Book Review: Line of Descent By Adam Oyebanji

     I received a copy of this novel from DAW as I had read Oyebanji's last novel Esperance, and really enjoyed that one. Esperance was a very layered and nuanced novel, and I always felt like I needed to read through it a few times to really "get it" So I thought I was in for a complicated ride with Line of Descent. 

Line of Descent does carry some layers and nuances, but overall I felt like this was a book that would appeal to many readers. 

The cover art is done by Sharif Muhammed    and I think it's very cook. I LOVE the circular design that looks a bit like an eye and also a bit like an astrological occurrence.  The colors are on point as well. 

      OK--- No Spoilers.  If you liked Star Trek, you are going to really like this one!  I felt like I was essentially reading a script for a Star Trek episode.  Our main character is a young ship security officer. He's possibly a bit smarter than your average officer, but he doesn't seem aware of that. In fact, he's mostly just doing the Ship sec job, and hoping to find a date. Unfortunately for him, he follows up on a kidnapping report (which is just bonkers for a generation shop sailing through the sky) and soon becomes embroiled in a mystery involving conspiracies, rights to reproduction on the ship, and more- so much more.  Can our main man unravel this one in time? You'll want to read to find out. 

   I particularly enjoyed how Oyebanji grabbed me from the first chapter, really from the first paragraph and just dropped me into this intricate world where everything runs on sol cycles, the population is tightly controlled, and everyone supposedly has a spot to belong - sort of. 

     When I was halfway through MacMillan Audio surprised me with an Advanced Listener Copy- and the narration by Kevin R. Free brought the story to life.  Kevin is a new narrator to me, but many will know him from the Murderbot diaries.  Initially I was not too sure about how he chose to voice young children, but as the story unfolded, I became used to his cadence and felt like it really added something to the entire experience. 

This might be one for the Space lover on your list for the holidays.  It comes out November 17 so there's little chance they've already read it! 

STATS

First Published: 11/17/26

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book :  YES  ~ 10 hrs

Trigger Warnings: murder, death of child, death of sibling, space accident, violence, unique reproductive genetics/rights, failed date, graffiti, police work, lost child, references to recycler (death) and mulching (death) 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)