A Crown of Wishes is a companion novel to The Star-Touched Queen that can be read independently of the first novel in the series. While it can be read independently, I would actually also recommend reading the other novel (either before or after) simply because it's an excellent novel that shouldn't be missed. The writing is so stunning, as you might already know if you've read The Star-Touched Queen. There's such a magical feel to the prose, which very much suits the world in which the book is set.

The banter between the two protagonists is hilarious, and there were so many quotable interactions that I'm sure will pop up on Goodreads quotes. I really appreciated how the romance developed slowly between the two of them, mostly stemming from seeing glimpses of each other's hidden aspects throughout the novel, either from just being around each other or from magic.

I really liked Aasha, a secondary character whose point of view we saw in a couple of chapters. While I won't say too much about her storyline as it could get slightly spoilery, I would definitely have liked to have seen more from her. The host of other secondary characters were also very intriguing, from Kubera, the Lord of Wealth who runs the Tournament of Wishes, to the Serpent King, to many, many other characters based on Indian mythology.

The ending was quite satisfying, tying off all those loose threads in the plot. I'm quite impressed with how conclusive Chokshi's novels are, there's hardly anything to criticise about how they end, except maybe the fact that they actually do end (I could definitely keep reading her beautiful prose). We also got some cameos from book one, which was a nice touch.

All in all, A Crown of Wishes is an excellent follow up to Chokshi's first novel. I would certainly read more books in this universe or any others she may write; her writing is simply gorgeous.

Ratings
Overall: 8/10
Plot: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
World Building: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 4/5

Last year I read The Star-Touched Queen and loved it. Since I failed to review it in the blog, feel free to read Effie’s review here. The first book in this companion series was full of magic, death, stars, fantasy and a muted romance. A Crown of Wishes blew my mind, it was amazing from every angle and I loved it even harder than Maya’s story

Wow!

Yep, it’s that good. You get the basic premise from the blurb. Gauri is in trouble and Vikram is ordered to sentence her to death. Instead, he asks her to be his partner in the Tournament of Wishes, a contest in a magical place where the winners are granted wishes. They both believe that a wish would make their lives better and turned their futures around. In A Crown of Wishes we revisit some of the places and characters of the previous book and Maya even makes a tiny appearance as well. The world building is amazing, so vivid that the reader can almost taste, see and feel everything around.

I adore this couple. Gauri and Vikram and one of my favorite couples of all time. I loved their imperfections, their bravery, their fears, how their suffering brought them closer together, help them understand each other and appreciate what they have to overcome. They learn each other’s secrets, they learn to trust each other, to depend on each other and eventually to forgive and love themselves. Such an amazing character growth in the span of a couple of weeks. The banter and chemistry between them is to die for!

Gauri is fierce, a soldier, an expert in politics, a natural leader and a defender of the poor and the beaten. She has suffered a lot at the hands of her manipulating and cruel brother, but she still has a tender heart (even if she doesn’t think so) that loves stories and misses her best friend and her missing sister.

“He turned to me, mischief glinting in his eyes. “How
do they celebrate good fortune in Bharata? In Ujijain, we kiss.”
“Look elsewhere.”
“Are you sure? You spend an awful amount of time looking at my
lips.”
“That’s only because I’m horrified at the sheer idiocy of the words
leaping out of them.”

Vikram is so smart, it’s scary. He’s not trained in battle, but he can run and outsmart anyone. He’s sweet, realistic, loving, handsome, self assured, and a great leader.

There are a lot characters, some human, some magical, and some are gods. Incredible cast. I also loved how at the end, when they go home, they realize that wishes cannot ‘cure’ everything that’s wrong in their lives. Gauri and Vikram make wise choices and achieve their goals at the end. The ending is so precious and I want more! *hing, hint*

“Vicious and sweet,” said Vikram, shaking his head. “Beastly girl.”
“You like me, don’t lie,” I teased.
“I couldn’t lie if I tried,” he said quietly.”

I think that with A Crown of Wishes, Roshani Chokshi has now become of my of favorite authors. The writing is lyrical, enthralling, breathtaking, just pure magic. Read the quotes that I added to my review, read the excerpt, and listen to the audio sample for plenty of proof of how vivid, engrossing and sweeping it is.

“I never dared to hope for someone who challenged
and respected me, knew me at my worst and still coaxed out my best. And yet I had found that in the unlikeliest of places and most inconvenient of people. Wasn’t that enough to fight for? Could I live with knowing that I’d left him standing in the shadows . . . waiting for me?
I couldn’t. And that was all the answer I needed.”

