hang on and enjoy the ride!' 5-star reader review
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Press Reviews

  • Ben Aaronovitch, Sunday Times-bestselling author of the Rivers of London series
    The Principle of Moments is my favourite kind of grand space opera where anything can happen and usually does at great speed
  • Jay McGuiness, vocalist of global sensation The Wanted and author of Blood Flowers
    I just love this universe. I was both teased and pleased, and I am already ready for more
  • Nalini Singh, New York Times-bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series
    An audaciously joyous debut full of heart. I loved stepping into Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson's world of heroes and prophecies, friendships like family, and an epic adventure through the stars
  • Louie Stowell, author of the Sunday Times-bestselling Loki: A Bad God’s Guide series
    I blooming loved it! It reminded me of Lois McMasters Bujold x 2000AD (Halo Jones in particular) with a large helping of Doctor Who, utterly absorbing space opera!
  • S. A. MacLean, author of The Phoenix Keeper
    Angry girls. Swoony simps. A galaxy-spanning future space quest with some fun little pit stops to visit a demon in 1812 London. Honestly, what's not to devour?
  • Kemi Ashing-Giwa, USA Today-bestselling author of The Splinter in the Sky
    A beautifully written love letter to the genres it weaves together. Endlessly creative and brimming with insightful commentary on imperialism, The Principle of Moments manages to be both epic and intimate - a true feat
  • Lorraine Wilson, British Fantasy Award-winning author of We Are All Ghosts in the Forest
    Truly original... An epic space adventure that tears down colonialism and builds instead a shimmering, achingly powerful message of agency, loyalty and destiny. I loved every second of this book
  • Locus Magazine
    An answer to the question of: what happens if you cross Star Wars with Doctor Who? And then make it queer (queerer in Doctor Who's case), Black, and fundamentally disinterested in making excuses for the violence of empire? It's entertaining as all hell... it gets the vibe of being twelve years old and watching a lightsaber ignite on the big screen
  • The Bookseller
    I've not read anything quite like Jikiemi-Pearson's award-winning debut. At once a meticulous space opera - with hints of N. K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy - and a centuries-spanning love story
  • The Financial Times
    Every page shines with the vigour and passion of youth
  • The Guardian
    A sprawling space opera fantasy stuffed with familiar tropes
  • SFX
    It has enthusiasm to burn, and characters you'll root for
  • New Scientist
    The perfect antidote to any January blues