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Not The Fighting Kind
Nat should be doing what dandies do creating fashion, trading information, working on the edges of high society to further their own aims, and flirting with scandal. Instead, they're in the bowels of a ship, captured by pirates intent on ransoming them back to their family as soon as they find out to which family they should send the letter.
Unfortunately for all involved, Nat knows one thing the pirates can never be allowed to find
They are unransomable.
Their family has plenty enough money to pay any ransom, but Nat's father sent them to sea in the first place, put them in the path of these pirates, because he wanted Nat out of the way.
Ransoms create scandal. Nat can't afford another.
_
Not The Fighting Kind is the first installment of the Not That Kind Of Dandy series, an adult pirate fantasy series that follows Nat as they try to use their dandy-ish ways to survive in situations one wouldn't expect a dandy to manage.
Unfortunately for all involved, Nat knows one thing the pirates can never be allowed to find
They are unransomable.
Their family has plenty enough money to pay any ransom, but Nat's father sent them to sea in the first place, put them in the path of these pirates, because he wanted Nat out of the way.
Ransoms create scandal. Nat can't afford another.
_
Not The Fighting Kind is the first installment of the Not That Kind Of Dandy series, an adult pirate fantasy series that follows Nat as they try to use their dandy-ish ways to survive in situations one wouldn't expect a dandy to manage.
- GenresPirates
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2024
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Will Soulsby-McCreath
7 books2 followersIt’s pronounced “Souls-Bee-Muh-Kreth”
As a cosplayer, Table-Top Gaming nerd, and videogamer; fantastical worlds have been a staple of Will's life forever. They like to corrupt their friends into joining these pass-times, or at least reading their stories.
Obsessed with every way to tell a story and every possible use for one, Will had few choices other than becoming a writer. A little too nosy for their own good they like to invest their time fixing other people's problems, and when that doesn't work they hand out stories to make you feel better.
As a cosplayer, Table-Top Gaming nerd, and videogamer; fantastical worlds have been a staple of Will's life forever. They like to corrupt their friends into joining these pass-times, or at least reading their stories.
Obsessed with every way to tell a story and every possible use for one, Will had few choices other than becoming a writer. A little too nosy for their own good they like to invest their time fixing other people's problems, and when that doesn't work they hand out stories to make you feel better.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 14, 2024
This book is a great example of how to write non-binary genders. At no point in the book does Soulsby-McCreath feel the need to explain any of the pronouns used by the character. For example, one of the characters uses “xie/xer/xem pronouns. This isn’t established in a conversation why xie explain xer pronouns, they are simple the only pronouns ever used when talking about xem.
The main character being non-binary is handled in a similar way. They just are non-binary, and they are never challenged on or made to justify that. When sex scenes do come up, no hint at what their genetalia is like is given - and the sex scenes are still very steamy regardless. Simply put, Soulsby-McCreath doesn’t give anyone anything to use in the writing to even remotely misgender their characters. This is a world in which “non-binary” does not need setting up or justifying like a plot point. It just is. I know I have a theory based on the writing about what Dandy was “assigned at birth” because I can’t help it and I noticed something, but I could be wrong and more importantly, it really doesn’t matter. That’s not who the character is.
The tension is built slowly over the course of the book and handled as brilliantly as the characters’ genders. When there is romance, Soulsby-McCreath never lets the reader forget that underneath the passion, their main character is in very real danger and having to tread carefully in order to stay alive. None of the chemistry between characters is ever used to hand wave or excuse some of the power dynamics at play. It’s a very healthy, nuanced look at the situation that allows for romance without being taken away by it.
Dandy’s character arc is engaging and compelling, and ends on a good point. It walks the line between leaving stuff for sequels to do while being complete in itself.
This is a very good, very queer book.
The main character being non-binary is handled in a similar way. They just are non-binary, and they are never challenged on or made to justify that. When sex scenes do come up, no hint at what their genetalia is like is given - and the sex scenes are still very steamy regardless. Simply put, Soulsby-McCreath doesn’t give anyone anything to use in the writing to even remotely misgender their characters. This is a world in which “non-binary” does not need setting up or justifying like a plot point. It just is. I know I have a theory based on the writing about what Dandy was “assigned at birth” because I can’t help it and I noticed something, but I could be wrong and more importantly, it really doesn’t matter. That’s not who the character is.
The tension is built slowly over the course of the book and handled as brilliantly as the characters’ genders. When there is romance, Soulsby-McCreath never lets the reader forget that underneath the passion, their main character is in very real danger and having to tread carefully in order to stay alive. None of the chemistry between characters is ever used to hand wave or excuse some of the power dynamics at play. It’s a very healthy, nuanced look at the situation that allows for romance without being taken away by it.
Dandy’s character arc is engaging and compelling, and ends on a good point. It walks the line between leaving stuff for sequels to do while being complete in itself.
This is a very good, very queer book.
May 7, 2024
Fascinating pirate story, I loved the characters and their interwoven story
June 3, 2025
I was fortunate to get hold of a copy of this book at MCM London in 2024 after being drawn in by the author's charming personality and pitch (and our mutual appreciation for book covers with A Silhouette on them) -- and I'm glad I did. Soulsby-McCreath's personality is ALL OVER this story from the start, with swift and witty prose, incredibly fun characters and, of course, QUEERNESS. I've never read a book so queer and it's beautifully done.
Nat is a deeply lovable main character -- both a lovely example of casual queer representation *and* a scathing commentary on the isolating and 'othering' way that queerness is treated by society as a whole. At no point does Will feel the need nor even indicate the sex of Nat, even during intimate scenes, and it was such a refreshing thing; especially in a time where we're often and almost exclusively judged by our perceived sex despite our gender identity.
Speaking of, I really enjoyed the ways sex, romance and power are explored in this book. There is a steamy, often emotional connection between Nat and multiple other characters without feeling particularly forced -- you can feel through the writing that Nat is someone who craves human connection in ways that have them falling fast, hard, and often unhealthily for another, and the story makes no mistake in addressing these connections in ways that are both a realistic and sensitive twist on the "problematic power imbalance" trope.
While I feel some of the prose is a little too clipped in places, leaving me wanting for more expansive descriptions and varied internal dialogue, this is all in all a deeply enjoyable story that I will absolutely be returning to for its sequels.
Nat is a deeply lovable main character -- both a lovely example of casual queer representation *and* a scathing commentary on the isolating and 'othering' way that queerness is treated by society as a whole. At no point does Will feel the need nor even indicate the sex of Nat, even during intimate scenes, and it was such a refreshing thing; especially in a time where we're often and almost exclusively judged by our perceived sex despite our gender identity.
Speaking of, I really enjoyed the ways sex, romance and power are explored in this book. There is a steamy, often emotional connection between Nat and multiple other characters without feeling particularly forced -- you can feel through the writing that Nat is someone who craves human connection in ways that have them falling fast, hard, and often unhealthily for another, and the story makes no mistake in addressing these connections in ways that are both a realistic and sensitive twist on the "problematic power imbalance" trope.
While I feel some of the prose is a little too clipped in places, leaving me wanting for more expansive descriptions and varied internal dialogue, this is all in all a deeply enjoyable story that I will absolutely be returning to for its sequels.
August 31, 2025
"That's just what people like to tell you. To convince you that their choice is your fault. Ultimately, you have decided already whether you are willing to hurt me or not."
I adored Nat from start to finish, they were entertaining and so easy to connect with as they try to find a way out. They had me hooked, to see what happened next for them and their future. Details slowly revealed about their history through the story, their worries over the ransom and what happened to them.
Also the setting upon the pirate ship, how the dandy is able to use their skills to find out information and plotting their escape. I enjoyed the use of embroidery, along with the scene with the sirens and bear - it was interesting and I simply fell in love with Nat more through the journey.
"Because you're intimidating and I like to play with dangerous things."
Honestly I didn't care for Aleksei or Tao, both were covered in red flags once find out the truth of both. Fitting to pirates in it for themselves and the way of life, but it still sucked for Nat. Who is rather easily swept away even if it does lead them into some messy situations.
I didn't really manage to fully care for anyone other then Nat in this tale, as they all are rather dismissive of Nat in some way or other. While it works with them being a crew and Nat is only a captive/ransom for them. It just kind of sucked that they only cared when Nat managed to do something to help them out and even then they push Nat into taking another role.
'Nat realized how easy it was to do just that. To stay in the situation you hated because it, at least, had the benefit of being known.'
Everything simply felt so transactional and it was depressing... Again it's a case of the setting and lifestyle, it's fitting to the tale and situation but it just wasn't enjoyable for me.
I still liked the writing and Nat is an incredible MC, the way the story ends leaves things open but Nat is in a somewhat better place then the start of the tale. They're fitting to a captain role! With their charm and dandy skills, yet I kind of wanted them to be able to get away finding a new path.
Overall it was an entertaining read, but I think largely aspects were not for me. I was just enchanted and swept up by Nat ✨
I adored Nat from start to finish, they were entertaining and so easy to connect with as they try to find a way out. They had me hooked, to see what happened next for them and their future. Details slowly revealed about their history through the story, their worries over the ransom and what happened to them.
Also the setting upon the pirate ship, how the dandy is able to use their skills to find out information and plotting their escape. I enjoyed the use of embroidery, along with the scene with the sirens and bear - it was interesting and I simply fell in love with Nat more through the journey.
"Because you're intimidating and I like to play with dangerous things."
Honestly I didn't care for Aleksei or Tao, both were covered in red flags once find out the truth of both. Fitting to pirates in it for themselves and the way of life, but it still sucked for Nat. Who is rather easily swept away even if it does lead them into some messy situations.
I didn't really manage to fully care for anyone other then Nat in this tale, as they all are rather dismissive of Nat in some way or other. While it works with them being a crew and Nat is only a captive/ransom for them. It just kind of sucked that they only cared when Nat managed to do something to help them out and even then they push Nat into taking another role.
'Nat realized how easy it was to do just that. To stay in the situation you hated because it, at least, had the benefit of being known.'
Everything simply felt so transactional and it was depressing... Again it's a case of the setting and lifestyle, it's fitting to the tale and situation but it just wasn't enjoyable for me.
I still liked the writing and Nat is an incredible MC, the way the story ends leaves things open but Nat is in a somewhat better place then the start of the tale. They're fitting to a captain role! With their charm and dandy skills, yet I kind of wanted them to be able to get away finding a new path.
Overall it was an entertaining read, but I think largely aspects were not for me. I was just enchanted and swept up by Nat ✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews