Book Blurb:
The unheard ancient Egyptian tale of Aqil, the great musician and scientist. It was luck, or rather, fate that he stumbled upon a cursed microscope; stolen from the god Thoth himself. It gave him the power to see something no man had seen before: DNA. Aqil had the unusual gift of seeing DNA as music, could apply his knowledge of science, and performed miracles by playing his Egyptian ney; miracles that could replicate or even mutate DNA.
Whispers spread that he could heal the injured, cause life-threatening afflictions, and cure the sick. Rumors also spread that he could change a frog into a fish and a mouse into a snake. Others say he could turn a human into a demon, or even a god.
The truth to the rumors was unknown. However, one thing was certain. Any person who peered into the microscope was placed under a heavy curse.
Aqil was often given difficult tasks, having to rely on his mind to keep himself, and others alive. When asked to do the impossible, he had to utilize his brilliance to combine his musical abilities, his knack for science, and the cursed microscope to perform miracles.
His story will be heard across the world. However, pray you never hear the distinct melody of his prized instrument, his Egyptian ney, for that would mean one of two things. You could be in earshot of him performing a miracle, or you could be the target. Some have very different perceptions of what a miracle is.
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Author Bio:
Hello! My name is Dr. Hamilton. I decided to turn away from research and pursue my passion for self-publishing. It has been a journey, to say the least. However, I have enjoyed every second. I hope you can feel my passion in every page you read! Mud Crab Kingdom is the first series under my personal brand of books, Chaos and Commas!
Editorial Review:
He turned the black coarse and fine focus knobs until he was seemingly satisfied. He then reached over and angled his Egyptian ney downward, making an obtuse angle.
Aqil then began playing a frantic, haunting melody at mezzo forte with a multitude of trills. The notes danced in the confined area, having a light echo. They could tell whatever he was playing was highly advanced music, although they were not musicians themselves. The dynamics, complex rhythms; it was something beautifully intimating.
The two men were also entranced by the action of his fingers. They did not fumble and did not waste movement. The men turned to the injured man and gasped, taking a few alarmed steps back.
There seemed to be no gravity within a few inches of the man’s skin. His clothes floated along with droplets of blood while the rest of him remained still.
J. Hamilton has written perhaps one of the most unique premises for a historical novel set in the ancient city of Thebes, where the line between magic and science blurs. The end result is a delightful story of magical realism with a strong sense of time and place, and an intricate plot that keeps you hooked.
The novel opens with a scene of Thebes’ nightlife—brightly lit streets, bustling markets, and the lively interactions of the city’s residents. The tone quickly shifts as we are thrust into a tense moment: a mother frantically seeking help for her wounded son. It’s in this moment of urgency that we meet Aqil, a healer with a mysterious past and a cursed microscope that holds the key to both incredible discoveries and perhaps something more. The specific details of this story are best experienced firsthand, so there will be no spoilers here.
At the heart of the story is Aqil’s struggle with his own ambitions – he is driven by his deeply scientific curiosity and a personal vendetta. Hamilton does an excellent job showing Aqil’s internal conflict. We see his pride in his scientific achievements and his remorse over the mistakes of his past. This duality makes Aqil feel real and grounded, and his complex emotions draw us into his story.
The book explores how ambition can lead to difficult situations where one’s morals might be tested, often at personal sacrifice. Aqil’s desire to master the microscope’s powers forces him into situations where he must choose between his principles and his goals. His decision to perform dangerous experiments and confront the Pharaoh’s demands underscores the personal sacrifices he makes in the pursuit of his ambitions. How far is too far?
Black Brilliance does an excellent job of exploring how ambition can drive individuals to extraordinary achievements, but also at great personal and ethical costs. It is not always easy to deal with the consequences of one’s choices, as we see through Aqil’s story.
As the story continues, we delve into Aqil’s past and learn about his brother Essam’s death and the curse of the microscope. Hamilton does a fantastic job of developing Aqil’s character, showing us his struggle with the past and his determination to find a cure for chronic diseases using the microscope. The way Aqil grapples with the problems he encounters—whether to help or harm, to follow orders or defy them—was by far the most compelling aspect of the novel.
The middle of the book takes us into a high stakes confrontation with Pharaoh and introduces new characters like Chione and Iry, who were minor characters but held their own all the same. Chione, a servant in the Pharaoh’s palace, represents the silent suffering of the many who are affected by the Pharaoh’s cruelty. Her fear and hope for a better life was simple, sincere, and realistic, while her interactions with Aqil show her courage and humanity.
Iry, on the other hand, is bolder. His backstory with Teos and his suffering show the importance of standing up against injustice without making the narrative feel preachy or contrived. Iry’s loyalty and bravery offer a contrast to Aqil’s more solitary fight, emphasizing that heroism comes in many forms. The character development in this book is clever and well done.
One cannot discuss the book’s characters without mentioning the Pharaoh, who is crucial to the story’s conflict. Rather than being a cliche figure that represents tyranny, he is written with a satisfying amount of depth and complexity. Hamilton presents him as a creature who is willing to sacrifice anything to achieve his desires, making him a compelling antagonist with convincing motivations. His interactions with Aqil are charged with tension, and his ultimate plan for Teos reveals the depth of his cruelty and ambition. His arc is a powerful reminder of how power can corrupt and the lengths to which people will go to hold onto it.
Dr. Nassim and Dr. Jundy are secondary characters who are crucial to Aqil’s journey, but they come across as less interesting compared to other characters in the story.
Aqil’s experiments and his plans to outwit the Pharaoh were particularly thrilling moments, and their cat and mouse game was enjoyable to read. I particularly enjoyed the way Hamilton used music as a metaphor for both harmony and conflict, blending scientific experimentation with the emotional power of musical composition. The novel stands out right from the start with a music sheet reference, a rare and inventive touch that sets the tone for the story. It’s not something you see often in novels, and it fits with the tone and theme of the book nicely.
The final concert is both dramatic and moving. It’s a beautiful culmination of the book’s themes of creation, destruction, and redemption.
Hamilton's descriptions are rich and immersive, making you feel like you’re right there in the bustling streets or the shadowy corners of the black market. The writing style strikes a good balance between elegance and accessibility. The combination of the writing style and the world building makes ancient Thebes and the magical elements of the story easy to picture. It is clear that world building is something the author has put much time and care into.
While the plot is engaging, there are moments where the story slows down. Some sections might feel a bit drawn out, especially when the focus shifts to less exciting parts of the plot or detailed descriptions that don’t move the story forward. The novel also has several subplots, which can sometimes be a bit confusing. While these subplots add a lot to the story, they can also make the main story feel a little crowded. At times, it’s easy to lose track of the central narrative because of all the different threads. But these are minor nitpicks in an otherwise great story. For readers who appreciate lush, descriptive writing and a highly inventive, unique plot, these aspects are unlikely to detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel.
Overall, Black Brilliance is an inventive breath of fresh air that balances historical detail with fantasy, science with magic, and personal struggle with grand ambitions. Hamilton’s storytelling is rich and engaging, and the book’s exploration of the consequences of wielding great power is both entertaining and profound. If you enjoy stories that mix historical settings with magical realism and feature complex characters, then Black Brilliance is definitely worth a read.
*****
“Black Brilliance” by Dr Joel Anthony Hamilton receives four stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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