*AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*First in a “wildly inventive and wildly representative” (The New York Times Book Review) historical fantasy series, Roshani Chokshi’s The Gilded Wolves follows the exploits of a found family—six societal outcasts tasked with stealing a powerful artifact that can alter their lives for the better, but at the cost of breaking the world.All eyes are on Paris … breaking the world.
All eyes are on Paris where the Exposition Universelle World Fair is to be held. Hidden among the technological marvels and artistic creations on display is an item of unimaginable power—a Babel fragment that would enable those who wield it with magical Forging abilities over nature’s elements.
Séverin Montagnet-Alarie’s birthright was stolen from him. Now, to reclaim his rightful place among France’s elite, he must obtain the Babel fragment for the Order. It is a heist that will require the ingenuity and skills of those with nothing to lose and everything to gain: Enrique, a gifted historian and wordsmith, caught between two worlds; Zofia, a brilliant Forging artist and engineer, separated from her family; Hypnos, a rival aristocrat who needs an ally among the Order; Tristan, an extraordinary Forger raised at Séverin’s side, loyal to his adopted brother’s quest; and Laila, the mysterious dancer and espionage artist who stole Séverin’s heart in a moment of vulnerability he couldn’t afford.
But as the dangerous risks of their escapade surge, Séverin finds himself torn between his desire for revenge against all those who wronged him and the people he’s deliberately placing in harm’s way—including the woman he loves and fears to lose…
“A masterpiece of imagination.” —New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber
“Part political misadventure, part puzzle and thoroughly charming, with a band of rapscallions and a string of surprises.” —New York Times bestselling author Holly Black
“[A] smart, dark adventure.” —New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young
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The Gilded Wolves is part political misadventure, part puzzle and thoroughly charming, with a band of rapscallions and a string of surprises!
A masterpiece of imagination. You will want this book to steal your heart so that you will never have to leave this story.
My expectations for this book were high, and it more than surpassed them. If I could rate it more than 5 stars, I gladly would.
With such unique, magical world-building, and a closely bonded clan of charming characters planning a dangerous heist, The Gilded Wolves has the feel of Six of Crows. I’ve also seen this book compared to Indiana Jones and National Treasure, and with clues, puzzles, and historical elements, I can see why.
The incredibly well-developed characters made this novel for me. They’re a family of their own choosing, and along with that comes humorous dynamics – I laughed with them, but also felt their pain. Each of the six has their own talents and skill set and bring something to the table. And such wonderful inclusion! Bisexual, gay, autistic, with different cultures and backgrounds.
At over 400 pages, this is a chunk of a read, but I didn’t want it to end. An intricate plot, beautiful writing with so many quotable lines, charismatic characters, and masterful world-building – I highly recommend The Gilded Wolves to fantasy, history, and adventure fans. Easily one of my best reads this year, and the next book can’t come soon enough.
This is a book to swan dive into, swim around in, luxuriate in. Trust me, you won’t want to come out.
The Gilded Wolves is the smart, dark adventure YA readers have been waiting for.
Rating:
Nice fantasy epic with a touch of romance
I liked this book but didn’t love it. With this book I liked the characters more than I like the story, that isn’t to say the story is bad, I gave it 4 stars. I just found it hard to get into the story at first and I missed things so I had to go back and see if they were explained in the earlier pages. The character development was very nice, the world building worked for me, especially the detailed descriptions of the hotel where most of the main characters live and the catacombs below Paris.
Background:
The book takes place in France, 100 years after the French Revolution and during the timeframe of the book, the Exposition Universelle (1889 World’s Fair ) is going on in Paris. There were 4 ruling Houses in the Order of Babel in France until one house fell and another House’s line died out without an heir. Each house has a ring for the Patriarch or Matriarch of the family. The ring is their source of power and they wear it at all times.
The rings get power from a Fragment of the Tower of Babel which is imbibed with power from God after he tore down the Tower that people tried to build high enough to reach heaven. There is magic but they call it forging. It is more of an art form that certain individuals are born with and it shows up by their thirteenth birthday. The ones who have it each have a certain affinity like working with plants or metals. They can breathe life into inanimate objects.
