What can I say? It is clear that Chokshi is an insanely talented author. We saw this in "The Star-Touched Queen" and "A Crown of Wishes" definitely solidifies that status. Not only is she able to develop characters that are thoughtful and interesting but she is able to create worlds that are so vivid you as a reader can't help but feel fully immersed in them. Beyond this, there really isn't much more I can say. Do I think this novel's storytelling, characters, setting, etc. are utterly stunning? Absolutely! Am I excited to share it with teen readers? You better believe it! Do I think that every library should have these books on their shelves? HURRY, GET THEM NOW!! All in all, another gorgeous novel from Chokshi. I seriously cannot wait to see what she has in store for her readers in the future..

I'm so sorry, but this book is 3x better than The Star-Touched Queen! And that's saying something! The Star-Touched Queen was fantastic, so for this book to be better is pretty difficult. But it is!!

The magical world, combined with the high stakes and wondrous romance makes this an entertaining and engrossing read! I really want to talk about spoilers, but I do want you guys to read it now! It's honestly breath-taking! I'm using a lot of exclamation points right now, but I'm telling you guys, I can't help it!!

This is the second book of a series, but you really don't need to read The Star-Touched Queen to be able to read this. This book contains some reference to the main character of the first book, Maya, but all the information you need is in the book.

Guari was on point! She's powerful, beautiful, and such a badass woman!! International Women's Day was this week, so let's appreciate! She was so brave and ruthless, I was not disappointed with her one bit. She's a character worthy of her story.

The other main character is Vikram. I love Vikram. His character to me felt so unconventional and original. He was hilarious, clever, and every inch boy goals. He's hot because he's so smart and funny. And there's no better hotness than that.

The romance in this book is so cute and adorable. It doesn't overwhelm the story but there's just enough of it to make you sigh and grin helplessly from the cuteness. In the romance you find so much humorous moments which provide lovely moments of levity. In this story we have two imperfect characters in a situation that makes us swoon and decide that in every world these two would be together, always. No exceptions.

The writing in this book is so quotable and well-done. I love the rich descriptions, I really feel as if I can step over and smell and feel the magic of Alaka. This is the power of stories to me. To be so good that I feel I am just a dimension away from the story being true.

Strongly recommend this lovely book! Honestly guys, please read it!

Forever and always,
Yomna

You know when it's an author's second book and the first one was so amazing that you're kind of worried that nothing can live up to that? Not so with this one. A Crown of Wishes is as amazing, if not more so, as The Star-Touched Queen.

The writing is just as gorgeous as usual, with some wonderful descriptions (especially of food and gardens) that bring the story to life. The setting this time is the Tournament of Wishes, in which Gauri and Vikram are competing. Gauri is Maya's sister, introduced in the first book, a princess who has been in captivity by her kingdom's enemies for 6 months. Vikram is the adopted prince of Bharata's enemies, who wants to be king and to be respected by the council.

The characters are also wonderful, and so realistic and their relationship is a hate to love one, which is one of my favourite tropes ever. They start off as enemies, on account of their kingdoms, and they develop so beautifully to fall in love. And Roshani Chokshi writes it so well. And writes it without any relationship-based conflict, which I always appreciate.

I think Roshani Chokshi is one of my favourite authors, on the basis of this book and the last, and from now on she'll definitely be an auto-read.

First of all, oh my gosh! That cover is breathtaking! <3 A Crown of Wishes has been one of my most anticipated reads this year and imagine my surprise when it popped up in my email even before I requested it! I was ecstatic!! This book was simply mindblowing and I loved every bit of it.

Gauri is the princess of Bharata who is now awaiting a death sentence for trying to overthrow her tyrannical brother whereas Vikram is frustrated being the sole heir who is not taken seriously by anyone because of his origins. When Vikram gets a chance to participate in a Tournament of Wishes, he desperately needs a partner to enter it and when he offers this chance to Gauri, she grabs it. But the tournament is far from something they had ever imagined, it will either grant their wish or destroy them forever.

“Love is like Death without the guarantee of its arrival. Love may not come for you, but when it does it will be just as swift and ruthless as Death and just as blind to your protestations. And just as Death will end one life and leave you with another, so will Love.”

I really enjoyed the plot of this book. It definitely held some similarities with The Star-Touched Queen and I loved that aspect. Vikram and Gauri are complete opposites and they are both thrust into the Otherworld to compete for the Tournament of Wishes in Alaka. Now, this was really intriguing although some parts felt a bit rushed. The Lord of Wealth who was the host for this tournament was indeed very cunning, he knew how to twist one sense into another.

This story like the previous book had so many references to Indian myths. I was actually overjoyed to see that "Vikram and Vetal" was also incorporated into this story as well, it was one of my favorite story and cartoon that I used to watch as a child on Sunday mornings. There was also reference to Lord Krishna one time. Nonetheless, these itsy-bitsy bits were fun to read about.

All the characters were richly layered and unique. The characterisation was the heart and soul of this book. I absolutely loved Gauri, she was brave and feisty and Vikram was pretty humorous. They perfectly balanced each other. Their relationship started out as enemies, then allies which slowly evolved into something more and I loved them together so freaking much!

The worldbuilding was pretty awesome! There were so many different kinds of people in the Otherworld, I especially loved the incorporation of viskanyas, the women who can kill by their poison touch. Aasha was a pretty interesting character and I loved her friendship with Gauri. The action and the adventure never failed to surprise me and I was thoroughly entertained throughout the story.

Overall, A Crown of Wishes was a pretty great read. The plot was executed neatly and I fell in love with the characters. I loved the romance between Vikram and Gauri. The writing flowed so beautifully which kept me glued to my e-reader and the pace was even throughout the book. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.

Recommend it?

Yes.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi
Book Two of The Star-Touched Queen series
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: March 28, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Gauri, the princess of Bharata, has been taken as a prisoner of war by her kingdom’s enemies. Faced with a future of exile and scorn, Gauri has nothing left to lose. Hope unexpectedly comes in the form of Vikram, the cunning prince of a neighboring land and her sworn enemy kingdom. Unsatisfied with becoming a mere puppet king, Vikram offers Gauri a chance to win back her kingdom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together, they’ll have to set aside their differences and team up to win the Tournament of Wishes—a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor.

Reaching the tournament is just the beginning. Once they arrive, danger takes on new shapes: poisonous courtesans and mischievous story birds, a feast of fears and twisted fairy revels.

Every which way they turn new trials will test their wit and strength. But what Gauri and Vikram will soon discover is that there’s nothing more dangerous than what they most desire.

What I Liked:

Last year, I read The Star-Touched Queen and while I enjoyed it overall, I didn't love it like most people did. It was a wonderful story, but I wanted the hero to be less one-dimensional, and I wanted the romance to be more direct and present. I am extremely pleased with A Crown of Wishes because it has everything I liked in The Star-Touched Queen - AND the issues I had with The Star-Touched Queen are not present in this book. I liked A Crown of Wishes more than The Star-Touched Queen, and I think it is better than its predecessor.

Vikram has always known that he will inherit the throne of Ujijaiin but he will only ever be a puppet Emperor. The council has never treated him like a full-blood prince - given that he was adopted by the Emperor. When Vikram is invited to play in the Tournament of Wishes, he does not refuse. He must find a partner, and that leads him to Gauri. Gauri, princess of Bharata, has been a prisoner for months. When the prince of an enemy kingdom offers freedom in exchange for her being his partner in a deadly and magical game, she accepts, hoping to kill him and be rid of him quickly. But they discover that they needed each other more than they realized, if they want to make it out of the Tournament alive, and win. The prize is a wish for any victor, and both Vikram and Gauri have desires born of their cruel pasts. But desires are dangerous, just as dangerous as secrets.

One thing that I was extremely excited to discover is that this book is written in dual POV - we get Gauri's first-person POV, and Vikram's third-person POV. I complained about how I thought Amar felt so one-dimensional, in The Star-Touched Queen. Well, that problem was very, very fixed in this book, given the second POV (Vikram's).

I'll start with Vikram, since the story starts with Vikram. I would argue that this book is just as much Vikram's as it is Gauri's - she does not hold the spotlight. Vikram is the Fox Prince, an eighteen-year-old prince who is clever and very intelligent. He is not a warrior, and he doesn't even carry weapons. That surprised me, because what prince in any world (made-up or real) isn't trained to be a warrior? I liked that Vikram is different in that sense - he isn't an alpha, he isn't a warrior. He isn't a passive, scared boy either. I love how clever he is, and how he is so patient and steady.

