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in_love_with_bookish's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
#1 : The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1) : 4 Stars
Honestly, I was worried this sequel won’t live to the greatness of the first book, fortunately, it did that and more.
Honestly, I was worried this sequel won’t live to the greatness of the first book, fortunately, it did that and more.
Love does not always wear the face we wish,” she said. “I wish my love had been more beautiful. I wish … I wish we had more time.
The book starts with the team reunited for a new dangerous mission that will take them from Paris into Russia searching for a lost artifact that can grant the power of God to its owner. But the danger is at every corner and secrets can prove as deadly as any weapon so Séverin will do anything to find the artifact and protect those he loves even if it means losing them.
This story is really different from the first one especially in tone and I appreciate how the author managed to main the same feel of danger and suspense with a totally different mission in a setting that adds to the story and its darkness.
Séverin Montagnet-Alarie knew there was only one difference between monsters and gods. Both inspired fear. Only one inspired worship.
The atmosphere and the setting are great in this sequel even though I still prefer Paris and how tantalizing and charming the setting of the first book was. I totally understand the change as it really reflects what’s happening to the characters and the coldness that’s seeping inside them as they struggle with the mission, their dynamics, and their personal feelings.
Also, the characters are different in this book and its’ totally understandable, I still found them well written and well developed. I still see them as fascinating and complex and real but They’re going through more in this sequel and it shows. They struggle to keep their friendships alive, they struggle to contain their pain, they struggle to communicate and move on from their grief and loss and It’s reflected in their inner thoughts, in the decisions they make, in the things they say, and the things they hide. Their trauma plays a huge part in their stories and how the dynamics are reshaped.
Then again, the names we are born with can end up meaning so little. The names we give ourselves, well, perhaps that’s the truth of us.
It was heartbreaking seeing them struggle so deeply and so painfully after their tragic loss in the first book. Right from the start, as we witness how the friendship between them is torn apart, we understand this is a darker journey for them as well as us. The author is brilliant at communicating the inner thoughts and feelings of each character in a way that creates this intimate and deep connection between readers and characters.
The plot is also brilliant with so many twists and turns and secrets. I was really invested in the story and where it’s going. I admit I didn’t see some of those events coming and the ending left me speechless, It was brutal, hard to read, and completely unpredictable.
Depending on who you ask, sometimes ghost stories are all that is left of history. History is full of ghosts, because it’s full of myth. All of it woven together depending on who survived to do the telling.
The Silvered Serpents made me understand the characters more and feel them on a deeper level and it also managed to make me more invested in this dangerous, dark and twisted journey of heists, magic, and deadly secrets. I can’t wait to read the finale and see how Roshani Chokshi will make everything come together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Murder
achingallover's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Antisemitism, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Miscarriage, Rape, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
bookish_otaku's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
4/5 stars
I must say I really enjoyed how the relationships and characters were developed further in this book. I would say Zofia was the character I liked most in book one because of the insight we got to her character and insecurities, and in this book (though I absolutely still love her) I think Enrique unexpectedly shined the brightest for me! Of course, Laila's back story and her romance with Severin is riveting and really yanks those heartstrings, but I don't know why, I found Enrique's story more... Resonant. An aspect I liked, as it displays Chokshi's ability to deepen multiple characters at a time.
The romantic angst was nice, but at times I found myself having to remind myself why there was angst. "Why is Severin being dumb again?" Then I'd habe to justify it because he has a reason, I just can never remember what it is and find it hard to buy when I do remember. To me, this felt like a sign that we needed better time learning about Severin and his own thoughts. The ending section was good, especially in showing us how he thinks, but I feel like sometimes there was this reliance on inserted back story about his fathers that didn't always have the clearest connection with the plot, or didn't seem supepr relevant. And then it didn't follow through and go through each sin like it had in the first book which just left me kind of confused.
I don't know, Severin and Laila's arcs just felt too straightforward whereas the other characters had more nuanced struggles. I like when we see Laila struggling with her own identity and if she considers herself "real" but feel there could have been a much deeper exploration. Severin was obviously upset about Tristan, and I think his desire for godhood was fine, but I'd love to know more about him feeling misunderstood. A little detail that was touched upon nicely and in such a wonderful metaphor of monsters and gods at the end. Seeing how the smallest but most basic of human desires morph and form our actions. With Laila, it would be her desire to be loved. We already know Hypnos wants belonging in more than one way, Enrique to be heard, and Zofia to not be made to feel as if she doesn't fit. All just different sides of the same die, differentiated in nuance to become a completely different menifestation in their characters. Hoping we get more of that in book three.
