#Review: The Empathy Academy by Dustin Grinnell

The Empathy Academy
Author: Dustin Grinnell
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Rating: 4.5/5

Reading The Empathy Academy feels like sitting in on a wild and philosophical TED Talk—only it’s wrapped in the skin of a techno-thriller, with a heartbeat powered by deep emotion, fascinating characters, and a dash of dystopian fantasy. Dustin Grinnell doesn’t just tell a story; he stirs a quiet storm in your head and heart.

The book follows Montgomery “Monty” Hughes, a teenager wrestling with moral inheritance in the shadow of a corrupt biotech-legend father. What makes Monty unforgettable isn’t just his guilt or intellect—it’s his quiet rebellion. He chooses to enter a reformation program at Woodward Academy even though he doesn’t test “positive” for unethical behaviour. That move alone sets the tone for the book’s deeper question: Do our genes doom us, or do we get to choose who we become?

The cast is exceptional. Grinnell has a gift for crafting complex teenagers who aren’t just archetypes. There’s Kirsten, the hoodie-clad graffiti artist with a sharp tongue and a bleeding heart; Taylor, the hacker with a sharp aim and darker edges; and Jonathan, whose moral compass is set to Wall Street. And then there’s Palmer, the philosophy-loving sailor-professor, the kind of literary character you wish you could meet. These aren’t background extras—they’re characters who sneak into your thoughts long after the book ends.

The writing style is clean, confident, and quietly cerebral. Grinnell strikes a tricky balance—he weaves in scientific concepts, philosophy, and ethics without sounding like he’s trying to impress you. He’s not here to dazzle with vocabulary, but to make you feel smart for catching the nuances. The dialogue feels natural, sometimes delightfully sardonic, and often heartfelt.

Genre-wise, the book is a masterclass in balance. It’s part sci-fi, part coming-of-age, part thriller, and even has shades of philosophical fiction. Think Brave New World meets Dead Poets Society, but with gene-altering tech and ethical grey zones. There’s fantasy, but with a real-world pulse. A crime thriller, but with moral introspection at its core.

What I appreciated most was how inclusion is handled—not forced, not flagged, just present. It’s a story of privilege, but also of pain, of choice, of the invisible burdens people carry. Grinnell wants to not only entertain but also educate and challenge. He does that without preaching.
In summation, this is not just a book—it’s a slow-burning conversation. About identity, morality, power, and hope. If you’re someone who loves character-driven plots, genre-blending narratives, and thoughtful writing with an edge, The Empathy Academy might just be your next favourite read.

Find this book here. [Amazon (US)]