THE IDEAS IN THIS ARE SO GOOD, SO ORIGINAL. I love how it weaves its lore with real history and how it features an entire cast of characters affected by colonialism and/or exclusionism, and strikes hard and fast at the tropes so common in this adventure-heist-genre. It absolutely does not play around when it comes to attacking how the West profited off other cultures, and how much of the characters' desires for power are attempts to claim what should be rightfully theirs. This is a story with a dream set of PoV characters.

The cons: The story is admittedly hard to follow at times, with the action strangely paced, and many world details that never totally work in the manner that they're presented. Though I cared about the characters' plights, I didn't deeply connect with them. Zofia is my favorite though, and I knew she would be as soon as she broke out the sweets and explosions in her first chapter. Some dialogue and banter doesn't mesh with the scenes at times and the characters are just shy of having true chemistry. I get the aim, but it's just off the mark enough that it takes me out of the book.

All the juicy stuff that makes an amazing book... exists in the book, but I think it's either a matter of the story needing to be longer so it can afford to slow down more often, or exposition needing to be rearranged or written differently. I desperately want to love this book more than I do. When it's good, THE GILDED WOLVES is spilling with potential, with amazing bits of writing that are both cutting and lovely, and a world that pulses with magic. Without a doubt, despite the flaws, it's an incredibly imaginative, ambitious read.

This book puts me in the mind of Six Crows. It is a really diverse book set in the late 1800s in Paris. It is a very unique story of a band of misfits going on a heist. With a bit of magic and some sexual undertones. Séverin wants his blood right inheritance back. I love the rich writing style and the development of the characters make you love them.

1889 Paris on the cusp of the World Fair, a band of misfits work together to steal an artifact. What starts out as a heist that will bring power to some of the main characters and freedom to the others, quickly turns into a combination of heist, whodunit, mystery with layers upon layers of intrigue and deception.

Our central character, Severin, was denied his inheritance years ago and has made it his mission to “acquire” objects related to The Order, the overarching political system that keeps order amongst the remaining houses that protect a secret from the dawn of time.

When he receives an ultimatum from Hypnos, heir to House Nyx, Severin finds himself needing to use his team of talented outcasts to help him out of a bind. If he is successful with retrieving the item Hypnos wants, Hypnos promises to help him regain his seat in The Order.

The band of misfits each have their own special talent and affinity that come together to make the perfect heist team. The characters' back stories give us an insight into their motivations and personality quirks in a beautifully seamless way.

This story of an inheritance denied, a band of misfits, a theft, secret societies, magical realism with a steam punk flare ends with us asking the questions how much would you be willing to give up to have everything you think you want.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

So, I really liked this book. I didn't get through it as easily as I'd hoped, but that may have had more to do with the week I've had.

I would definitely pitch this as Six of Crows meets The Great Library. The characters in this book are great, I love every single one of them. The worldbuilding was a bit confusing at times but I find the forging aspect very interesting.

I can't wait for the sequel, but I hope this is a duology rather than a trilogy (I've grown bored with the latter).

A fascinating book set in an alternate 19th century Paris where Severin and his found family are searching for an object of power amid glittering temptations and danger. The lushly written setting in a city focused on the cusp of industrialization and ruled by arrogant aristocratic families almost distracts from the characters but their strengths, heartbreaking histories, and the care they have for each other make them so compelling. The plot is fast-paced, the puzzles are captivating, and the action is so suspenseful, I couldn't wait to finish the book and was distraught when I realized I have to wait for the next installment.

Séverin, denied his birthright, will do whatever it takes to reclaim his rightful place as head of House Vanth. When Séverin is forced into contract with Hypnos of House of Nyx, he agrees to find an ancient artifact with the promise of reinstating his inheritance. With his band of treasure hunters, each with a specific skillset, he must devise a plan to steal an artifact that might be the key to what each of them are seeking...if it doesn't get them all killed.

The Gilded Wolves is the first book in a new action packed YA fantasy. It offers a very diverse cast of characters each with their own story. Set in 19th century Paris France, this novel is a mix of history, science, religion, and magic. On the cusp of the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889; an eclectic group of treasures hunters must work together to obtain rare artifacts. Each member of the team has a specific skill and a troubled past that has led them into Severin's service. The cover of this novel is gorgeous and was what first captured my attention. The novel is well written with a great cast of unique and diverse characters who I absolutely loved. I will say the novel was a bit difficult for me to get into at first because there is a lot of information involving the characters arcs, the historical elements, the magical elements, and each of the houses. It felt a bit overwhelming at first but I quickly fell in love with all the characters, their humorous banter, and their plans that never quite go as planned. This was such a fun and exciting read that I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Lush and enticing writing throws you into this magical world Chokshi has created. You will be enamored by her characters and your heart will clutching at it's strings with all the emotions in this book.

