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A review by hobbithopeful
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
If you like Six of Crows you're going to love this book! My deepest regret in life will be not reading this sooner.
A historical fantasy set in an alternate history in France The Gilded Wolves follows a found family of lovable and diverse characters. Their primary goal is to help Séverin regain his place as a Patriarch, a title stolen from him when he was younger, and a way to guarantee everyone gets what they most deeply desire. Along the way they plot, heist, and use magically forged objects to achieve their goals. This story follows 6 different characters, all unique with their own backgrounds and complex personalities. It is a testament to the writing talents of Roshani Chokshi that the narrative was easy to follow. I never felt confused or lost, or had the urge to construct a string map to keep track of the plot.
I adored the magic system in this book! All the imagery and inventions were so intricate and beautiful, I felt like I could see all the descriptions around me. It was so cool watching the characters figure out the puzzles, I liked how there were illustrations on the pages so the reader could also try to solve them as well. (Not me though, it is over my head!) I really liked Zofia, it is so great to read books with autism representation. I saw a few reviews not liking how she was written, but I thought it was very accurate. (Especially how sensory adverse she is!) I think it is important to remember there is no right way to be "autistic" and everyone has such a wildly different experience it's impossible to compare.
Favorite Moments: Hypnos being extra, Laila laying a cookie trail, all the clues and puzzles, and Séverin's parental figures depicted as the 7 sins
Least Favorite: The ending *ugly cries*
This book follows strong themes of colonialism, racism, and trying to find your place in a world that only sees you by your race. I highly recommend it, and can't wait till the next book comes in from the library so I can find out what happens next! (Oh yeah, it ends on a bit of a big reveal/cliffhanger, fair warning)
A historical fantasy set in an alternate history in France The Gilded Wolves follows a found family of lovable and diverse characters. Their primary goal is to help Séverin regain his place as a Patriarch, a title stolen from him when he was younger, and a way to guarantee everyone gets what they most deeply desire. Along the way they plot, heist, and use magically forged objects to achieve their goals. This story follows 6 different characters, all unique with their own backgrounds and complex personalities. It is a testament to the writing talents of Roshani Chokshi that the narrative was easy to follow. I never felt confused or lost, or had the urge to construct a string map to keep track of the plot.
I adored the magic system in this book! All the imagery and inventions were so intricate and beautiful, I felt like I could see all the descriptions around me. It was so cool watching the characters figure out the puzzles, I liked how there were illustrations on the pages so the reader could also try to solve them as well. (Not me though, it is over my head!) I really liked Zofia, it is so great to read books with autism representation. I saw a few reviews not liking how she was written, but I thought it was very accurate. (Especially how sensory adverse she is!) I think it is important to remember there is no right way to be "autistic" and everyone has such a wildly different experience it's impossible to compare.
Favorite Moments: Hypnos being extra, Laila laying a cookie trail, all the clues and puzzles, and Séverin's parental figures depicted as the 7 sins
Least Favorite: The ending *ugly cries*
This book follows strong themes of colonialism, racism, and trying to find your place in a world that only sees you by your race. I highly recommend it, and can't wait till the next book comes in from the library so I can find out what happens next! (Oh yeah, it ends on a bit of a big reveal/cliffhanger, fair warning)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Antisemitism, Colonisation, Torture, Child abuse, Racism, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Slavery, Animal death, and Death of parent