Review: The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves #1)
Author: Roshani Chokshi
Genre: YA Historical/Fantasy
Release Date: January 15, 2019
Publisher: Wednesday Books

Description:

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.  

 

The Gilded Wolves is the first novel in a fantastic new young adult historical fantasy series that will have readers begging for more. I absolutely loved this book and even though I expected to liked it - I didn't think I'd adore it this much. I can't really think of any negatives for me, except for the fact that it took me a little bit to get into the story. I'm a huge francophile, so once I was inside this exceptional alternate Paris I didn't want to come back out. The world building was amazing with the author leaving no detail undone. Everything was perfectly described and the book had tons of vivid imagery, which brought this magical world to life right in front of my eyes. 

We have a group of main characters for the novel: Severin, Tristan, Laila, Zofia, and Enrique. I loved getting to know each of them throughout the story. They each had unique personalities and traits to set them apart and I liked getting to know their backstories. They all played well off each other and worked great as a team and as individuals. One interesting thing was that the author chose to write the book from different character's viewpoints in alternating chapters. I thought this was a fantastic idea and fit well with the story line and feel of the novel. I liked getting to see the story through different eyes and figure out how each fit into the narrative. The plot wasn't anything hugely unique - but you can't really find anything that is anymore. The espionage, intrigue, and politics were all fascinating and kept you on your toes about what was going on in the story. The author put her own touches on the story and made it her own and something completely fresh and new. I'm so excited that this is the beginning to a series because I definitely need more time with these characters and inside their amazing world! Very highly recommended for fans of YA, historical, fantasy, and spy fiction.

Roshani Chokshi is the New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen and A CROWN OF WISHES. Her middle grade debut, ARU SHAH AND THE END OF TIME, released April 3, 2018 from Disney/Rick Riordan Presents. The sequel, ARU SHAH AND THE SONG OF DEATH is slated to release April 30, 2019. Her next young adult novel, THE GILDED WOLVES, is slated for January 15, 2019. Chokshi's work has appeared in Strange Horizons, Shimmer, and Book Smugglers. She was a finalist in the 2016 Andre Norton Award and the Locus Top Ten for Best First Novel. Her short story, "The Star Maiden," was longlisted for the British Fantasy Science Award.

Author Links:
http://www.roshanichokshi.com/ 
http://www.twitter.com/Roshani_Chokshi