Book Review: The Indigo

**Reading The Indigo will make you question your beliefs on reality altogether.**

Do we go to Heaven or Hell when we die? What about reincarnation? Do we forever breathe and die in a never-ending wheel of existence? Author Heather Siegel plays with the idea that there is more to our lives than our three-dimensional reality, something human civilization has pondered since the beginning of time.

In The Indigo, a teen travels through dimensions to retrieve the soul of her unconscious mother. Despite what her family has concluded, 16-year-old Jett doesn’t believe it is the end of her mother’s life. Jett’s mom has been in the hospital for a long time. The hospital bills have been piling up, and Jett’s aunt Margaret is thinking about pulling the plug.

One night, Jett catches a glimpse of her mother in an alternate dimension, realizing she’s still alive. But how can she bring her back to physical reality? Jett bands together with Quantum club member Farold and dives into the mystical world of the astral realm. Getting into this strange new world is one thing, but battling the dangers waiting for her is another.

The most captivating theme Siegel presents in this book is the idea of astral projection. This is no new social-media trending concept. Centuries ago, the ancient Egyptians and Native Americans were involved in this practice. Astral projection goes beyond being a mere observer of your dreams. Your spirit travels to a higher dimension our physical minds could never fully comprehend. Astral travelers can go anywhere and do anything they want during their out-of-body experiences until their spiritual cord takes them back to their physical bodies. I love this metaphysical subject since it’s not mentioned often in mainstream fiction. More than likely, one would find such topics in Robert A. Monroe’s nonfiction work Journeys Out of the Body.

Jett is quite an intelligent character who initially doesn’t know her full potential. She may not be a straight-A high school student, but her enduring faith brings her to the truth of her mother’s existence. Jett could’ve thought she was only dreaming the first time she met her mom in the astral realm. No average person would’ve thought of anything more.

Siegel surrounds Jett with decent supporting characters. Jett would not have gone far without her beloved canine Crow’s help or Farold’s scientific passion. Aunt Margaret has a bit of an antagonist vibe, but she also helps Jett by sharing old family clues. College professor Gunderson is quite a character, too. He loves his snacks and portrays a huge fascination with the supernatural. I just wish that Siegel would’ve given Gunderson an earlier appearance in this one. He is in one chapter and then is never mentioned again, but I could see him having a more active role in helping Jett and Farold out.

The Indigo is a highly recommended YA novel. I would read it again! Plus, I can see the story extending into a series. Readers may not get more of Jett’s story (as she has her happy ending), but perhaps her cousins or former school friends with their own astral adventures? Let’s hope so! In the meantime, I’ll keep wondering about worlds beyond this one.

Publisher: Stone Tiger Books

Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Science Fiction & Fantasy

Print Length: 273 pages

ISBN: 979-8985824025

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