The Moment Thief

by Courtney Grace Powers

The only ones to remember are the first to be forgotten...

In neon-drenched Eito City, the noodles are mediocre, the rain never ends, and time-traveling operatives tweak the past for the ruling dynasty. But when a man from the past is murdered in the present, history ripples, leaving three unlikely friends to chase a moment stolen from time.Nash, a time-traveling swordsman trying to honor his famous father’s legacy, finds his mother maimed by monsters that before the ripple, had been extinct.

His partner, Darkly, thinks the murderer’s real target wasn’t a person, but a critical moment erased by the victim’s death. Unfortunately no one will believe a gutter rat from Undertow, even if he is a genius.

Princess Charluxa harbors a chilling secret: she sees ghosts. Now she has to confront the possibility that her ghosts may be the key to finding the vanished moment, along with the truth about her supernatural sight.

But in a city of a thousand colors, nothing is black and white. The longer solving the murder takes, the more the broken timeline feels like the real one.

If the trio changes time to fix time…will that make them the moment thieves?

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult

394 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

COURTNEY GRACE POWERS has been telling stories since she was six years old, sometimes with music, sometimes with costumes, sometimes with photos and art…but always with her first love, the written word. She believes ferociously that Storytellers of every medium are the sculptors of history, with powers that should be leveraged for good. A Dungeon Master, Rebel Legion member, and new mom, she lives with the Kanan to her Hera and in the middle of Ohio cornfields.

Reviews

[ProseAndPetals · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Moment-a significant event, decision, or experience that clearly reveals or establishes the true nature, character, or future direction of a person, group, or situation, often marking a turning point that changes everything.”

⚠️⚠️I couldn’t finish it all by the deadline, but I’ll still be reading this. I do a bad thing and downloaded 6 arcs due pretty close together while I have work, school (I don’t bring my kindle), and a reading slump. ⚠️⚠️

I loved the world building. I have never read anything like it. The different POVs were a nice touch. I loved Nash so much. Charlie is a little strange, but it worked so well with the plot.

I had a hard time getting into this book because I have so many arcs and books for school, but there was so much happening, that I had to see what happened next. I enjoyed the Asian culture in the book. I would love to have eaten some of the noodles there.

Thank you BookSirens for giving me this arc. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Tw: ghosts, monsters, murder, blood
Language: 🍜
Spice: none
POV: third; three different POV
Favorite character: Charlie and Nash

[Hannahhh ;) [free palestine] · Rating 4 out of 5]

˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜ pre-read:
Just got the arc!! Not my first arc ever but my first one from BookSirens so tysm to them and the author. I’d heard of NetGalley before but not BookSirens but it’s so easy to use, I love it already. This book looks so cool omgg;
: ̗̀➛ young adult
: ̗̀➛ mystery
: ̗̀➛ science fantasy
: ̗̀➛ time travel
I can’t wait to start this and I hope it meets my expectations 🤭


˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜ pre review:
This was so good omg!! It wasn’t that bingeable or fast paced I will admit but it was such an incredible story. It left me with some deep questions and portrayed some thought provoking themes. Full rtc shortly!


-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
˙ ✩°˖🫐 ⋆｡˚꩜ review:

⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆ ~4.5 stars ⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆

╰┈➤ General
The cover is stunning first of all, just wow. I think we can all agree that the one thing you do judge by its cover is a book. And although this book was very different from what I usually read, it payed off. It’s unlike anything I’ve read before but it made me want to read more like it. I normally read more romantasy than sci fi fantasy like this but it made me realise I’m missing out so recs please!

This book is so beautifully unique and has an originality to it that the fantasy genre is really lacking recently. As I mentioned, this was far from the romantasy I usually read but whereas that often ends up as just recycled tropes and plot (cough cough powerless), this was refreshingly different. The concept of this book is so incredibly cool and damn well executed. There was a small sprinkling of romance tho which was definitely appreciated but it’s certainly not the main focus. I loved the significance of friendship in it.