Overall, A Crown of Wishes is a gem. It’s a story of growth, change, magic, possibility, strength, destiny, and an epic love. It explores the power of stories, how they change, how they are created, told and re-told, and if we’re lucky, they become legend. Such a raw, beautiful, masterful story. Loved it!

A Crown of Wishes is a stunning and magical tale of love and hope and fighting for the life you want. A beautifully written and richly spun tale.

This book was just magical. I thoroughly enjoyed The Star Touched Queen, and was most excited to hear that a sequel was coming.

I loved that this sequel followed a different set of characters than that of the first, as it really added some more depth and insight into the already established world of Star-Touched Queen. The world itself is really beautifully explained and explored, and no detail is left behind. Honestly, I would recommend this book on the world building alone, I felt as if I was actually in places such as Alaka (part of the Otherworld) with its expansive gardens, and amazing environment.

I also thoroughly enjoyed learning about another set of mythology, as I had no previous insight into Indian mythology. It's something that’s wanting me to do further research. The detail in these mythological beings is brilliant, and they definitely do not have "human" traits as some authors are prone to do, to gain reader empathy/relatability. The glossary at the back is also a wonderful help to those needing a little more insight into the main recurring deities/creatures, and was a great help to me.

Both Gauri and Vikram's character development is what also drew me right into this world. Gauri's journey from a battle hardened, protective woman into a more world aware and softer (not weaker) person is amazing, and I loved seeing the small subtle changes in her as the trails wore on. Also Vikram's interpersonal journey is just as amazing. All through this book is empowering, strong, beautiful women, who are not seen as any lesser than their male counterparts.

All in all, it's definitely something I will be recommending at work and through my friendship group. As the difference in this book compared to other mythology based books is brilliant, and the story and characters are entirely relatable. Just all in all a wonderful, rollicking read.

I loved this and yet I kinda have no idea what I read. There was so much action and adventure, it really felt like the main characters were always on the move. It’s a traditional goal oriented tale but there is enough fantasy and mysticism that I didn’t know what would happen next.

Vikram is an intelligent young prince who is constantly trying to prove himself but his efforts constantly fall on deaf ears. He finds solace in his search for magic and thinks his opportunity arrives when his is invited to compete in the Tournament of Wishes in the magical land. There are several requirements, one of which being he has to have a partner for the competition. He crosses paths with Guri, and knows instantly that she’s a perfect fit.

We met Guri in the companion novel, A Star Touched Queen. In this story, she’s a grown princess with a strong and independent will that grates on her brother’s amoral tendencies. Guri has her own reasons for competing and sees Vikram as a means to an end. Vikram is a clever guy with a smart mouth. They were so fun to be on the journey with.

I actually liked this novel more than the Star Touched Queen. This focused more on the adventure plot than heavy romance. It really felt like they were forming a foundation of friendship with the potential for more rather than forcing a romance right out of the gate. I had such a great time with these characters, I would love an epilogue or novella with a life update at some point. A lot happened in this book but I left it feeling that a journey was completed and I had enough time to care about the characters and that it quite hard to do in a standalone.

What can I say about this book? Since the minute I heard that THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN was going to have a follow-up novel, I was so excited. Now that I have read it, I am in awe of the author’s ability to weave together such a magnificent tale. The richness in her writing and talent for bringing imagery to life enhances the story in such a way that the reader cannot help but get drawn into this world. I honestly didn’t think it was possible for Roshani Chokshi to outdo herself, but she did. The mystical elements and the emotion that fill these pages will captivate and beguile. This is a must read for 2017.

Audio Book Note: If you are an audio book fan, then A CROWN OF WISHES as well as the first book, THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN, are a must add to your library. They are wonderful narrations which bring together all the magic, emotion, and fantasy of the books all the while bringing to life the characters.

4 wishes stars

“That’s not true,” he said softly. “Here, I’ll tell it to you. Once there was a beast princess and a fox prince—” “Beast princess? That sounds awful, I—” He shushed me. “—and they had to do all kinds of awful things. Like talk to each other.” I laughed. “And fight through memories that tried to lure them away, poisonous beauties and . . . fear.” My chest tight ened. “And they did all of this for freedom. One day, even if they couldn’t see it now, it was going to be worth the pain.” We were both quiet. “

An ARC has been kindly provided by St Martin's Press, via NetGalley.com, in exchange for an honest review.

This story reminded me of some Persian tales with flourishes at every turn and lyrical sentences. You’ll get your fill of colors, smells, tastes, magical creatures and fantasy landscapes. It’s a world where rubies fall from snakes mouths where golden apples stick to your hand giving you hunger like you’ve never experienced and beautiful women can kill you with a bare touch.

