The Gilded Wolves

Title: The Gilded Wolves
Author: Roshani Chokshi
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Hardback
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 paws


The Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up some ancient secrets.  Severin Montagnet-Alarie has been able to steal a compass which hides the location of a tower of Babel fragment.  He is not the only one who is seeking this artifact.  When the Order of Babel coerces him into helping them with a recovery mission, Severin is offered the one treasure he could never pass up: his true inheritance.  To complete his mission, Severin calls upon the aid of a group of unlikely friends, an engineer with a debt to pay, a historian banished from him own homeland, a dancer with a sinister past, and a brother in arms if not blood.  Together they will explore the darkest parts of Paris searching for their treasure and hope to stop anyone from gaining access to the fragment.

There are so many things one can say about this novel.  I absolutely loved it.  I have become a quick fan of Roshani Chokshi as I have also read Star-Touched Queen and Crown-Of Wishes.  The Gilded Wolves was everything I was expecting and more.  It is just so magical and includes mathematical riddles which I absolutely loved.  The math aspect gave the novel such a unique quality to it that I haven't seen done yet, and kudos to Chokshi for including it in her novel.  I knew I needed to clear some time to read this one and actually told my husband I needed that time to devote to this novel.  He is super understanding about my reading needs.


I so wanted more about the Tower of Babel fragments, and I have a feeling we may see more of them in hopefully some future novels?? -hint hint- Chokshi's way of describing things makes you feel as if you are apart of the story.  I could almost taste the food, see the sights, feel the heat of flames and so much more.  The characters I am so in love with!  Enrique is my kind of historian and Trystan is amazingly shy, I feel if he was real he would be my crush.  I wanted so much more from his character, more of his backstory and his love of Goliath.  Chokshi gives readers so much of characters that we feel for them, it is almost as if the characters become a part of us.  I love it.


I am mad at myself for not reading this novel sooner and letting it sit on my shelf for so long.  I was drawn in from the very beginning and couldn't stop reading, one night I was up until the wee hours of the night needing to finish this novel and find out what happens.  And then the very last line!  OMG Roshani what are you doing to me!


Everything about this book I loved.  The world building, the character building, even the snippets of a love interest.  I cannot wait for more.

The Scourge

 

Title: The Scourge
Author: Jennifer Nielsen
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Library Hardback
Rating: 4 out of 5 paws


A deadly plague threatens the land.  Ani is trapped in a tree when two guards are looking to bring in some of the river people for testing.  Because she is there, they take her.  She continues to insist that she does not have the Scourge, she tests positive and is sent in exile to Attic Island, a colony to quarantine those who are sick.  Ani quickly learns the truth about the illness, with her best friend Weevil at her side, she is determined to reveal the truth and the horrors that the beloved governor is doing to her own people. Who will succeed, Ani or the Scourge?

I enjoyed reading Jennifer's other book "Traitor's Game" so much that when I seen this one at the library I decided to read it as well.  I was pleasantly surprised at  how much I liked it.  I was a little surprised that this was not a part of a series, I could see where this novel progresses into something longer.  As I neared the end it felt like there is more story to tell here.


Ani is a fearless character who gets herself into trouble quite often because she doesn't know when to let things be.  But then again if she did, she wouldn't have discovered the truth.  She has a smart mouth, is loyal to her friends and will do anything for them.  The theme of friendship is really strong and continues throughout the story as readers see friends stand together in times of sorrow, need, and jubilance.  And out of that friendship love blooms is a sweet thing.  I also loved seeing two characters on opposite ends of the social class learn they aren't so different and form a friendship that goes beyond stereotypes and class structure.


The world within this novel is a little bland, we don't see much setting and world building.  But what the story lacks in that department it makes up in the character building.  Jennifer focuses on her characters and shaping them, making the story be told through them rather than "telling" the story.  It was really interesting to read through the story.  It was really one of those books that I couldn't put down because I wanted to see what each character would do next.


I would recommend it to those who enjoy a good fantasy, unknown illness plaguing the country type of story.  Jennifer Nielsen really knows how to tell a fantastic story that keeps her readers engaged.

Traitor's Game

Title: Traitor's Game
Author: Jennifer Nielsen
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: Hardback: Library
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 paws


For three years Kestra Dallisor was in exile, when she is called to return home, she is pulled right back to her fathers politics and hatred.  The role Kestra plays is not one of her choosing, she is just a pawn.  A group of rebels know how valuable Kestra is to the empire and kidnap her from her carriage.  They strike a deal with her, she find a mystical blade for them, and they will spare the lives of her protector and handmaiden.  While she agrees, Kestra is determined to not make it easy.  Soon secrets creep out of the darkness and alliances are born.  Kestra needs to decide whom she can put her trust in and whom she should fear.

I was excited about this book when I read about it last year.  It seemed to have everything I look for in a book, and the cover is very interesting and alluring.  It seemed to have a powerful female lead and strong supporting characters.  I am pleased to say the book delivered everything I could imagine it would and left me wanting more from the story.  I do look forward to reading the next book when it comes out next year.


Kestra is probably one of the strongest female leads I have read in YA this year.  She is not willing to go down easy and comes out fighting. She doesn't whimper or whine about her situation, but instead does what she can to come out on top even if it means lying to those she trusts the most.  We know she has strong fighting skills taught to her from Darrow, but we really don't get to see it...yet.  I hope there will be more action in the next book as it progresses to the next stage of the story.  Kestra has more depth to her than I have seen in a while and I am proud that Nielsen took the time to create a bold feisty, alluring heroine rather than a princess whose only concern are her dresses and status.


The Traitor's Game is a story packed full of battle scenes, murder, secrets, romance, and strength all rolled into a tale the takes readers on a roller coaster ride.  Some things I was able to predict and figure out, but other things were not what I was expecting.  While the book was fast paced and kept the reader wanting more, there were a few slower points that made me want to skip over them and read the next chapter.  I did find myself saying "one more chapter" until I looked at the clock and seen it was 2 am.


One of the most anticipated novels of 2018 and it does not disappoint.  I look forward to seeing what Nielsen has in store for readers in the next book of the series.  I would recommend it if you enjoy fantasy.  If you enjoy novels like the Throne of Glass series, then you will most likely enjoy this novel.


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