We know how the story goes. A villain with powers that could destroy the world, against an unlikely hero with gifts that rival the villain’s. A long struggle, full of losses, until finally good triumphs over evil. But what if the wicked, uncontrollable powers belonged to the hero herself?

THE TURNING
by Shannaaya Chopra
illustrated by Omung Kumar
HarperCollins India, April 2026

Kiara Sharma’s life is uneventful—a widower father, devoted friends and an affinity for art. But as the clock strikes midnight and a full moon rises, she transforms into a red-eyed Katrol—a werewolf so rare that only two are known to be alive.

Kiara’s fate takes her to Ordenia, a land hidden in the forests of Mumbai, where she is acquainted with the world of werewolves and memory orbs. Kiara fells a war raging inside her, but it’s just the beginning–her arrival brings howling enemies to her new home, ones that could destroy everything she loves.

As Kiara sets out on a perilous journey to save her friends, her very soul is put to the test. She knows she is being asked to flip a coin- will she let the monster inside her win or will she sacrifice her life for Ordenia?

Shannaaya Chopra is a 19-year-old college student, currently pursuing a degree in psychology. Born and brought up in Mumbai, she considers the city her forever home. She has been a voracious reader ever since she gained the ability to read, which eventually morphed into a great love for writing as well. She has a dog named Happy and a little sister who she calls Tiny. They are more precious to her than anything in the world. Shannaaya enjoys playing badminton, swimming and (though he can never learn the choreography) dancing with her friends. She hopes that THE TURNING is just the beginning of a very long line of books to come.