It tells you the tale of Gauri and Vikram forming an unexpected alliance to enter the Tournament Of Wishes. Both are shunned by their kingdom. Each had their own wants and desires. They’ll have to be courageous facing their worst fears. They will use every intelligence and talent they have in the hope of winning the contest. They will be stripped bare to their soul and of course will come across changed forever.
“Somehow as they’d stumbled together from one near-death incident to the next, he had found a connection.”

I loved so many things in this book.
If the writing was gorgeous I loved the roles reversal above all else!
Usually men are strong because they use brute force. They’re muscled warriors and protect female characters with their fists and weapons. Women are known for using their sharp tongue and wits to win battles.
In A Crown of Wishes Vikram is The Fox Prince and Gauri is The Jewel of Bharata also known as Beastly Girl as Vikram nicknamed her. Mrs Chokshi chose to make Vikram the bearer of sharp tongue. He’ll nearly never carry a knife or a sword as his best weapon is his smart mouth and clever mind. Gauri is the story’s muscles. She has trained for years with soldiers and can wield many weapons, her looks included. The female character protecting the male character thanks to her warrior experience and the male character charming people with his tongue made for a refreshing change!

I also delighted in their banter. Gauri will shoot sharp jabs while Vikram deflects with supreme confidence. So little things unsettled Vikram but Gauri was fierce and passionate.
Just to give you an idea of their power play and banter:
“He moved to stand, and I placed my foot on his chest. “I will not perform for you or anyone. Never ask me to do something like that again.” He stared at me. “Are you done? ” “Yes.” “May I get up? ” “No.” “I see you like your men with their egos gutted.” “Only when I’m feeling generous.” (…) He tucked his hands behind his head like a pillow before glancing at the ceiling. “Fine. Now can you kindly remove your foot from my chest? ”

Now we have a tale filled with trials the tournament’s contestants have to win, role reversal, great banter… What am I forgetting? Oh yes: interesting and entertaining characters!

Let’s begin with Vikram. Ha, Vikram (insert sigh here). He is handsome, smart and cunning. He’s also been hurt deeply. The Council’s lack of faith in its ability to reign and the guilt he bears relating to his mother’s death made him easy to love. He believes in magic, he believes the world is his to take. He’s much more optimist than Gauri. Vikram is their duo’s tranquil force.

Gauri was an incredible heroine but was somewhat harder to love in the beginning as she had erected walls around herself. She tried her best to save her kingdom but when everything you try to help ends hurting people you learn to hold back and trust only yourself.
“Maybe if I had been braver, I would have spoken up. But at what cost? I hadn’t forgotten the serving girl I tried defending. My voice was one of the only things I could control—when to unleash it, when to tamp it down like a burning ember, when to grow it in secret. All my life, control and power had worn the same face. I believed in gods, but the only faith I truly practiced was control. Nothing in excess. Nothing that placed my life in the hands of another.”
Mistrusting everyone, prompt to unleash her temper she was the hot headed one of the story. Fierce, protective, loyal she’ll have to learn to rely on others.

Aasha earned a special place in my heart. She was a side character in this story but what lovely side character! She had such great power and yet did not want to use it and harm others. She did not want to be what she was. If I could use an analogy she would be like a wolf refusing to eat bunny and choosing to survive on flowers only.
“Aasha flinched any way. She wanted to be like her sisters: content. She wanted, so often, not to feel that she was the only person who desperately wished things were different. But she could not help who she was and she did not want to apologize any longer for her dreams.”

As you can see this book has many assets to seduce and enthrall its reader. So would I recommend this book? A thousand times!

Beautiful writing.... The descriptions are incredibly vivid. Enjoyed the story as well.

A Crown of Wishes is a companion book to A Star-Touched Queen -- or you might call it a "sister" book, as the main characters in the books are sisters. Gauri, the protagonist of A Crown of Wishes, is the younger half-sister of Maya, whom you might remember from A Star-Touched Queen.

This book had me excited right off because it features two of my favorite story elements, the hate-to-love story and a tournament. The story begins with Gauri imprisoned. She's broken out of prison by a prince who wants her to be his partner in the Tournament of Wishes, a contest in which the victor wins a wish.

Initially this book reminded me a little of the first Throne of Glass book, in which a tough, no-nonsense character gets let out of prison and has to compete in a tournament. I loved the unexpected ways that gender was portrayed in the book. Gauri is the one who is angry, tough and vengeful. She loves makeup, but almost views it as battle paint. Vikram is more trusting, forthcoming, and vulnerable. Known as the "Fox Prince," he longs to be taken seriously by the people of his country.