╰┈➤ What to expect
✩‧₊ ➳ shadowy monsters, seeing ‘ghosts’ and of course the weaving and manipulation of time. I love how its complexities were displayed and explained because I’ve found a lot of other sci fi things to brush over all that with just a brief warning not to change the past. It wasn’t too technical though and remained easy enough to understand. There’s also interesting politics, mystery, a smattering of romance and strong friendships in this book


╰┈➤ Characters
I loved all the characters in this book! But even more than that I loved their relationships with each other

‧₊˚🫐✩ ₊˚ Nash
looks like a cinnamon roll, would kill you

Him and Darkly are such a golden retriever and black cat duo

‧₊˚🩵✩ ₊˚ Charlie
looks like a cinnamon roll, is a cinnamon roll

✩‧₊ ➳ “She wasn’t broken. She wasn’t crazy”
✩‧₊ ➳ “No one deserved to be alright more than she did.”

‧₊˚🫐✩ ₊˚ Darkly
looks like would kill you, would kill you

‧₊˚🩵✩ ₊˚ Theory
looks like would kill you, is a cinnamon roll


╰┈➤ Plot and world building

Slowish pacing made this book a little hard to pick up at times but I never regretted doing so. And that was partially due to my dislike for reading pdfs. This book was bit confusing sometimes but the majority of the time I think I was okay, there were some interesting plot twists too.

The simplest way to describe how the time travelling works is like a video game- there’s the player/jack in the game/past and the one controlling/instructing them who is called a cog. There’s caretakers who prepare the sleeper that is the way the Jack is able to enter the past through. It’s really interesting


╰┈➤ Writing
I’ll keep this brief- I really liked the writing style! Some sentences were a bit long tbh but I thought it was written really amount with the perfect amount of descriptions and metaphors


╰┈➤ Quotes

‧₊˚🫐✩ ₊˚ “Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.
What might have been is an abstraction
Remaining a perpetual possibility
Only in a world of speculation.”
- T.S. Eliot
Burnt Norton

‧₊˚🩵✩ ₊˚“Losing someone to the past wouldn’t be like losing them to the colonies. And losing her wouldn’t be like losing anyone else. Darkly had known it for some time, maybe even since they were kids, but never so clearly and intuitively as in that moment, like the sudden remembering of a dream.”

‧₊˚🫐✩ ₊˚“They made their plan…the jack and the cog, the princess, and the
girl Darkly suspected might be something like Clan Axiom royalty.”

‧₊˚🩵✩ ₊˚“You won’t ever lose me Nash… You’re my blood.”

‧₊˚🫐✩ ₊˚ “In two hundred years, given the chance, he’d do it all again.”

‧₊˚🩵✩ ₊˚ “this felt like
a city of second chances.”

‧₊˚🫐✩ ₊˚“Time didn’t stop. Life went on.”


╰┈➤ Summary
Read this if you want a sci fi/fantasy book that’s impactful and will leave you with deep thoughts and questions about your own life. And one that has an interesting storyline and characters with strong bonds.
My only issues with this book were that it was pretty slow paced but thats personal preference and that it was a bit confusing. A really great read overall tho!!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily <33

[Kayli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book had such an interesting premise. I really wanted to like it more than I did.

I had a hard time picking up the TROCA positions and how time travel worked in this world. I wish more time was spent on the worldbuilding, and learning the different aspects of TROCA before the big mission occurred. The impact of that set-up mission was lost a bit on me because I spent so long trying to figure out what was going on technologically.

The writing style also didn't agree with me. There were incredibly long run-on sentences, sometimes taking up an entire paragraph, which made the world harder to understand. I found the writing focused more on telling rather than showing.

I did enjoy the characters and the friendships between them. I wanted to see more development of these relationships to better emphasize the found family they have.

[André · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Courtney Grace Powers’ last book Resonate, so when I heard she published a new book, I simply had to read it, without any knowledge of what I signed up for. The cover art however, definitely added to me being intrigued.

394 pages later I can attest that it was absolutely worth it, because The Moment Thief is a great book! As I said, I did not know what to expect and the book kept me on my feet, constantly trying to guess what might happen – and usually surprised me in the best ways.
If you want a rough picture, The Moment Thief reminded me of ‘The Minority Report’ with a heavy dose of ‘Quantum Leap’ and a generous sprinkle of ‘The Butterfly Effect’. I’d call it science fantasy: a futuristic setting where time travel enables an organization to tweak things in the past so that the present will end up slightly different. On top, one of the main characters can see ghosts and the other two main characters are involved in a murder mystery that keeps you guessing throughout the whole book. In general, there were quite a few plot twists that I didn’t see coming.

