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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
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
A great sequel that rises the stakes even higher than before!
Being with these characters again...I felt ALL the feelings. For me, the most engaging and interesting chapters were Laila and Séverin but I think that's also because I find their romance so angsty and just so captivating that it outshines anything else. I love, love, LOVE how despite there being romance plots in this book, these characters' arcs are not wrapped solely in who they end up with. Each character is their own individual person. They have fears, wants, desires out of life that makes them so integral and important to the plot. Everyone plays their part and honestly, these characters are so multi-dimensional that I feel like I know them. I love this friendship group so much I honestly could just take an entire book about them living together and just hanging out every single day.
I found the plot really intruding but I will admit that I guess where certain things would go from about half way through the book. So in some ways, it felt predictable but that is not necessarily a bad thing because while there were some things I could predict, there were many others that left me surprised by the outcome.
The ending has me shaking for the third book and I truly do not know how I'm going to wait for the final book! I think fans of the first book will not be disappointed by this book and I can't wait to see everyone's reactions!
*Arc given in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
DNF @ 66%
actual rating: 2.5
The Gilded Wolves was one of my favorite books last year but this was so disappointing. I have been trying to read this for a week and a half and just cannot bring myself to spend any more time on it. I'll round it up to 3 stars because I realize that I'm here complaining about YA tropes in a YA book and I think my love of the first book is still coloring my opinion a little, but it is just such a frustrating book. The first book had such a good group dynamic and then I open this one up and find out that literally half the page space to dedicated this awful romance between Severin and Laila. It's Kaz and Inej all over again, except at least the Six of Crows sequel still managed to have a decent plot that encompassed all the characters even though some of them were in relationships with each other.
If the plot in this book was stronger I would probably have been able to get over it here too, but I feel like the other characters don't have much to do except I guess help solve the puzzles to move the plot forward. If you're really into YA and romance then you'll probably still like this but unfortunately, much like I did with Kaz, I rubbed my grubby little aroace hands all over Severin as soon as I saw him and cannot make myself even mildly care about him and Laila as a couple.
DNF @ 66%
actual rating: 2.5
The Gilded Wolves was one of my favorite books last year but this was so disappointing. I have been trying to read this for a week and a half and just cannot bring myself to spend any more time on it. I'll round it up to 3 stars because I realize that I'm here complaining about YA tropes in a YA book and I think my love of the first book is still coloring my opinion a little, but it is just such a frustrating book. The first book had such a good group dynamic and then I open this one up and find out that literally half the page space to dedicated this awful romance between Severin and Laila. It's Kaz and Inej all over again, except at least the Six of Crows sequel still managed to have a decent plot that encompassed all the characters even though some of them were in relationships with each other.
If the plot in this book was stronger I would probably have been able to get over it here too, but I feel like the other characters don't have much to do except I guess help solve the puzzles to move the plot forward. If you're really into YA and romance then you'll probably still like this but unfortunately, much like I did with Kaz, I rubbed my grubby little aroace hands all over Severin as soon as I saw him and cannot make myself even mildly care about him and Laila as a couple.
A wonderful sequel to The Gilded Wolves, a heist novel featuring a diverse cast. This one was more a quest to seek an artifact that was thought to have been lost to the past. The cast is just as diverse as before and I love them. I love how they interact with the world around them and even though it stands it how it stands against them, yet they still stand up to it, and its prejudices. The ending of the first book in the series broke me. These characters have already gone through so much and the author, Roshani Chokshi, just keeps putting them THROUGH IT. There were also some twists and moments that I was not expecting. I felt so much for Severin, Laila, Enrique and Zofia. I know that they are all very flawed, but that is what makes them even better. Maybe it’s because I’m already so attached to these characters, but regardless, I can’t wait for the third book in this series. Also, THERE’S A NEURODIVERGENT CHARACTER? Like, an ACTUAL neuro-divergent character, not a caricature. This character was accepted and accommodated and it wasn’t a bother? I love to see diverse ethnicities and types of characters. Another note, I thought this was going to be a duology, but it’s a trilogy. Speaking of the ending of this? (And there are no spoilers here) but I feel like it kinda just… ended? It as a little anti-climactic and it felt like there were significantly more loose ends this time around. I’m sure these will all be answered in the last book of the trilogy. Another thing, I think the writing in this is also gorgeous. It’s not overly flowery, but it’s still gorgeous. I think the author does a really good job of conveying feelings and emotions in her prose. I know that a lot of people compare the first book to Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, but it’s nothing like that. Those books are compared because they have character groups that are found family partaking in a heist. The magical system here is totally different. The characters themselves are also different. It can certainly appeal to those who like SOC, but don’t feel like it’s going to be exactly the same. I’m really happy I got the opportunity to read this.
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*
This sequel to "The Gilded Wolves" picks up a few months after the first novel's events that saw Séverin's brother dead. The crew comes together once more for one last heist --- the treasure might save Laila's life while Séverin, driven by guilt, hopes to become a god and change everything for the better. But things have changed and working together is no longer as easy, fun, and unburdened as before.
While the world building and the magic system still make no real sense (forging is nothing and everything???), story-wise the novel was quite enjoyable. Yes, all the characters are so overly intelligent or good looking or dramatic or witty, but I have grown fond of them. I enjoyed their journey to Russia / Siberia and I still absolutely enjoy the mythologies hidden everywhere. Still I had hoped for more character development and more explanations concerning world building or magic system. Well.
4 Stars because it was entertaining
This sequel to "The Gilded Wolves" picks up a few months after the first novel's events that saw Séverin's brother dead. The crew comes together once more for one last heist --- the treasure might save Laila's life while Séverin, driven by guilt, hopes to become a god and change everything for the better. But things have changed and working together is no longer as easy, fun, and unburdened as before.