The two must put their differences aside and work together to win the tournament. Now, sometimes tournaments are used in books as a substitute for plot, and at first I was a bit worried about that in this story. But no -- these characters grow and change as they face each challenge.

As always, Roshani Chokshi's writing is full of rich description, folklore and mythology. If you loved the Star-Touched Queen, definitely try this. And if you haven't read that book, I think you could really read these two in any order.

OH MY!!!
Where to begin. This book is both visually pleasing, with it's amazing cover, to emotionally pleasing with it's absolutely stunning and amazing story, world, and characters. Each page had me wanting more and more. I truly loved book one of this series and didn't think I could love it anymore, but alas I was wrong. Book 2 pulls you in and does all the things to ones emotional state that you want from a book, and more.
Roshani has a wonderful grip on how to write a fantastic book and keep readers coming back for and wanting more. From her rich world to her captivating characters. I think EVERYONE should read this, of course after reading book 1, if they haven't already!!

*I was given an ARC of this book to read for free and review. I had already read book one on my own and these are solely my words and opinions.

I remember when The Star Touched Queen was just released, there was so much hype surrounding that book that I vowed to read it, or some other books by Roshani Choksi, someday. Then I saw that A Crown of Wishes was available for request, and I thought, “Close enough” and I immediately jumped at the opportunity to snag a review copy. Indeed, I do agree with all the praise the author has been receiving with regards to her writing style, because A Crown of Wishes is one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read.

Featuring two outcasts who only want the best for their respective kingdoms, Gauri and Vikram, not used to trusting anyone, have to learn to work together to get what they want. This sequel to The Star-Touched Queen was even more enjoyable than the first book. Rich world-building and multi-layered characters make this a must read. Though this takes place in the same world as the previous book, readers do not have to be familiar with it. This book is highly recommended, and Chokshi's skill in writing both dark and beautiful things continues to impress.

I received a digital ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Rating: 5 Rubies

First can we just take a moment to really appreciate the beautiful cover? It is beautiful. And so is the writing in the world full of magic. We follow Gauri princess of Bharata and Vikram prince of Ujijain a neighboring land. Both want to lead their people but have their own road blocks. Gauri starts out a prisoner of Ujijain and Vikram is to kill her but he has been invited to join the Tournament of Wishes and needs a partner. Gauri doesn’t trust magic but she has no choice as things unfold. The competition will last a month in the mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor. The tournament is anything but easy and will push them toward all sorts of dangers and trials testing both body and mind.

I loved the whole idea of the story. The tournament itself was amazing full of twists and turns always keeping you and the characters on their toes. The author has a beautiful way of describing the world that just draws you in and makes you feel like this magical place could be real. I think this would have been an even better in an audiobook because I had no idea how to pronounce many things but could imagine them none the less but having someone read it to me would have been even better. Roshani read a small snippet at the launce and it was so beautiful.

Gauri and Vikram were so much fun. They were so different in many ways like how Gauri is a weapon she is battle tested and ready for a fight and Vikram is less prepared for a physical altercation but is sharp as a whip and cunning as they come. They both aspire to rule their respective lands, to be better for their people and stopping at nothing to make it happen. They have the same drive and determination even if they go about things differently. This made them a great pair for the tournament balancing out one another. It's this same balance and chemistry that made the romantic tensions between them sizzle from the start. I loved how they grew to know one another and was on edge wanting something to happen between them! Then when you add in Aasha, a vishakanya, and her sisters really gave another level to the story. I found myself rooting for her as well.

The story was really beautifully written and such a joy to read. I highly recommend both books and while I say read them in order you can read either as a stand-alone is a huge plus.

Full disclosure, *whispers* I didn't like The Star-Touched Queen. Like, at all. The plot had initially intrigued me, but the execution of the story just never clicked with me. That said, I really loved A Crown of Wishes. It's a very different story than the first book. This is definitely more of a companion novel than a sequel, because you don't necessarily need to have read the first book to read this one.

We're introduced to Gauri, the princess of Bharata. Her brother Skanda rules the kingdom and while Gauri disagrees with many of his decisions, she lacks the power to stage a coop. Her plans are foiled and she finds herself sent as a gift to be executed by the neighboring empire of Ujijain. Prince Vikram, known as the Fox prince, is only prince by name, not blood. Not many people know this fact, but the council does and they would rather have him for a puppet king one day rather than give him a chance to be a true ruler.

