Title: The Akashic Plane
Author: S M Patel
Publisher: Leadstart
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology
First Publication: 2022
Language: English
Book Summary: The Akashic Plane by S M Patel
Topper grades, drop dead Greek God looks, bags of money — Akash Joshi, who had missed all these boats, had ended up as the quintessential average of averages. His harrowing articleship at the accounting firm and less-than-great performance at college become the final straws that leave him contemplating the ultimate escape of suicide.
Akash does find his escape. Not quite in death, though… But in a parallel universe hidden in plain sight. A near-death experience bizarrely bestows upon him the yogic power of an awakened Kundalini, letting him transcend the material dimension into a higher order of the universe.
Right after, a murder at the accounting firm lands Akash amidst a dangerous puzzle. Poking around the firm’s suspicious clients drags him deeper into a web of nefarious characters and their sinister underground links. But he is determined to solve his way out of this maze, hoping to finally become someone his parents would be proud of. And with his new superpower, he might be the only one to be called upon to crack it.
Little does Akash realize that this adventure can cost him his career and life, both already hanging by a fine thread! With the stakes so high, will he be able to rise above all the challenges before the noose tightens? Or will his superpower abandon him when he needs it the most?
Book Review: The Akashic Plane by S M Patel
Having superpowers is mostly about learning to take responsibility for your own actions and decisions. Being mindful of your actions is necessary to develop and forge one’s own path in life. On the other hand, possessing superpowers might have the opposite effect and put you in dangerous situations, especially when you are young and not mature enough to handle the repercussions of your actions. This little book covers a lot of ground, including the benefits of power, the burdens of duty, and the cost of both. There is a lot of emphasis placed on making personal sacrifices, doing what is right, understanding the difference between permanence and ephemerality, as well as remembering and letting go of the past.
“The Akashic Plane” by S M Patel opens with Akash having an out-of-body experience. Akash Joshi is a typical guy from next door who has had enough of life. In his articleship position with an accounting company, he is not making any headway at all. Even his mediocre performance in college is not improving his position. Disheartened, Akash is engaging in some inward reflection and having suicidal thoughts.
As the fabric of Akash’s existence begins to fray, he is unexpectedly bestowed with divine supernatural abilities that enable him to go beyond the material dimension and into a higher level of the cosmos. He received the blessing of Mahadev, and as a consequence, he has the yogic strength of an awakened Kundalini. After a murder occurs at Akash’s workplace, he gradually becomes embroiled in a web of suspicion and intrigue. Akash, armed with his newly acquired abilities, has set out on a quest to discover these deadly secrets and show his value.
In The Akashic Plane by S M Patel, the hopelessness and innocence of a young person are blended with the wisdom of the ages, with the mysteries and wonders, the inexplicable and unfathomable, and the things that leak through the crevices of reality into the world. There is cruelty and resentment, just as there is friendship and love.
Mystery, adventure, power, emotion, and a great deal of genuine courage are all front and centre in S M Patel’s The Akashic Plane, with each issue bringing something new and unique that makes the characters’ interactions riveting. It had all the craziness and humour that you would expect from this kind of novel, but it was also surprisingly relatable because S M Patel used the opportunity to touch on far more human subjects such as growing up, loneliness, the struggle for acceptance, and the desire to find one’s place in life.
The story’s overarching theme, as well as its more subtle metaphysical metaphors, are beautifully reflected in the title as well. The author strikes a wonderful balance between writing a thrilling and quirky superhero novel and a darker, thought-provoking coming-of-age story. This is a page-turning adventure that also explores identity and acceptance in a poignant, creative way. Everyone, regardless of age or experience, can empathise with Akash’s trials and tribulations since they are so realistically portrayed.