Cast of Characters:
Séverin: He is the main character, owns L’Eden hotel and is a biracial young man who is the last of the Line of House Vanth. After the deaths of his family when he was young, The Order performs a test to verify he is a blood relation to the previous patriarch and the line. The test was rigged to fail and Séverin was stripped of his title, ring and place in the Order. Up till that point, Séverin was brought up with the other families, so he called these people Aunts and Uncles until the day they turned on him, they cast him out. From then on he grew up in foster care with 7 different fathers who worked for the order. Séverin named them after the seven deadly sins.
Tristan: He grew up in foster care with Séverin and had the same foster fathers. Séverin protected Tristan and promised he always would, they are like brothers. Tristen is now sixteen years old.
He has a forging affinity for growing things and he creates the most sought after gardens in Paris. He has a pet Tarantula named Goliath. Nobody likes Goliath.
“Honestly,” muttered Enrique as he hoisted himself down. “Why can’t Goliath be on a leash? He’s nearly the size of a cat.”
“I can hear you,” scolded Tristan.
“Good. Start thinking about tarantula leashes.”
Laila: She bakes, she dances, she is a clairvoyant (which is not a forging affinity that is common). When she touches an object she can see everything about it and the people that touched it. Laila doesn’t know what she is. so she is searching for an ancient book that might have the answers. She hooked up with Séverin because they can help each other. He is looking to get back everything that was taken from him and she is looking for the book to find out about herself.
Zophia: She could be slightly autistic but is also a math savant. She doesn’t really like to be touched and she has a forging affinity for Metals. She counts things and does math problems when she gets nervous. Séverin found her on the streets after she was kicked out of her school.
Enrique: He is a member of an illustrious group of European educated Filipino’s and he dreams of being in the inner circle. He, like the others above all live a L’Eden hotel. Enrique is bisexual and doesn’t have a forging affinity but is a vital member of the group.
Hypnos: He is a Patriarch of the Order who blackmails the group of characters above to helping him get an artifact that he needs. Séverin and Hypnos grew up in the same way and were best friends until Séverin was banished from the Order. Hypnos is funny, bisexual and also probably only blackmailing them because he is lonely and wants someone to hang out with.
One thing I found was that I had made assumptions on some things and later found my assumptions were incorrect. For example, I thought some of the characters were much older than they turned out to be. Since the book described Séverin as the owner of a Luxury Hotel and we see him performing heists, I guess I just assumed he was at least in his thirties. But he has flashbacks to his time in foster care and describes Tristan as his brother. Tristan is only sixteen now, so if Séverin protected him and went through all those fathers with him, I figure Séverin is anywhere from 19-22 years old.
After figuring that out, I started picturing Laila as younger as well. Since she is cooking and baking a lot and takes care of everyone in the group, I initially thought she was older as well. However, there is a bidding romance between Laila and Séverin. They were intimate once but decided it was a mistake since they both have to focus on their goals. Now they each think about that night and give each other looks full of longing. It is pretty cute actually.
I finished this book in a day because that’s how unputdownable it ended up being!! It was like Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones, and Ocean’s Eleven all rolled into one. There were heists or ‘acquisitions’, death-defying stunts, and their very lives hung in the balance. What’s a little danger among friends? It’s 1889 Paris, rife with sumptious food and clothing, rich in diverse arts and culture, and Chokshi doesn’t shy away from showing us the brutal and ugly underbelly. The book is really wordy and much of what was said could have been said with less. The wordiness caused the story to feel both bulky and convoluted, making it hard to get into. However, once I got used to the word flow, I was hooked. And while I was entranced with the illusion and magic that was this story, I was most captivated by its characters.
There were two kinds of Forging affinities: mind and matter. Someone with a matter affinity could influence one of three material states: liquids, solids, or gasses. Both Tristan and Zofia had matter affinities; Zofia’s Forging affinity was for solid matter—mostly metals and crystals—and Tristan had an affinity for liquid matter. Specifically, the liquid present in plants.
