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kittycat416's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
3.0
I think my expectations were just too high for this book. I wanted a true historical fantasy, but the historical part didn't feel solid. Sure, there are some interesting historical events discussed in the book, but the characters didn't behave the way I would have expected.
They didn't talk, act, or even think the way I would expect from the time period. They felt like they'd been pushed through a filter and transformed into fairly generic modern YA. There's nothing wrong with that, I was just expecting something else. It lacked spice and flavor for me.
There was a lot I liked and overall I did enjoy reading the book, but I can't help wishing for more than just a middle of the road YA. I wanted some legit Victorian/Gilded Age/Art Nouveau characters. Their cultural backgrounds and traumas felt real, but the rest didn't resonate well with me.
While I was reading, I was reminded of a recent discussion I saw in the bookish community discussing the issue of teens in YA going through, well, mature situations. I admit that I'm getting tired of reading about 17 year old geniuses who are experts at seduction, thievery, etc. What would be the danger in making these characters 20+ years old?
I also think that it would have helped my connection to the characters if we saw them at the beginning of their relationship with one another. When this book starts out, 99% of the characters are already a team. Instead of watching a dynamic row, I felt like I was thrust into the middle of an already developed story.
I wanted to adore this book because I really loved The Star Touched Queen, but I'm left feeling torn, and not in a good way.
They didn't talk, act, or even think the way I would expect from the time period. They felt like they'd been pushed through a filter and transformed into fairly generic modern YA. There's nothing wrong with that, I was just expecting something else. It lacked spice and flavor for me.
There was a lot I liked and overall I did enjoy reading the book, but I can't help wishing for more than just a middle of the road YA. I wanted some legit Victorian/Gilded Age/Art Nouveau characters. Their cultural backgrounds and traumas felt real, but the rest didn't resonate well with me.
While I was reading, I was reminded of a recent discussion I saw in the bookish community discussing the issue of teens in YA going through, well, mature situations. I admit that I'm getting tired of reading about 17 year old geniuses who are experts at seduction, thievery, etc. What would be the danger in making these characters 20+ years old?
I also think that it would have helped my connection to the characters if we saw them at the beginning of their relationship with one another. When this book starts out, 99% of the characters are already a team. Instead of watching a dynamic row, I felt like I was thrust into the middle of an already developed story.
I wanted to adore this book because I really loved The Star Touched Queen, but I'm left feeling torn, and not in a good way.
starrydreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
cassidyserhienko's review against another edition
4.0
Lately I have been very into anything set in Paris. Not that I’ve actually read that many books, I just think a lot about how I would like to. It’s the New Orleans effect for me, if I see anything that takes place in either of these cities I automatically click Want to Read (whether or not I actually do is up for debate). So a fantasy HEIST set in Paris was basically made for me.
Though it is never explicitly stated (because the language did not exist in the era the book is set in), Zofia is clearly on the autism spectrum. Enrique is a bisexual disaster (although nowehere near Hypnos’ level of tragic and dramatic), and Laila is a dancer from India. If you’re looking for quality diversity in a fantasy, The Gilded Wolves definitely has it. However, I didn’t think that Chokshi gave herself time to really delve into each of the character’s and their issues, but seeing as this is a series I think that she did a good job of establishing each of them and getting us invested while still giving them room to grow and issues to explore in the sequel.
Time was really my biggest issue with the novel, and was perhaps why I didn’t find it as memorable as I would have thought given everything that it has going for it. I felt that some of the biggest issues should have either been left for the next book, or devoted more space. Like Laila was created from a dead baby? Or something? That was kind of just thrown at us and never really addressed again. And the big emotional climax didn’t really have much payoff for me. *Spoiler: We were never given enough time to really get to know Tristan to feel the effects of his death*
All that said, I think that the set up for book 2 was superb (meaning all that tension between Laila and HBIC Séverin) and the characters and world are worth buying into this series, so I will definitely be picking up The Silvered Serpents.
Though it is never explicitly stated (because the language did not exist in the era the book is set in), Zofia is clearly on the autism spectrum. Enrique is a bisexual disaster (although nowehere near Hypnos’ level of tragic and dramatic), and Laila is a dancer from India. If you’re looking for quality diversity in a fantasy, The Gilded Wolves definitely has it. However, I didn’t think that Chokshi gave herself time to really delve into each of the character’s and their issues, but seeing as this is a series I think that she did a good job of establishing each of them and getting us invested while still giving them room to grow and issues to explore in the sequel.
Time was really my biggest issue with the novel, and was perhaps why I didn’t find it as memorable as I would have thought given everything that it has going for it. I felt that some of the biggest issues should have either been left for the next book, or devoted more space. Like Laila was created from a dead baby? Or something? That was kind of just thrown at us and never really addressed again. And the big emotional climax didn’t really have much payoff for me. *Spoiler: We were never given enough time to really get to know Tristan to feel the effects of his death*
All that said, I think that the set up for book 2 was superb (meaning all that tension between Laila and HBIC Séverin) and the characters and world are worth buying into this series, so I will definitely be picking up The Silvered Serpents.
ruhi_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mushumom124's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
rfm25's review against another edition
3.0
Mega disappointed with that ending
This book was getting really good, scraping a 4 stars because the first 60% was incredibly confusing , the world building was bad , I couldn't even imagine the story as I read it . The characters were the best bit for me , but then the author did something so random which is usually done in the last book not the first book wtf
It was defo avoidable
As I said the book was confusing I was reading gibberish for the most part but when we actaully got to the main bit 80% of the way through I was loving it , the character dynamic and everything was amazing.
The characters carried this book , which is why I will be reading the next book lol
This book was getting really good, scraping a 4 stars because the first 60% was incredibly confusing , the world building was bad , I couldn't even imagine the story as I read it . The characters were the best bit for me , but then the author did something so random which is usually done in the last book not the first book wtf
It was defo avoidable
As I said the book was confusing I was reading gibberish for the most part but when we actaully got to the main bit 80% of the way through I was loving it , the character dynamic and everything was amazing.
The characters carried this book , which is why I will be reading the next book lol
zepeng's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
Honestly, I was confused throughout this book. I had no idea who is who and what is what. It's almost a reminiscence of reading Da Vinci Code for the first time, where I had no idea what is going on due to the onslaught of different languages and fancy term. However, I absolutely adore Da Vinci Code. Thus, it is not a surprise that I really enjoy this book too.
What really captured my attention were the characters. I never really realized I'm a sucker for the found family trope. This book definitely delivers, with an impressive BIPOC and queer representation. I adore all characters except for Tristan, which turned out to have a significant role at the end and I had zero feelings for him.
I feel like it could be better if there were little to no foreshadowing during the heist. It was too obvious to me that things are not going to go down nicely, and that dampers my expectations as I was mentally preparing for the damage control. The impact would be greater for me if I had not see it coming.
Overall, I really enjoy it. I will check out the next book to see how it progresses.
Honestly, I was confused throughout this book. I had no idea who is who and what is what. It's almost a reminiscence of reading Da Vinci Code for the first time, where I had no idea what is going on due to the onslaught of different languages and fancy term. However, I absolutely adore Da Vinci Code. Thus, it is not a surprise that I really enjoy this book too.
What really captured my attention were the characters. I never really realized I'm a sucker for the found family trope. This book definitely delivers, with an impressive BIPOC and queer representation. I adore all characters except for Tristan, which turned out to have a significant role at the end and I had zero feelings for him.
I feel like it could be better if there were little to no foreshadowing during the heist. It was too obvious to me that things are not going to go down nicely, and that dampers my expectations as I was mentally preparing for the damage control. The impact would be greater for me if I had not see it coming.
Overall, I really enjoy it. I will check out the next book to see how it progresses.