This book has A LOT going for it: First and foremost, it has a great and interesting story and on the forefront is the murder mystery the main characters try to solve. The book actually starts out a little slow but picks up the pace rather quickly after the first one or two chapters after the main characters are introduced. Afterwards there are small moments of quiet and introspection between quite a bit of action, so there is definitely not time to get bored. But layered into the story are also other very complex topics, the most obvious being the effects of time travel, how changing even small things can have a very strong impact on the present (so-called ‘ripples’). This leads to philosophical questions: When is it okay to change the past, especially if you don’t know all the possible consequences? Can these changes change who you are? Are you a different person when your memory is different? Another strong motif throughout the story is class supremacy and social hierarchies.
This sounds like a lot, but author Courtney Grace Powers weaves everything seemingly effortlessly into an entertaining story that is a joy to read. Her writing is superb, but it is especially her characters that make The Moment Thief work so well: Charlie, a misfit princess who can see ghosts and fears to have gone crazy; Nash, a time-traveller who tries to do the right thing and honor his famous father ; and Darkly, a genius who constantly has to prove himself because he was born in a low social class. These three very different characters are friends, each one of them is wonderfully written and their chemistry is fantastic.

I haven’t read anything like The Moment Thief, but I strongly recommend to pick it up and give it a shot.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I saw the author’s initial post on her Instagram about this book with the vibes and the absolutely gorgeous cover art reveal (the map is also stunningly beautiful), I knew I needed to read this. Sci-fi Fantasy set in a Neo-Tokyo inspired city, time travel, murder mystery, and ghosts, honestly I didn’t even need that much to know I would enjoy this novel. Normally, I don’t really feel drawn to a book as quickly as I was to this one and boy did it not disappoint. This book actually got me out of a several month long reading slump. If you like any of the above concepts, then please, please consider giving this novel a chance.

I would say the book is medium paced bordering on slow occasionally but it doesn’t ever feel like it is dragging. And honestly, I actually appreciated that type of pacing as it lets you savor the story, the incredible world-building, and the depth of the characters. I will admit that initially, despite being hooked from page one, I found the story a little confusing until I got used to the names, terminology, and the concepts/laws of the governmental system and time-travelling mechanics. I do think I personally would have benefitted from a guide of some form to reference that defines certain terms/concepts but after a few chapters I was able to figure it out after stopping and thinking about it. Once I figured it out, I was mesmerized by the story-telling and did not want the story to end. It’s been a long time since I have read a book that immersed me so fully and felt so atmospheric that I completely forgot about my surroundings. In fact, every time I put the book down I struggled to root myself in reality and kept constantly thinking about when I would be able to reenter the story.

As someone who normally guesses plot twists easily, this story was so thought-provoking that it actually had me constantly guessing and reassessing my thoughts the further I got. I found myself caring deeply for the characters and just wanting to hop into the story to hug them at times (I loved them all but Nash was my fav from the beginning). Their relationships were so well written and realistic and I loved the focus on their friendship. I loved being able to experience the story through the perspective of each of the trio and how each voice was distinct. The entire time the story felt unique and creative and original which is so refreshing compared to how many books published nowadays start to blur together because they are so similar. This story would make an amazing graphic novel or anime; I could even see it as a video game. If the author ever decided to revisit this world in any capacity, I would definitely be ecstatic to experience it again. And even if she doesn’t, this book has solidified this author’s place as an auto-read/buy for me. I cannot wait to immerse myself into any other stories she decides to share with the world!

Note: This review was published a few days after the book released but I am so honored to have received an advance review copy of this novel for free and this review was left voluntarily. I loved it so much that I will definitely be buying a physical copy.