Séverin – the leader of the ragtag group of thieves, he was half-Algerian and half-French, and his legacy was wrongly taken from him. His every motivation is to protect his friends and to restore the House of Vanth. He’s addicted to cloves, he’s mostly a serious fellow, and as an outcast from the very society he grew up in, he’s made a successful life for himself on the fringes.
Tristan – Séverin’s brother in every way but blood. He’s fully French but the Order has taken away his last name so he goes by Séverin’s. He has the plant forging affinity and has an intense fondness for his spider, Goliath. He only wants to live a life for his creations and remain by his brother’s side.
Enrique – the half-Filipino and half-Spanish historian who has never felt really accepted in his culture because his face isn’t ‘Asian’ enough. He’s religiously devout and he’s bisexual (or maybe pansexual?). He searches for acceptance and clings to the support of his team.
Zofia – she’s Jewish and although she’s incredibly awkward and detached, she’s felt the anti-semitism on the rise. She’s much more comfortable with numbers than people and isn’t aware of social cues. She’s adorably distant and wants to secure a future for both her sister and herself. Despite being expelled from school, she’s quite adept at forging.
Laila – the Indian girl who left home to find the book that will help her extend her life. Her story is very complicated and miraculous. She was also my least favorite character. She didn’t really do anything wrong per se, but I didn’t like how she was constantly up in everyone’s business without giving an inch. I also found her to be insensitive towards Séverin’s feelings in the end. As compassionate and understanding as she seemed throughout this story, that all disappeared when he needed it from her the most. Instead, he was left dealing with her selfish wants and needs.
Hypnos – the bisexual (or pansexual) patriarch of the House of Nyx. He was half-Black and half-French. In his words, he was the descendant of Haitian slaves and the son of a French aristocrat. He happens to love all the things the Order signifies and what membership means for his life… except for the loneliness. He comes to see the group as his friends and proves to be a loyal and accommodating member.
There was a lot happening and I’ll save that information for when you pick up this book and READ it!! I’ll just say that it was full of beautiful imagery and painful truths. I shipped Hypnos and Enrique from the jump even though I think there’s a little sumthin sumthin between E and Zofia. I still want Laila to kick rocks and my heart aches for Séverin. If you enjoy mystery and suspense and the idea of a secret society and all that it entails, then I urge you to get your copy of The Gilded Wolves today! I’m off to read The Silvered Serpents and dive back in!!
A gorgeously layered story, with characters that make you laugh and ache and cheer.
Roshani Chokshi has created another masterpiece that is absolutely dazzling, breathtakingly gorgeous, and deliciously thrilling. Filled with mystery, pulse-pounding suspense, exciting adventure, playful bantering, and lovable characters, The Gilded Wolves was an utterly fun and amazingly fantastic read.
I loved The Star-Touched Queen and Chokshi’s writing style is simply beautiful so I was beyond excited when I won an ARC of The Gilded Wolves from Bookish First. I was really looking forward to having an epic adventure and this book did not disappoint. The pacing was good and I never felt bored. Even if some parts were kind of weird and a little bit confusing, I was still completely enthralled by everything! From the wildly captivating writing, mesmerizing world-building, action-packed plot, and rambunctious characters, this book undoubtedly charmed me. Chokshi created such a fascinatingly gorgeous world I never want to leave. It’s full of wonder, mystery, danger and magic and I just couldn’t get enough.
If the world-building dazzled me, the characters undeniably captured my heart. I thought they were incredibly charming and absolutely intriguing. Getting to know each of them was truly a wonderful and enjoyable experience. I don’t want to ruin the fun for you, but these characters — Séverin, Enrique, Laila, Zofia, Tristan and Hypnos – they each had their own quirks and were so easy to relate to. They’re funny, unique, talented and adorable. Be prepared for this amazingly multifaceted, diverse, and wonderfully entertaining cast of characters that I’m sure you’ll fall head over heels in love with just as I did. I already miss them and cannot wait to see where they’ll be in Book 2.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi is a beautifully crafted tale that will sweep you up in an unforgettable adventure full of mystery, action, humor, and suspense. I enjoyed so much of this book and so darn in love with Chokshi’s delightfully enchanting storytelling. I loved the creative world-building, the background stories, the multiple POVs, the fun bantering, the fight scenes, the friendships, and the romance. I really can’t wait to continue this adventure and to see where the story will lead to next.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Bookish First in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thought, feelings, and opinions are my own.
