The influencer by Abhaidev

​"The influencer" by Abhaidev - Unrealized potential!

This book is published by The Bookpatch LLC in 2021 and has 318 pages.

Aditya is an influencer.  Influencers have the ability to make people submit to their will. Influencers can’t control mind, they can weaken a persons stand on something. Influencers work as secretaries, advisors, assistants to police, businessmen, intelligence agencies, bureaucrats and leaders. Then there is WIS, a secret society of influencers that controls all influencers. No influencer can go against WIS.

How do influencers work? Why do they work for others? How strong is WIS? Will Aditya go against WIS? Why? 

There are three main characters in the story. Aditya, youngest Level 4 influencer, who loves his wife, doesn’t really love his job. Shreya, his wife, who is devastated after learning his secret. She feels cheated but supports her husband in his endeavor. Rishabh, his mentor, guide and a father figure. 

First half of the book is for generating the background. It gives us the life story of Aditya.  It’s like a marathon. Slow and steady. However, in last 100 pages suddenly it becomes a 100m sprint. The story travels at a break neck speed. Subtitle of the book is “Speed must have a limit”, however apart from the acceleration of the story in last 100 pages, the subtitle is irrelevant.

Due to this sudden acceleration certain flaws creep in. Why there is no camera at WIS? Why WIS doesn’t use face recognition software? How come security breach is not detected? Even before acceleration in one scene Aditya shushes Shreya from speaking loudly about being an influencer and later on they talk freely about it.  

Story happens in a fictional country Scenika. The country is based on India. Scenika’s arch enemies are Swedanka and Tveveru, based on Pakistan and China. 

The story is not very interesting but you also don’t abandon the book. It just about manages to retain your interest. For such an interesting concept, the story could have been much more dramatic, but author squandered the opportunity. The potential remains unrealized fully. 

The story ends with a strong hint of a sequel. What would come next?

Why did I read this book? Blurb

What I didn't like? Obvious errors. 

What did I like? Concept. 

Read if you have a lot of time.