[Sarah Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have a strange love-hate relationship with time travel books. I try really hard to suspend my disbelief over the paradox surrounding time travel and to lean in to the plot device, and with some books it's successful. Books like The Time Traveler's Wife, Recursion, The Prisoner of Azkaban, and Wrong Place Wrong Time all used it as a plot device with varying degrees of success--and I think the big reason I loved those books is because the time traveling was just an accepted thing that was happening. There wasn't a huge attempt to understand the HOW or the WHY behind it. Books that attempt to answer the question of how, to essentially solve the paradox of time travel, are the ones I have the hardest time following and getting lost in.

The Moment Thief wasn't a knock out of the park for me, but out of all the books that tried to answer the how and the why of time travel, I felt like it was the easiest to follow which scored big points in my book.

Where the book went wrong for me was in the sacrifice of characters on the altar of world-building. Charlie was not the fleshed out character I longed for and actually seemed to change quite abruptly from chapter to chapter in a jarring sort of way. Nash and Darkly on the other hand, I really loved and I wish that we had more of their backstory. I hope that this is a duology so that we can get the rest of their story.

[Risa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a read! The premise sounded so good and very interesting, so I knew I had to take a chance on reading this one and it didn't disappoint. I will say that I found the beginning of the book to be a bit slow as it takes us through introductions of the protagonists that we follow throughout the story. It eventually picks up as we follow the characters through their world as they work to uncover secrets hidden by those closest to them.

While I found it a fun read, I do wish we had more insight into TROCA and the world we were in. I found the time traveling aspect very neat, but felt it could have been expanded upon more. More world building would've been great as there were elements introduced that I wish we knew more about.

I received an advance review copy for free (thanks BookSirens!), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this story, world building, and characters! Unlike a lot of books, I felt like it was well balanced between all of these things. I got an enjoyable amount of them all (+ they were great!) and another wasn't left behind.
I appreciated that although it was a story about time, going back, and how that can effect the "now", it had pretty solid rules and didn't get super confusing. It also wasn't overly technical either, so I didn't feel like I was reading a lot of technobabble to get a general understanding of it.
The character relationships in this one were delightful. They felt believable, likeable, and sometimes pleasantly surprising.
An overall great book that I would recommend to anyone looking for sci-fi/fantasy vibes and open to YA!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Haley Marie Steinke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, the ending was quite the heartache but also beautiful. She fixed everything to how it was always supposed to be. What a fun world to step into, I just wish the final chapter told me more about what happened in the past. Maybe there will be a second short story?

[Bella Muster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished the book in 2 days, and loved it! The time traveling aspects were really interesting, I really loved the social dynamics between the characters. The ending was the kind of ending that leaves room for a sequel and I personally would love to see a second book in the series!

[N3UR4L Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A City Haunted by Memory, a Girl Hunted by Truth

Courtney Grace Powers’ The Moment Thief is a genre-blending marvel that fuses intricate world-building, sharp characterization, and a deeply philosophical take on time travel into a sweeping young adult sci-fi epic. In the rain-soaked city of Eito, where ghosts flicker in alleyways and the past is both archived and manipulated by a secretive temporal order, a royal misfit named Charluxa “Charlie” Eito finds herself at the center of a conspiracy that may unmake her city—and time itself.

The story follows Charlie, the socially isolated younger princess of the Eito Dynasty, who is haunted—literally—by ghosts only she can see. Her quiet, fractured world collides with that of Nash Toyoku and Darkly Rin, jaded operatives of the Royal Order of Chrono-Archivists (TROCA), when a routine mission goes catastrophically wrong. A sleeper—the person swapped into the present while a jack enters the past—ends up dead, causing a Level Four temporal ripple that rewrites reality. As the city locks down and the political order teeters, Charlie, Nash, and Darkly must navigate altered truths, bureaucratic cover-ups, and personal betrayals to uncover the truth behind the murder and its far-reaching consequences.

The novel delves into complex themes with an unflinching gaze: identity, legacy, memory, and the ethics of rewriting history. Through Charlie’s ghostly visions and the operatives’ time-altering missions, Powers explores what it means to be shaped by the past, and whether one’s moments can be stolen—by trauma, by politics, or by choice. The tension between determinism and agency is ever-present, as is the cost of progress in a city where forgetting the past is institutionalized through comnesia and amnesia. The work resonates with echoes of The Giver, Inception, and The Left Hand of Darkness, yet remains unmistakably original.