So I’m going to get the elephant in the room out of the way first and then it’s done and we can move on. Yes, this book is very similar to Six of Crows. To be honest it was that that kind of drew me to this book in the first place, and whilst there a number of direct comparisons, when I read Six of Crows for the first time all I thought about was Ocean’s 11. A group of misfits banding together, plotting to steal an item is not a unique concept so please accept that fact and enjoy the book for what it is, you’ll be seriously missing out if not.
The characters are all strong, each with their own skillset and emotional baggage. There is so much potential back story for each of them which would be perfect to explore further in future books in the series, but we’re given just enough about each in this book to keep our interest piqued. Laila is certainly a character I would love to delve further into, especially when we learn her history! Her ability to transform from daytime baker to nightime darling of the burlesque is fabulous. The enigmatic Severin, denied a birthright, slowly simmers until the perfect opportunity arrives to take back what is his. He is the architect of the piece, and darkly complex. Zofia is wonderful, and as a sufferer of anxiety myself I totally identified with her and the quirks of her behaviour, her ability to force herself to adapt even when the introvert in her tries to drag her back down. I loved the beauty of the friendship she has with Laila, this story has a number of powerful moments but one that stands out most for me is when Laila set out 3 dresses for Zofia to choose from each with it’s own trait to help her with whatever anxiety she was feeling. Hypnos provides the much needed comedy relief at times when the story becomes too heavy and he really did remind me a bit of Magnus Bane!
The concept of the power of forging was great and covered pretty much all the bases when it came to the fantastical world and what they were able to achieve. Imaginative devices and wonderful potions and poisons, really gave me a feeling of steampunk. Exciting scrapes and tangles, bringing to mind thoughts of raiders of the lost arc and similar tomb raider style puzzles to be solved. The Gilded Wolves is an amazing race against time, I found myself holding my breath a number of times as each part of the plan (and sometimes the unplanned) unfurled – there is a ton going on and if you get distracted you’ll miss something important, such is the volume of information. This is a story with a pace that rarely lets up and will have you devouring the pages with it’s exciting set pieces. One of my favourite parts of this book is actually the small pockets of flash back where Severin recounts the families he stayed with during his childhood, giving each “father” a corresponding deadly sin – this is a poignant change of pace and also a valuable insight as to how he became shaped to be the man he has become.
There were minor issues with the storyline, minutes after warning Enrique not to taken in by Hypnos’ tricks I found Severin’s blind faith in what he witnessed jarring, I accept that was the pivotal point of moving the story forward but I think it could been captured without such a continuity issue. The beginning chapters really had an infodump feel, I found that I initially struggled to get to grips with The Order, The Houses, Forging and getting to know the characters and setting, the writing does fall into a natural rhythm with it though and it does become quickly familiar. I don’t feel that these points overall impacted my enjoyment of the book in totality though.
I loved The Gilded Wolves! A historical fantasy set in late 1800s Paris, The Gilded Wolves is a dynamically crafted story with compelling characters, an immersive setting, and an intriguing plot. There are twists and turns, puzzles and magic, danger around every corner, and several potential romances that are fantastic!
The story follows Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, the rightful heir to the House Vanath who is determined to claim his place. A wealthy business owner and skilled thief, Séverin enlists the help of his friends and allies, each with their own special set of skills, on a dangerous heist to locate and steal an artifact that could be the key to claiming his inheritance. The story switches points of view, so you see what’s happening from several perspectives. I like this because you really get to understand each character’s motivations, fears, and emotions. It adds so much to the character and relationship development while also progressing the plot. And the characters! Each of the six main characters, as well as the minor characters, are deftly created, dynamically developed, and unique.
