Ahoy there me mateys! I received this young adult fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
the gilded wolves (Roshani Chokshi)
Title: the gilded wolves
Author: Roshani Chokshi
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: TODAY! (hardback/e-book)
ISBN: 978-1250144546
Source: NetGalley
I really wanted to like this young adult fantasy novel. But this one just did not float me boat. Instead I had to abandon ship and watch it sink to the watery depths never to be seen again. I picked this one because of the following reasons:
- set in 1889 Paris;
- a heist story (Arrr!)
- has a diverse cast
- has magic
I read about 100 pages of these before calling it quits for the following reasons:
- The book did not feel like it was set in 1889 Paris. The world-building really felt like it could be in any time or place. In addition I couldn’t really figure out what was really going on in the beginning. It was just confusing. The politics, geography, and how the magic society functioned seemed vague.
- The first mini heist was lackluster and confusing. Ye are thrown into the very last part of the job. There is an artifact to be stolen and no idea of how the thieves even located it. How the thieves work around the magic guards of the artifact room is so poorly written that I read it three times and still didn’t understand exactly how they managed to escape the traps.
- I individually liked the core group of characters – particularly Zofia. But their banter felt too silly and childish for their ages. There was also some cheesy romantic angst going on. There was definitely a diverse group. But the dialogue was mostly painful and the dynamics between the characters were odd.
- The magic was just plain incomprehensible. There were some cool concepts. I liked how all things could be marked by the owners with a ring. I liked how one character could read an item’s past. I liked the idea of the mirrors. I have no idea how or why the babel items work the way they do or even where they came from. Magic rules were very unclear and seemed to change on a whim.
After that many pages, I should have been hanging on every word. Instead I was befuddled and tired of trying to make sense of what I was readin’. I felt like this is a bad version of six of crows or the lies of locke lamora.
Some of me crew members are highly enjoying this one but the little bit that I read was less than stellar. Check it out and see if ye be on the side of yer Captain or with the crew.
So lastly . . .
Thank you St. Martin’s Press!
Goodreads has this to say about the novel:
Set in a darkly glamorous world, The Gilded Wolves is full of mystery, decadence, and dangerous but thrilling adventure.
Paris, 1889: The world is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. In this city, no one keeps tabs on secrets better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. But when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.
To find the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin will need help from a band of experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian who can’t yet go home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in all but blood, who might care too much.
Together, they’ll have to use their wits and knowledge to hunt the artifact through the dark and glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the world, but only if they can stay alive.
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You’re not alone, Captain. I just finished this book last night, and… (*sigh*) It reminded me of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows, which is an EXCELLENT YA fantasy heist with a diverse group of POV characters, but Six of Crows is much more interested and more well-crafted than The Gilded Wolves. This one has too much exposition, not enough character development, and too nebulous of a magic system. Roshani Chokshi’s first two YA novels are stronger than this, IMHO.
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I think the author and I don’t mess. I did enjoy Six of Crows very much and did compare the two. I be sorry that ye didn’t love this one but not surprised. Hopefully yer next book will be to yer liking! Thanks for the lovely comment.
x The Captain
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Oh boo! I am sorry this was a DNF for you Captain.
“The book did not feel like it was set in 1889 Paris. The world-building really felt like it could be in any time or place”
Ahhhhh that is one of my biggest pet peeves in historical fiction 😦
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I am sorry it didn’t work for me too! But I seem to be the only one. All the other crew reviews seem to be four and five stars. Ye gonna read this one?
x The Captain
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ah darn! I was seriously looking forward to reading this title but your review and your thoughts on it sound like a tough case to work against… I mean, what you say makes perfect sense and it would bum me out too! hmm… I think I’ll try it in the future if I manage to get it from the library 😉 Great review and sorry it didn’t work out for you!
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I have come to terms with this read. And I still have the only negative review I have seen. So in all likelihood ye should love it!
x The Captain
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I’m glad that I know this. I actually had my eyes on this.
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Ye may like it. I wrote the only negative review I have seen of it so far!
x The Captain
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Ahoy Captain! We hope that ye are having a fine day. We really enjoy reading your blogs and that is why we nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. We hope you are happy to receive this as we were! Please check it out https://lexandneek.wordpress.com/2019/01/16/sunshine-blogger-award-what-a-surprise/ Much obliged to you for supporting us and being a friend always!
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Hooray for awards! I will certainly take a look at yer version. And I know I have some backlog posts on yer blog to look at too. I just rediscovered them in me email the other day. Glad to have ye on the crew and love hearing from ye. Arrr!
x The Captain
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You deserve it Captain! Ye are a good sort and we do enjoying reading your book reviews! Cheers!
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Cheers back!
x The Captain
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Ah shame this didn’t end up floating your boat!
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I was sad too but such be life! I am glad everyone else seems to love it. Thanks for readin’.
x The Captain
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I’m currently listening to the audio of this right now, and maybe it’s because of the format, but I’m finding it easier to get into, even though I had a couple false starts as well. The beginning was rough going, and yes, confusing!
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I have come to terms with the fact that I might be the only person to dislike this book. I am glad the audiobook is working out for ye so far and am looking forward to readin’ yer review when the time comes. Arrr!
x The Captain
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You’re the first person I’ve seen who doesn’t love this thing, very interesting! I’ve definitely got more to think about going into it should I pick it up.
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I am the ONLY person who doesn’t like this. So take me review with a grain of sea salt! Arrr!
x The Captain
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Too bad it wasn’t a book you enjoyed! I love that cover… but hadn’t really heard much else about it.
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It has a beautiful cover and a beautiful premise. This author and I might not be meant to be. This be the second book of hers I couldn’t finish. Thanks for the comment.
x The Captain
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That’s a bummer that you didn’t like it. I have it on my TBR list, but I usually wait to see what others have to say about new books before buying a copy. Better luck next time.
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I have the only negative review I have seen so far! It happens. Thanks for reading.
x The Captain
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Ooooh you are the first person to DNF this book… Your review has intrigued me, thank you for that… Now I want to read this book. 😍
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I am in the minority again for this one so don’t take me word for it. I hope ye absolutely love it. Arrr!
x The Captain
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