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laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I love Gauri and her wit and sarcasm. And I love Vikram and his wit and sarcasm. I want a whole series of these two being awesome rulers, side-eyeing people and being salty constantly.
Favorite quotes include:
*while Gauri is dragging an unconscious Vikram* At one point, a rakshasa clapped me on the back, shouting, "Excellent find, human girl! Start around the spine. Always the best cut of meat." I had no idea what to say, so I said thank you.
Vikram: "If you could grow anything in your garden, what would it be?"
Gauri: "Swords."
Vikram: "I should have guessed."
Favorite quotes include:
*while Gauri is dragging an unconscious Vikram* At one point, a rakshasa clapped me on the back, shouting, "Excellent find, human girl! Start around the spine. Always the best cut of meat." I had no idea what to say, so I said thank you.
Vikram: "If you could grow anything in your garden, what would it be?"
Gauri: "Swords."
Vikram: "I should have guessed."
aradhnak's review against another edition
5.0
I was flip flopping between 4 and 5 stars because the writing is so lush and descriptive, but I wasnt sure how it was going to all tie up together (at times it felt draggy?) But the whole story felt so /earned/ and I loved it a lot
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
lunaballz's review against another edition
5.0
In A Crown of Wishes, Gauri must learn to trust the Fox Prince of a neighboring kingdom and work together with him in order to win the Tournament of Wishes, of which the prize is a wish.
What intrigued me: I'd read her other book, The Star-Touched Queen and really enjoyed her writing style
Action-filled world building
Right from the beginning, the action starts. I think it's about half a page in and the main female is already plotting ways to blind someone? Although it's a fast paced book, it never fails to accurately set the scene. The author has a talent for describing things without getting bogged down in flowery words. She also builds an intriguing world with its own mythology and fairy tales that almost leave you with more questions than answers. Also, even though it's technically a sequel to The Star-Touched Queen, it has the depth to be a standalone.
Likable Characters
The book switches between the point of view of both Gauri and Vikram, and thankfully the characters are both snarky and full of wit which makes reading both POVs a pleasure. I also really enjoyed the romance aspect, which is a rare thing in YA books. It's developed very naturally and never feels forced, nor does it overshadow the main plot.
A Crown of Wishes is a fast paced fantasy with delightful world building and a badass female lead that captivated me from page one. Overall, do I recommend? YES, this is one I almost binged in just a few sittings because I had such a hard time putting it down
What intrigued me: I'd read her other book, The Star-Touched Queen and really enjoyed her writing style
Action-filled world building
Right from the beginning, the action starts. I think it's about half a page in and the main female is already plotting ways to blind someone? Although it's a fast paced book, it never fails to accurately set the scene. The author has a talent for describing things without getting bogged down in flowery words. She also builds an intriguing world with its own mythology and fairy tales that almost leave you with more questions than answers. Also, even though it's technically a sequel to The Star-Touched Queen, it has the depth to be a standalone.
Likable Characters
The book switches between the point of view of both Gauri and Vikram, and thankfully the characters are both snarky and full of wit which makes reading both POVs a pleasure. I also really enjoyed the romance aspect, which is a rare thing in YA books. It's developed very naturally and never feels forced, nor does it overshadow the main plot.
A Crown of Wishes is a fast paced fantasy with delightful world building and a badass female lead that captivated me from page one. Overall, do I recommend? YES, this is one I almost binged in just a few sittings because I had such a hard time putting it down
nandaluna14's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful story, completely whimsical and funny. Can we get another book , please 🙏
cesmnl's review against another edition
3.0
Given how I disliked Star-Touched Queen, I almost didn't read A Crown of Wishes. Three reasons that convinced me to do so: 1) It had different lead characters, 2) It rated much higher than Star-Touched Queen, and 3) I really wanted to like/get used to Roshani Chokshi's style of writing because I still have several of her books in my TBR pile.
I'm glad I did read A Crown of Wishes. I enjoyed this so much more than Star-Touched Queen. I really liked the lead characters (Vikram is legit book boyfriend material) and I thought the prose of this book was not as metaphor-heavy/mind boggling as the first book. I particularly enjoyed the banter between Vikram and Gauri. What I didn't like is the fantasy world in which the story was set upon. Fantasy is my favorite genre but this book's Otherworld/Alaka just didn't tickle my fancy. Not a fan of the dream-like fantasy world that's constantly changing and, even by fantasy standards, hard to explain.
Bottom-line, I'm glad to have met Vikram and Gauri and I am warming up to Roshani Chokshi. :)
I'm glad I did read A Crown of Wishes. I enjoyed this so much more than Star-Touched Queen. I really liked the lead characters (Vikram is legit book boyfriend material) and I thought the prose of this book was not as metaphor-heavy/mind boggling as the first book. I particularly enjoyed the banter between Vikram and Gauri. What I didn't like is the fantasy world in which the story was set upon. Fantasy is my favorite genre but this book's Otherworld/Alaka just didn't tickle my fancy. Not a fan of the dream-like fantasy world that's constantly changing and, even by fantasy standards, hard to explain.
Bottom-line, I'm glad to have met Vikram and Gauri and I am warming up to Roshani Chokshi. :)
melanie_books's review
3.0
Gauri has a vision for freeing her country of her brother's tyrannical rule. But betrayal and scheming thwarts her insurrection before it can begin. Banished to a neighboring kingdom and captured, she waits to be killed. Salvation may come from an unlikely source, however. Vikram, the Fox Prince meant to carry out her sentence comes to her with a proposition instead: he will help her escape if she will help him compete in the fabled Tournament of Wishes. She reluctantly agree and together they face monsters, mysterious & conniving gods, and a battle of wits. Winning the promised wish seems impossible, when surviving at all is such a challenge.