Thanks a lot to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for sending me this ARC !
It was my first book from Roshani Chokshi, and I just loved her writing style so much; it was such a thrilling story, setting place in Paris during the 1889 World's Fair with six misfits preparing a heist It's somptuous and glamorous, and with a lot of diverse characters (a French-Algerian hotelier, a Jewish genius and autist girl, an Indian self-sufficient girl who has a mysterious gift, a brilliant Spanish-Filipino historian, a young and lonely botanical specialist and the heir of a great French family). I love this little group ! Besides, the world-building is exceptional and I just wanted to wander in Paris' dark streets - even though I live there.
However, I felt like the plot lost its rhythm near the end. Plus, as I am French, I could notice a lot of mistakes in some French phrases. I hope they'll be corrected for the final proof.
If you're a fan of Six of Crows, you surely don't want to miss this out!

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Before this book, I wasn't a fantasy fan and I was exclusively contemporary trash. Fantasy books were like my "are-they-or-aren't-they" relationship, but everyone knew it was really "pshhhh that powderpuff doesn't have the time for fantasy world-building."

HOWEVER, now I feel 1000000% dedicated to the highest of fantasy books, I want them, I will read them, please point me to the nearest magical world, my body is ready.

This book was well-written, both plot AND character driven (I felt it in equal measures), and resembles Six of Crows SO INTENSELY. If you love SOC I have no doubt you'll full-on adore this one. It's kind of like a tamer version??? So, you'll probably like it unless you feel this book is knock off SOC, which ngl is maybe legit.

The Plot

This was basically a heist plot, with a gang of friends willing to do the most dangerous possible things in order to find the magical artifacts they need. It takes place in the past, we're talking when the Eiffel Tower was new, in a world where magic is known and embraced. Not everyone has Forging abilities (being able to animate or manipulate matter OR the mind) but this talent is celebrated. There are magical families/institutions in charge of harboring magical artifacts + protecting the source of all magic, five fragments from the destroyed Tower of Babel. There is so much LORE based on real-life bible passages, science, mathematics, and history????? Apparently, wherever a Babel Fragment scattered, that's where we created civilizations based on Forging and (not sure how this is related) major rivers. Example: Mesopotamians near the Tigris and Euphrates. Overall, we can all agree that THIS! AUTHOR! DID! HER! RESEARCH!
"The Ring had been welded to her index finger the day she became Matriarch of House Kore, successfully beating out other members of her family and inner-House scrambles for power."

Forging is such a beautiful concept, every other page the author includes badass imagery about SOMETHING. Whether it's a gorgeous dress, chalices that float down to waiting hands, masks that make you a crazed killer. IT'S A CONCEPT. And it was *kisses fingers* ~~gorgeously executed.~~

The Characters

Séverin
Hotel owner, gang leader, foresaken prince, and strikingly handsome planner who eats herb leaves when hes' thinking and exudes serious Kaz Brekker energy. (But more of a cheerful, innocent Kaz)
"Séverin, last of the Montagnet-Alarie line and heir to House Vanth, whispered its name anyway. House Vanth, I honor you."

Also, secrets keep his curly hair lustrous. Pro Tip! ++++ Apparently, Forging manifests during your 13th birthday, and our boy never got the magic? Or his throne. But he's still holding it together, one day at a time.

Tristan
The brother Séverin chose, protects, and adores. They just love one another and are sworn to care for each other! They have such a past!!!?????? Tristan is an innocent boy with flowers in his pockets and a pet spider and he drinks hot chocolate because he's CUTE. AND ADORABLE. GIVE HIM BUBBLES. (I get Wylan vibes WHATCANYADO)
He also Forged a garden based on the Seven Deadly Sins. Layers, man, he's got 'em.

Enrique
MY BISEXUAL BUTTERCUP. He's charming and wonderful and is involved in a love triangle w one boy and one girl. I really liked him and his Jesper-eyness. He's also a super smart historian bc he doesn't have Forging ability, but this little trooper said "ya know what, HISTORY is magical so we'll go with that" In summary, he's a Spanish-Filipino nerd and I will fight for him.
"Had I known what pretty company you keep, I might have met with you sooner," said Hypnos, not taking his eyes off Enrique."

Zofia
A Jewish Polish mathematician who misses every single social cue and doesn't really know how to interact with other humans. OBVIOUSLY I related to this girl so much, and I love her, and she loves cookies and being a genius. SHE'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES OKAY. (smol Inej personality sometimes, i'm stretching this but let's accept it)

Laila
An Indian girl with a tragic + weird backstory???? She reminds me of Nina!!!!!! One of her jobs is to seduce an audience through dance and performance, the other is baking all day in a kitchen surrounded by delicious sugary treats.

Hypnos!
My gay love, a POC, and so damn charming????? All he really wants is friendship, I adore him with all my heart.
"I hate it when I have to do this! Flaring tempers, veiled threats, ugh. It ages me, mon cher, and I detest that."