Charlie, Nash, and Darkly form the emotional core of the narrative, each richly drawn with internal conflicts and compelling arcs. Charlie is ethereal yet determined; Nash is stoic but principled; Darkly, cynical and bruised, delivers the book’s most poignant reflections. Their dynamic is believable, layered with history, tension, and moments of genuine warmth. The supporting cast—particularly Queen Gittan, Theory, and King Ikeida—add political heft and emotional weight.

Eito City itself is a triumph of world-building. The stratified districts—Steeples, Shoals, and Undertow—evoke a vivid vertical society, while the Meridian Shale and Citadel provide a mesmerizing backdrop for the story’s temporal mechanics. Like Ready Player One or Neuromancer, the setting is not just a backdrop, but a living entity shaping the plot.

From the haunting prologue to the harrowing scenes of temporal fallout, the book maintains a gripping pace. Powers balances moments of quiet introspection with adrenaline-laced action, particularly the launch scenes into the past. The midpoint twist involving the sleeper’s murder escalates the tension dramatically, and the narrative never loses its momentum thereafter.

Powers’ prose is confident, elegant, and often lyrical—fitting for a story where past, present, and possibility blur. Her use of dual perspectives—Charlie’s ghost-ridden solitude and Nash/Darkly’s procedural rigor—provides tonal contrast and narrative breadth. Dialogue is crisp and character-specific, while the exposition of the time-travel system is embedded smoothly into the action without overwhelming the reader.

The novel’s primary strength lies in its ambition. It marries science fiction with psychological depth, court politics with coming-of-age, and social commentary with speculative invention. If there is a weakness, it may be that the complexity of the timeweave and its implications requires close attention. Some readers may find the terminology dense early on, though this complexity ultimately pays off in emotional and narrative resonance.

The Moment Thief is a bold, beautiful debut that asks difficult questions about memory, trauma, and who gets to control history. With cinematic world-building and resonant characters, it stands out in a crowded YA sci-fi landscape. Readers who appreciate immersive settings, character-driven narratives, and philosophical depth will find much to admire.

Highly recommended for fans of Scythe by Neal Shusterman, A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab, and This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.

Ideal for readers aged 14 and up, particularly those with an interest in morally complex stories and innovative world-building.

Voluntary review of a free advance review copy.

[catscratchfever44 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start be saying that I dislike the star rating system as it's not an accurate depiction of my feelings toward a book. I'm a particularly harsh grader when building a review and for me The Moment Thief pulls about a 3.7 on a 5.0 scale.

I had a difficult time getting into this novel for several reasons. It started a lot slower than I usually like in my books. I can say that if you muscle through the first few chapters, the book picks up momentum and drives you through a solid narrative.

The first two chapters slow the reader down but do so in different ways. In the first chapter you're introduced to Charluxa, one of the three protagonists. Her airy and distractable demeanor reflected in the writing style; wading through the words left me adrift more than anything, though still curious for further understanding. The second chapter shifts perspectives to the other two protagonists, Darkly and Nash. It also bombards the reader with terminology specific to their jobs as time alterers and, in doing so, nearly lost me as a reader. To be fair, it's hard to objectively present that sort of vocabulary without just doing it--which the author did, to their credit; however, it still had me stepping back to absorb the information, which broke any flow the book had.

It's not until the end of chapter three, when Something Happens, that the novel finally starts picking up pace and I was drawn into a desire to invest in it.

There's a lot to appreciate in the world building of the book. The author clearly put a good amount of thought into the vocabulary for the time alterers as well as city itself. Nothing alludes to living in a slum the way that calling it the Undertow does. However, by the same token, the infusion of Japanese nomenclature feels trite, more of an easy way to give the story the shell of the author-described anime vibe in a neo-Tokyo setting. The sprinkling of random words throughout the story--jiso, omiyo, hasei--doesn't qualitatively add to the depth of the story or the setting. To be clear: I don't mind that some names and vocabulary are Japanese-influenced, but it should have a clear intent when such is used. It's perfectly fine to call a mother a mother as opposed to tossing in omiyo with no purpose and expecting the reader to infer it.