Gauri, on the other hand, is a warrior princess. She is brash and bold and wild. She wants her throne, and she is determined to get it, doing whatever it takes. Gauri is the "alpha" in this story, the one who demands and takes and bosses. I liked her a lot because I could see parts of myself in her. She isn't cold-hearted like many believe her to be (like she believes herself to be). There is more to Gauri than the Jewel, the princess of Bharata, the warrior.

The two of them together is like fire and ice. They antagonize each other, needle each other, irritate each other, but they stick together, save each other's lives, and look out for each other. Their friendship (at first it's friendship) is a slow-growing thing that doesn't have the best start. But I liked seeing them grow to care for each other, and then I liked seeing that turn into something else.

This book isn't a necessarily a romance, but I loved the romance. I loved how Vikram and Gauri's romance is a slow-burn one that is also more direct and strong than the romance in The Star-Touched Queen. Neither character here plays games with each other, or runs from each other. Rather, they learn each other and find their way. Even with Gauri's emotional and mental armor, and Vikram's selflessness, the pair never shy away from each other. It's a sweet romance.

This story is so much fun to read! Fun, and sometimes heartbreaking, but a lot of fun and sometimes hilarious. Vikram and Gauri travel to the Otherworld in order to try to win a wish for themselves. They must complete several tasks, and also try to stay alive. The tasks require both of their strengths, and for them to overcome their weaknesses and fears. This story is so thorough and engrossing - you'll feel like you've read a lifetime's worth of a story, and not a month's worth.

Also, props to the author for doing such good research and/or including so much of her culture in this book. As an Indian girl, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to read a book that features aspects of Indian culture, written by an Indian author. Chokshi does a lovely job with the Indian influences she incorporates in the story.

Masterful storytelling and writing, as always. I think everyone agreed that the writing of The Star-Touched Queen was phenomenal. The author gets even better, in this book. I love how lush her writing is! Also I have to say, I love how many food references there were. So. Much. Food.

I won't say anything more because I don't want to spoil anything, but I really enjoyed this book. I loved the dual POVs, the character development, the romance, the Tournament. The ending is PERFECT. Trust me, it's a great ending, and it's so satisfying. I'd love to know the logistics of a certain aspects of the ending, but maybe the author will write an epilogue. Or a book three...?

What I Did Not Like:

I honestly can't think of anything to write about here! The author "fixed" the issues I had in book one, so I'm pretty satisfied. Maybe seeing Gauri feel more guilty over a certain aspect of the ending? It was her fault, in any case. Let me keep quiet!

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend this book, whether you liked The Star-Touched Queen or not, whether you read The Star-Touched Queen or not. Remember, I liked it but didn't totally love it like many people did. I can safely say that this book was (even) better. This book is full of great diversity, rich culture, and lovely storytelling and writing. And a gorgeous cover!

Rating:

4.5 stars. I'm rounding to 4 stars which is technically the same rating I gave The Star-Touched Queen, but know that I liked this book more. Both books had a tough and admirable heroine, but I think the inclusion of Vikram's POV and the stronger romance made this companion sequel a better book than The Star-Touched Queen!

This sequel is even better than The Star-Touched Queen! Chokshi's descriptions are as vivid, unique, and creative as ever, the magic is as thick and wondrous. What really makes this one stand out for me is the characters. I loved them all. They were complex, deeply crafted and fit the story like threads in a tapestry. You could not remove or change Gauri or Vikram without the entire story collapsing. The entire plot is interconnected in a way that I seldom see but love. The way everything has a secondary and sometimes tertiary meaning shows Chokshi's true talent.

Here is where I get biased:

I love romances based on mutual respect and equal partnership. The way Gauri and Vikram compliment each other and fill each other's weak spots really got me (as did Chokshi's amazing descriptions!).

I also love tournaments. The Tournament of Wishes was not the typical arena tournament thing I have a massive soft spot for which made it even better. It was unique. It was focused on the characters instead of competition. It was full of magic that moved in ways neither the main characters nor the reader would expect but in ways that still made sense.