Séverin is the leader, a complex, morally grey character desperate for redemption. His backstory is so tragic and intriguing and really defines his present. Enrique is a good friend to Séverin. He is funny and supportive, and I love his humor. He’s quite intelligent, and his knowledge of history, mythology, codes, and more proves instrumental in helping the group. He also offers some fabulous comic relief at times when it is most needed.
Zofia is analytical, loyal, and unbelievably smart. She a mathematical genius, and her friendship with Laila is wonderful. Laila is strong and vivacious and the glue that holds this unique found family together. She’s like a mama bear – always watching out for her cubs. She has a fascinating back story and keeps many secrets. I’m really interested in learning more about her in the next book, as her future is so uncertain! Tristan is like a brother to Séverin. He is so sweet and conflicted, and I’m not a fan of his pet spider. And Hypnos has so much charm! He has some great lines that exemplify his confidence and charisma! However, I have a feeling he’s quite vulnerable beneath all of that charm, and we’ll find out why as the series continues.
Each character is so unique with their own goals, motivations, needs, and desires, and I felt fully invested in all of their stories. The characters also have fantastic chemistry, and I enjoyed the banter throughout the story. It is quick and witty, and you can tell there is a unique bond with this group. I love the found family trope, and Séverin and his friends create a wonderfully complicated and fascinating family.
The dialogue throughout the novel is *chef’s kiss* and the writing as a whole is fantastic! I love the author’s use of imagery and metaphors, and the symbolism and themes really shine. I love stories that pull you in right from the start, and this book does just that. I think this quick immersion can be attributed to the lush and captivating storytelling of Chokski. Chokski creates such a unique fantastical world steeped in European history. It is vivid and immersive and intricate, and the perfect backdrop for the story.
There are also a couple of potential romances in the story, and I love them all! Some are new romances and some are old and angst-filled, but they are all complex and intriguing. Laila and Séverin are my favorite! They have such a desperate longing for each other, and yet neither will act on their desires. Their feelings for each other are so intense and romantic, and I so want them to finally admit their mutual feelings for each other.
The plot is also super intriguing, especially the puzzles and the mysteries surrounding the artifacts. It is a little dense and slow-building at the beginning, but the rest of the story totally makes up for it. It’s so intricate and carefully woven, and the twists and turns are endless. It’s definitely a story that keeps you on your toes, and I was surprised more than once by its unpredictability.
I’ve gone on for a while, and I feel like I’ve only begun to touch upon all the awesome aspects of this book, so I’ll end with this: I thought this was a brilliant read, and I’m so grateful to Wednesday books for sending a copy of the book. I adored it, and after that shocking ending, I’m jumping right into The Silvered Serpents. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Séverin’s inheritance as the heir of the House of Vanth was denied and his House removed by the Order of Babel. Now, he’s set on reestablishing his House and gaining his rights as an heir, even if it means he has to steal back what is rightfully his. When one of his “acquisitions” goes awry, he finds himself entering into a deal with an unlikely ally who may be able to give him what he wants most. Together, with his own band of misfits, he has to pull of the biggest heist of his life, but, with all the risks and a new trap around every corner, will they all make it out alive?
To put it succinctly, I LOVED this book. Despite following multiple main characters, each one was very well-developed. The plot was intricate and well thought out with all sorts of incredible twists and witty dialog. There wasn’t a moment of this book I didn’t appreciate. If you enjoy the “Six of Crows” duology, you’ll likely love this book as well.
EXCUSE ME!!! That ending ripped my heart out and stomped on it again and again. May have actually screamed during the last 10% of this book…multiple times. I will return with a more coherent review after I’m done wailing in pain.
ETA: This book drew me in so subtlety, so carefully, I didn’t fully realize just how much I cared for this band of misfits until everything hit the fan. I will fight anyone who hurts Zofia and I want to shake so many of them for being so consumed in their own heads they don’t see the support right beside them. A thoroughly entrancing mix of heists, puzzles, colonialism, racism, love and loss. Along with a racially diverse cast, representation includes Jewish, autistic, and bisexual POVs.
