RELEASE DAY! ARC Review | The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Title: THE GILDED WOLVES

Author: ROSHANI CHOKSHI

Published: 15TH JANUARY 2019 BY WEDNESDAY BOOKS

Genre: YA HISTORICAL FANTASY

From New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi comes a novel set in Paris during a time of extraordinary change–one that is full of mystery, decadence, and dangerous desires…

No one believes in them. But soon no one will forget them.

It’s 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.

To hunt down the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin calls upon a band of unlikely experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian banished from his home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in arms if not blood.

Together, they will join Séverin as he explores the dark, glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the course of history–but only if they can stay alive.

I’ve been hearing loads about Roshani Chokshi for months! She’s an author I’ve been meaning to pick up for ages, so when I had this book come my way, I was all for it! I’m not generally a massive fan of Paris, but I love historically set novels so figured I’d love this. I was not wrong! The characters are so lovable and well designed, the world and magic system wildly interesting, and the plot itself was steeped in intrigue. I also thoroughly enjoyed Chokshi’s storytelling – the multiple POV set up really brings you into the world and allows you to understand each characters’ motivations. Some people have complained a bit about being thrown right into the middle of the world with little to no explanation, but I didn’t find it to be a hindrance to my enjoyment of the book.

Séverin and his crew (read: found family) are planning a job to reclaim an item that will help him reclaim the birthright stripped from him previously, not realizing it’s about to set them on a much bigger heist that will impact their entire society. Laila, Enrique, Zofia, and Tristan are all massively important to Séverin and each other. Hypnos also embroils himself in the madness. They are all such diverse characters and so wonderful! I loved each and every one of them for their quirks and individuality. It’s fabulous to see the varied representations included here, which I won’t go into because so many others have already done that. Suffice it to say you’ll love the whole crew.

There is a romance aspect to this novel, which felt quite sweet. It’s not a major point or focus to the story, it simply is, but also adds a small je ne sais quoi to those particular character arcs. See what I did there? 🤪 Anyway, my favorite character is a tie between the baker with a secret life, Laila, or the landscape artist with a soft spot for creatures, Tristan. Although, all of them were beautiful.

This darkly entertaining novel is one we’ve all been waiting on to arrive. And I simply cannot wait for book 2! I had to give this one FIVE STARS, of course!

Will you be reading it?