Alex Andor Skanavis’ epic rhyming narrative is an innovative reimagining of Dante’s Paradiso about an astral adventurer’s metaphysical odyssey through the labyrinths of her mind across time and space to find “her lost true love,” as well as an empowering journey of self-discovery.
In her sleep, Arkania – a “dreamer extraordinaire” – visits worlds far and wide, but when she senses the presence of a fellow dreamer named Arcturus, a spirit with whom she immediately feels a deep connection, her quest changes from one of exploration and self-examination to compassion and courage. After hearing about Arcturus’ hellish existence – his world is threatened by demonic forces – she attempts to find him and save him and his world from the encroaching darkness.
Arcturus, a visionary, believes that Arkania might be a savior: “This power preys on states of inner peace—/ Spreading like a haunting, gloomy disease./ My tribe cannot confront this dread alone—/ Are you the answer to our threat at home?”
With help from the Astral Alliance, an otherworldly council of dreamers, Arkania becomes educated in the ways of astral projection. While attempting to “unbind Arcturus from what dreams deceive,” she travels through nightmarish and wondrous realms, meeting a variety of ethereal entities.
With poetry complemented by thought-provoking quotes from diverse poets and dreamers, such as William Shakespeare, John Lennon, William Blake and Kahlil Gibran, Skanavis’ narrative is both a fantastical tale about the visionary power of dreams and a sublime love story: “Two worlds—two astral travelers—collide—/ Two converging timelines—now coincide./ Two brilliant ambassadors convene—/ Two unique complexities intervene.
An alchemically-aligned infusion—/ A soulfully-intoxicating union.”
Skanavis’ meticulous choice of words adds an undeniable fluidity and intensity to the reading experience, as every word is significant on some level (although he unfortunately misspells some authors’ names).
Poetry fans will find this mind-expanding journey exploring the “universe
within” to be both entertaining and enlightening: Dante Alighieri meets Carlos Castaneda.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.
