Spark of the Empath

By Alsey Lanier

For twelve-year-old Leo, puberty was supposed to be about awkward growth spurts, a cracking voice, and navigating the treacherous social landscape of middle school. He never expected it to be about superpowers. But when his best friend, Sam, suddenly develops a strange new ability after a particularly strange occurrence, Leo realises his own coming-of-age is going to be anything but normal.

Leo has a secret, a power unlike anything in the comics he devours. He can't fly, he doesn't have super-strength, and he definitely can't turn invisible. His gift is far more unique, and far more frustrating: he is a catalyst. He is the spark that ignites extraordinary abilities in his friends. As they begin their journey through puberty, one by one, they manifest incredible powers, from controlling light to superhuman speed. And Leo? He remains agonizingly, completely, humanly normal.

At first, it's a dream come true. Who wouldn't want a super-powered friend group? But the dream quickly frays at the edges. What do the new superheroes do, when it seems their powers are needed? Leo finds himself the reluctant leader of this chaotic new team, burdened with all of the responsibility and none of the fun. He's the one who has to train them, guide them, and keep their explosive new talents in check, all while working together as a team of friends.

Leo must confront the ultimate question: What does it truly mean to be a hero? Is it the one with the powers, or the one who helps others find the strength within themselves? In a world of emerging superheroes, Leo's greatest challenge isn't fighting villains, but proving that you don't need to be super to be powerful.

Spark of the Empath is a gripping coming-of-age story that redefines the meaning of superhero, exploring the enduring power of friendship, the sting of envy, and the discovery that sometimes, the most important ability is the one that helps others shine.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FH27V2FR
• ISBN13: 9798291327968
• Release Date: July 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 50 Pages
• Weight: 0.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"