– by K. Aten
K. Aten‘s latest, I must say, took me to a whole new level of intrigue!! The subject matter, the significance of the metaphysics, psychic abilities including telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation, telesthesia, levitation, clairvoyance, the lot! As if not enough, Aten also injected the divine connection of soulmates, not to mention, higher consciousness, aliens, other universes… the whole nine yards! With all these ingredients mixed together to create a uniquely engaging and intriguing story about two royal babies, princesses, born from two different planets, Tora and Reyna, in the Q’orre system, who were bonded as soulmates (Q’sirrahna), but as a result of their respective planets being under attack, they were inevitably shipped off to Earth for their own protection, kept under watch by the Watchers. When I read this prologue, I couldn’t help but be reminded a little bit of “Superman.” Just a little bit. But what really piqued my curiosity and intrigue was how Aten moulded the back story of the entire situation with the MCs’ planets of origin, the system, the battle, and the nature of the soulmate bond and the circumstances in which the two MCs, Zendara Inyri Baen-Tor (Zen), Princess of Tora, and Amari Losira Del Rey (Amari), Princess of Reyna, were separated on Earth, living separate lives but were meant to be reunited when the timing was right. I won’t elaborate here except to make reference to the following: Wes Penre and Robert Morning Sky. It’s uncanny how Aten’s story here reminded me so much of these two people. If you know either or both of them, you’d understand. Simply remarkable! Obviously, this is just my own interpretation regarding the parallels between what Aten brought into this brilliantly weaved and told sci-fi/speculative/paranormal/supernatural/metaphysical story, and Penre and Sky’s observations. If you don’t know what in the world I’m referring to, don’t fret. Read this story as is. But if you do, then, it really is extraordinary, innit? Hmm.. I wonder…
Anyway….
Another creatively original idea that Aten introduced into her work here was the style. I loved the presentation. It was very different from her previous work. Every segment of the story had a narration insulated either before or after, solely for the benefit of the readers. So, if it were a visual presentation of this story, we would hear someone narrating those passages that Aten included before the start or end (and sometimes in-between!) of a new segment. I loved it and thought it was brilliant for Aten to do so because of the complexities of the scientific, extra-terrestrial terms introduced, as well as, the elaboration of circumstances, history, backstory(ies), “sidebar” discussion (so to speak!). In essence, the narration gave me, the reader, a crash course into those crucial terms and situations or circumstances, scenarios affecting the characters, specifically the MCs and the secondaries, thus, enriched the story even further, as the plot progressed. Well done, Ms. Aten! This uniquely crafted style, with the “voice” of the narrator constantly lurking at the seams, ready to play its crucial role in advancing the story and plot, was another character in the story, altogether, imo. In fact, I must say, this character was my favourite one amongst the others whom I really enjoyed equally!
Back to the story, all I’ll say is this: the crux of the story, amidst all the action and intrigue, was essentially about two soulmates, fated to be together since birth, and destined to reunite when the time came, despite both having led polar opposite lives in every aspect of their livelihood, but the power of their soul connection, even when they were apart in their unawares, a bonded love that was beyond earthly definition, so divinely sacred, so sacrosanct that nothing could stop their souls from coming together again, their union finally made whole and complete. Meant to be. Three words that transcend the matrix of logic, rationale, and understanding. Love. The most powerful and potent energy that conquers all. When love between two souls is fated and destined, their cord is unbreakable. As Aten described soulmates aka “Q’sirrahna” (Aten’s own ingenious creation of an original language of Zen and Amari’s otherworldly planets), as a divine bond of the soulmates and their innate superpowers that emanated potent energy when joined together (reunited). Which brings me to this Chinese proverb that I came across: “An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.” The power of love between two destined souls is boundless. Love and destiny. So, is love predestined? That seems to be Aten’s message, at least in my own interpretation. Well, read it and judge for yourself, eh?
Anyway, if you know Aten’s work, you’d know that she leaves no stones unturned when she tells a story. Her characters and situations are always multi-dimensional and intricate. Many intertwining layers involved. This story was no exception. The complexity of the story that tackled several fronts, including first and foremost, the basis of the main plot that involved natural powers vs manufactured ones (aliens vs human hybrids), government conspiracy, the number of characters, humans and aliens alike, that kept increasing, as the plot twisted and turned, layer upon layer of secrets and revelations, not to mention the air of romance that spread out beyond the two MCs, the development and growth of relationships, the camaraderie formed as like-minded characters came together as friends and allies to confront their common enemy, all came together so succinctly and coherently that I was left a very satisfied reader!
Speaking of the many intricate subject matters that lent to the story having multiple subplots intertwining and weaved together, if you’re a sci-fi fan of sorts, I have a feeling that as you read and explore the story, you’d prolly sense an influence of several well-known movies/tv shows, the likes of “Prometheus,” (The Engineers), “Independence Day” (Area 51), “The Matrix,” “The X-Files” (Impregnation of unsuspected abducted women, i.e. Scully), “Blade Runner 2049” (Readjustment), “X-Men” (A group of mutants carrying out missions on the government’s behalf to battle unsavoury mutants and/or aliens hellbent on destroying humanity and Earth), “The Gifted” (Mutants v Aten’s Chromodecs – genetically-engineered hybrids between human and alien DNA, featuring various young characters with different superpowers, ready for missions, the introduction of the eloptic collar reminiscent of an episode of the TV show, which introduced the collar to neutralise the mutants’ superpowers, in this case, the Chromodecs’). Disclaimer: This is only my own interpretation, anyway. So, you may not agree with my assessment. Just sayin’.
Needless to say, Aten kept me on my toes on every page! It was a page-turner for me as it was fast-paced and fully-loaded with so much happening on all fronts simultaneously including all the action sequences, nevermind the developing romance and relationships amongst several characters! Speaking of action sequences, Aten’s ability to lay out each sequence and structure different battlefields created an effective sense of urgency, purpose and thrill. As a reader, every scene played out like an on-screen shot-by-shot action sequence. At times I was on the edge of my seat as Aten took me through some intense scenes that endangered my favourite characters! Speaking of the characters, Aten’s band of heroes was comprised of a diverse cast of characters with superhuman powers, including two of them with alien powers and two bog-standard humans but highly evolved and intelligent ones at that (scientist and hacker)! As the rag-tag but powerful group battled their way to take back the cities, more allies were introduced as their group became bigger and even stronger and more resourceful. It was exciting to explore new characters and their own little backstories, which were written with such zest that I got invested in them right away!
All in all, I utterly enjoyed the story that gave me one hell of a fun, thrilling, suspenseful ride, not to mention, the ever-fascinating and awe-inspiring topic of metaphysics in the physical world under the bondage of the matrix. This book ticked all the boxes that satisfied my sense of intrigue and curiosity in the world of metaphysics, parapsychology, supernatural, sci-fi, speculative fiction that also included a healthy dose of romance thrown in the otherwise already fully-loaded, well-structured world that Aten has created with aplomb! Therefore, I HIGHLY recommend giving this book a read. I have a feeling you’ll love every moment of it especially if you’re a fan of the aforementioned genres/subgenres!
What a bloody FUN ride and a BRILLIANT exploration of a multi-dimensional story, indeed! Bloody well done, Ms. Aten! Cheers!
**I was given, with much thanks and appreciation, an ARC of this book, by the author, in return for an honest review.
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