THE CURSE OF THE MAHARANI

by Neil D’Silva

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2026

Reviews

[Ruchi Patel]

Neil D’Silva’s Maharani’s Curse blends gothic horror, family drama, and supernatural mystery into a gripping page-turner set within the decaying walls of an ancestral haveli. The story begins when Nivaan and Samika accompany their mother, Sobha, after receiving a letter from Amar’s brother informing the family that their ancestral haveli in Samantipur has finally found buyers—an elderly British couple, Horace and Wilma Preston. Following Amar’s demise, the scattered Ruhera family is summoned for one final reunion before the property changes hands.

What starts as a family gathering slowly transforms into a chilling exploration of buried secrets and generational trauma. Samika’s curiosity regarding her father’s mysterious disappearance fifteen years earlier gives the narrative emotional depth, while the eerie atmosphere of the haveli keeps the suspense constantly simmering. The crumbling palace almost becomes a character in itself—filled with whispers of the past, hidden tensions, and the terrifying legend of Maharani Urvashi.

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is the way Neil D’Silva combines Indian royal folklore with supernatural horror. The curse surrounding the Ruhera men dying under brutal circumstances after the birth of a son adds an ominous inevitability to the story. The author steadily builds dread through hauntings, family conflicts, and revelations that blur the line between myth and reality.

The writing is cinematic and fast-paced, making it difficult to put the book down once the mystery unfolds. Fans of haunted house stories and family sagas will especially enjoy the dark ambience and layered storytelling. At times, the narrative becomes highly dramatic, but that intensity suits the genre well and adds to the emotional stakes.

Overall, Maharani’s Curse is an engaging supernatural thriller that mixes horror with royal family secrets, delivering both atmospheric chills and emotional intrigue. It is ideal for readers who enjoy Indian gothic fiction, cursed dynasties, and mysteries rooted in folklore.

[Mugdha Mahajan]

A good horror thriller after so long, and it instantly hooked me to be honest. The eerie atmosphere of the haveli and the spooky buildup gave me absolute chills.

The story follows Samika to her ancestral home in Rajasthan, where she uncovers a dark family curse involving a vengeful queen.

The writing is easy and fast, making it a gripping read. Honestly, the twists left me completely shook. I could not put it down because I just had to know what happens next. If you love a good supernatural thriller, I totally recommend this one.

[Sakshi Nair]

I really enjoy stories where the setting is as vibrant and alive as the characters, and Neil D'Silva's Maharani’s Curse captures that perfectly.
From the moment the Ruhera family comes back to their ancestral haveli in Samantipur, the story immerses you in a mysterious and eerie atmosphere, filled with unanswered questions, hidden secrets, and a looming sense of danger.
I loved the balance of supernatural horror and an emotionally layered family mystery. While the hauntings and the legend of Maharani Urvashi bring in the chills, the deeper story lies in the generations of secrets, trauma, and truths buried within the family itself. The crumbling haveli, with all its history and darkness, almost feels like a silent witness to everything unfolding.
Neil D’Silva keeps the suspense steady, revealing just enough to keep you turning pages while constantly questioning what folklore is and what is terrifyingly real.
Dark, atmospheric, and intensely immersive, this story blends horror and human emotion brilliantly, making it perfect for readers who enjoy gothic fiction with an Indian supernatural touch.

[Enakshi J.]

There is something inherently fascinating about old havelis—their crumbling walls, forgotten histories, whispered legends, and the feeling that time itself has refused to move on. Neil D'Silva taps into that fascination brilliantly in The Curse of the Maharani, crafting a horror novel that is as much about buried family secrets as it is about ghosts.

The story follows Samika, who returns to her ancestral haveli for what is supposed to be one final family gathering before the property is sold. Instead, she finds herself drawn into a terrifying mystery surrounding the disappearance of her father, an infamous Maharani whose spirit is believed to haunt the mansion, and a centuries-old curse that has claimed generations of men in the Ruhera family. What begins as curiosity soon spirals into a desperate fight against forces that refuse to remain buried.

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[Shreya Goswamy]

Believe it or not, this was my first horror book in a long time and @neilvalentinedsilva definitely has made the genre his niche! I came across Neil back when he was working with @wattpadindia to launch one of his books on Wattpad — 'What The Eyes Don't See' back in 2020. And now after all these years coming across one of his books definitely is a refresher to that memory! Back to this book, it has everything a horror/thriller/mystery desperately needs!
Tropes :
🔥The Protagonist Against the Odds:
🔪Family secrets and betrayal
🗿Generational Curse
💢The Vengeful Spirit
😬Plot twist in the last 10%
😱Forbidden Knowledge
🏯 Isolated Manor Setting
🫥Wrong Place, Wrong Time
Also a lot of visual imagery that's chilling and totally on with the Vibes! Overall a 5/5 star ⭐ read and thank you @rupa_publications for making my Sunday 🔥

[Harshi Sharma]

One of the best Indian horror books I’ve read in a while.

The Curse of the Maharani has everything I enjoy in a good horror story an old ancestral haveli, a family curse, buried secrets, and an eerie atmosphere that makes you feel like something is always lurking around the corner.

The story slowly pulls you into the mysteries of the Ruhera family, while the supernatural elements and folklore add to the overall sense of dread. I especially loved how atmospheric it was. The haveli almost felt like a character of its own.

Creepy, mysterious, and genuinely thrilling, this was a gripping read from start to finish. If you enjoy Indian folklore, family secrets, and supernatural horror, definitely give this one a try.

[Vidya Ramesh]

This book is true to its title and its genre. Neil D' Silva nailed it. The characters, the plot, the way he has taken the story is chilling and breath taking.

[Aarti Arora]

The Curse of the Maharani by Neil D'Silva is one of those horror novels that is rooted in familiar Indian folklore. It has all the ingredients of a classic haunted-haveli story, an abandoned ancestral mansion, long-buried family secrets, an old curse, and a curious younger generation determined to uncover the truth.

The story follows Samika and her younger brother as they return to their ancestral haveli in Samantipur after their uncle gathers the entire family to prepare the property for sale. The idea is simple enough, convince potential buyers that the haveli is still habitable. But the mansion has been locked away for years, and the locals believe it's haunted by the spirit of the Maharani, who took her own life there and cursed the royal family. From there, what begins as a family reunion slowly turns into a supernatural mystery where every corner of the haveli seems to hide another secret.

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