I feel the characters are the strongest element of the novel. Their unique viewpoints, personalities, and burdens kept me rooted in the pages, wondering more about them and the plights they faced. There's a good balance between the main and support characters as well, wherein you're compelled to empathize with the struggles occurring outside the views of the protagonists.

Overall, it was a good read. The story comes full circle rather poetically. Things are done. Things are undone. Wrongs righted are wronged differently but properly (if you get my meaning, good for you). I enjoy the softer approach the story takes to revealing the truths bit-by-bit until the big shoe is dropped near the end.

With the amount of terminology introduced in the book, a glossary would not have been remiss.

**I received an advance review copy for free and I am reviewing this book of my own volition.**

[Pindistress · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moment Thief follows a trio of characters: Charlie, a princess who sees ghosts; Nash, a loveable and loyal jack-of-all-trades; and Darkly, intelligent and underestimated. Their world of missions involving travelling to the past to tweak the present is thrown into a turmoil of temporal ripples when a man from the past is murdered. Teaming up to solve the mystery, Nash, Darkly and Charlie discover secrets about their city that they never would have dreamed of, and soon start to wonder what the cost of changing the timeline might be.

There was so much to love about this book: the setting was unique and atmospheric, the plot was captivating, the relationships were engaging and portrayed so well. I went into it not knowing anything about what romantic subplots might occur, which was so refreshing and I got really invested in Charlie and Darkly's relationship. I also loved the portrayal of a platonic relationship that goes deeper than usual friendship but still isn't romantic, through Nash and Charlie. This is something that I really enjoy but don't see in media often enough. While the prose did suffer from overly-long sentences that I sometimes had to reread to comprehend, I also thought it was beautiful. I loved all three of the main characters, as well as the side characters that popped up throughout; even the very minor characters felt fleshed out and intentional. It was great that the characters grappled with questions such as who has the right to decide what the 'correct' timeline is, and I wished that had been explored a little more at the end - which, by the way, made me feel very many emotions indeed. While this is far from a classic murder mystery, I finished The Moment Thief feeling satisfied with the ending, and at a loss for what to do with my time next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Do you get these books that you just love from page one and can’t put down?

This is how it was with The Moment Thief for me.

Even though I’m not really into anime and this book has anime vibes I still really enjoyed it. I thought the world was very creative and immersive.

I fell in love with the characters and I don’t care if they are predictable or not, they just seemed very human. If there were more books set in this world I would definitely read them.

I feel like I still have questions, such as I would like to know more about the logistics of how things work, especially the time travel. But honestly, I feel the pace was just right and if the author focused too much on descriptions the book might have ended up being too tedious.

All in all this almost felt like a feel-good book for me, because the characters truly cared for each other. There were also lots of endearing and cute moments.

[Shayla Morgansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️! When one of your favourite authors crafts a brand new time-travelling universe, you know you need to clear your schedule! Someone described Powers' writing as "atmospheric science fiction" and I couldn't agree more. Eito City is a vibrant dynastic city with a big hole in the middle - a hole that falls back to a specific window of a few months of the past, about two hundred years earlier. Nash is a time operative with a samurai sword and a heart too big for the soulless institute he works for. He's aided by his cynical genius best friend Darkly, whose brilliant mind maps the threads of lives and actions in the past to minimise Nash's disruptions. But with time rippling forward from every change made, what version of the present is the real present? I adored Darkly and thoroughly shipped the main pairing. Great storytelling and lovely friendship dynamic as I've come to expect from this author. Highly recommend this story for YA sci-fi readers who are looking for an immersive world and low/sweet romance that doesn't detract from the main story. A great read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Donna Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book is vivid. From the beautifully wrought artwork on the front cover, to the vibrantly drawn characters within, the lushly imagined landscape and the atmospheric tale of time travel gone wrong, this book explodes with color and sound and will vibrate in your mind long after the last note has sounded.

I immediately fell in love with Charlie, because who couldn't help but fall in love with her? But then I found myself just as enthralled with Nash, Dark and yes, even Theory and Farren. They are all such unique and intricately complex characters. And the story? This takes time travel to the next level and left my head spinning with the possibilities. This author did a magnificent job all around and the ending, although bittersweet, couldn't have been more fitting. I almost wish I could time travel back to the first page and have the fresh experience of reading this book all over again.