One day, Vikram is invited to a Tournament of Wishes in the Otherworld. It is a place of magic and mystery, but the invitation comes with a stipulation. He must find a partner for this Tournament in order to gain entrance. The winners are granted a wish at the end, but only if they manage to survive the Tournament. Luckily for Vikram, Gauri arrives at a most opportune time, even if the reasoning for it is her execution. But together, they are quite a pair.

I love Gauri and Vikram's constant bickering, and how their story in a hate-to-love romance. Gauri is a fighter and doesn't need anyone as her partner. She knows how to wield her weapons, and she's always calculating the possible outcomes for any scenario she's thrust into. Vikram is a bit of a jokester, but he knows when to be serious and can get them out of a quick bind if he has to. I absolutely loved reading Gauri and Vikram's interactions with one another and the ending just had me dying of laughter.

There's a third character who gets introduced into the story and I quite like her (and rest assured, my YA readers, this story does not turn into a threesome). Aasha is a vishakanya, a being who feeds off human desires. All vishakanyas were once human, but for Aasha, she was taken as a child to become one rather than a human who had already lived a life they no longer wanted. She sees no satisfaction in her daily life and her curious mind wants to know more about the world around her. She wonders about simple things, like how water feels against her skin, or how vegetables might taste. Everything vishakanyas touch die and even at a hundred years old, old compared to humans, she yearns for knowledge. I really loved reading Aasha's chapters. She's a curious being and only wants to know more about the world around her that she can see, but can never touch.

Something interesting to note is that the book is told in from Gauri, Vikram, and Aasha's POV. Gauri's is told in first-person and Vikram and Aasha's in third-person. It did take me a chapter or two to catch on. It's kind of strange, and doesn't take away from the story at all, but I just found it...interesting.

The Tournament itself is a bit vague to me. There are competitions, to be sure. But, as for the actual rules, or introductions to the other contestants? It's never really explicitly stated, and everyone seems to be playing their own game, with no one person the winner. I loved reading everything leading up to the Tournament, but the actual competition is more pretty and glamour rather than a fight-to-the-death kind of thing? It's a lot of fluff, but we do get some great scenes between Gauri and Vikram, so I can't complain too much, I guess.

The ending is sweet, but also feels rushed? Or maybe just too easy. Maybe I'm a bit too bloodthirsty when it comes to fantasy books and expected some fight to be had. Instead, everything is wrapped up cleanly, quickly, and everything is just wondrously fixed in a few short chapters at the end. The writing is lyrical. It's a little too purple prose for my tastes, but it doesn't detract too much from the story. A Crown of Wishes is definitely a book fit for younger teens, as well as older ones. It's a fun, enjoyable book from start-to-finish. I enjoyed reading this more so for the characters than for the plot itself. For those who loved The Star-Touched Queen, some fan favorites cameo in this book and it's a nice nod to those beloved characters. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more books by Roshani in the future!

***Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Griffin Teen for providing me an ARC through NetGalley***

I have to tell you that pulling my favorite exerpts from this one was hard. I literally ran out of space in my notebook where I write them down and just started writing % marks where I have them highlighted.

The characters are VERY well developed. They’re all amazingly realistic and believable, which I’ve come to expect from Roshani Chokshi’s work. Also, obviously, the dialogue in A Crown of Wishes is A++. (For proof, see above.) Gauri and Vikram are completely OTP worthy and I don’t want to hear otherwise. If you disagree….. well, you’re welcome to your own opinion, but it’s wrong.

The world is built up in a completely immersive way, which, again, I’ve come to expect from Roshani Chokshi’s work. It’s definitely good for an escapism read in that way. A Crown of Wishes takes us back to a bit of the magic of The Star-Touched Queen, but adds into it and creates a world that is both separate from and connected to its companion novel.

The story itself is absolutely stunning! It flows well and kept me wanting more from beginning to end. A Crown of Wishes is a total page turner and I had so much trouble putting it down. [shakes fist at expectation of adulting] I also loved the subtle, yet effective, plot twists used to pull the story along without snagging.

I do want to add that while this is a companion novel to The Star-Touched Queen, it’s not necessarily a sequel to it. A Crown of Wishes can be enjoyed without having read The Star-Touched Queen. However, there is some content in A Crown of Wishes that will spoil The Star-Touched Queen so I will recommend you read that first if you’ve got it on your TBR.

I personally really enjoyed this story. Even the heartbreaking, soul crushing parts. Ah, Roshani Chokshi. Breaker of Hearts. Granter of Wishes. Queen of the Night Bazaar. I can not wait to read more of her work.

