Book excerpt: It's the early 1900s. A small home in Bengal houses a shadow. Chhaya is the youngest daughter in a family that doesn't want her. Cursed, shunned, and frustrated, she has had no choice but to temper herself. Imprison herself. Shackle herself into a life that has no proper outlet for emotion, whether it be sadness, joy, or unrepentant rage. A sudden marriage to a stranger turns Chhaya's life around. All at once, she is wanted, loved, and cherished. Arun is a man with the patience and the vision to understand that Chhaya is much more than the darkness for which she is named. Most importantly, however, Arun is able to coax Chhaya out of her prison. Slowly. Gently. But the world is an unruly place. War and famine bring heartache to Chhaya and Arun and their family. The ancient goddess Kali, a symbol of destruction and creation, represents a love so intense that it burns white-hot. Chhaya has always been drawn to this symbol of such mighty power. The trials of a hard life and hard circumstances will awaken something in Chhaya. Something awful. Something terrible. Chhaya has always felt cursed. Which begs the question: is she?