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Book Review: The Scroll of Karma (Part One: The Mistake) by Debjit Chatterjee

The Scroll of Karma by Debjit Chatterjee is a YA fantasy novel set against kingdoms like Dharmaskhetra and Vijaysthal. Basically it features, in larger and impactful roles, two young girls: Deepshika and Chandrika. The former arrives in Vijaysthal, however, she finds the palace a little mysterious, especially its architecture, alleys, corridors, and much more. Plus, she has a journal with her that looks holding some key codes for the story that follows up.


Soon Deepshika and Chandrika become good friends and share pain and misery of each other. As the novel chugs ahead, it comes out that Chandrika has been a victim of some curse due to mistake of her father King Virdutta. The storyline spirals within the palace and one by one Deepshika tries to find out what was the lineage of the kingdom.

The novel since a sort of part one in a likely series, thus, explores sweeps and builds the characters with peculiar insights and secrets of past. Karmacharaya and a few more characters adore the storyline and acts from time and again to keep the narrative in tandem. However, one can easily gaze out that the author has used lucid narrative technique and the dialogues between characters were woven with cogent vocabulary.

Debjit’s exceptional world building with young credible characters, swaying between misadventures and inquisitiveness to find out what lies in the dark alleys of palace, is utterly delightful. The vivid descriptions, the immersive folklore, and the complex social structures all contribute to creating an environment that is as compelling as it is eerie. The intricate details transport you to a world that feels so real. All characters are similarly well-crafted. But Deepshika is a lead character with grit, intelligence, and a burning ambition. She’s not without her flaws, which makes her all the more relatable. Her determination to prove herself in the world of Chandrika, despite the odds stacked against her, is both inspiring and heart-rending. The cruel curse of past years and the insipid king is an ideal silent antagonist for Deepshika and Chandrika. Will they be able to reverse the curse? And how?

The plot twists are sublime and resurface slowly as….keeping you on your toes until the very last page. Debjit’s novel is a crowning achievement in YA fantasy. It offers readers a richly imaginative world, a compelling heroine, and a story that is as enchanting as it is thrilling. Its sheer brilliance and captivating world-building make it engrossing that is bound to enthrall, sending you spiraling down into its magical world with no wish for a return ticket. If you are an ardent fan of the fantasy genre, this book deserves a place on your must-read list.

Buy it from Amazon/Kindle

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