I enjoyed this story much more than the first book in the series. Gauri, Maya's little sister who was introduced in "The Star-Touched Queen," is a fierce heroine, determined to see her country thrive. Vikram on the other hand is seemingly carefree, but simultaneously frustrated by the future ahead of him. Combined, they butt heads often, but happen to work really well together. The storytelling followed a more coherent pacing/pattern than book 1 which made it easier to follow, but not to the point that it was predictable. The ending, in particular, was really well done and wrapped up both the plots of the individuals as well as that of the couple. In the end, I was glad I didn't stop after the first book!
I enjoyed this story much more than the first book in the series. Gauri, Maya's little sister who was introduced in "The Star-Touched Queen," is a fierce heroine, determined to see her country thrive. Vikram on the other hand is seemingly carefree, but simultaneously frustrated by the future ahead of him. Combined, they butt heads often, but happen to work really well together. The storytelling followed a more coherent pacing/pattern than book 1 which made it easier to follow, but not to the point that it was predictable. The ending, in particular, was really well done and wrapped up both the plots of the individuals as well as that of the couple. In the end, I was glad I didn't stop after the first book!
felipemenendez's review against another edition
4.0
Better than expected to be honest. I enjoyed it much more than the first one.
Glad I gave it another try.
Glad I gave it another try.
books4susie's review against another edition
4.0
I literally started this book last year while on vacation and then laid it down once at home. I only got just over 100 pages in. One year later and another few vacation days, I decided to try and finish this book. Boy, am I glad that I did. I thoroughly enjoyed Gauri and Vikram’s journey in their attempts to win the Tournament of Wishes and be accepted by their kingdoms.
This is a companion book to The Star-Touched Queen where readers are briefly introduced to Gauri. Queen’s storyline is about her older sister Maya. It’s not necessary to read one book before the other but Maya does make a cryptic appearance to Gauri that previous readers will fully understand.
This is a companion book to The Star-Touched Queen where readers are briefly introduced to Gauri. Queen’s storyline is about her older sister Maya. It’s not necessary to read one book before the other but Maya does make a cryptic appearance to Gauri that previous readers will fully understand.
innodavid's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 STARS
I feel so horrible rating Roshani Chokshi's books so darn low. I want to support her cause she's a fellow Filipino and I'm proud of what she's achieved in her writing career. Hence, I don't want to come off as bias if I just gave all her books 4 to 5 stars even if I don't find them deserving of such high ratings.
The other thing is, A Crown of Wishes is Roshani's most beloved book. Everyone who seems to be a fan of her writing considered this their favorite of hers. But I just don't feel the same.
A Crown of Wishes' strength comes from its writing. The beautiful, lyrical and whimsical metaphors make you feel like you're reading a classic fairytale with adventure, magic and romance. I have problems with her writing in The Star-Touched Queen. Even though they're beautiful, sometimes they made no sense. But since reading her other works, I noticed her improvement. She starts using evocative prose rather than adding a bunch of words from thesaurus just to make it flowery.
Other than that, I pretty much don't care for the rest of its content. The plot felt meandering at times and the side characters seem like plot devices to further the story. I was bored the whole time. The synopsis promised a magical game (similar to Caraval) and a slow-burn romance to root for, but what I got were surface level characters with one distinct personality and a romance with no chemistry. Everyone swoons for Vikram (the main male protagonist and love interest), but he feels like any generic snarky and sarcastic character in every YA novel.
I keep rolling my eyes everytime they flirt or showcase any interest with one another. They're so dull! This is the first time that I desired a love triangle to happen just to add to the angst and drama, cause neither the characters nor the game made the stakes higher for me to root for them and be invested to continue reading.
Even though I'm consecutively being disappointed by her books, I still look forward to reading her future works. I think that's the only way I can support her now.
I feel so horrible rating Roshani Chokshi's books so darn low. I want to support her cause she's a fellow Filipino and I'm proud of what she's achieved in her writing career. Hence, I don't want to come off as bias if I just gave all her books 4 to 5 stars even if I don't find them deserving of such high ratings.
The other thing is, A Crown of Wishes is Roshani's most beloved book. Everyone who seems to be a fan of her writing considered this their favorite of hers. But I just don't feel the same.
A Crown of Wishes' strength comes from its writing. The beautiful, lyrical and whimsical metaphors make you feel like you're reading a classic fairytale with adventure, magic and romance. I have problems with her writing in The Star-Touched Queen. Even though they're beautiful, sometimes they made no sense. But since reading her other works, I noticed her improvement. She starts using evocative prose rather than adding a bunch of words from thesaurus just to make it flowery.
Other than that, I pretty much don't care for the rest of its content. The plot felt meandering at times and the side characters seem like plot devices to further the story. I was bored the whole time. The synopsis promised a magical game (similar to Caraval) and a slow-burn romance to root for, but what I got were surface level characters with one distinct personality and a romance with no chemistry. Everyone swoons for Vikram (the main male protagonist and love interest), but he feels like any generic snarky and sarcastic character in every YA novel.
I keep rolling my eyes everytime they flirt or showcase any interest with one another. They're so dull! This is the first time that I desired a love triangle to happen just to add to the angst and drama, cause neither the characters nor the game made the stakes higher for me to root for them and be invested to continue reading.
Even though I'm consecutively being disappointed by her books, I still look forward to reading her future works. I think that's the only way I can support her now.