Chakra: Chronicles of the Witch Way – A Book review

Title: Chakra- Chronicles of witch way
Author: Ritu Lalit
Pages: 319
Paperback
Publisher: Author’s Empire Publications, Delhi
MRP: Rs 245.

About the author
Ritu Lalit is multi talented; she is a keen observer of life, a voracious reader, a parent, a blogger, an author and also an office worker. Chakra is her third book. Her other two books are: A Bowlful of Butterflies published by Rupa & Co and Hilawi published by Popular Prakashan.

About the book (from its cover)
The Japas are a race so secretive that their existence is dismissed as a myth. Tales of them abound in our mythology, telling of these men and women, possessing physical abilities beyond belief, playing with elements, with the power to curse and cure. They exist among us, mingle with us, ride our metros, visit our malls, and even go to the same schools and colleges as us.


Parineeta Mohan is a powerful Japni who has turned her back on The Witch Way. She has even brought up her niece and nephew as ordinary people, unaware of their heritage.


Their life changes when the kids disappear along with their cousin Roma.


A shocked and desperate Parineeta has to find them before enemies of her family do and has no one to turn to but Jorawar, a man she is attracted to but can’t trust since he belongs to the sinister organization Pax.


The only way she can fight, win and survive is to embrace her heritage, return to the Witch Way.

Chakra: Chronicles of the Witch Way – A Book review

The story line is ENGROSSING if I have to say it in one word.

The author has woven magic and modern society well. The depiction looks so genuine that you begin to wonder if ones own Kundalinki and Chakras are awakened can one achieve magical power?! I felt the first bolt of magical power when I read ‘Sami flies from ground floor to second floor after riding a donkey’. I was like: What! That gripped me and I was on, unwilling to put the book down.

The story revolves around 3 siblings, Deep, Sami and their cousin Roma, in their college years. One of them go missing and then starts the exciting journey through the book to find her. Deep and Sami have lost their parents in their childhood (in clan wars). They are brought up by their aunt Nita, who is a powerful Japni. She brings them up like normal children instead of ‘The Witch Way’. So when Roma gets lost Nita desperately searches her out, all the while worried of enemy clan finding her out before she does. She realizes she can no longer ignore ‘The Witch Way’ and resorts to using her magical powers. Sami and Deep too search for her and in the process, discover their magical powers through their grand aunt. The novel virtually makes you travel to various places in India and also time travels you to different years. All this done with exciting twists and turns, one has to keep pace with it.

The book has many Sanskrit and Hindi words which go well with Indian readers. Words like ‘kundalini’, ‘tai’ and more can perplex the readers if they are not aware of the meaning. It takes a while to get through the meanings of various words though they are explained at the first usage. The name ‘Chakra’ itself is a Sanskrit word, well chosen title I will say. An addition of ‘glossary of words used’ can make it capture international audience too.