Overall, I am going to recommend this book to everyone. It is one of my favourites and as soon as my bookstore has it in stock, it's getting a Staff Pick sticker.

Roshani Chokshi is my QUEEN and this book is even BETTER than The Star-Touched Queen.

A Crown of Wishes is the companion novel to The Star-Touched Queen. You can read ACOW without reading TSTQ (Honestly, why would you do that when TSTQ is so freaking good?) but you might miss a bit of context with some of the character relationships if you don't.

Anyways, A Crown of Wishes follows Gauri, the princess of Bharata who is sentenced to death because of the ruthless king, her stepbrother. Her sentence is to be carried out by a rival kingdom where Vikram is the heir to the throne. But because his mother was a dancer, his title has little power. When Vikram is met by a sage who tells him of a game where he could get the power he wants, he is determined to play. But there is an obstacle: he needs a specific partner and that partner is Gauri. Together, they are playing a deadly game in a supernatural world to get their greatest wishes granted.

First of all, let's talk about her writing; it's absolutely magical. It's not too fluffy and it doesn't drag on and on. As I was reading, every word I read felt like that feeling you get when you eat dark chocolate (if you are a lover of dark chocolate like I am, you get me): it was delightful, soothing and so satisfying. If you love Laini Taylor or Renee Ahdieh, you're going to love Roshani Chokshi.

I can't even pick whether I loved the plot or the characters in A Crown of Wishes more. The plot and the setting was amazing. I loved that this book's plot revolved around wishes and the lesson that wishes have consequences. It was very fun to watch these characters go through these trials together in an exquisite world. But you're just going to have to read about it to know what I mean.

The characters were also fabulous. I'm going to try not to ruin this book too much for you so I'll try to be brief. You'll love Gauri because she is the Beast Princess (literally people call her that in the book), aka she is the ultimate badass. Gauri is so brave, willing to fight for her people. She can use her femininity as a weapon and is very smart. Vikram is probably going to be my book boyfriend of the year, because that man melted my heart from the 1st word on the page. He's known as the Fox Prince because he is really that cunning. The romance that builds between these two characters is absolutely precious and I loved every second reading from each of these characters POVs. If you love hilarious banter and an awesome love-hate relationship, you'll love them together. The other POV we see in this book is a girl named Aasha, who is a supernatural creature that wishes she was human. She adds a bit to the mythology of the story while serving as a little mermaid like figure.

If you take anything from this rambling fangirl fest of a review, you just need to read Roshani Chokshi's books. They add magic into your life by introducing you to a whole other world. Whatever this woman writes, I will BUY it! If you're looking for some beautiful, highly original YA, A Crown of Wishes is for you!

I really enjoyed Roshani Chokshi's debut novel, The Star-Touched Queen, but I have to say, A Crown of Wishes was a step above it!

A Crown of Wishes keeps the beautiful prose and writing style that The Star-Touched Queen also had, alongside the metaphors that both fit so perfectly with the plot and really help the reader to visualise the world the author's building. Gauri was an amazing character - a strong female lead who fit into the 'princess in captivity' trope but broke the stereotypes to pieces - her determination and bravery really made her a much more likeable character than similar princesses. Paired up with Vikram, this book just had the most perfect characters, which complemented the plot, which then complemented the poetic writing style - everything about this story just fit together so well, and I am so excited to read more by Roshani Chokshi. I would highly recommend this book - and although it is a companion novel to The Star-Touched Queen, you can definitely read one without having read the other!

This was a great story to read. Although it did lose me during the middle parts just a bit and it still has some very confusing parts. It was still a great story and journey. I do recommend to read this one via ebook. Having the ability to look up a word, you don't know on the spot made reading a lot better.

So this one picks up after book one its been a few months and our wonderful little girl Gauri is now, of course, a young woman and she's in prison. We also get the continuing story of Vikram whom we met in book one through the tapestry. I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this story since I had fallen in love with Maya in book one but let don't let that bother you if you're scared. This story was fantastic and beautiful.