***I received an ARC through BookSirens. My review is strictly voluntary.***

[Matthias Seys · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thanks for the ARC. I've gotten to know Courtney Grace Powers (as an author) by reading Resonate and now The Moment Thief, great books and I can't wait for more.

I'm glad I was able to finish this book in... the nick of time.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect and was constantly wondering where the story was going, who/what/where and... when? I really liked the whole premise around time and I always find it fascinating how writers handle it. This was no exception and I liked the take on it.

I also loved the characters and they were very fleshed out with their own reasoning and logic, none of the "main" characters really suffered.

I must say, at the end of the book, I did have some tears. I definitely recommend this book for people that like another take on time and the effect on the past and future.

[merlin513 · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the book I can REALLY appreciate how fitting (not to mention GORGEOUS!) the cover art is to the story.

‘The Moment Thief’ is amazing. While I ‘did’ manage to correctly guess a few of the plot points, the storyline continually crossed back over itself (much like the chrono ripples of Eito City) and ended up in places I DID NOT expect! Highly satisfying! I’m not a great fan of time travel novels and generally pass them by. But this one is approached in such a refreshingly original way it didn’t bother me one whit.

I loved the city, the people, our major characters, Charlie, Darkly, Nash, Theory and so many more, fully fleshed out, living, breathing and taking up space in my head. (glad to have them too!) : )

Can’t wait to get my hands on the physical book! Already got it pre-ordered!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Steph ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a few days to get this right...

A Book That Stole My Breath and My Sleep (especially during exam season)! FIVE STARS!

Where do I even begin? "The Moment Thief" isn't just a book you read; it's a book you feel deep in your soul. Courtney Grace Powers has created a masterpiece that hit me with the emotional force of a time-displaced supernova!

The world of Eito City is so vividly drawn that I could practically feel the rain and smell the neon, but it was the characters that truly broke my heart and put it back together again.

I was so invested in their desperate, thrilling race to fix a timeline shattered by a single, catastrophic murder. Watching Nash grapple with his duty, and feeling the profound loss and hope carried by Darkly and Charluxa... I cried, I smiled, and I couldn't put it down. I literally stayed up all night praying they would succeed!

This is more than a sci-fi thriller; it's a sweeping epic about sacrifice, destiny, and the beautiful, terrifying power of a single moment. It left me completely breathless and desperately wanting more.

If you are looking for a story that will make you connect with every page and remind you why you love reading, this is it. Read this book! You won't just enjoy it; you will live it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nicole Sams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A future town wrapped in a roaring waterfall is surely going to be a cozy rainy day read, right? Not quite.
Courtney Grace Powers does it again with another atmospheric sci fi that makes you immediately fall in love with the characters and setting.
When a princess can see ghosts and her time traveling friends witness a murder that changes the present, they're determined to find out why. And who was so important that it changed history? The more they learn, they less they wish they knew as their whole reality unravels before them. While the story can feel heavy with the weight of possibilities, Powers does an amazing job at weaving together gravity and humor with a sprinkle of romance in her newest novel!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished my ARC of The Moment Thief and absolutely loved it! It was an amazing story and stunning world building. The characters were well developed and very realistic. I related on some level to each of them and the struggles they were dealing with in their lives.
I was drawn into the story immediately and didn't want to stop reading! I enjoyed the friendship between the 3 main characters, Nashriel, Darkly, and Charluxa. The fact that their friendship lasted through the whole story without a "third act fight/ breakup" was wonderful. I know this is currently a stand alone book but I definitely want to know what comes next for the characters.
I recommend this to anyone who likes sci-fi, time travel, and fantasy. This book combines them all, and throws in a mystery to boot.

[Stephany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Moment Thief. It has a cyberpunk noir feel that reads like a movie. The descriptive writing pulls you into the story and the relationships between the friends Darkly, Nash, and Charlie keep you there. What I thought was an easily figured out twist was actually a well done misdirection.

The message of the book seems to be not looking back and depending on the past, but living in the present. The ending is bittersweet, but a necessary one.

