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The Unconventionals #1
The Empath and the Soldier
The situation seemed hopeless. But Tyrran couldn’t pretend to be ignorant of the danger and just wait for his home to disintegrate around him.
As a Favored male, Tyrran belongs to a select group of men born with one of the Four Gifts, a blessing usually reserved for women. Quiet, introverted, and filled with self-doubt, Tyrran has always struggled with living up to the responsibilities that come with being Gifted. Still, he had managed to achieve the near impossible — admission to the prestigious Lyceum Institute in Corvit, the Coarian Sovereignty’s bustling capital city. With this success, Tyrran’s future seems the best education, a position in a Temple, and, one day, marriage to a young man of good fortune.
That is, until sinister forces intervene to shove him down a much bleaker path. Tyrran’s plans are thrown into upheaval when a deadly attack reveals the existence of an insidious evil festering within the ranks of the Sovereignty’s elite.
Now, he must use the privileges afforded him as a Lyceum student to uncover the secrets of a corrupt government. Targeted by relentless assassins and trying to ignore his growing attachment to the handsome exchange student Adwin, Tyrran must gather trustworthy allies to face the dangers that threaten to tear apart his nation and his home.
As a Favored male, Tyrran belongs to a select group of men born with one of the Four Gifts, a blessing usually reserved for women. Quiet, introverted, and filled with self-doubt, Tyrran has always struggled with living up to the responsibilities that come with being Gifted. Still, he had managed to achieve the near impossible — admission to the prestigious Lyceum Institute in Corvit, the Coarian Sovereignty’s bustling capital city. With this success, Tyrran’s future seems the best education, a position in a Temple, and, one day, marriage to a young man of good fortune.
That is, until sinister forces intervene to shove him down a much bleaker path. Tyrran’s plans are thrown into upheaval when a deadly attack reveals the existence of an insidious evil festering within the ranks of the Sovereignty’s elite.
Now, he must use the privileges afforded him as a Lyceum student to uncover the secrets of a corrupt government. Targeted by relentless assassins and trying to ignore his growing attachment to the handsome exchange student Adwin, Tyrran must gather trustworthy allies to face the dangers that threaten to tear apart his nation and his home.
- GenresM M Romance
503 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2023
6 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
A.K. Holubek
3 books3 followersThe moment A.K. Holubek stumbled across a ragged copy of The Fellowship of the Ring in his elementary school library, his life changed forever. The rest of his childhood, his adolescence, and even his college years were spent living only part time in the real world. He much preferred spending time in the fantasy lands of his imagination than in the reality of life as a closeted gay kid. As real life got better, he left his fantasy worlds behind. But a few years ago, those worlds called him to return, and to share his created worlds with others who might also need a place to escape. He now endeavors to carry out this mission from his home in Baltimore, supported by his husband and two ridiculous cats.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 23, 2023
There's quite a bit I liked about the Empath and the Soldier, the prose is solid (and makes a distinct effort to fit within the time period of the events) the characters are strong, well defined, and given plenty of time to express themselves and grow, and the plot moves at a good pace ( albeit potentially a little too romance and intrigue heavy/light on action for some readers.) However, the stand out quality of the book is the world building. The Empath and the Soldier is set within a renaissance era matriarchal society, something I found both refreshing and interesting, and goes through distinct effort (successfully) to make it immersive. There are so many small moments throughout the story that clashed with my expectations and reminded the reader subtly that this is a society constructed around women, moments ranging from a scarcity of men in the working environment, to small word changes (womankind versus mankind), and the predominant protagonists in the books fictional stories being women. (There's other world building elements besides the matriarchal society as well, and these are likewise interesting and well implemented) Something the book lack was a proper exploration of the concept, with so many of its elements simply being a word and power dynamic swap instead of really delving into how a society run by women would differ from one run by men. There only two real cultural differences was a more liberal view on homosexuality and sex in general. (The second of these is also one of the cultural aspects that a matriarchal and patriarchal society would likely share due to the simple reality of how dangerous and debilitating pregnancy is. This problem of having to be the provider and simultaneously spend nine months pregnant is also a problem the book never addresses.)
The book's second strongest element is probably its characters, which are complex in their personalities and motivations, with imperfections and strengths and excellent chemistry. The core romance is well paced with great chemistry and just enough internal and external drama to make its progression rewarding.
As above stated, the prose is solid, and the inclusion of letters within the actual narrative does a wonderful job of selling the time period.
The core plot, while compelling, is probably one of the weaker elements of the story. It's strong in concept, and the story itself is well-paced, but the plot itself is a little bit slow and un-interactive. Long stretches of the story pass between the moments of meaningful plot progression, and those moments often don't mesh with the style of the plot. This is a story of internal subversion and intrigue and not knowing who to trust, but most of the core plot moments are fairly straightforward action, and the story doesn't try to ratchet up the tension in the interim of those moments. The counterpoint to this, is that those interim chapters and adventures are compelling and entertaining nonetheless, full of character and romance progression, and smaller conflicts. And when the core moments of plot do arrive, they tend to do so excellently. (Sometimes a little bit predictably, and sometimes a little unexpectedly, which I found quite pleasing.)
The book's second strongest element is probably its characters, which are complex in their personalities and motivations, with imperfections and strengths and excellent chemistry. The core romance is well paced with great chemistry and just enough internal and external drama to make its progression rewarding.
As above stated, the prose is solid, and the inclusion of letters within the actual narrative does a wonderful job of selling the time period.
