#Review: The Turning by Shannaaya Chopra
The Turning
Author: Shannaaya Chopra
Publisher: Harper Collins, India
Rating: 3.5/5
The Turning arrives with an arresting cover and an equally ambitious premise. It promises dark fantasy, inner conflict, and a mythology rooted in transformation—and to its credit, it delivers several of these elements with conviction.
At the heart of the novel is Kiara, a protagonist grappling with the unsettling realization that the very powers typically assigned to villains might belong to her. The central idea—that heroism and monstrosity are not always opposites—is compelling and gives the narrative its emotional anchor. The world-building, particularly the use of werewolf lore, memory orbs, and secret realms hidden within familiar landscapes, reflects a vivid imagination and a clear affection for the genre.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its atmospheric writing. Certain scenes, especially those dealing with transformation and internal struggle, are visually striking and thoughtfully rendered. When the prose slows down and allows the tension to breathe, the story becomes immersive and effective. These moments reveal the novel’s potential and hint at the depth it is capable of reaching.
However, the execution does not always match the ambition of the concept. The pacing is inconsistent- some sections linger longer than necessary, while others that demand emotional weight feel rushed. There is a tendency to over-explain at times, which dilutes the impact of key moments and limits the reader’s engagement with subtext.
Character development, particularly for Kiara, remains uneven. While her central conflict is clear, her emotional responses occasionally feel more functional than fully organic. Several supporting characters could also benefit from sharper differentiation, as they sometimes blend into familiar archetypes rather than emerging as distinct presences.
The novel also leans heavily on established fantasy tropes—chosen destiny, hidden worlds, inherited power. While these are not inherently problematic, they are presented with limited reinvention, which may feel predictable to seasoned fantasy readers.
That said, The Turning stands as a sincere and imaginative debut. Its scope is ambitious, its themes are relevant, and its moments of strength suggest a writer finding her voice. Though imperfect, the novel signals promise—and perhaps more importantly, curiosity about what the author may accomplish in future works.
Find this book here.