Overall, this book is queer AND feminist AND diverse, so I was extremely happy. I love the intense friendships and confused attraction everyone has to each other, and CUTE BANTER.

From the very first page, this book excels in beautiful prose. This is a book I would describe as a sort of Fantasy of Manners heist novel. While the heist is an important part of the story, the tone is much more focused on the aristocratic atmosphere. This is a book more about the characters and the prose, rather than the action and plot. I think this is an excellent book. But I do think it tried to have a bit too many threads. The different romances, the heist, the Fallen House, etc. The complexities of the world and its history were handled well. But for me the relationships (including infatuations) between the different characters felt disjointed. Regardless, I would still recommend this book. It's like a Fantasy of Manners version of Six of Crows.

3.75/5 stars

I'm EXTREMELY picky with YA historical fantasy novels. I either love them or hate them. Every once in a while though, there's one that catches my attention just enough for me to keep pushing through, but it probably isn't my favorite. Enter "The Gilded Wolves", which is precisely the type of book I described. Very slow at first, but I kept pushing because some of my 4+ rated books happen to start off slow. While it picks up, there were many MANY instances where I thought to myself "ok if something doesn't happen in the next 20 pages I'm done", but then something so interesting would happen that I'd decide to keep going. I don't love this, but I don't hate it either. There's more good to bad, and I feel that maybe a little bit more oomph in between the more talkative points of the book could've benefitted for many people. People compare this to Six of Crows, which I can see why, but I definitely disagree that it's not exactly like that at all. Six of Crows didn't make me feel like dropping every few chapters and I just felt the world and characters were more lush. The Gilded Wolves is a good novel, but not a great one. It could've benefitted from a bit more editing.

All thoughts are my own and are in no way biased. ARC given to me for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

"Everywhere he looked, he was surrounded by gilded wolves. And for whatever reason, it made him feel perfectly at home. Wolves were everywhere. In politics, on thrones, in beds. They cut their teeth on history and grew fat on war. Not that Séverin was complaining. It was just that, like other wolves, he wanted his share."

I am officially addicted to the Gilded Wolves!

Roshani Chokshi holds a special place in my heart. From the moment I read her Star-touched Queen, I knew her prose was for me. When I read A Crown of Wishes I knew it's true love. Though The Gilded Wolves is nothing like its predecessors in style and writing, it proves that Roshani's talent is limitless and she is capable of many wonderful magical things.

The Gilded Wolves is a story about Severin - the exiled heir of a dying House of Vanth. To earn back his inheritance Severin has to find and give to the omniscient Order of Babel society one ancient artifact they have been looking for. But to do so Severin requires a help of five different friends who have their own stakes in the game and their motives are not as simple as it seems. Together with his team of outcasts, Severin will have to penetrate powerful secret societies, to stop one ancient force from resurrecting, to stalk Paris's catacombs and not to lose their lives or hearts in the process.

To give more information about this book would be a crime as it gradually unravels its secret nooks and hidden passages giving any reader a hell of a shock in the end and making you cry for the next installment. Well, this is what true adventures are made of.

The Gilded Wolves reminded me of Six of Crows but the comparison is only in the setting: we have a team of outcasts and a heist to complete. Add to that magic and humor and you have a similar recipe to Six of Crows. But rather than common topic, books are nothing alike. The Gilded Wolves is a story in its own right, having a unique voice, you will not forget after finishing the book.

I absolutely adored a cast of characters. They have diverse and unique voices. For sure you are going to pick your favorite characters and couples, but all of them working together as a team was so endearing that they became one of the cutest book families I've encountered in a book. My heart aches for all of them.

As I mentioned before The Gilded Wolves is very different from Roshani's previous books. This story lacked the prose author is so famous for in her previous works. There were no lengthy but beautiful descriptions and imaginative epithets. Some people like to adhere to it as purple prose, but for me, it's just the beauty of language. The Gilded Wolves are more restraint in language but no less imaginative and complete in the richness of a word. And when Roshani uses some of the epithets to describe characters and their feelings, those words bloom and fill whole passages with possibilities beyond imagination.

The only problem I had with the book was infodump at the beginning and lengthy descriptions of science and mechanical actions that can go on for pages and often confuse more than enlighten. Don't get me wrong, I am a nerd and adore smart characters and this book has plenty of them. But when you read a book you build all images in your head and some things were so confusing it was hard for me to imagine them properly.

I would highly recommend The Gilded Wolves to those readers who love similar to Six of Crows stories, but unique in their own way, with rich diverse characters and a mystery worth dying for or at least worth turning the last page and crave for more.

Heist, secret societies, friendship, star-crossed lovers, humor - a perfect remedy from Autumn melancholy. Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press Wednesday Books, for the read of Roshani Chokshi’s, The Gilded Wolves.

