*I received a free DRC of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Blurb: Book 4 of 12:
They call it the eternal reflection. This sacred symbol promises the greatest philosophical lesson and secret of the cosmos’ spiritual nature.
With Ni’vim having fulfilled some of her father’s promises, the avian girl now has newfound confidence in furthering her mission. Shanyrria, her mentor, an aged wizard, is free of her prior traumas and can now accompany her.
However, demons from Sckogol invade the world through portals. Leea’doch, her world, now blazes with embers. Ni’vim faces two nemeses – Raielas, who leads an army to destroy her kind, and Qeazor, who threatens to erase all life.
If Raielas succeeds, Ni’vim’s people will turn into ashes.
However, Ni’vim and Shanyrria both seek an ancient fortress that could shelter their people and provide clues to the eternal reflection—
If they find it, they may uncover the sacred symbol’s power, allowing them to dispel the eternal night that descends upon the world.
Will Ni’vim save her people, overcome her hatred for Raielas, and uncover the symbol’s spiritual secrets?
Or will the duo fail and doom their people to eternal extinction?
This is the fourth book in The Eternal Reflection saga by this author and forms the final part of the first ‘block’ of the story. It is therefore really important to read books 1-3 first, as you would have absolutely no chance of catching up on the story, characters and ideas contained here without following everything through from beginning to end. In fact, these first four volumes originally formed one book and were split into four to make them more easily digestible for readers.
The story continues from where Darkness Unveiled left off. Having faced some of the issues within themselves and their pasts, Ni’vim and Shanyrria begin to look outward to some of the dangers facing their world, including repeated incursions by Raielas and Quazor and their dark forces and the impending collision of worlds. Their search for Ei’lara and Kol’lara continues as well, but Ni’vim has to decide how to prioritise this apparently abstract and esoteric learning when her people are faced with present and physical dangers.
Scattered throughout the whole of the book are relevant illustrations, diagrams and symbols to aid understanding of the philosophical ideas presented as the story unfolds, and at the end of the book, the author provides resources related to both the worldbuilding detail of his story and the philosophical ideas and tenets underpinning it.
That’s not to say this is a dry, academic text, however! Ni’vim has to solve puzzles, face her inner demons and fight many, many external foes during the course of the story, whilst also uncovering more information about the history of her world and her people. And the reader gets to find out a secret that is withheld from Ni’vim, related to her own personal history and her great enmity with Raielas, who destroyed everything she held dear in book one, causing Ni’vim to set off on this epic quest for enlightenment and revenge.
The main theme running through the whole of this volume is the importance of consciousness and the individual, conscious self when considering the ‘oneness’ of the cosmos. Aquila Goh explains these ideas in different ways throughout the text and then provides additional questions and answers at the end of the book, for those who wish to further their understanding of these concepts.
As always, I recommend you read with paper and pen handy, because you will want to make notes as you go along. The reader is really expected to bring their attention and, yes, their full consciousness to these books, as it is only through deep engagement with the ideas within (whether you agree with them or not) that the reader is able to join Ni’vim on her journey towards enlightenment and understanding.
My spirit sparkled with a burst of courage until night became day, and the day became brighter than the twin suns. The haze of darkness brimmed into a brilliance until its flaming silhouette again gleamed with gold and embers.
I reject the veil of darkness, ignorance, and meaninglessness.
Instead, I choose the light of meaning, love, and creation.
“Consciousness is a flame that no one can extinguish,” I said. “It shines outside and within. The world breathes its essence and becomes it.”
“We define the cosmos. It then defines us. It’s a circle.”
“The eternal reflection. It was never a symbol nor a philosophy. We are.”
A smile appeared on my face. An astonishing insight.
We are our own realities.
And I have chosen my own — not what my instincts, body, and others have willed.
– Aquila Goh, The Fallen Zelkova
Purchase Link: The Fallen Zelkova on Amazon
About the author
Experience is the essence of reality, not understanding. To grasp the beauty of life, one must become one with it and the cosmos.
Aquila, the mystic author of The Eternal Reflection novels, knows this and thus sees more to life than materialism.
Thus, he hopes to help humanity by imparting his spiritual philosophy through his novels.
He has an M.A. in Existential Sociology. A spiritualist, he explores many philosophies, religions, and meditation to explore mysticism, spirituality, and creative states.
When he is free, he plays video games, watches documentaries, reads, and streams Tetris.
He lives in Singapore, is single, and is in his 30s.
He can be contacted at: aquilagoh@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AquilaGoh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquila_goh/
Website: https://www.theeternalreflection.com/
Bookshine And Readbows 
Thanks so much for the 4 reviews! It’s me, the author, Aquila Goh. I greatly appreciate the effort you have put in for the 4 reviews. It was not easy to write, and I am enormously grateful to you for having done this for me. Thank you so much!
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It was my pleasure, Aquila. Thank you for the opportunity to read such unique and thought-provoking books!
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