The story itself kind of reminded me a little of another new book out there called Caravel. Since with this one, our two main characters are off to a game to win wishes. Just like in Caraval things are not always as they seem and just when you think you know what's going to happen the author throws you for a loop and takes you in a new direction that you didn't see coming. The world building built upon what we were given in book one and it's just as breathtaking as the first. I really do wish that these become movies or something as I would really love to see this world come to live. I want to see it with my own two eyes and bathe in the wonders of this world that the author has created.

I really loved Gauri she was a force to be reckoned with. I loved her spirit, and I hope that this is not the last that we will see of her. Vikram was so funny during most of this book he was the comic relief, and I loved how he took everything in stride. I do wish he knew how to wield a sword etc. I didn't really get that he knew how to fight at all during this story. Which just really seemed out of place in my book. But I guess thinking about it now it seems pretty normal. I mean look at Gauri's brother who was ruling he was nothing but a fat guy on a throne letting everyone else do things for him. I doubt he could fight if his light depended on it.

I don't know what the author is doing for the next book or even if there will be the next book but I hope that everyone comes back. If there is a next book, I hope to see it via a certain Vishakanya that I have grown to love during this book.

If your looking for a new adventure to quentch your thirst I would pick this one up!

One of my favourite things this year has been reading sophomore publications and marvelling at the author's growth. Chokshi definitely kicked things in high gear with this novel. In fact, I would be so bold as to say that "A Crown of Wishes" tethers on the edge of being a masterpiece. The characters are beautifully drawn and multi-dimensional. Despite, it being a high fantasy novel, it will be easy for readers of the target age group (and beyond that scope) to connect with them. The side characters are easy to fall in love with, did not overshadow the protagonists and were just intriguing enough to leave this reader wanting more.

I personally enjoy the prevailing trope of men and women bucking traditional gender stereotypes and I loved it so much in this book. I also enjoyed the fact that the names Gauri and Vikram were not watered done for Western consumption and that Indian culture continued to feature heavily in the series.

With regard to the plot, it was much simpler for me to follow that The Star Touched Queen. Here, Chokshi paces herself and the end result is a beautifully crafted story. The pacing was also well-done and I didn't find much of a lull in any point of the story.

Notwithstanding, I still find that Chokshi waxes a bit too lyrical, even though it has been scaled way back from the debut. The over-use of metaphors and similes was a bit jarring but not so much as to make me stop reading altogether.

In summary, "A Crown of Wishes" is a beautiful novel and I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of high fantasy and looking for something that offers a unique take on high fantasy.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book! My opinions are entirely my own.

Let me just start off by saying - this is a thoroughly enjoyable adventure! While I haven't read The Star-Touched Queen (YET!) I have heard some criticisms of Roshani Chockshi's writing style, and was a bit hesitant going into A Crown of Wishes... and ended up being VERY pleasantly surprised! Chockshi manages a rare feat of turning a poem into an adventure, a song into a story. Each sentence is a delight and leaves me filled with so much writer envy I can hardly stand it.

Writing aside, the story is brilliantly mapped out as well. Characters leap off the page, their agency never forgotten, their wit and verve endless. You will swoon over Vikram and cheer for Gauri. Their entirely original tale has the potential to be shared for years and years. Sassy birds and haunted pasts fill out the corners, the twists and turns on Gauri and Vikram's path leaving you gripped. You won't be able to put down this book!

Overall, I definitely recommend this book to fans of Renee Ahdieh's The Wrath and the Dawn, and readers who can't get enough of Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes. Also, if you haven't read Star-Touched Queen yet don't fret - this book stands entirely on its own!

A Crown of Wishes is an example of exquisite storytelling. It's lush, exotic, and lyrical. Roshani Chokshi has a way with words that is quite amazing and her books are engrossing and memorable. I would've liked to see a little more action though. The poetic language was a little over the top at times and was taking away from the story. Our main characters, Gauri and Vikram, chose to compete in the Tournament of Wishes set in a mythical city, and have a number of difficult tasks to complete and some magical trials to overcome. So there is a lot of potential for action and adventure but it's left unrealized.
Overall A Crown of Wishes is a good follow-up to The Star-Touched Queen. Roshani Chokshi has a very unique voice and her books definitely stand out among other fantasy books.

