Prepare to be transported to the enchanting world of 1889 Paris, where magic, secrets, and treacherous heists await in Roshani Chokshi's captivating YA fantasy novel, The Gilded Wolves. This remarkable book, which I had the pleasure of discovering in 2019, has firmly secured its place among my top OwlCrate selections, and it's a must-read for fans of Six of Crows.
Set against the backdrop of a city poised on the brink of industrialization and burgeoning power, the narrative is brought to life by Chokshi's mesmerizing prose. She paints a vivid picture of a Paris reinvigorated by the Exposition Universelle, and beneath its glittering surface, ancient secrets lie waiting to be unearthed.
“Fear grew in places unlit by knowledge.”
At the heart of the story is Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, a treasure hunter and wealthy hotelier with an uncanny ability to uncover dark truths. When coerced by the formidable Order of Babel to embark on a mission, Séverin is tantalizingly offered a treasure beyond his wildest dreams: his true inheritance.
In his quest to retrieve the elusive artifact the Order seeks, Séverin assembles a diverse and unlikely team of experts, each with their own unique talents and intriguing pasts. This eclectic ensemble includes an engineer burdened with debt, a historian exiled from his homeland, a dancer with a shadowy history, and a loyal companion bound by camaraderie, if not blood.
The Gilded Wolves unfolds as a team-centered adventure, a thrilling treasure hunt for magical artifacts that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Chokshi's mastery lies in her ability to make you feel like an active participant in the story, with her impeccable descriptions immersing you in the dark and glittering heart of Paris.
However, it's the characters that truly steal the show in this novel. Chokshi has crafted a cast of characters who are not merely players in the story but individuals with rich backgrounds, distinct voices, and unique ways of navigating their complex world. The banter between these five friends is both amusing and endearing, and the bonds they share are heartwarming.
A standout character in The Gilded Wolves is Hypnos, who starts as a somewhat enigmatic secondary character but undergoes a profound transformation as the narrative unfolds. His place in the story is a testament to Chokshi's skillful character development.
But be warned, Chokshi is a master of unexpected twists and turns, and the conclusion of this novel will leave you emotionally stunned. The attachment you'll develop to these characters makes the story's shocking developments all the more poignant.
The Gilded Wolves is a spellbinding journey into a world brimming with magic, mystery, and friendship. Roshani Chokshi's writing is nothing short of magical, and her characters are a joy to journey alongside. I cannot wait to delve into The Silvered Serpent and continue this remarkable adventure. Chokshi's storytelling prowess truly knows no bounds.