Title: The Curse Of Anuganga
Author: Harini Srinivasan
Genre: Historic Fiction
Publisher: Tree shade
Publication date: 28 april 2019
Pages: 293 pages
Read on: Paperback
Reading time (approx.): 10 hours
My ratings:
Blurb:
Circa 403 C.E. In the thriving city of Nandivardhana, lives Shaunaka, a young man who yearns to go to Pataliputra to see the world and make his fortune. But he is forced to join his father’s jewellery making business and soon finds himself in the workshop — a job in which his heart clearly did not lie. Thankfully, along comes distraction in the form of two extravagant Weddings — royal nuptials at the palace and another wedding at the extravagant corner house in the Buddhist quarter of the city. This house, known for its opulence and sheer size, is owned by Vinayashura, an affluent trader fabled to have mysteriously deep connection to the royal family. Shaunaka is given the charge to work on the bride’s jewellery at the corner house, but instead of the mundane task at hand, a morbid sight awaits — The Trader’s wife’s bloodcurdling screams bring Shaunaka to Vinayashura’s bedroom where he is found murdered and lying in a pool of blood!
My thoughts:
The Curse of Anuganga revolves around a murder mystery set in the past. The story is unique on its own. The same vibe of the story has been explored previously too but this one does stand out.
The writer has created some very strong feminist characters which are a welcome change. The character right from the ruling queen to other female characters are headstrong.
The writing style is not constant. The first 40% of the book is pretty gripping and the later 30% turned out to be slow and boring. The length of the book is too long for its storyline. A lot of unnecessary information is added. The end is superb it keeps you hooked it’s what I exactly like about such books.
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