This was amazing. Everything contained in the pages was extraordinary! The characters that were construction, the world was vivid and you could almost see yourself in the moment experiencing the adventure side by side with Gauri and Vikram! Every page is full of magic, miracles and monsters. I do not usually include my favorite parts of a book in a review because I do not want to spoil the wonder for those reading However I believe this will make the wonder and curiosity simply more so

“What do I call you? ” he asked, turning to me. “The ‘Jewel
of Bharata’ just seems too modest, don’t you think? ”
“Call me Gauri.”
“How intimate.”
I glared. “Enjoy it, because that’s as intimate as this will ever get, Fox Prince.”

Their back and forth was my favorite part of the entire story. I laughed and cried and laughed some more at their bickering and the work just glowed to life.

After devouring The Star Touched Queen, recommending it to multiple fantasy-loving students, and spending probably more time than is healthy extolling it's virtues to anyone who would listen, I was THRILLED to be able to read "A Crown of Wishes" early. I was not disappointed. Chokshi has definitely cemented herself as one of my favorite authors. Her world building is amazing. The kingdoms (both mortal and immortal) are well described sensory feasts. Her weaving of Indian folklore and mythology into the story is masterful. I would love a companion book to these novels explaining more of the Gods, Godesses and deities that make their appearances in both novels. Her storytelling is compelling and pulls you in completely.

From beginning to end, I was enraptured by the journey of Gauri, the exiled "Jewel of Bahrata," and Vikram, the enemy prince originally expected to execute her. After a failed coup d'etat, Princess Gauri is dumped over the border into neighboring country, where the Fox Prince, whose power is limited to that of a puppet by his council, rules. Rather than execute her, Vikram defies the council when he frees Gauri so that she can be his partner during the Tournament of Wishes. Guaranteed two entries (but not safe exits, as they both note wryly) to the tournament, they face a series of challenges and sacrifices that may earn them the wishes they need to make their dreams and goals a reality.

On a side/teacher's note: This book is great for my classroom library. I love that it features South Asian characters (although the worlds are fictitious the characters' culture and mythology is not); a large percentage of my student body are immigrants from the region. Gauri and Vikram are great role models - not "perfect" characters, but realistic, growing, overcoming challenges and obstacles, and smart! Their culture is celebrated, not just used as a foil for a white lead character or to be seen as other/"foreign." It is also appropriate for their age group - thirteen and fourteen years old for the most part. While there is romance, there isn't much sexual content, and there isn't drug/alcohol references. While I don't try to shelter them or censor their books (if they watch R-rated movies, they've seen much worse), I still appreciate when a story can be riveting, action-packed, and romantic without being explicit.

I will definitely be keeping my pre-order of this book. In fact, I may order another copy - one to keep in my personal library and another to share with my students.

Last year The Star-Touched Queen was one of my favorite books of the year and this year Roshani Chokshi’s follow up novel, A Crown of Wishes promises to be an even bigger favorite of mine. Capturing all the lyrical and mythical elements of the last novel, A Crown of Wishes expands upon her already established world but also thematically addresses the power of something very near and dear to my heart: stories.

The coup planned by Maya’s younger sister Gauri has failed and she has landed in the custody of the kingdom of Ujijain whose relationship with Bharata is tenuous and possibly dependent on whether or not they kill her––which is what her brother dearly wants. Vikram, the prince of Ujijain, cannot convince his adoptive father’s council to take him seriously or grant him more than just superficial power over the nation as his father plans to retire. He is tasked with informing Gauri of her approaching execution but a messenger of sorts reaches him first with an invitation to the Tournament of Wishes held by the King of Riches in Alaka, one of the kingdoms of the Otherworld. The invitation is for him and a partner matching Gauri’s description. Rather than announce her death, he gives her the choice to join him in the tournament or not. And so their story begins.

With themes pertaining to desire, fear, choice, and the power of narrative woven throughout, A Crown of Wishes is enchanting in its prose and resonant in its messages. Examining the differences between desire and need, between justice and vengeance, and the important role perspective plays in how events around us unfold––in the way our stories take shape and evolve—A Crown of Wishes makes relatively familiar thematic ground feel fresh and new. There is such lyrical beauty in Chokshi’s prose and the ways that the kingdoms of the Otherworld blend magic and myth.

