Title: Ascension: The Jake Matthews Saga Book I
Author: Josiah Akhtab
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: Jake Matthews is bored out of his mind. A blind, teenage boy with no purpose, no motivation, and relative peace and quiet surrounding him.
One night, Jake is dragged away to another dimension to a planet known as Figueroa. On this planet, he meets The White Figure General, X-Otropolis, who tells Jake he’s been chosen to stop The Great Figueroan War and defeat The Black Figure.
Jake finds himself learning swordplay and developing his might to save a planet that is more connected to Earth than he thinks as The Great Figueroan War spreads across dimensions, where Jake not only has to save two worlds, but enlist help from unlikely allies including Thalia, the girl he thought was lost to him forever.
Publisher: Seven Story Publishing
Publication Date (Original): Nov. 11, 2019
Publication Date: Jan. 7, 2026
Page Count: 596
General Review
- Description & Imagery– The author does a fantastic job of creating a character in Jake Matthews that’s believable in a world we’ve all grown up in though slightly different and imagined. The perspective of the protagonist specifically brings about a unique angle and perception to the story that not many writers create their story from.
- Relatability of the MC– Jake Matthews is relatable in many ways, living the life of an urban teen that gets picked on for being different. However, there is a quiet confidence about Jake that tends to bother other characters which makes him feel more alive (though he claims to be boring, dreary, and perhaps dead inside). And though he’s super intelligent, there are moments that reveal that he’s still a teenager.
- Pacing– The story of Jake Matthews is a bit slow at first and may lose some readers; however, around chapter four the story picks up and stays up all the way through. Translation: if you’re not into basketball and a slice of urban high school life, the story may drag for you as those points encapsulate the first three chapters.
- Perspective– an entire story being from a blind person’s perspective is not only intriguing but novel in and of itself. The only other blind person whose perspective is known is Helen Keller (and that was a long time ago). Jake doesn’t just see the world, he calculates, feels it, analyzes it, and then glides through it. And how his brain works through moments of tension and conflict, how non-chalant he is at all times, and that quiet confidence people mistake as arrogance really bring his point of view to life.
- Vibe Check– This book is all about action, fighting, traveling to different worlds, trying out superpowers and abilities like costumes, and a tiny bit of snarky remarks and romance. This story has it all and it is guaranteed to leave you mesmerized and wanting more after the turn of the last page.
Personal Review
Of all the stories we’ve published by this author, The Jake Matthews Saga is the most imaginative, combative, and intriguing story we’ve read. It shows how grit, determination, and the willingness to answer the ultimate call not limited to those who have sight but extends to those who have vision beyond it.
Jake Matthews is an inspiration similar to Marvel and DC heroes in comics, the narrative arch of the story, Jake’s evolution in his Ascension to kingship and the feats he achieves in saving both the earth and Figueroa from an inter-dimensional war that would destroy both planets filled us with such admiration that we couldn’t help but give this book a five star rating (more on that in a moment).
Let’s not forget the band of women that fought by Jake’s side throughout his adventures in Figueroa. Thalia, the fireball that’s ready for action at a moment’s notice. Cheryl, the girl who has always liked Jake but was afraid to admit it. Angelica, the marksman from a Figueroan village that turns out to be Jake’s most deadly partners and Pearline, the girl Jake saved from a Giant holding her prisoner and who eventually became his rival, then pupil, and then knight.
All in all, this story is a must read for those who love fantasies that blend multiple subgenres, explore multiple themes, and manages to weave a litany of elements together for one action packed, explosive, and cohesive story.
Rating: 5/5 stars
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About
Josiah Akhtab is a fantasy author and lover of wisdom. His favorite genres to write are Sci-fi/ Fantasy, Short Stories of the like, and transformational tales where characters start one way but do a 180 by the time the story ends. He likes anime, a good action or drama movie, and reading the Bible to get closer to God.
Social Media
Instagram: @josiahakhtab
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Email: jakhtab@gmail.com
Seven Story Bookstore Link
You can purchase Josiah Akhtab’s works here.
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