A rich, lyrical, and magical story. Gauri, the princess of Bharata, has been taken as a prisoner and is faced with horrible memories of fighting against the king, her brother. Vikram, the prince of a neighboring land that has captured her, offers a chance for them both to get what they want. A magical tournament with a prize of a wish, their greatest desires. The story is circuitous and beautiful, thoughtful and creative. I found they were some shorter sections that caused my interest and attention to waiver, but overall, it was very enjoyable.

A magical, spellbinding read. I devoured this book in one sitting. It was nothing I thought it would be, and everything I love in a 5 star book. Chokshi's writing is absolutely mesmerizing. The writing is my favorite thing about this book, followed closely by the characters. They were so easy to love, and understand. They're flawed, strong, witty characters who learn from mistakes, and in the process discover so much more about who they are individually and together.

Gauri is my kind of heroine. She's a feisty, stubborn, doesn't bow down to anyone, kind of character. This Princess will do whatever it takes to protect her people. I greatly admired her courage, her strength, and wit. She is tough, and can take down the best of the best. She's a fighter. She's also someone who knows pain, and heartache. She closely guards her heart and her feelings. I loved the way I got to know her.

Gauri's perfect match is Prince Vikram. The Prince she attempts to kill when they first meet. Who, I might add, is also holding her captive. This Prince is no coward, nor does he scare easy. He is witty, intelligent, fun loving, carefree to good degree, and hilarious. It's hard to not love this character. Not to mention the fact he's handsome, but that's be honest, he had me a wit, humor and charming. Like Gauri, I ended up loving Vikram the moment he bested Gauri when she tried to kill him. Where Gauri could most likely physically take down anyone, Vikram can outsmart anyone. Yep, these two are a match made in the stars.

I absolutely loved watching Gauri and Vikram go from being enemies to something so much more. Trust me, you'll see what I'm talking about. I loved the romance in this book. It's one of my favorite kind. There are plenty of moments that made me laughing out loud between these two, moments that made me swooning, and moments that made me greatly admire these two characters. They never once tried to change each other, but embraced who they both were. They learned to trust each other, and understood the pain they each hide from everyone else. Talk about character chemistry! Opposites definitely attract in this story! Their bantering is one of my favorite parts of their story.

Chokshi's writing is spellbinding. I absolutely loved the way she wrote this story. It was poetic, and hypnotic at times. I found myself marking numerous passages as I read the book, and then re-read them again. They were so beautifully written. I absolutely love book quotes, and this book has a lot of quotes I loved writing down.

Rich story telling, vivid imagery, unforgettable characters, and passages that will have you re-reading them over and over again, A Crown of Wishes is a mesmerizing companion to Chokshi's The Star Touched Queen. While I enjoyed Chokshi's debut, I loved this book. This is a book you can definitely read as a companion, or a stand alone. Either way, I recommend picking it up.

There’s a clever tweet going around out there advocating for a moratorium on words like “throne” and “crown” in YA book titles, and I totally get why. A Crown of Wishes is one of those densely generic titles that does a terrible job at hinting about the contents of the book. In this particular case, it is at least appropriate, in that the book does feature both crowns (metaphorical and literal) and wishes (um … metaphorical and literal?). This book just came out last week, and I received an ebook through NetGalley thanks to St. Martin’s Press. I’m glad that it is a standalone companion to The Star-Touched Queen , because after that experience I wasn’t keen on continuing Maya’s story.

For those who have read Maya’s book, this one follows her half-sister Gauri. Maya makes a small appearance much later. Some of the setting and mythical beings are similar. That’s about all you need to know.

Adult now, Gauri has failed in an attempt to usurp the throne of Bharata from her brother Skanda, who is a cruel and negligent ruler. Exiled to be executed in a foreign kingdom, Gauri instead finds herself swept up into a supernatural “Tournament of Wishes” as the partner of Prince Vikram, who is determined to find a way to claim true power for his throne instead of being a puppet for Ujijain’s council. This tournament takes Gauri and Vikram to Alaka, a supernatural domain ruled by Lord Kubera and Lady Kauveri, who preside capriciously over the tournament.

Gauri and Vikram have diametrically opposed personalities, of course, in the kind of way that makes them great complements to each other, especially in a tournament that is mostly a battle of wits. It is blatantly obvious from the start that this is a romance, that they are meant to be together, no matter how many obstacles Roshani Chokshi throws in their way. This setup does feel a little clichéd in that sense, just because everything is so obvious, right down to the best friend teasing Gauri about being so obstinate and resistant to what’s right in front of her face. Nevertheless, compared to Maya and Amar’s “romance” from the first book, this one is at least more gradual and organic within the story. Gauri doesn’t suddenly get a feeling that she is meant to be with Vikram; they have to build trust and earn each other’s respect.