All of the characters in the novel—even the secondary ones—are incredibly developed and well rounded, none more so than the two leads. The interplay between Gauri and Vikram is charged and playful in all the right ways, deepening their connection and intimacy naturally so that their relationship is not only believable but healthy throughout. They balance one another beautifully as their struggles parallel each other while manifesting in significantly different ways. I greatly appreciated how even their narrative voices reflected their personal struggles as they made their way to and through the tournament, with Gauri’s perspective narrated in the first person while Vikram’s was presented in third person.

While readers of The Star-Touched Queen will be a little familiar with Maya’s beloved younger sister Gauri, it is by no means necessary to read The Star-Touched Queen first or at all. A Crown of Wishes stands resolutely on its on. I very much hope that there will be additional novels in this series as there are several characters tangential to this particular tale whose stories I would be eager to get larger glimpses of in the future.

A Crown of Wishes will be available for purchase April 4, 2017.

It's not often a sequel so completely lives up to the highly successful book it follows on from - or in this case a companion novel lives up to its mate. A Crown of Wishes was every bit as good as A Star Touched Queen whilst still being very much it's own book. Gauri was a fantastic heroine - a warriof maiden with a strategic mind, ruthlessness and yet still a strong moral compass and compassion. Vikram was an excellent foil for her. I love the world building and the inclusion of Hindu myth. This is a fabulous adventure storg with a pair of main characters who will steal your heart.

4 stars!

*

A Crown of Wishes is a big step-up from and a great companion novel to The Star-Touched Queen. It gives us new and developed characters and an enchanting story in a universe familiar to readers, breathing life into the world Chokshi created. The use of mythology combined with the plot is expertly done, making it one of the highlights of this book.

Roshani Chokshi’s writing strikes the perfect balance between purple prose and simple writing. In TSTQ, the metaphors and magical imagery were both a blessing and a curse. This time around the words hook the reader in but don’t cause any confusion, which makes this a rather enjoyable read. Even more so if you like tournaments and riddles.

This book has a very strong beginning. I was a little hesitant at the start, since TSTQ was not a book I liked very much, but I’m really glad I picked this up. It quickly becomes apparent that all the potential Chokshi showed as a writer in TSTQ is evident here. The writing rises to a new level and delivers a story that’s both engaging and magical. And I say that even though I’m not a big fan of tournaments and trials and games, at least in fiction.

The plot is captivating for the most part, and the fast pace keeps things interesting and moving. The abstract writing when it comes to the magic and the use of mythology to ground the competition is extremely well done. Chokshi knows how to create fascinating riddles and a dreamy atmosphere, and those are both highlights in this novel.

The real stars, and what kept me flipping pages, are the characters. Gauri and Vikram are both delights as narrators, each with an unique voice and layered personality. There is so much depth to both of them, and they change and transform and develop as they go through their trials. I especially loved the interactions in which both of them called the other on their flaws, recognizing when they weren’t being helpful or were being difficult.

In turn, this makes the relationship between them another positive point in A Crown of Wishes. It is the typical enemies-to-reluctant-allies-to-lovers story, and Gauri and Vikram’s ability to see when they other is wrong and talk about things is something I really liked. It makes their relationship more believable, more real, and adds a sweetness to the story that is needed as they go through the Tournament of Wishes.

Overall, A Crown of Wishes is a great read for YA Fantasy fans. It has action, romance, twists and turns, and some incredible writing. It shows just how good of a writer Chokshi can be, and it leaves me wanting to know more about this universe she created.

I loved this book! Though set in the same world as the Star-Touched Queen, this can be read as a stand-alone novel. The depth and richness of the setting complements the complexity of the characters as they fight to win their heart's desires in a tournament of wishes. Though an unlikely pair, Gauri and Vikram learn to trust each other, and eventually find more than they were looking for. This is a must read for fantasy lovers.

Roshani Chokshi’s sequal to The Star-Touched Queen is a beautifully written story that will make you want to savor each word.

This is the story of Princess Gauri, the Jewel of Bharata, who is imprisoned by the kingdom of Ujijain on behalf of her own brother. Gauri is a tough, fierce fighter who wants to protect the people she loves and her country from her brother Skanda. She doesn’t always make the wisest decisions to achieve her goals and things often backfire on her. Which could explain why she is now in the dungeons of Ujijain.

