Revolt

Preface

Dear Reeder,

The books in The Repel series, have different missions and specific relationship vices assigned to them. Rebellion’s central theme was built on the grounds, of the popular adage ‘Opposites Attract’ and it set about, proving how people of opposing characters—could repel when a conflict of interest arises. Resurgence set out to portraying the hazard of the likelihood of fate, and a chain of incidents to repeat itself all over again, when old flames find themselves testing the waters, of a relationship. These two books, have distinct relationship vices but the one thing that resonates in both books is the ‘Change’ story arc.

What then is the change story arc?

It’s the subplot that chronicles a major character’s journey, towards abandoning their toxic habits and lapses in traits, that are nothing but harmful to them and everyone else around them. Change is never a trivial thing. Some schools of thought believe people never do really change, and can however put on a convincing act for an inordinately long period of time, and would eventually relapse. Optimists believe people are indeed capable of change, as long as they have enough motivation and drive, to course correct their destination. Romantics believe love is the cure, the ultimate remedy to this plague and is enough to make anyone change. What do I believe however, after extensive research and adept study of human behavior and relationships?

I found out that all these schools of thoughts are indeed correct, and wrong in some capacity—as the ideology, the hypothesis of change is much more convoluted than any of these theories posits. Why is this ‘Change’ arc suddenly so important? Asides it being the most iconic, and nerve-wracking human relationship vice, ever? It’s because this change story arc, would be taking center stage in Revolt.

Protagonists in the repel series have undergone significant changes. Dayo in Rebellion, had to do away with his apathetic and lazy comport to relationships. Tari in Resurgence, had to learn how to sacrifice, and prioritize the needs of those he loves above his.

These are major changes, which impact can’t be overlooked/undermined, because it is the very bane of human growth. The working principle in the novels weren’t adequately fledged out, because it wasn’t the main story arc, but that’s why we save the best for last, because Revolt is going to go head to head with this ethical conundrum, and unveil its befuddling secret, once and for all. Do people actually change? If they do, how do they change? And what does it take?

Enter Revolt’s protagonists, Anjola Adeite and Lekan Keye. The former an extremely logical person, who normally opts for emotionally stable men—as described in the blurb—and the latter, a playboy who loathes commitment and resorts to indulging in temporal pleasures.

Lekan has always felt differently for Anjola, as his feelings aren’t just lust-driven. He doesn’t know why. Probably because she has essence and gumption, and isn’t throwing herself at him like other women or maybe because she’s a conquest he is yet to conquer—yet to bed. Anjola however knows why she’s drawn to someone juvenile/feckless like he is. According to an article that helps enlighten her, she comes about the conviction that her feelings for him might probably be short lived because its roots are ingrained in the fact, that she’s searching for something adventurous/thrilling after consigning herself to a past void of such relationships, and becoming bored as a result of her past resolutions.

For the most logical reasons, these two unlikely poles decide to meet on a mutual accord, and date—to test the waters and find answers to this mystery bordering on them. Inevitably, during this beta-test sojourn, their feelings deepen and they find themselves at an impasse, realizing what they have is authentic, but then again the villain rears its head. How does Lekan—someone who has been having casual sexual arrangements and living a wild, carefree life—all his life—change into the man, Anjola needs him to be? Is love adequate, as a sufficient fuel to motivate him to leave this life behind? Deal with the toll of the withdrawal phase? Make him alter the very crux of his lifestyle, that defines who he is primarily?

Like I said earlier, the school of thoughts, particularly that of the optimists and romantics, aren’t exactly right, as this entire thing is one heck of a labyrinth, one of man’s greatest mazes. Love, the universal phenomenon, the golden rule that is believed to be the panacea to most of society’s strives, is inadequate in this context. No one can dispute that love doesn’t play a major role in anyone changing for the better, but in this situation, it is not enough. It is inadequate. What else is needed? Revolt answers that question.

So, get a large supply of coffee and cookies, and prepared to be thrilled—starting on the 30th—as you join me on this journey, to seek the answers that lie in the pages of this story.

Yours Truly,
T.J. Martins.