I liked Gauri. She is so strong but also so inflexible; she would break rather than bend, and it’s this brittleness that is embodied later in the glass … well, no spoilers. This Tournament of Wishes is, as with any wish-powered fairytale, all about learning what you should really be wishing for (if you should really wish at all). Gauri has spent her entire existence, such as it is so far, growing up with certain ideals of strength, influenced by her harem and Mother Dhina, as well as stories from Maya, and her companion, Nalini. She has mastered the arts of cosmetics and clothing to enhance and broadcast her beauty when necessary; she will also fight and kill as required. And I like that when the story begins, Gauri is alone, defeated. She played the game of thrones, if you will, and is about to encounter the “die” outcome rather than the win. She is a determined person, but she was not successful—until Vikram happens.

On the other hand, Vikram is self-assured almost to a fault. He is so confident in his intelligence and wit that he continually places himself and Gauri in harm’s way, sure that he can figure out a dodge. It’s going to get them killed one day, but until then, I suppose he is a very interesting character to live with. I want to say I liked him, sure, but as you can tell from the relative lengths of these two paragraphs, I find him much less interesting. He’s a smart dolt with a heart of gold, but beyond that … meh. Gauri could do better.

The setting and substance of A Crown of Wishes is once again fantastic and mythological. Chokshi brings in quite a nicely diverse set of beings to populate Alaka and threaten or aid our protagonist. She is very good at conjuring that fairytale-like atmosphere in which the correct course of action is not always the obvious one, that kind of atmosphere where riddles abound and confidence is often all it takes to win the day. I remember getting pretty frustrated with the magical realism of The Star-Touched Queen—less so here. However, the prose continues to shade towards a definite indigo, if not outright purple, in a way that doesn’t appeal to me.

My only dissatisfaction around the plot is really just that it feels too familiar. Not in the particulars, the characters or myths that Chokshi uses on the page, but in the overall themes and outcomes. Like the hero’s journey, the wishing-quest structure is an old and honourable one—but Chokshi doesn’t do much to stretch its boundaries or plumb its depths.

A Crown of Wishes, then, is a predictable tale of magic and romance told with competent and interesting characters. I liked it more than The Star-Touched Queen but not enough to jump up and down about it (and yes, for some books, that’s literally how I express my excitement while reading them).

Incredible follow up to The Star Touched Queen. It was wonderful to return to Chokshi's world and hear more from Bharata.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for review! All opinions are my own.

This is my first Roshani Chokshi book and oh my goodness did I adore it. I absolutely flew threw it in just a few hours and I didn't even intend to start it, let alone finish it, at this point in my reading. But it happened. Once I picked it up, her lyrical and majestic writing drew me in and wouldn't let me go. So strap in and prepare for a review that is more of a gush about how much I loved this book.

Plot:
Princess Guari has been betrayed and kidnapped as a prisoner of war by the enemies of her kingdom. Prince Vikram is struggling with being known as the future "Puppet King" because of the truth of his birth. When he receives a ruby allowing him to enter the Tournament of Wishes, Vikram offers Guari a chance at getting her kingdom back in exchange for being his partner in the tournament. The journey to the tournament is only the beginning and when they finally arrive, the two unlikely partners must face their fears, poisonous creatures, and twisted fairy tales. But the longer the tournament goes on and the more time Vikram and Guari spend together, they soon discover that the real danger lies in the things that they desire the most. The plot of this book was so exciting and unlike any I've read recently. I thought that the idea of a tournament where you could win a wish sounded super interesting and I was definitely not wrong. There was so much about this book that I was not expecting (honestly I went into this blind and requested it on a whim not thinking I would actually get approved) and I found myself wanting more and more with every turn of the page. This book moved at such a wonderful pace and everything felt like it unfolded at the perfect time, especially the relationship between Vikram and Guari. It was a story about two people fighting to win a wish to help make their lives better, but it was also so much more than that. There were also so many references to Indian culture and fairy tales that were woven in and I really think that it elevated the story to a whole new level. What I enjoyed most is that the story itself never faltered or slowed down or felt boring. There was always something new to experience on every page and that held true up until the very last word. The story itself unfolds in a way that makes you feel like you're reading a fairy tale with some seriously fantastic character development. I think that seeing the reasons as to why both of the characters are wanting to win a wish change as the book progresses is a great element to the story. You really get to see how their priorities and thoughts regarding what they would wish for change as they learn more about themselves and go through the things that they go through and I cannot commend Roshani Chokshi enough for pulling this off in such a wonderful way. You get action, magic, and a story that feels so real you could step between the pages and experience it for yourself.