Ujijain’s Prince Vikram is ready to rule, but his counselors want to control him. Because he is not the true son of Ujijain’s king, they do not believe he is capable of rule and want to take most of the power from him. Vikram receives an invitation to the Tournament of Wishes to be held in Alaka by the Lord of Wealth and Treasures. Alaka is another dimension, one not often visited by humans. Vikram needs a partner for the tournament and chooses Gauri.

After freeing Gauri from the dungeons, they set off to find the entrance to Alaka. Their journey is not without danger, but it does allow the two to get to know each other better. Their relationship is the highlight of the book. Gauri is completely prickly and argumentative. Vikram is a bit more charming. They are both fiercely independent and interested in winning the wishes to obtain their heart’s desire. Once they reach Alaka things do not change. They must complete two trials and a sacrifice in order to become champions in the tournament. Will it be worth it? Will their sacrifice still allow them to obtain their heart’s desires? Will their relationship be able to progress after they are both back in their own kingdoms?

I love Roshani Chokshi’s writing. I think her storytelling is top notch and I eagerly await her next offering. This world she has created is beautiful and mystical and enchanting. I fell in love with Maya in The Star-Touched Queen, but I think I might like Gauri just a bit more. However, my favorite character may be Aasha, an immortal who dreams of being human again. Her story was heartbreaking yet hopeful. I can’t recommend this series enough. Loved it!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

I AM SO HAPPY I READ THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW!!!!

A Crown of Wishes was so wonderully colourful and vivid and GAH I WANT TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD AND SMELL AND THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS DESCRIBED IN THE PAGES!

I don't know how the author does it but she swept me up in this new adventure with such gorgeous writing and wonderful characters that I just can't help but love all of it.

The story unfolds around Vikram, the next Emperor-to-be of Ujijain and Gauri, Maya's sister that we met briefly in The Star-Touched Queen . Vikram wishses to be more than a puppet-emperor to the Council of Ujijain and when he receives an invitation to the Tournament of Wishes, he grabs the chance to be win a wish with both hands. Only problem is is that he can't go alone. And who better to accompany him then that Jewel Princess of Bharata held in the dungeons of Ujijain as a prisoner?

As the tale unfolds we see so much more of the wonderful indian-styled world that Chokshi created for us. We see some of the old like the Night Bazaar and also a lot of new things like Alaka, the home of the Lord of Weath and Treasures Kubera and his wife Lady Kauveri.

Everything in this book is described so vividly, colourfully and alive that you almost think you're inside that wondrous world of magic and danger and riddles. Right there with Gauri and Vikram as they weave their path towards the Tournament of Wishes.

Gah it's so hard not to blurt out all the wonderful things that happen in this book, like the fact that some of the characters of The Star-Touched Queen making a small appearance. But I really don't want to spoil A Crown of Wishes for anyone. But I cannot deny the preciousness that is the SASS AND BANTER in this book between Vikram and Gauri. #SASSISLIFE!

I will, however, talk about the characters, because really it should be done!

Gauri is a lot more badass then I remembered her being in The Star-Touched Queen , she's also stubborn to the point of almost endangering herself. But I liked her so much, she's definitely not what you'd expect a princess to be and that's exactly why she's so awesome. She doesn't fit the stereotype that goes around a lot, she knows how to fight and she knows loss. She's a good person but at the same time she isn't entirely good either. Some of the choices she makes have such devestating consequences and some of them left scars on her. I just really enjoyed reading about her.

Vikram on the other hand, I just want to wrap him up in bubblewrap and squish his bubblicious self until morning come. He's so sassy and adorable and I WANT HIM TO TURN INTO A PLUSHIE SO I CAN TAKE HIM EVERYWHERE WITH ME! Ahem, so yes, I like him a lot . He's can also be so wise for his age and at the same be such a boy .

Another character I'd like to say a few words about is Aasha , a vishakanya (aka a woman fed on poison that feeds of off desires) and she's such an intersting character that I'm hoping Chokshi might make a book about her one day. She's such a delicate thing for such a dangerous being. She's also such a curious little thing and really think she should get her own novel. I bet there would be so much more that we could discover about her .

Okay, I'm done now, before I blurt out something I shouldn't. As I said before, I really liked this book and I hope that other readers will enjoy it as much as I did.