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Life is Messy and Chaotic
The Unassuming Vector follows a gifted ten-year-old child who, after the death of his parents, is taken in by a mysterious organization that fosters exceptional children to further their clandestine agenda. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for The Unassuming Vector really came from my frustration with how many stories feel too linear and predictable. Life isn’t neat or perfectly structured—it’s messy, chaotic, and often full of contradictions. I wanted to write something that reflected that truth. For me, the story is less about extraordinary events and more about the human experience within them. I wanted my characters to feel real—to be humans first, defined by their vulnerabilities and emotions before anything else. Through this lens, The Unassuming Vector became a way to explore how people, especially a child with exceptional gifts, navigate a world that tries to shape them in ways that don’t always align with who they truly are.
Gaston and Alex are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of their moral compass. What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
I wouldn’t necessarily say Gaston and Alex are opposites in terms of their moral compass. To me, Alex is more of a victim of unchecked ambition—a reflection of what can happen when drive and potential aren’t grounded by self-awareness or compassion. Her choices took a drastic turn, but they stem from very human desires: to be seen, to achieve, and to matter. It’s also important to remember that The Unassuming Vector is part of a six-part franchise. What readers see now is only a moment in a much larger journey. While Alex’s path might seem to be at a low point, things may evolve for her later, just as Gaston’s story might take an unexpected detour. My goal was to show that morality isn’t static—it’s fluid, shaped by circumstance, emotion, and perspective.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the most important things for me in writing The Unassuming Vector was to create an evolving story—one that takes readers on a genuine emotional journey. I wanted them to experience a full spectrum of feelings as they turn the pages: compassion, pity, anger, love, and even indignation. Life isn’t static, and neither are our emotions, so I wanted the story to reflect that natural ebb and flow. Another key theme was exploring the vicissitudes of life—its constant changes and unpredictability—through the lens of a child growing into adulthood. Seeing the world evolve alongside the character allowed me to examine how experiences shape identity, morality, and resilience over time. Ultimately, I wanted readers to not just follow a story, but to feel it deeply, as though they were living it themselves.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
I’m currently taking a short pause from the Vector series to work on a sports thriller that’s packed with twists and unexpected turns. Beyond the thrill and tension of the story itself, it also takes a satirical look at some of the societal issues we often overlook in competitive environments. It’s been exciting to explore a different kind of narrative energy while still staying true to my love for complex, emotionally charged storytelling. Fans of the Vector series won’t have to wait too long, though—Gaston’s story is set to make a comeback in Mid 2027. In the meantime, the sports thriller is scheduled to debut in mid-2026.
Gaston, meanwhile, leads a major Tretfax initiative to create precision-enhancing weaponry, a project that the Pentagon successfully adopts. But when the same technology is distributed to a violent faction in an African nation, resulting in widespread loss of life, Gaston becomes disillusioned. Alienated within Tretfax and wracked with guilt, he leaves the organization and joins Biomer Energy, where he spearheads a revolutionary project that reduces carbon emissions by attracting bees to carbon dioxide. Just as he begins to find purpose again, Alex—having murdered the Tretfax CEO and seized control—sets her sights on acquiring Biomer to exploit Gaston’s discovery.
The Unassuming Vector
Xavier Ndukwe’s The Unassuming Vector follows the extraordinary journey of Gaston, a gifted child whose brilliance thrusts him into a world far larger and darker than his young mind can comprehend. The novel begins with a stunningly vivid scene of a ten-year-old prodigy lecturing professors on Egyptian hieroglyphics, then spirals into tragedy as a mysterious organization called Treftax shadows his life, culminating in the loss of his parents and his reluctant induction into its secretive ranks. What starts as a story about genius quickly evolves into a layered exploration of power, corruption, and destiny. The plot bends science, philosophy, and conspiracy into a narrative that feels both intimate and global. It’s a coming-of-age story wearing the clothes of a thriller.
I admired how the author wrote Gaston not as a flawless genius but as a lonely, grieving boy who thinks faster than he can feel. The writing hit me hardest when it slowed down, when Gaston stared at his father’s books, or when the chaos of Treftax’s marble halls clashed with the silence inside him. There’s a sharp intelligence in the prose, but it never turns cold. Some scenes lingered long on exposition while others, especially the moments of emotional breakthrough, ended abruptly. Even so, the story kept me curious, always nudging me to think about how ambition can twist into manipulation and how brilliance can become a burden.
What surprised me most was how the book’s ideas snuck up on me. Beneath the polished science-fiction surface lies a meditation on grief and control. Treftax isn’t just a villainous institution, it’s a mirror of society’s hunger to shape talent for its own ends. I caught myself wondering how much of Gaston’s journey was about survival and how much was surrender. The dialogue felt natural, and the moral tension felt real, especially when Gaston started questioning the motives of those who claimed to protect him. Ndukwe’s tone is calm, almost cinematic, and that made the darker turns hit harder. The ending, though abrupt, left a lingering ache that I couldn’t shake.
I’d recommend The Unassuming Vector to readers who love smart, character-driven stories that question power and destiny. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys mysteries with a philosophical twist, something between The Da Vinci Code and Ender’s Game. The book left me thinking about how genius can isolate, how institutions consume the individuals they praise, and how some stories don’t end, they just change direction.
Pages: 377 | ASIN : B0DL2CGFWT
LITERARY TITAN 