While the world building and the magic system still make no real sense (forging is nothing and everything???), story-wise the novel was quite enjoyable. Yes, all the characters are so overly intelligent or good looking or dramatic or witty, but I have grown fond of them. I enjoyed their journey to Russia / Siberia and I still absolutely enjoy the mythologies hidden everywhere. Still I had hoped for more character development and more explanations concerning world building or magic system. Well.
4 Stars because it was entertaining
The cliffhangers on these fantasy novels are just too fucking much. I know you want me to read the next one but did you have to go that hard?
I’m reeling from that ending, so many things running through my head - what happens next, if the truth will be revealed, how the characters are going to react after the shitshow that just unfolded.... gahhhhhh how am I supposed to wait for the next book?!?!
The sequel is significantly better than the first one. It felt less convoluted; the plot flowed smoothly, while constantly keeping me on the edge of my seat. I’ve always loved the characters, and all their worst and best qualities were on display here. I’m invested now, I need to know what happens. Even though I love him, if Séverin doesn’t get killed, I will happily kill him myself.
I absolutely adore Zofia, her character is highly underrated. She definitely has a lot of characteristics of autism and her chapters are such an interesting change from the standard neurotypical internal monologues. The best part of this series is the characters by far, particularly Laila, Zofia and Enrique. Chokshi’s beautiful writing is what brings it all to life though.
I’m glad I read this, the story really hit its stride here, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
I’m reeling from that ending, so many things running through my head - what happens next, if the truth will be revealed, how the characters are going to react after the shitshow that just unfolded.... gahhhhhh how am I supposed to wait for the next book?!?!
The sequel is significantly better than the first one. It felt less convoluted; the plot flowed smoothly, while constantly keeping me on the edge of my seat. I’ve always loved the characters, and all their worst and best qualities were on display here. I’m invested now, I need to know what happens. Even though I love him, if Séverin doesn’t get killed, I will happily kill him myself.
I absolutely adore Zofia, her character is highly underrated. She definitely has a lot of characteristics of autism and her chapters are such an interesting change from the standard neurotypical internal monologues. The best part of this series is the characters by far, particularly Laila, Zofia and Enrique. Chokshi’s beautiful writing is what brings it all to life though.
I’m glad I read this, the story really hit its stride here, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m praying that my reading slump is gone 🙏🙏 bc it took me SO long to read this book. Not because it was bad ofc I love this world and these characters so much (Zofia and Enrique are everything to me). I did find the big “reveals” in this book to be very predictable like it was obvious to me from legit 40 pages in what the issue was idk also the betrayals at the end were so obvious sorry roshani love you
so much worse than the first and that is saying something. Once again I find the idea behind it good, I want to know what happens (less now) but the writing is so bad! Chokshi is trying to hard to have 'beautiful prose' but it comes off overly done and clunky. Once again you still can't follow any action sequences, and moments that should feel surprising were alluded to so heavily in the lead up that nothing was shocking at all.
The worst part by far was Severin's transition to an even more moody man who treated everyone like shit in his quest to 'protect them' so he could become a god...because that worked out so well for the fallen house....like it is so bad. Everyone is upset with everyone, nobody tells each other anything, we still don't know what will happen to Laila and like jesus.
SPOILERS BELOW
The premise of this is that they have to find the Divine Lyrics, a book that will theoretically keep Laila alive, and then also allow Severin the chance to become a god, make his friends gods, and bring back his dead brother. Who by the way we have no other explanation for him killing things besides he was secretly violent. Like wtf. They find the physical fallen house, take 250 pages to get to the treasure and then Severin realizes he can play the divine lyre (it isn't a book) and he fake kills zofia and enrique, the matriarch dies after she tells Severin the truth and also to protect him and Hypnos (who espcapes) (Also this scene is another example of the awful writing)and Laila will wake up after watching the mnemo bug that severin didn't kill everyone and I am assuming book three will pick up in the temple where the lyre needs to be played to access the god powers. Oh by the way the lyre when played will destroy all forged items...like Laila who severin wants to save...so yeah.
I wish anyone else would have thought of this story, it is clearly imaginative and fun, this book less than the first, I want to know what happens but good god do these books suck. My only hope is that one day a dope director will take this story and turn it into a tv series because that would be so cool.
Perhaps she'll redeem herself in book three but I seriously doubt it.
The worst part by far was Severin's transition to an even more moody man who treated everyone like shit in his quest to 'protect them' so he could become a god...because that worked out so well for the fallen house....like it is so bad. Everyone is upset with everyone, nobody tells each other anything, we still don't know what will happen to Laila and like jesus.
SPOILERS BELOW
The premise of this is that they have to find the Divine Lyrics, a book that will theoretically keep Laila alive, and then also allow Severin the chance to become a god, make his friends gods, and bring back his dead brother. Who by the way we have no other explanation for him killing things besides he was secretly violent. Like wtf. They find the physical fallen house, take 250 pages to get to the treasure and then Severin realizes he can play the divine lyre (it isn't a book) and he fake kills zofia and enrique, the matriarch dies after she tells Severin the truth and also to protect him and Hypnos (who espcapes) (Also this scene is another example of the awful writing)and Laila will wake up after watching the mnemo bug that severin didn't kill everyone and I am assuming book three will pick up in the temple where the lyre needs to be played to access the god powers. Oh by the way the lyre when played will destroy all forged items...like Laila who severin wants to save...so yeah.
I wish anyone else would have thought of this story, it is clearly imaginative and fun, this book less than the first, I want to know what happens but good god do these books suck. My only hope is that one day a dope director will take this story and turn it into a tv series because that would be so cool.
Perhaps she'll redeem herself in book three but I seriously doubt it.