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A review by resterenvie
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Actually 4.9/5✩
“Wolves were everywhere. In politics, on thrones, in beds. They cut their teeth on history and grew fat on war.”
Have you ever imagined a fantasy book featured with a cool mix of ancient histories, puzzles, mythology, symbology, heists, magic system (the Babel Fragments, the Houses, Forged items) and ofc MATH? This book is for you.
Seriously, the characters are what makes this whole book come together so beautifully, every character is well developed and has interesting backstory, purposes, desires and personalities. I love how Roshani gave so many different races, cultures and backgrounds in one set of these characters. They have this complexity that makes them feel so real and human, so much relatable on some level. ‹𝟹
“Wolves were everywhere. In politics, on thrones, in beds. They cut their teeth on history and grew fat on war.”
Have you ever imagined a fantasy book featured with a cool mix of ancient histories, puzzles, mythology, symbology, heists, magic system (the Babel Fragments, the Houses, Forged items) and ofc MATH? This book is for you.
Seriously, the characters are what makes this whole book come together so beautifully, every character is well developed and has interesting backstory, purposes, desires and personalities. I love how Roshani gave so many different races, cultures and backgrounds in one set of these characters. They have this complexity that makes them feel so real and human, so much relatable on some level. ‹𝟹
- Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, the half French-Algerian fallen heir to House Vanth, owner of Hotel L'Eden.
- Laila, the Tamil (South Indian) baker and a dancer aka L’Énigme, she is the mom friend. A QUEEN INDEED. Her backstory was probably my favorite to read. ”MAJNUN”
- Enrique Mercado-Lopez, a Filipino-Spanish, bisexual, a historian nerd and book worm. FUNNY.
- Zofia, a Polish, Jewish, and autistic (actually this is never explicitly stated) scientist, math and chemistry genius, very socially awkward.
- Hypnos, black French-Haitian aristocrat, the young head of House Nyx, dramatic and sarcastic.
- Tristan Maréchal, he adored natures and animals, a botanist, obsessed with his pet—tarantula. Needs to be protected at all costs.
I like the writing style as well, the banter, sass (I don’t have any idea how many times I laughed out loud because of them, especially conversation between Enrique-Hypnos-Zofia), tension, and romance through the story were just so much fun and heart wrenching (especially Séverin and Laila) to read. Also the world-building, especially the puzzles and the mysteries surrounding the artifacts.
What’s more facsinating is the fact that Rohsani wrote Order of Babel; their history that has a connection to the Tower of Babel, how they were divided into four different Houses that led by their own matriarch/patriarch, and their unique custom. I also love the setting of this book and think the historical and fantasy aspects blended really well together, while also follows strong themes of colonialism and racism that existed at that time.
“Nothing but a symbol? People die for symbols. People have hope because of symbols. They're not just lines. They're histories, cultures, traditions, given shape.”
IT WAS SO GOOD, SO PRECIOUS, AMAZING CHARACTERS AND DIVERSITY, I LOVE FOUND FAMILY TROPE, THE ANGST, THE DRAMA. THIS BOOK BROKE ME AND I LOVED IT. Thanks to Rohsani Chokshi. ‹𝟹
Ps. Please read the author notes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, and Racism