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Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Fiction / Mystery / Thriller / Adventure / Sri Lankan Literature in English

Book Review:
Ananda Liyanage's ''The Legacy'' marks an exciting entry into Sri Lankan English fiction, offering readers a mystery-thriller steeped in the island's history and landscape. The novel's greatest strength is its immersive setting—the treacherous eastern border and southern jungles become characters themselves. Liyanage, a first-time novelist, successfully builds intrigue around an ancient secret, driving the plot with a sense of urgency and danger. The premise of a 2000-year-old trail laden with relics and legends is compelling. While the prose and character development show the marks of a debut, the plot's momentum and the unique incorporation of Sri Lanka's archaeological and political nuances keep the pages turning. The climax, involving a twist of nature, is memorable. ''The Legacy'' is recommended for readers who enjoy adventure mysteries like those by Clive Cussler or James Rollins, but with a distinctly Sri Lankan soul. It's a promising start from a new voice in South Asian fiction.