Now of course, the plot was mwa chef kiss as always. Chokshi really does a nice job with her historical heist plots. And the twists? Loved it. I can't say I was too shocked, but it felt more like a satisfying click of a missing puzzle piece fitting into place. I was worried this book would fall into second bridge book syndrome, but I'm so glad it didn't and if anything, was a great build off of the first book.
Chokshi really capitalized off the angst between Laila and Severin, and wow it hurt so good (when I just went with the flow and stopped questioning things). Despite them being in the spotlight, I love how the love triangle plays out in the background. So understated but also it really steals the spotlight for me and ugh I love itttttt. Is it clear enough yet how much I love Zofia, Enrique, and Hypnos?
I must say I really enjoyed how the relationships and characters were developed further in this book. I would say Zofia was the character I liked most in book one because of the insight we got to her character and insecurities, and in this book (though I absolutely still love her) I think Enrique unexpectedly shined the brightest for me! Of course, Laila's back story and her romance with Severin is riveting and really yanks those heartstrings, but I don't know why, I found Enrique's story more... Resonant. An aspect I liked, as it displays Chokshi's ability to deepen multiple characters at a time.
The romantic angst was nice, but at times I found myself having to remind myself why there was angst. "Why is Severin being dumb again?" Then I'd habe to justify it because he has a reason, I just can never remember what it is and find it hard to buy when I do remember. To me, this felt like a sign that we needed better time learning about Severin and his own thoughts. The ending section was good, especially in showing us how he thinks, but I feel like sometimes there was this reliance on inserted back story about his fathers that didn't always have the clearest connection with the plot, or didn't seem supepr relevant. And then it didn't follow through and go through each sin like it had in the first book which just left me kind of confused.
I don't know, Severin and Laila's arcs just felt too straightforward whereas the other characters had more nuanced struggles. I like when we see Laila struggling with her own identity and if she considers herself "real" but feel there could have been a much deeper exploration. Severin was obviously upset about Tristan, and I think his desire for godhood was fine, but I'd love to know more about him feeling misunderstood. A little detail that was touched upon nicely and in such a wonderful metaphor of monsters and gods at the end. Seeing how the smallest but most basic of human desires morph and form our actions. With Laila, it would be her desire to be loved. We already know Hypnos wants belonging in more than one way, Enrique to be heard, and Zofia to not be made to feel as if she doesn't fit. All just different sides of the same die, differentiated in nuance to become a completely different menifestation in their characters. Hoping we get more of that in book three.
Now of course, the plot was mwa chef kiss as always. Chokshi really does a nice job with her historical heist plots. And the twists? Loved it. I can't say I was too shocked, but it felt more like a satisfying click of a missing puzzle piece fitting into place. I was worried this book would fall into second bridge book syndrome, but I'm so glad it didn't and if anything, was a great build off of the first book.
Chokshi really capitalized off the angst between Laila and Severin, and wow it hurt so good (when I just went with the flow and stopped questioning things). Despite them being in the spotlight, I love how the love triangle plays out in the background. So understated but also it really steals the spotlight for me and ugh I love itttttt. Is it clear enough yet how much I love Zofia, Enrique, and Hypnos?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Confinement, Grief, and Miscarriage
plumpaperbacks's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. The characters are some of my favorites; they’ve all got a special place in my heart, which is thoroughly broken right now. I’m distraught. Roshani Chokshi is an evil genius. She put a brilliant ensemble cast, heartwarming friendships, agonizing romantic tension, mysterious treasure hunts, multiple explosions, banter aplenty, intriguing magic, unbelievably high stakes, and relevant discussions on many topics including racism and antisemitism all in one book barely over 400 pages. She really did that. I don’t even know what to say. I can only express myself through sad memes as I wait desperately for book three.
Representation:
Representation:
- Séverin is biracial (French-Algerian)
- Laila is Indian, has anxiety
- Enrique is queer, biracial (Spanish-Filipino)
- Zofia is Jewish, autistic
- Hypnos is biracial (Black), queer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Blood, Antisemitism, and Infertility
Minor: Animal cruelty, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
There’s one scene where a character remembers witnessing a stranger’s suicide as a child.astralbooks's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness, Antisemitism, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, Miscarriage, and Animal cruelty
Re sexual assault,
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