Lots of action and fantasy in this one. I loved how the author was able to effortlessly marry the traditions and customs of the different characters as well as the settings.
Not my typical genre but I’d love to see an on screen adaptation of this book. Somehow I got a very faint feeling that the ideas expressed within resembled the work of Dan Brown.
I absolutely loved so many things in The Gilded Wolves. I think the title is intriguing and it made me want to read more. Chokshi is a master storyteller. I love how she weaves in the story of the tower of Babel into the fabric of this alternate Parisian society.
The characters were some of the favorites that I read in 2018. Séverin is snarky and made me laugh. He’s a perfect main character because he’s full of flaws and believes he has all the answers. His own confidence gets in his way.
The engineer, Zofia, is a drawn perfectly as a girl on the autism spectrum. In one moment, the dancer tempts her with a line of cookies that made me chuckle. Zofia expresses the difficulty sarcasm and other types of subtext in conversations cause to someone with her set of circumstances. She’s even influenced by textures. We aren’t given a diagnosis, but if I chose one, I’d say she has Aspergers because she’s very intelligent, reclusive and functions in society.
Laila the dancer is mysterious with a complicated past – she’d like to know who’s pulled the strings in her life. She is a sensual dancer and lives a double-life as a baker. Knowing the power of costume and branding she has carefully built her reputation, but she believes her life is fleeting.
I had a harder time keeping track of Tristan and Enrique for some reason. One had the greenhouse, and a deep need to protect. He’d been like the brother Séverin never had as they bounced around to other homes as orphans. While the other was the brilliant historian who dreamed of being respected by his people.
The magic system was delightful, full of mysterious house rings and enchanted objects with a steampunk feel. The rules of the magic were clearly laid out and at the heart of what Séverin believes he wants to change in his life. The prose is filled with gorgeous images and the dialogue is witty. Mystery underlies the story and they’re under a strict amount of time to solve all their problems, which keep getting bigger and bigger.
I hate to give away the fun things in the book. I wondered who were the gilded wolves from the beginning. I’ll just say that each house has their own symbol and if you can figure out who’s mascot is the wolf you’ll have it. To me, gilded implies a surface veneer of worth or respectability. So, if the wolves are gilded, they may not be what they hope to seem.
I just finished rereading this in preparation for Silver Serpents. I loved it just as much the second time. The emotions are raw and the characters are fantastic. Ms. Chokshi’s world building is always complex and wonderful. I highly recommend this book.
Historical retelling with a fantasy twist is one of my favourite genres to read. It’s always fun.
Chokshi created an extraordinary magic system that’s so clever I was left in awe. That mixed with a fantastic cast of characters made a very enjoyable series opener. I can’t wait for book 2!
Roshani Chokshi has created a marvelous world with magic and science combined. I was blown away by the world building, the complex characters, the mathematical puzzles; I could go one but all I can say is I was amazed and am looking forward to reading her next book in this series.
So my daughter recently got me into reading since I’ve retired from work. She told me this was one of her favorite books this year and let me borrow a copy. Well, I’m glad she did because I was enthralled and entertained the entire time.
Roshani Chokshi is such a creative and amazing storyteller. This is the first book I’ve read from her and I absolutely enjoyed her writing style. The Gilded Wolves is exciting and a wonderful adventure. I really enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more from Roshani.
One of my favorite parts about this book is the world-building. I loved exploring the magnificent world Roshani created and really enjoyed it. I think the characters are fun too and the storyline is really great. There’s friendship, mystery, romance, some humor and adventure. This novel is entertaining until the end and I highly recommend it!
I think I’m in the minority here. I found myself skipping large sections of this book because I just couldn’t get into it in the beginning. You’re just thrown into the world and I don’t feel like it is explained very well. It seems slow and didn’t get interesting to me until towards the end (maybe because it starts jumping past time for me. Ha! J/K).
I don’t know. Sorry. I had high hopes. I won’t continue the series.