Imagination, magic, the decadent settings of Paris in 1889 with a contemporary twist, clever characters: The Gilded Wolves has it all – including a gorgeous cover.

Treasure-hunter Séverin has the chance to reclaim his true inheritance but he needs the help of a unique group of skilled characters to succeed in the risky mission.

It is a fantastic YA novel, and I know our students will be thrilled with it.

Highly recommend.

I recently discovered Roshani Chokshi as an author and I'm thrilled that I did . This is another beautifully written story that will appeal to a variety of different genre lovers. Chokshi is able to combine elements of fantasy with history and make the reader fall into the worlds she creates! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is a mixture of religion, history, math and science which was both interesting and confusing

What I liked
- The plot is unique from your typical ya plot. It’s inspired by the biblical story of the Tower of babel. It’s basically about a group of misfits in France, I believe, who collaborate to find a precious artefact that needed to be kept safe because of the dangerous thing it can reveal about the babel fragments.

- the characters: Like alot of other people have said, they reminded me of SoC.

- We have the ‘leader’ Severin who lost his birthright and was promised to get it back if he found the artefact. We have Laila, who has a secret and has her own purpose apart from finding the artefact. She’s like the mother of the group, always feeding them and making sure they’re okay. Then there is Tristan who is like the baby of the group. He and Severin kinda grew up together and they’re basically brothers! There is Enrique, who is the historian and also the flirt of the group , there is Zofia, an awkward, math nerd who is great at solving logical problems but terrible at anything social related. Lastly, there is Hypnos, who is the outsider and a part of the elite society, ‘the order of babel’, but he’s half black so he doesn’t fully belong. I loved the interaction between the characters and they had some funny moments.

- I liked the fantasy elements; A few people are blessed with affinities that I think has to do with the tower of babel. There is matter (solid, liquid) and there is mind affinities. People that have these affinities can forge items that contain them so this book had alot of animated objects which was pretty cool. There is also a character that can ’read’ items by touching them, meaning she can tell the history of the item; who used it, what it was used for, etc.

What I didn’t like
- To say I was confused alot is an understatement. I was lost from the beginning. Overall, I knew what was happening in general but it was the little details I was confused about. This book had alot of puzzles that needed to be solved and I found myself having to read the same pages over again just so I can make sense of how the puzzles are being solved. Some of them included math theories which I found myself zoning out to bc its math… Like I said above, the book mixed alot of subjects (religion, math, fantasy, history, etc) so it was sometimes a burden to read about how they all related to each other. As I am writing this review, I’m starting to even forget how some plot points went about.

General Commentary
There isn’t really romance in this, but it was kinda hinted at. Two of the characters had some type of romantic past but it’s kinda complicated now lol. I found that I didn’t care about romance in this and was more interested in the friendship so the lack of romantic love didn’t bother me.

Overall, it was a good book, albeit rather confusing and yes I would recommend if you liked six of crows. It’s like the less savage version of that.

I received an arc of this from both the publisher and Netgalley simultaneously and it was only because of the physical book that I plodded through as far as I could, but unfortunately, I had to DNF at around halfway through. The story wasn’t engrossing and the characters were not engaging. I encountered this while trying out Six of Crows, which several reviewers have compared it to so it’s no wonder I couldn’t get through it. I don’t feel as though this a bad book, it simply was not for me.

I loved this book! The characters were well-rounded, and the plot was innovative and kept me on my toes through the entire book. Devoured it in just over 24 hours!

It took me a bit to get invested, but once I did, this story had me completely. Great characters, interesting plot with just the right amount of romantic angst thrown in to get me hooked. Conclusions yet setup for book 2, which is something many authors struggle with. Here it was done beautifully.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book that I think I can distill into three major points:
1. This isn't a problem with the book itself but the formatting was suuuuuuper jacked up and made some passages difficult to read.
2. The thing I love about a lot of fantasy, scifi, and alt history books written in the past few years is that authors are afforded an opportunity to introduce diversity, but it's often done heavy-handedly or with great difficulty. Chokshi does not have that problem; minority characters are not delegated to secondary roles, but are major players with meaty storylines and unforced motivations. The worldbuilding of fantasy/alt-history Paris is done so well that the ways in which these characters' paths cross is BELIEVEABLE. I'm Filipino, so I had a personal interest in the introduction of a Filipino character, and I'm impressed in how Chokshi got that character to Paris. Nothing feels shoehorned, it all just works.
3. I didn't not enjoy the book--Chokshi's writing is lovely and the story is well-paced--but how many heist books do we really need? I got major Six of Crows (and Locke Lamora, etc.) vibes the entire time. To be fair, I enjoyed this much, much more than Six of Crows, but it just wasn't the most original story.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi was a great story! Well written and amazing story with great characters