The Soul Pitt Writer’s Block

Science-Fiction Novel
By C.M. Chakrabarti

Reviewed by bonita lee penn, The Soul Pitt

C.M. Chakrabarti’s excellent use of setting and tone in The Planet Star as she propels the reader from the comfort of their living room chair into the far and distance futuristic world of the Khalian Solar System and the violent path pitting the just and the unjust in a race to claim their own agenda in the fulfillment of an ancient Prophecy. A Prophecy linked to a chosen widow, who unknowingly holds the future of the Khalian world in her hands.The author introduces Shreela Barak (Widow of Tima) and her young son as they embark on a solemn but exciting new beginning on the planet of Thesbis, a place of sanctuary and protective haven for widows. It’s here after her husband’s death where Shreela and her young son join other widows who have also been lured to the planet with the false promise of security only to find themselves in prison camps. The pleasantry façade of their new home is abruptly shattered when the Widow Shreela is the next victim of a violent abduction conducted by Uzak, the leader of a King Uni forces who are plotting a societal mutiny of Khalian System. Uzak is a formable force as he also has powers linked to the Prophecy. Most men are afraid of his powers, with the exception of Ewlon Galan, Khalian Solar System who in the nick of times arrives and thwarts the abduction. But the rescue is short lived, as the two bands of solar government warriors play a fast pace game of chase and kill across the planet with each attempting to reach the capital city before the other to either save or take control, whichever forces succeeds.

The flight of Shreela and Ewlon takes the reader through the “watery bogs in the Galan Marsh.” Not only are they forced to fight off Uzak’s men who are closing in on them, but with the lack of provisions, the freezing temperatures and the Ergrets, leathery hide animals with “Sharp claws for ripping apart its victim.”

Don’t worry navigating your way through strange names of creatures and places the author has graciously included a glossary of words and definitions along with a map of Galan to allow the reader to keep pace with the characters.

The plot develops around a clash of moral values and the impact on Khalian society if the Prophecy falls into the wrong hands and the strong battles that both sides uphold. C.M. Chakrabarti is excellent in her descriptive vices in bringing the characters alive as they must face their own strengths and weaknesses along with the effect that their own society’s use of class and gender has on their connection with one another. Board the spaceship as it is rocked into to space with Shreela and Ewlon as they attempt to out fly and outgun the Unian battle cruisers armed with mitron torpedoes, as they head towards the home planet of Galan where key regions have already been taken over by King Uni’s men.

The action in the story heightens with each battle facing the characters and paths filled with twists and turns knowing they may be caught and killed at any moment, not knowing who to trust; if betrayal will be waiting for them when they finally reach the safety of the castle and if they can save from the Prophecy from Uzak’s. Their journey will leave the reader grasping for breath as they follow Shreela and Ewlon constant fierce battles for their lives and society as they know it, even when it seems they’ve reached their final destination, the reader will be holding their breath not knowing what to expect. One sure thing the reader can expect from this exciting page turner is that the saga of Shreela, Ewlon and the Prophecy is not over.

Filed under: General