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Deflection
Not yet published
Expected 12 Oct 26409 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 12, 2026
About the author
Gabriel Palmer
3 booksGabriel Palmer is an Australian writer and artist with lifelong interests in illustration, music, animation, and storytelling. He is the author of the Aerimus Series, and has more stories currently on the backburner, along with other creative projects.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance copy from the author. This is my honest review.
Overall Analysis:
Deflection by Gabriel Palmer is the striking debut to his Aerimus series. This novel seamlessly blends elements of sci-fi and fantasy into a high-stakes, coming-of-age adventure. Set on the planet of Aerimus, the story follows Nirav, a highly adept yet taciturn warrior of the feline Nari species, and his new and spirited companion Mikela as they navigate a dangerous world brimming with thieving gangs and pirates.
Nirav, who struck me as a Tabaxi-fied Link from Zelda, is an exceptional protagonist. I admire how effectively Palmer subverts our assumption that he will be a conventional, overpowered, and predictable hero. Moreso, while writing a mute protagonist would drive me mad, Palmer clears this hurdle effortlessly. Conveying everything through physical gestures and Mikela’s fumbling attempts at translation must’ve proven quite the daunting challenge. Without even an internal monologue to rely on, readers are left deciphering Nirav's thoughts right alongside Mikela, sometimes sharing in her frustration.
And yet, Nirav does not have a monopoly over uniqueness. Beyond the Nari, Aerimus is co-inhabited by a winged race known as the Aialii. They are initially portrayed as paragons of virtue, but the narrative does not shy from stripping them of their collective moral superiority, revealing characters who range from conflicted neutrals to unadulterated villains.
I am torn between the characters and the world-building being the novel’s greatest strength. The moving islands of Aerimus are introduced gradually through the characters’ experiences rather than long-winded exposition, and the clockwork machinations, fantastical creatures, and other elements I will leave unspoiled combine to fuse the novel into a blend of steampunk, fantasy, and sci-fi. All the while, the early-introduced enigma, The Nameless Wanderer, creates an impression of a world that extends far beyond Aerimus.
Fair warning, though: This book is dense. It packs a tremendous amount of story into two meaty arcs. This sometimes results in rapid pacing and scenes being painted with a single stroke. For instance, the events of the "Conjunction" unfolded surprisingly fast, despite feeling like a major milestone in the story. Fortunately, this hurried pacing does not weaken the climax, which I found to be the strongest writing in the entire novel.
Final Thoughts:
Despite being the first in the Aerimus series, Deflection reads well as a standalone novel. There is a satisfying conclusion for those worrying they would have to wait years for a resolution. While the story contains some violence, it’s never excessive, making it an easy recommendation for anyone seeking a lighthearted fantasy adventure. It sort of plays out like a video game plot, where side quests sidetrack the adventurers, but it all ties together despite how disconnected it may appear on the surface. The writing is along the lines of windowpane prose, which, despite its density, makes it a quick and easily understandable read. This is a promising debut for Gabriel Palmer, and I look forward to seeing what the next installment brings.
Overall Analysis:
Deflection by Gabriel Palmer is the striking debut to his Aerimus series. This novel seamlessly blends elements of sci-fi and fantasy into a high-stakes, coming-of-age adventure. Set on the planet of Aerimus, the story follows Nirav, a highly adept yet taciturn warrior of the feline Nari species, and his new and spirited companion Mikela as they navigate a dangerous world brimming with thieving gangs and pirates.
Nirav, who struck me as a Tabaxi-fied Link from Zelda, is an exceptional protagonist. I admire how effectively Palmer subverts our assumption that he will be a conventional, overpowered, and predictable hero. Moreso, while writing a mute protagonist would drive me mad, Palmer clears this hurdle effortlessly. Conveying everything through physical gestures and Mikela’s fumbling attempts at translation must’ve proven quite the daunting challenge. Without even an internal monologue to rely on, readers are left deciphering Nirav's thoughts right alongside Mikela, sometimes sharing in her frustration.
And yet, Nirav does not have a monopoly over uniqueness. Beyond the Nari, Aerimus is co-inhabited by a winged race known as the Aialii. They are initially portrayed as paragons of virtue, but the narrative does not shy from stripping them of their collective moral superiority, revealing characters who range from conflicted neutrals to unadulterated villains.
I am torn between the characters and the world-building being the novel’s greatest strength. The moving islands of Aerimus are introduced gradually through the characters’ experiences rather than long-winded exposition, and the clockwork machinations, fantastical creatures, and other elements I will leave unspoiled combine to fuse the novel into a blend of steampunk, fantasy, and sci-fi. All the while, the early-introduced enigma, The Nameless Wanderer, creates an impression of a world that extends far beyond Aerimus.
Fair warning, though: This book is dense. It packs a tremendous amount of story into two meaty arcs. This sometimes results in rapid pacing and scenes being painted with a single stroke. For instance, the events of the "Conjunction" unfolded surprisingly fast, despite feeling like a major milestone in the story. Fortunately, this hurried pacing does not weaken the climax, which I found to be the strongest writing in the entire novel.
Final Thoughts:
Despite being the first in the Aerimus series, Deflection reads well as a standalone novel. There is a satisfying conclusion for those worrying they would have to wait years for a resolution. While the story contains some violence, it’s never excessive, making it an easy recommendation for anyone seeking a lighthearted fantasy adventure. It sort of plays out like a video game plot, where side quests sidetrack the adventurers, but it all ties together despite how disconnected it may appear on the surface. The writing is along the lines of windowpane prose, which, despite its density, makes it a quick and easily understandable read. This is a promising debut for Gabriel Palmer, and I look forward to seeing what the next installment brings.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review