Every once in a while, a young storyteller emerges whose imagination feels far older than their years. Shruti Mukherjee, author of “Cursed: The Smira Archives,” is one such voice — a Class 8 student whose debut fantasy novel reads like it was written by someone who has lived a thousand lives. Bold, emotional, and steeped in mythic tension, her story speaks not only of monsters and destiny but of identity, courage, and the human heart.