The core plot, while compelling, is probably one of the weaker elements of the story. It's strong in concept, and the story itself is well-paced, but the plot itself is a little bit slow and un-interactive. Long stretches of the story pass between the moments of meaningful plot progression, and those moments often don't mesh with the style of the plot. This is a story of internal subversion and intrigue and not knowing who to trust, but most of the core plot moments are fairly straightforward action, and the story doesn't try to ratchet up the tension in the interim of those moments. The counterpoint to this, is that those interim chapters and adventures are compelling and entertaining nonetheless, full of character and romance progression, and smaller conflicts. And when the core moments of plot do arrive, they tend to do so excellently. (Sometimes a little bit predictably, and sometimes a little unexpectedly, which I found quite pleasing.)
July 17, 2023
A fantastic first novel and I eagerly await the second! Must read!
Great world building, an interesting and novel magic system, a rich and detailed political backdrop - all to hold fascinating and detailed character development. The whole is incredibly entertaining, and at the same time plants seeds to see our world in new and interesting ways, all while providing an entertaining escape from it. Bravo and I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Great world building, an interesting and novel magic system, a rich and detailed political backdrop - all to hold fascinating and detailed character development. The whole is incredibly entertaining, and at the same time plants seeds to see our world in new and interesting ways, all while providing an entertaining escape from it. Bravo and I can’t wait to read the next installment.
May 9, 2023
This is such a good book ya’ll!!! Andrew created a world and characters that suck you in and he weaves together a story that you don’t want to put down! If you are looking for a fantasy with Jane Austen and Bridgerton vibes then look no further than The Empath and the Soldier!
Tyrann is such a sweetheart who absolutely tries his best in everything that he does. And Adwin will steal your heart and have you looking forward to his scenes.
I cannot wait for book 2!
- romance is very much secondary and closed door in this book. So if you are wanting high heat and high romance this is probably not for you. But if you want fantasy, adventure, and special abilities then get this book!
Tyrann is such a sweetheart who absolutely tries his best in everything that he does. And Adwin will steal your heart and have you looking forward to his scenes.
I cannot wait for book 2!
- romance is very much secondary and closed door in this book. So if you are wanting high heat and high romance this is probably not for you. But if you want fantasy, adventure, and special abilities then get this book!
August 22, 2023
This could have been about 100 pages shorter. There were many scenes which neither advanced the plot nor developed the characters, and many times I felt myself becoming impatient. The author thanked his editors profusely in his acknowledgements, but I think it could have taken another pass or two with the paring knife.
That being said, it's an ambitious first novel with interesting characters navigating an interesting world. The relegation of men to second-class citizens and the elevation of people of color as more refined (and elegant and pretentious and beautiful) than the less-civilized white folks was a little on the nose, commentary-wise. But then, I think sometimes people do need to be hit over the head with certain concepts before they notice anything is amiss.
This is all just the first leg in what looks to be a very long journey for these characters. I hope the author has the fortitude to see it through.
That being said, it's an ambitious first novel with interesting characters navigating an interesting world. The relegation of men to second-class citizens and the elevation of people of color as more refined (and elegant and pretentious and beautiful) than the less-civilized white folks was a little on the nose, commentary-wise. But then, I think sometimes people do need to be hit over the head with certain concepts before they notice anything is amiss.
This is all just the first leg in what looks to be a very long journey for these characters. I hope the author has the fortitude to see it through.
December 27, 2023
The captivating investigation of the meeting point of strength and weakness in "The Empath and the Soldier" is masterfully told in this provocative story.
The protagonist portrays the empath with such exquisite depth that it immerses the viewer in a realm of subtle emotional nuances. Through their journey, the traditional ideas of strength linked with the military archetype are challenged as they poignantly explore empathy as a form of resilience.
On the other hand, the character of the soldier represents a different kind of strengthone that is created in the furnace of combatThe soldier and empath are placed opposite each other to create a potent dynamic that highlights the mutually beneficial relationship between bravery and compassion.
The film's cinematography, which deftly combines intense action scenes with personal moments of emotional connection, is a visual feast. The director's aptitude.
The protagonist portrays the empath with such exquisite depth that it immerses the viewer in a realm of subtle emotional nuances. Through their journey, the traditional ideas of strength linked with the military archetype are challenged as they poignantly explore empathy as a form of resilience.
On the other hand, the character of the soldier represents a different kind of strengthone that is created in the furnace of combatThe soldier and empath are placed opposite each other to create a potent dynamic that highlights the mutually beneficial relationship between bravery and compassion.
The film's cinematography, which deftly combines intense action scenes with personal moments of emotional connection, is a visual feast. The director's aptitude.
January 12, 2024
I read this. And I've struggled with what to say about it. I kinda do want to read more after finishing it. And it is super harsh for me to give 3 stars to a book that I want to read more. I liked the world and the characters. I enjoyed hanging out with them. Yes, it is another story of young people going off to school. There are some weird gender norms that no one quite wants to conform to. But I liked the people. And I wanted to see the world conflict here resolve. But someone described the plot of the book as happening in interludes of action between long stretches of peace. It was kinda jarring. The plot scenes didn't really seem to fit the tone of the story. Obviously a book needs a plot. But the tone and pacing of the plot was far too fast compared to the sedate, leisurely exploration throughout most the book.
August 1, 2023
A fantastic first read
I really really enjoyed this. The world, pace, plot, characters and action are so well thought out making this enjoyable and unput-downable!!
Ris is an absolute gem as a character. His cutting wot and comebacks had me in stiches! I truly recommend this and simply cannot wait for the next instalment. Well done to the author, truly!!!
I really really enjoyed this. The world, pace, plot, characters and action are so well thought out making this enjoyable and unput-downable!!
Ris is an absolute gem as a character. His cutting wot and comebacks had me in stiches! I truly recommend this and simply cannot wait for the next instalment. Well done to the author, truly!!!
November 12, 2023
An interesting story of friendship and heroism among young people with a mission.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews