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A Most Unlikely Hero #1
A Most Unlikely Hero
Being a hero is harder than it looks!
Alexander S. Ryker dreams of becoming a hero, but dreams are hard to achieve when you’ve caused several million credits worth of property damage. Being expelled from the Mars Police Academy isn’t helping his case. Crushed, Alex encounters a girl named Gabrielle Angelise in a meeting that will change his life forever.
Gabrielle is an alien! She’s also on the run. Alex wonders if this is the chance that he’s been waiting for, the chance to finally become a hero. Opportunities like this don’t come often, or ever, and so Alex steps up to protect Gabrielle and make his dream a reality. He will become a hero—if the strain from living with an alien bombshell doesn’t kill him first!
Alexander S. Ryker dreams of becoming a hero, but dreams are hard to achieve when you’ve caused several million credits worth of property damage. Being expelled from the Mars Police Academy isn’t helping his case. Crushed, Alex encounters a girl named Gabrielle Angelise in a meeting that will change his life forever.
Gabrielle is an alien! She’s also on the run. Alex wonders if this is the chance that he’s been waiting for, the chance to finally become a hero. Opportunities like this don’t come often, or ever, and so Alex steps up to protect Gabrielle and make his dream a reality. He will become a hero—if the strain from living with an alien bombshell doesn’t kill him first!
196 pages, Paperback
Published February 15, 2017
529 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Varnell
137 books370 followersBrandon Varnell is a writer. The end.
... Just kidding.
Brandon Varnell is the author of several book series, all of which involve anime-inspired fanservice. Having been an anime nerd for basically his whole life, his books tend to reflect that. He likes writing stories with loads of T&A, shonen-style battle scenes, and steamy romances that are both light-hearted and erotic. He is also a huge fan of harem anime, so most of his books feature harem romances. If that bothers you, you probably shouldn't read his books.
If you'd like to be constantly updated on anything that he is doing, you can sign up for his mailing list at www.varnell-brandon.com or you can follow him on Twitter (@BrandonBVarnell) or Facebook (@AmericanKitsune).
... Just kidding.
Brandon Varnell is the author of several book series, all of which involve anime-inspired fanservice. Having been an anime nerd for basically his whole life, his books tend to reflect that. He likes writing stories with loads of T&A, shonen-style battle scenes, and steamy romances that are both light-hearted and erotic. He is also a huge fan of harem anime, so most of his books feature harem romances. If that bothers you, you probably shouldn't read his books.
If you'd like to be constantly updated on anything that he is doing, you can sign up for his mailing list at www.varnell-brandon.com or you can follow him on Twitter (@BrandonBVarnell) or Facebook (@AmericanKitsune).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 17, 2017
Fun action harem light novel that's way better than that description implies.
Let me start by saying that I loved this book and Brandon is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. About this book:
Cons: this is to love-ru with a protagonist that doesn't suck.
Pros: this is to love-ru with a protagonist that DOESN'T SUCK. And wow does that make everything so much better. It is also super cute to see Alex and Gabby nerding out together in the lab.
MAYBE SPOILER: Incidentally, in your books, you like protagonists with mysterious, unrevealed powers, which I agree is awesome, but you don't have to drag it out so much. I like to see people using thier cool stuff, not so much waiting to see when they'll get it!
I would also like to thank Hanh Ninh Thi for the excellent illustrations, though I do miss Kirsten, though that's mostly because I conflate you too, as she was the first.
Ps: you ever consider getting an audio book done? Though if you do, you'll want a lady who can give your awesome women justice. Strong females lose a lot if thier not done right, I couldn't get into another favorite series of mine because of that.
Thank you so much for writing this!
Let me start by saying that I loved this book and Brandon is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. About this book:
Cons: this is to love-ru with a protagonist that doesn't suck.
Pros: this is to love-ru with a protagonist that DOESN'T SUCK. And wow does that make everything so much better. It is also super cute to see Alex and Gabby nerding out together in the lab.
MAYBE SPOILER: Incidentally, in your books, you like protagonists with mysterious, unrevealed powers, which I agree is awesome, but you don't have to drag it out so much. I like to see people using thier cool stuff, not so much waiting to see when they'll get it!
I would also like to thank Hanh Ninh Thi for the excellent illustrations, though I do miss Kirsten, though that's mostly because I conflate you too, as she was the first.
Ps: you ever consider getting an audio book done? Though if you do, you'll want a lady who can give your awesome women justice. Strong females lose a lot if thier not done right, I couldn't get into another favorite series of mine because of that.
Thank you so much for writing this!
December 28, 2017
I rather liked the story. It's a bit goofy at times, but it's still a nice read. There is absolutely NOTHING groundbreaking about this. It's coming of age story with angels and aliens and a lot of fights. The MC is goofy as hell with a heart the size of the sun. Also, queue tragic hero backstory, a Tsundre younger sister and oblivious love interest. It's pretty much every manga you've ever read minus the pictures. With that said, do not let that detract from the book. It's still a good book, one that has me wondering what will happen to your our young protagonist next!
February 15, 2017
It was like watching or reading to love ru. But there were notable differences like the male MC isn't a pansy like yuuki rito was. Alexander is a fighter and a smart guy, but he is almost dense like Ichika from IS. Hope the author work on that. Gabrielle is super sheltered and know almost nothing of common sense. I hope that the story will get better than it is. I loved it, anyway.
February 25, 2020
A fun read.
Overall I enjoyed this book although it was nothing spectacular it still managed to hit all the little things needed to make me be entertained.
Overall I enjoyed this book although it was nothing spectacular it still managed to hit all the little things needed to make me be entertained.
September 13, 2017
An Excellent start to a new series by Brandon. I Know its one where I almost wish I was the main character
March 19, 2017
Great starting poiny
Loving the idea and the potential arcs ...it sets the tone for future adventure
Keep those books in coming thanks
Loving the idea and the potential arcs ...it sets the tone for future adventure
Keep those books in coming thanks
April 15, 2020
You could call this book trash. But then you could call most 90s anime trash... wonderful, amazing trash that is. If I try to be kind to this book I would say that it is clearly inspired by old school anime, and is intentionally being trashy, and is doing a pretty good job capturing the tone and feel of the media that it's taking its inspiration from.
February 1, 2022
Oh man! This was overload!
It was funny, cool, yet awkward at times (though given what the format is and who it’s written for, that’s to be expected).
Alex’s a pretty cool dude. He’s not just levelheaded, but he’s a pure altruist. Even if he is reckless at times (which the book has no problem reminding you of). He also kicks ass. I’d like to think had the final fight gone on more, he would’ve beat Azazel to a pulp.
Gabrielle (or Gabby) is pretty likable too. She’s the typical quirky, kind, smart if not ditzy, enchanted magical girlfriend. Her relationship with Alex was really fun to read about. I definitely look forward to when they work on inventions, kiss, etc.
It’s really a shame she dragged him further into this towards the end by declaring that she wants to marry him. I gotta say, I felt bad for Alex. Then again, stories like these usually work well at the end. At least she’s not like Lilian from “American Kitsune”. Another trip to read about but with no regard for other’s feeling and personal space.
Alice was also really something. She’s so snarky, yet you can’t help but laugh.
Finally, there’s Azazel. He’s both funny and intimidating (mostly the former given that he got arrested twice, had his sword confiscated at the police station, and cried twice before and after the fight at the end.). Hopefully, he’ll become an ally of the main cast. I could see him becoming an odd friend of Alex later on.
So yeah, this book was insane in so many ways, yet enjoyable in many others. If you like wacky stories with magical girlfriends of any kind, this is for you. Go ahead and check it out. It’s really out of this world so far.
It was funny, cool, yet awkward at times (though given what the format is and who it’s written for, that’s to be expected).
Alex’s a pretty cool dude. He’s not just levelheaded, but he’s a pure altruist. Even if he is reckless at times (which the book has no problem reminding you of). He also kicks ass. I’d like to think had the final fight gone on more, he would’ve beat Azazel to a pulp.
Gabrielle (or Gabby) is pretty likable too. She’s the typical quirky, kind, smart if not ditzy, enchanted magical girlfriend. Her relationship with Alex was really fun to read about. I definitely look forward to when they work on inventions, kiss, etc.
It’s really a shame she dragged him further into this towards the end by declaring that she wants to marry him. I gotta say, I felt bad for Alex. Then again, stories like these usually work well at the end. At least she’s not like Lilian from “American Kitsune”. Another trip to read about but with no regard for other’s feeling and personal space.
Alice was also really something. She’s so snarky, yet you can’t help but laugh.
Finally, there’s Azazel. He’s both funny and intimidating (mostly the former given that he got arrested twice, had his sword confiscated at the police station, and cried twice before and after the fight at the end.). Hopefully, he’ll become an ally of the main cast. I could see him becoming an odd friend of Alex later on.
So yeah, this book was insane in so many ways, yet enjoyable in many others. If you like wacky stories with magical girlfriends of any kind, this is for you. Go ahead and check it out. It’s really out of this world so far.
April 16, 2017
Awesome Story
Truly the most entertaining book I've read in the science fiction aspect. I loved it and hope there's more to come!!!!
Truly the most entertaining book I've read in the science fiction aspect. I loved it and hope there's more to come!!!!
February 24, 2017
Very much in the style of light novels, and with the length of one as well. Perhaps a bit less, but still quite enjoyable. More fanservicey, to be sure, which I liked, though it almost was in the odd state of not having enough sex to be really fanservicy, and yet having too much to be written off as simple cheesecake. Neither good nor bad, just an observation. Still, rather lighthearted and easy reading fare for an afternoon.
March 27, 2022
This light novel is a carbon copy of a famous manga-anime series To Love Ru. The parts that are different are kind of convoluted; the three agents sent from Angelisia to bring back the Angelisian Princess Gabrielle, are not only inept but it is impossible to understand why if they need to take the Princess back, it is so hard for them to achieve this.
Gabrielle, and the main character, Alex, have a lot in common. They both love to tinker in new technology and have a lot of "inventions" and tools they use every day. Gabrielle is rather uninhibited/free with her body nudity and her closeness to a shy main character.
I'm not liking his klutzy lack of success in every thing he does. I can understand that he wants to follow on the steps that his father did, but, making him a clumsy, klutz, trouble-magnet, I'm sure is not the best way to become a "Hero".
The siscon-loli relationship he has with his smaller sister Alice (14 years old- 2 years younger) is a little hard to tolerate. Even though there is only a two year difference, the sister still acts too much like a baby (10+ years) younger than she actually is.
Selene Metronome a childhood friend of both Alex and Alice seems super nice and barely gets notice from the author and the main character. Alex honors the memory of his dad, but is not really grateful to Selene or her family for saving them when they became orphans? This seems to be a contradiction.
If the Knights sent from Angelisia need to take Gabrielle back, ASAP, I don't understand why Alex and Gabrielle act like they have all the time in the world left, they should have either had more time until they came looking for her, or things should have moved a lot quicker.
The story is rather slow-going and it seems to me that Gabrielle is too good for the wimpy-clumsy-shy-main character of this light novel series, Alex. Alex doesn't have a job, doesn't have wealth, capacity, talent, or clear objectives in his life. Alex is "defending and marrying" Gabrielle for all of the wrong reasons; Alex should have been honest with himself and say to Azazel something like: Gabrielle is the most beautiful woman in the universe, she is smart, sexy, strong, uninhibited, independent, and way better than I (Alex) am, and I would be the luckiest guy in the Universe for just one moment of her time, for just one look from her eyes, for the enormous privilege to be a witness of the rainbow that her life has been to me, the 3 days that I have got to know her, etc. etc. etc.
Instead of the wimp and mute reasons that Alex gave Azazel to be with Gabrielle.
Gabrielle, and the main character, Alex, have a lot in common. They both love to tinker in new technology and have a lot of "inventions" and tools they use every day. Gabrielle is rather uninhibited/free with her body nudity and her closeness to a shy main character.
I'm not liking his klutzy lack of success in every thing he does. I can understand that he wants to follow on the steps that his father did, but, making him a clumsy, klutz, trouble-magnet, I'm sure is not the best way to become a "Hero".
The siscon-loli relationship he has with his smaller sister Alice (14 years old- 2 years younger) is a little hard to tolerate. Even though there is only a two year difference, the sister still acts too much like a baby (10+ years) younger than she actually is.
Selene Metronome a childhood friend of both Alex and Alice seems super nice and barely gets notice from the author and the main character. Alex honors the memory of his dad, but is not really grateful to Selene or her family for saving them when they became orphans? This seems to be a contradiction.
If the Knights sent from Angelisia need to take Gabrielle back, ASAP, I don't understand why Alex and Gabrielle act like they have all the time in the world left, they should have either had more time until they came looking for her, or things should have moved a lot quicker.
The story is rather slow-going and it seems to me that Gabrielle is too good for the wimpy-clumsy-shy-main character of this light novel series, Alex. Alex doesn't have a job, doesn't have wealth, capacity, talent, or clear objectives in his life. Alex is "defending and marrying" Gabrielle for all of the wrong reasons; Alex should have been honest with himself and say to Azazel something like: Gabrielle is the most beautiful woman in the universe, she is smart, sexy, strong, uninhibited, independent, and way better than I (Alex) am, and I would be the luckiest guy in the Universe for just one moment of her time, for just one look from her eyes, for the enormous privilege to be a witness of the rainbow that her life has been to me, the 3 days that I have got to know her, etc. etc. etc.
Instead of the wimp and mute reasons that Alex gave Azazel to be with Gabrielle.
August 26, 2019
Good story overall
Story is good with great explanations for world building, but the dialogue is for lack of a better term cringey. I also found it to be strikingly, and eerily, similar to the manga To Love-Ru. I'm going to continue to read the books because the author seems passionate about his work so hopefully there's an improvement and because I like to support the little guy.
Story is good with great explanations for world building, but the dialogue is for lack of a better term cringey. I also found it to be strikingly, and eerily, similar to the manga To Love-Ru. I'm going to continue to read the books because the author seems passionate about his work so hopefully there's an improvement and because I like to support the little guy.
November 30, 2018
Only for Anime fans
The book reads like a Japanese Anime, luckily I like and watch a lot of anime. Only issues were in the kindle version I read a paragraph was repeated 3 times. The “rich girl” from school with the big fake laugh really didn’t need to be so overdone, it started grating after a few times. Will read book 2.
The book reads like a Japanese Anime, luckily I like and watch a lot of anime. Only issues were in the kindle version I read a paragraph was repeated 3 times. The “rich girl” from school with the big fake laugh really didn’t need to be so overdone, it started grating after a few times. Will read book 2.
March 8, 2019
Good light novel
Reads well. Just like a text only version of a manga or anime. Character development is good and the action is too. It definitely feels like many anime and manga so if you want that then look no further. Some minor scenes involving partial nudity but nothing obscene. Good book so far. Of to the next one.
Reads well. Just like a text only version of a manga or anime. Character development is good and the action is too. It definitely feels like many anime and manga so if you want that then look no further. Some minor scenes involving partial nudity but nothing obscene. Good book so far. Of to the next one.
April 3, 2019
In pulp tradition, mars colony stting
Fun, Genius would be hero takes in lovely alien princess who also is inventor from more advanced civilization Like many Japanese anime in having shy hero and pushy exotic female. Cute sister by parents marriage and over the top sister's best friend may be interested in oblivious hero.
Fun, Genius would be hero takes in lovely alien princess who also is inventor from more advanced civilization Like many Japanese anime in having shy hero and pushy exotic female. Cute sister by parents marriage and over the top sister's best friend may be interested in oblivious hero.
September 25, 2020
Nah...
I just can’t get over the naive cringe. This dude is stuck with a seven year olds mind with his daddy issues and obsession of being a ‘hero’. Nothing in this book feels plausible, from the situations to the dialog to the inner monologue, it all feels wrong and cringe. I actually felt uncomfortable reading it.
I just can’t get over the naive cringe. This dude is stuck with a seven year olds mind with his daddy issues and obsession of being a ‘hero’. Nothing in this book feels plausible, from the situations to the dialog to the inner monologue, it all feels wrong and cringe. I actually felt uncomfortable reading it.
May 28, 2020
Tu-Love-Ru clone.
Carbon copy of a decent anime without the fun of pictures. Also the main character is still completely dense but also has an annoying hero complex that only works when your six years old.
Carbon copy of a decent anime without the fun of pictures. Also the main character is still completely dense but also has an annoying hero complex that only works when your six years old.
June 7, 2020
An enjoyable first book
Having read many of his other books, this one also shows the dedication to keeping fans interested and laughing, blending together elements that others would struggle with as if it was second nature. Well done!
Having read many of his other books, this one also shows the dedication to keeping fans interested and laughing, blending together elements that others would struggle with as if it was second nature. Well done!
November 20, 2020
Enjoyable.
While this story seems familiar, it was vastly entertaining. The story and characters were intriguing and engaging. I look forward to reading more about these characters and their further adventures. This book is definitely worth reading.
While this story seems familiar, it was vastly entertaining. The story and characters were intriguing and engaging. I look forward to reading more about these characters and their further adventures. This book is definitely worth reading.
December 17, 2017
Nice
A nice book that was a fun read, however was to close to to luveru for comfort. I think it has potential but only if it is guided in a different direction.
A nice book that was a fun read, however was to close to to luveru for comfort. I think it has potential but only if it is guided in a different direction.
October 20, 2018
Good quick read
A good light read. Not too pervy as the category makes it feel. I like the premise and look forward to more.
A good light read. Not too pervy as the category makes it feel. I like the premise and look forward to more.
March 17, 2019
Good Read.
This reads like a light anime novel with the story based in the future on a different planet where the main character has a outrages adventure.
This reads like a light anime novel with the story based in the future on a different planet where the main character has a outrages adventure.
July 23, 2019
Cool
I liked it. Was a fun read. I am glad I started to read this series. Good job! Great 👍
I liked it. Was a fun read. I am glad I started to read this series. Good job! Great 👍
February 11, 2020
Not bad. Somewhat funny, but I did think, "no one would act that way in real life," many times during the book.
March 16, 2020
The best thumbs up
September 12, 2020
For anime lovers
Good story and characters. MC is ok and Gabrielle is so bubbly and adorable. Love the cyberpunk-ish world set in mars.
Check out the audiobook. Its amazing
Good story and characters. MC is ok and Gabrielle is so bubbly and adorable. Love the cyberpunk-ish world set in mars.
Check out the audiobook. Its amazing
January 18, 2021
Sci fi with angels
Brandon has a neat series starting here and I think I’m gonna read it all. Onwards to book 2 of the series!
Brandon has a neat series starting here and I think I’m gonna read it all. Onwards to book 2 of the series!
June 23, 2021
I liked it enough. The MC was likeable, and there were a lot of good characters.
October 11, 2022
A fun read, I look forward to getting more of the series. (update for listening to the audio book version. A good listen, the narrator did a really good job.
Read
April 8, 2019It was good really funny
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews