ARC Review: A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi & Audiobook Clip

Title: A Crown of Wishes Series: The Star-Touched Queen #2 Written by: Roshani Chokshi Published: March 28, 2017 by St. Martin's Press (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible) Synopsis: 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.

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

Wow, I really like this book. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did after not loving The Star-Touched Queen as much as I was expecting. But A Crown of Wishes is an amazing YA fantasy and if you ask me, better than it's predecessor.

A Crown of Wishes tells the story or Gauri and Vikram. I really loved the way that the book alternated perspectives between the two main characters. You got to know them and like them so much more because you saw them through the other person's eyes and their own. It made for complex and compelling characterizations for sure. Both characters also have one similarity and that is their desire to gain control of their kingdoms. Gauri is an intense and determined character and I am so glad we not only got to see her in action but also learn more about her. Vikram is an intelligent and resourceful character with a great sense of humor. I really liked both of them and became invested in their story throughout the book.

And as nice as they were apart they were also pretty fantastic together. For one thing they made a really great team. They worked well together and brought the best (and sometimes the worst) out in each other. It started out reluctant and a little adversarial but even that was great. Because the banter here is top notch. I also actually liked the way the romance developed too. It seemed slow and steady and by the time it came together I was interested. That is not always the case for me but here it definitely was.

But I think the main difference between this book and The Star-Touched Queen and this one, and the main reason I liked it more was the plot development. This book for one was definitely fast-paced. The stakes were incredibly high and there were so many thrilling action scenes that had me on the edge of my seat flipping pages to find out what was going to happen. And the book also slowly built to a thrilling conclusion that had me shocked, enthralled, and full of feels. It was definitely engaging from the plot perspective.

I also really liked the world building here. That was my favorite part of The Star-Touched Queen and it was one of the best parts of A Crown of Wishes as well. In this this book not only did we get to return to some of the places we got to know in the first book like the kingdom of Bharata but also places of more fantasy like The Night Market. We also got to explore some new places. I really like Alaka. It was a fantasy world full of magic and mystery but also dangers and adventure. Roshani definitely knows how to create a fascinating world and her writing is so descriptive that you can visualize it perfectly. It helped immerse me in the world.

I was sent an audiobook for review by the publisher and I have to say, that is the perfect format for this series. Roshani's writing is so lyrical and descriptive that it comes alive via audiobook. Plus the narrator did a great job not only setting the scene but also creating the characters. The accents were distinct and fit with the characterizations. If you like audiobooks I would recommend this one for sure. And I have a treat for the audiobook fans in the room. At the end of this review is a preview clip of the audio. Check it out and then get the audio yourself when it goes on sale tomorrow!

But on the whole, I would recommend this book even if you don't like audiobooks. It's a really great story and I liked it even more than the first book in the series. Partially because it's more up my aller and partially because it's a thrilling and interesting YA fantasy with great characters and an exciting plot.

I give A Crown of Wished by Roshani Chokshi 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. You definitely need to pick up a copy of this book. If you like The Star-Touched Queen you will be excited to return to the world and even if you didn't you will probably still enjoy Gauri and Vikram's story. I know I did.

Have you read A Crown of Wishes? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

A Crown of Wishes Blog Tour: Interview with Author Roshani Chokshi

Hi Everyone:
I am so excited to be sharing with you my stop on the second blog tour of the week. This one is for A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi. I really liked The Star-Touched Queen but I wanted more from the world so I was pumped to see that there was more coming in this companion novel. I'm currently reading the book and loving it so far. Look out for my review on Friday.

But first I have an interview with the author, Roshani Chokshi. If you were around last year you may have listened to my podcast interview with her back when Britt and I were still trying out or podcast. If you haven't listened to it, check it out here. I asked some similar and follow up questions so definitely check that out, plus it's a longer interview.

But before that, let's get into the this book and the interview...

Title: A Crown of Wishes Series: The Star-Touched Queen #2 Written by: Roshani Chokshi Published: March 28, 2016 by St Martin's Griffin (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: 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.

Interview with Roshani

1. Can you describe A Crown of Wishes book in 10 words or less?

Roshani: Enemies-to-lovers romance with a dash of magic.

Sounds good to me.

2. How was writing A Crown of Wishes different than writing your debut

RC: Writing under a contractual deadline vs. “letting a story simmer and roll around in your thoughts for 4+ years” is bound to be a VASTLY different experience. I treated my outline religiously with ACOW. The editing process with my first book taught me to reconsider everything I knew about storytelling—when to hold back, when to give a little, when to move on. I think the main difference with ACOW was its forward sense of momentum. I’d never cried over scenes until I wrote ACOW. I mean, I’d cried in the sense of frustration, but not in the sense that a book’s character had put me through the emotional wringer because of their situations. To me, Gauri and Vikram became people that I could spot in a crowd. They became family.

That's really interesting. I guess the more time you spend with a character the more connected you get with them. It's been two books with Gauri and Vikram so maybe you are more connected. Or maybe they go through more intense experiences. I'll have to read to find out.

3. This book is a companion novel to The Star-Touched Queen. Are you as excited to return to the world of that book as us readers are?

RC: Of course! It’s always incredible to dive back into a world one thought was old only to discover that it is, in fact, new.

I thought you would say something like that. I'm sure it was exciting and like riding a bike again.

4. A Crown of Wishes is about Gauri. Did you always know you'd want to tell her story, or did something about her story feel untold to you after you finished writing The Star-Touched Queen?

RC: Yes. Gauri’s story had always had a special place in my heart. I left her story purposely unfinished so that I could follow that emotional thread in ACOW.

Cool! I'm excited for you to finish her story. I found her so mysterious and fascinating in The Star-Touched Queen so I'm excited to learn more.

5. Do you have a favorite scene? One that you are excited for the readers to experience? (No spoilers, of course).

RC: I have a tiny gender-swapped beauty and the beast nod in a particular scene that I’m very proud of. I hope readers find it as entertaining and grisly as I do!

That sounds fun. I was actually just thinking how I wanted a gender-swapped Beauty and the Beast. Now I'll need to hunt for the reference. ALSO, super hoping that the female in question is Kamala because I love her!

6. This book is about wishes so obviously I have to ask, what would you wish for if you won the Tournament of Wishes?

I would wish for no need of wishes, with the condition that I’m not killed or incapacitated. 

7. Which of your characters would you want trapped on a deserted is and with you?

RC: Amar…(spoiler for TSTQ, but Death is an omnipresent thing, so I think he’d be able to whisk me out of a deserted island pretty quick)

Amar would be good for the whisking. I'd probably pick Kamala because she's fun. But if things don't go well she might end up eating me. (Kamala is a demon horse who threatens to eat people in case you didn't know).

8. What are you working on now? What's your next book going to be about?

RC: My next YA project is THE GILDED WOLVES. It’s a dark, sultry, ish-heist story set in the glamorous La Belle Epoque era of Paris. I love it to pieces, and I can’t wait for readers to meet the characters and world!

There you have it. I hope you enjoyed that.  Make sure to come back on Monday when I review the audiobook for A Crown of Wishes. Also, doesn't The Gilded Wolves sound amazing? Dark, heist story set in La Belle Epoque Paris. I want to read that real bad.

Are you excited about A Crown of Wishes? Have you already read it? What did you think? Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: A Crown of Wishes Series: The Star-Touched Queen #2 Author: Roshani Chokshi Published: March 28, 2017 by St Martin's Griffin (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: 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.

Why I'm Waiting:

I really liked The Star-Touched Queen. It wasn't as amazing as I was hoping it would be with all the rave reviews I had seen but I think maybe that it suffered a little bit from the hype monster for me. And if I'm being entirely honest it wasn't the kind of fantasy plot that I go for. I'm not a big fan of Hades and Persephone/Beauty and the Beast kind of stories. Why am I saying this, well because this is the kind of read I do go for.

First things first, I loved the world building in The Star-Touched Queen and so I am really excited to explore it a little bit more, specifically I'm excited to explore the "real world" a little bit more. This is a series with a world within a world and exploring more of that is super exciting to me. Plus Roshani definitely created an atmospheric and lyrical read in the first one so I expect nothing less here.

But seriously guys, I am even more excited about this one because it is my kind of plot. One of my favorite things about fantasy is when it has heavy political intrigue and this feels like it has those elements. Not to mention I love a good warrior princess and I found Guari really compelling in the first book and want to know more of her story. I'm probably one a few people who would not be all that bummed if the characters from the first book made a reappearance. Well except for Kamala, more talking demon horse, please.

I am hoping to get my hands on a review copy of this book but I may also check out the audio. It seems like the kind of writing that would work really well with an audiobook for me. I haven't listened to the audio for The Star-Touched Queen so maybe I'll start there. Or wait to see who the narrator is. If it's a favorite I may have to pick it up. 

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on A Crown of Wishes along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!