My favorite quote:
"There had to come a time when the present stopped depending on the past and a person, a choice, an event were held accountable because of what they were then and there."

If you enjoy scifi, time travel, and murder mysteries; you will love The Moment Thief.

[MoonaRa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally don't read a lot of Timetravel/Sci Fi books, so it is not surprising that I was not so passionate about this book.
I really liked the political parts of it. some aspects rang true and could happen in real life too ( not counting the timetravel part of it naturally). I mean..... powerhungry leader clinging to their role and power? .....tale as old as time.

I prefer books with some Romance and always tried to predict who ends up with whom. well seeing as there were no definite outcomes here, I was left hangig. I just cannot decide if it was better this way or not.

overall I am content with the book, just not hyped. Seeing as its not my normal genre, fir livers of this genre the book might be fantastic.

[thereadingmarshmallow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was quite the time traveling adventure! The plot was paced well and the twists and turns feel right into the path we journeyed on. I feel that the author presented well thought out characters with good development on their part. There are a couple of cute, PG romances and I feel as though they were well thought out with any questions answered along the way. They didn’t detract from the plot or try to take over which I appreciated. Overall, this is solid, interesting read for me in the YA sci-fi category and I would definitely recommend checking it out!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so invested in what was going on in this world and characters, I was invested in what was going on and thought the overall package worked well together. I enjoyed getting to know Princess Charluxa and how she saw ghosts, it was a strong idea in this world and was glad it had that element that I wanted. I enjoyed the murder mystery concept and how the storyline used it with the characters. Courtney Grace Powers has a strong writing style and I hope to read more from her and in this world. It was everything that I wanted and enjoyed the journey.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sharayah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced book that painted itself clearly in my mind as I read (in something like an anime or Arcane style art). I really enjoyed the relationships between Nash, Dark, and Charlie. Even with the monsters and the time ripples, I think I'd like to live in Eito City and eat the mediocre noodles. It just has such a cool but cozy vibe. Very twisty turny, but I still felt very invested in the story. I know this book could end as is (really beautiful/sweet/sad ending), but I would totally vote for a book 2!!!

[Cassie Mesarchik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute of this book! I love the characters. The plot had me on the edge of my seat! Charlie, Nash, and Darkly are all such amazing characters. They are each unique and I love them all so much! There were so many twists and turns; a lot of which I didn't see coming! The ending fits the story so well, though there is something I wish could have been slightly different, but yet the ending makes sense. I love how the time travel works in this one as well. This story is just so unique and fresh in a way I haven't read in time travel books before. I highly highly recommend this one!!!

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightful read. The mix of vibes and world building all worked together really well: Time cop, mystery, blade runner, neo-Tokyo, sci-fi, with a side serving of wholesome romance. It's a sci-fi mystery, but it is truly character driven. It is a study in choices, what those choices mean, and whether you choose to let those choices define you. It is a story of friendship, beyond social barriers, and even beyond time.
All three main characters are relatable and you root for them from page one. They have a friends-family dynamic reminiscent of buddy-cop shows and teen sleuthing shows, but with a more serious tone. I particularly enjoyed Darkly's progression through the story. They all felt very well thought out, but his arc had the most devastating change and I still feel for him deeply. That being said Nash and Charlie are some of the best friends anyone could ask for. Like I said, you root for them all.
The atmosphere of the world and how it is described is fantastic too. I felt like I was right on the streets with the characters. Neon lights, waterfalls, mega city structures, Japanese architecture, all beautifully mixed in prose.
I cannot wait to see if there is a sequel. Please read it!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hits all the YA highlights (teen protagonists, catching feelings for friends, reckless adventures, sacrifice for the greater good) while also managing to feel fresh and new. There is SO much happening with these characters- seeing ghosts, rival gangs, time travel, dark family secrets- that the action is fast-paced throughout. I would have loved a bit more world-building with the time travel aspect, because the paradoxes got a bit confusing, but overall this was a fun read!

[Sarah (fairytalesformoms) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I really enjoyed how this book emphasized friendship. This trio of friends loves each other deeply, and the reader can feel that right away just through their actions. The time traveling aspect was neat, though at times a bit confusing (but when does time travel ever makes sense?)