Title: Pandora’s Box: Triforce
Author: Alan Davis
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1663233209
Pages: 394
Genre: Historical Fantasy

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Author Alan Davis weaves personal experience into fantasy with life lessons and spirituality at the essence of this alternate historical adventure. Real history serves as the foundation for a fantastical world which unfolds as an adventure searching for a mysterious stone; with events that draw together a group of unlikely companions. A near-death encounter brought Darth into the presence of Sunita who was studying to be a sage. Together, they devise a plan to rid the land of evil and work with surprising sources such as Ursula (a princess eager to learn what Sunita has to teach) and Katanya who is exploring the true meaning of love.

This world is a unique exploration that’s rooted within a spiritual and metaphysical reality, which weaves between our world and the Spirit Realm. Religion provides a backdrop to the adventures through heavenly angel characters and examination of religions. The storytelling has a consistency of spiritual understanding seen through the characters’ own journeys and through how they perceive the world around them. The story begins by introducing Sunita studying as a sage which sets the tone of the world and also creates the basis of the journey that will transpire through the mention of seeking the path to happiness and a bit later through how Darth allows his path to determine his destiny. Sunita is an intriguing choice of character to introduce the world as she gave up everything (including her children) to become a sage and dedicate herself to this path. She has a weight on her that haunts her with guilt but she truly believes in the quest she is on and is genuinely passionate about imparting all she has learned to others. Her excitement about opening a new chapter of self-discovery reflects the other journeys throughout the story.

The story has a hybrid format which blends real historical elements with an alternate fictional reality, to create an original fantasy world. Stepping into this world with some familiarity of our world can be seen such as the mentions of COVID-19, though it feels as if entering a whole other reality. Subtle commentaries are woven throughout various themes including virtue, love and sex, misogynistic nature, romance, relationships, desire, and spirituality. Each of these elements overlap in the characters’ arcs with significant moments that create a poignant lesson such as true love’s kiss, wanting someone as a greatest love, a genuine moment between Katanya and Heschel as they talk about becoming a better self because of love, Ursula taking lessons from Sunita in sexuality and being desired.

Art is scattered throughout which gives the story a variety of vivid photographs (by Davis and Doug Brumfield) and lovely artwork (by Leesa Wiykovics) that showcase real and metaphoric images such as a tree, stained glass depicting our burdens, the cross that Darth prays upon, and the runes they’re trying to be worthy enough to retrieve. These visuals provide an aesthetic that compliments the unique storytelling. A specific moment that incorporates the title explains Darth as someone who is a venture to get to know, compared to the feat of opening Pandora’s Box. Davis has a series of these moments where the characters are facing their own box which contains their understanding of virtue, holiness, spirit, life, and desires. Pandora’s Box is a unique hybrid form of storytelling which blends elements of history, fantasy, and spirituality into a journey that focuses on religion, relationships, self-discovery, and the soul.