The debut novel “Chasing the Avatar” by Jovan Jones surprised me. I admit I had no idea what to expect from this Harvard graduate who spent two years in India. An autobiography mixed with a simultaneous tale from the Spirit World was quite fascinating and imaginable. This tale of good versus evil was told in the most mesmerizing way. I found myself identifying with this “desperately unsatisfied searcher.” I was intrigued to see what “truths” the reader had discovered while chasing her Avatar [a human incarnation of a god or goddess].

I found the story of a mother’s love and fervent prayer. A tale of a Heavenly Host sent to protect and demonic minions lured to destroy. In the midst, I discovered a woman in search of her destiny and willing to travel the World in order to experience freedom through spiritual enlightenment. It didn’t seem odd or unbelievable. It’s the journey that we all seek in one way or the other.

I loved the chapter entitled “The Name.” I could clearly envision the Spirit of Death and Despair forced to bow at the name of Jesus. At that moment I realized that the author had a wonderful ability to take Scriptures from the Bible and bring them to life in a convincingly vivid way.

I was frightened by the description of Kali Leela and found the transformation of Kartika [one of the beautiful ones] disturbing but riveting. Maya’s Avatar was Cha Ma, a Guru, who claimed to be the incarnation of Kali. Kali was a wicked Hindu Goddess. She was often depicted with a severed head in her hand and a bowl of blood beneath it. I anticipated the time when Cha Ma would show her true colors. She demonstrated her cruelty in no time.

As the author’s journey continued in the natural, the spiritual battle remained unrelenting. The prayers of Maya’s mother travailed until her intercession changes the expected outcome. However, in the midst of the battle Maya experiences challenges in the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual; that leave her standing at the edge of eternity by the end of book one.

“Chasing the Avatar: descent book one” dabbles in the mystical and explores the supernatural in such a dramatic way until it must be read, whether you believe it to be non-fiction or fantasy. I look forward to reading book two “Dancing with the Avatar” when it’s released soon.



Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publicist and/or author in exchange for a fair review. Compensation was not exchanged.



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Dianne Rosena Jones is the Founder/CEO of Royal Treasures Publishing, a Transformational Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Author of the award-winning “Tragic Treasures: Discovering Spoils of War in the Midst of Tragedy” the "Best Inspirational Book of the Year" [2010].