Characters:
The character dynamic between Vikram and Guari was absolutely fantastic! I had so much fun watching (reading?) them go back and forth at each other and see how they worked together despite being two completely different people. Guari was strong, battle smart, independent, and sometimes incredibly impulsive. Vikram was sassy, cunning, and more social/people smart than battle smart. The relationship between the two of them was so great to watch unfold because it wasn't one that was insta-love or even insta-attraction and they took a large portion of the book to start forming a friendship. It was a very refreshing break from the usual YA insta-love that I seem to encounter more often than I'd like while reading! Their dialogue never felt forced and I found myself laughing and smiling so much throughout the book while they navigated the tournament and their growing relationship. While I was hoping that they would remain friends as I really just felt that the friendship would be stronger than something more, I can't say I'm completely unhappy that they ended up together. It's not surprising that it ends up that way (and honestly I don't believe it's a spoiler, you can really kinda see it coming) because as the book goes on, you really get to see how the things that they go through bring them closer together instead of pull them apart. Instead of letting the stress of what they're having to experience in the tournament, they work together to accomplish their tasks and grow incredibly strong as both individuals and partners. The book starts with them being enemies, then reluctant partners that are working together only because of the tournament, but they slowly grow closer as they make the journey to the tournament and while taking part in the tournament itself. Not only do the two of them grow together, but they also grow as individuals as well. At the beginning, both have their own goals and reasons for wanting to enter and win the tournament, but as the book progresses, they realize that their initial wishes are nothing like what they want at the end. Vikram wants to be known as more than just a "Puppet King" but he realizes that he only wants his potential to be seen. Guari wants her kingdom back that has been taken over by her horrible brother, but ends up realizing that she doesn't need a wish to make that happen. It was fantastic seeing the growth that they experienced on their own, outside of the relationship that eventually formed between the two of them. This is one of the best character relationships I've read in years and I really think that this book is an incredible example of a YA relationship done right.

Writing:
Where do I even begin! This book was absolutely beautiful and I could not get enough of how well it was written. The descriptions painted a picture in my mind that was beyond anything I could have imagined and every page just blew my mind over and over again. I loved how unique every setting was but how they all really felt like they fit together in that world, and I especially loved Alaka, which is where the tournament is held. I really feel that I could easily read 200+ more pages of this book with just more descriptions because it was just that amazing. The way that Roshani Chokshi can weave together words to make the reader feel like they're in the story is unlike any I've ever read and I honestly felt like I was in the middle of an incredibly intricate fairy tale. Something that I enjoyed was that this book was full of Indian culture and that's something that I've never encountered in a book before. I couldn't get enough of learning about some of the gorgeous Indian clothing that the characters wear and the food descriptions were enough to make my mouth water. It definitely got me interested in picking up more diverse books and especially books that involve more Indian culture! While reading, I found myself in absolute awe of some of the things that were said and the way that the words were strung together in such a gorgeous way. Please take a moment to read some of my favorite quotes from A Crown of Wishes:

"Nothing is yours. Not even a story is yours, though you may lay claim to it with the teeth of your mind."

"Stories are boundless and infinite, ever-changing and elusive."

"Guilt accretes. It builds and builds, whittling stairways and spires in the heart until a person can carry a city of hopelessness inside them."

"But Death commanded urgency. Death tore the skin off dreams and showed the bones underneath."

"True strength sometimes demanded unstitching everything you knew."

"Fear meant not knowing where you started and ended because control was nothing but illusion."

"Some tales that never end start with something as simple as an act of impulse and end with something as evil as an act of love."

"That is how the world ends and curses begin. Years pass, names are dropped and picked up again. Kingdoms creep closer to the shadows, waiting. And a queen turned to rock waits for a kiss."

"What was magic anyway, but the world beheld by someone who chose to see it differently?"

Seriously, this book was filled with incredibly lovely writing and those quotes are only from maybe the last 3/4th of the book. There were times that I would just stop for a moment because I couldn't believe that I was reading a book that was this aesthetically pleasing. It appealed to me on so many levels outside of just having some of the most delightful writing I've read in years. Not only did this book get me interested in reading everything else that Roshani Chokshi has written/will write, but it piqued my interest in Indian culture which is something I not only had not encountered before, but never thought that I would have this much interest in!

If it wasn't already obvious, I loved this book. It had everything I had been looking for in a YA book and things that I didn't even know I wanted. The writing was definitely some of the best I've read in years, the characters were absolutely fantastic and their relationship/friendship was perfect, and the overall story line was so unique and magical. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a new and exciting fantasy book!