Review: The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi Blog Tour

Title: The Gilded Wolves Series: The Gilded Wolves #1 Written by: Roshani Chokshi Published: January 15, 2019 by Wednesday Book (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Set in a darkly glamorous world, The Gilded Wolves is full of mystery, decadence, and dangerous but thrilling adventure.  Paris, 1889: The world is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. In this city, no one keeps tabs on secrets better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. But when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.  To find the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin will need help from a band of experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian who can't yet go home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in all but blood, who might care too much.  Together, they'll have to use their wits and knowledge to hunt the artifact through the dark and glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the world, but only if they can stay alive.

The Gilded Wolves was one of my most anticipated books of 2019. I mean, come on, it’s a total me book. Not only am I a huge fan of historical mysteries and heist novels, but I have been wanting to read a book about Belle Époque Paris for ages. This book seriously checked all the boxes and it is written by an author I have enjoyed in the past. It was a no brained for me. And while there is a lot to like about this book, it didn’t end up being a book I loved.

One thing I did love however is the setting. Belle Époque Paris was indeed the setting I was dreaming of for a book like this. Roshani did a great job of establishing the historical time and place. Starting of course with the backdrop of the Exposition Universelle and all the majesty and mechanics it brought Paris. This was the year the Eiffel Tower opened and I loved that Roshani showed how many Parisians hated it. But she also didn’t shy away from the more negative aspects of the Exposition and the time period including the “Negro Village” and the mistreatment of minorities and those deemed lesser. It gave the book a lot of depth and accuracy in terms of the period. The contrast wall the more obvious because of Roshani’s writing. She’s always done a great job describing the beauty of a setting and transporting the reader there and this book was no exception.

But the actually setting was only the beginning of the world in this book. There was also a really interesting magical system. The book is an alternative universe and what makes it that way is that this is a world where people have the ability to Forge which allows them to control a substance or a person. It was sort of similar to bending in Avatar: the Last Airbender. I liked the overall concept but it just didn’t feel fully-formed as a magical system. I like my magic to have rules, which this did, but those rules need to be explained. The reader needs to understand how the magic works. They need to see it in action. But I didn’t feel like we were able to see Forging as much as I would have liked. There were a few opportunities where we saw someone mention a Forged object or talking about how they could Forge but I would have liked to see it used in a bigger way. I think this was just a case of the author telling instead of showing when it came to the world-building.

The other thing I liked about this book was the characters. This is a book full of a diverse cast of characters including those of different races, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations. Each of the characters had their own backstories and their own way they were trying to prove themselves. It was easy to root for them and want them to succeed so that they could overcome adversity. Although I do think that there was a lot of info-dumping in the beginning when it came to introducing the characters. Most of them had perspectives so it was a bit overwhelming to learn a ton about one and then switch to a different person. But the weird thing is, I don’t think one perspective was more interesting or engaging than the others. I think Laila might of been my favorite because she’s the one I want to know more about but all of them were compelling which is hard to do. That I think is a testament to how likable the characters were.

However, my biggest disappointment with this book was with the plot. I was so pumped to read a heist novel, especially one with a historical spin. And there was definitely a heist aspect to the story, and those were some of the best moments for me. I loved the puzzles and the near disasters that came with trying to steal something. However, it felt a little too easy. They knew every answer almost right away and then they would explain everything in such detail that it would take me out of the story giving the background of things like the Fibonacci sequence and the golden spiral. Heists are hard to do because you really need to have t all planned out walk a fine line between surprising your readers and giving them the knowledge to figure things out. This just didn’t do a great job of walking that line for me. Many of the reveals were not big surprises and I felt like some of them were too easy even for the characters. But I might just be hard to please when it comes to a heist. I tend to be good at solving things so maybe it was just me.

All in all, this was a good read, it just didn’t blow me away. It had an engaging setting and likable characters, I just wanted a little bit more surprises and magic.

I give The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi 8 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. If you are new to heist novels and you want to read a book with a subtle mystery and historical fiction with diverse characters then check this one out. But if you are looking for a thrilling adventure of a fantasy heist this book might not be the beat choice.

Have you read The Gilded Wolves? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: That Inevitable Victorian Thing Author: E.K. Johnston Published: October 3, 2017 by Dutton Books for Young Readers (Penguin Group) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Set in a near-future world where the British Empire never fell and the United States never rose, That Inevitable Victorian Thing is a novel of love, duty, and the small moments that can change people and the world. Victoria-Margaret is the crown princess of the empire, a direct descendent of Victoria I, the queen who changed the course of history two centuries earlier. The imperial practice of genetically arranged matchmaking will soon guide Margaret into a politically advantageous marriage like her mother before her, but before she does her duty, she'll have one summer incognito in a far corner of empire. In Toronto, she meets Helena Marcus, daughter of one of the empire's greatest placement geneticists, and August Callaghan, the heir apparent to a powerful shipping firm currently besieged by American pirates. In a summer of high-society debutante balls, politically charged tea parties, and romantic country dances, Margaret, Helena, and August discover they share an unusual bond and maybe a one in a million chance to have what they want and to change the world in the process —just like the first Queen Victoria.

Why I'm Waiting:

I have read a few of E.K. Johnston's books and they were pretty good. I liked A Thousand Nights but I loved Exit, Pursued by a Bear. It was one of my favorite books of last year. After really enjoying that book I decided I wanted to try more of the author's books. This is the perfect opportunity to do just that because on top of enjoying the author, this is a total me book.

For one thing this is an alternate history. I have been really loving alternate histories lately. I used to think that I didn't really enjoy them because it messes with the historical fiction aspect of the book. But then I read few that really blew me away. I think I'm realizing that the alternate histories I prefer are ones that take place in the future after something different happened. That's what this is.

So the thing I am most excited about when it comes to this book is the world. It has that Victorian era thing about being about court politics, debutante balls, society, and such but it also involves unique and interesting things like sci-fi or steampunk elements. Plus it mentions pirates so like, sign me up for that!

Plus can we talk about this cover? First of all it is purple which is my favorite color. Any book with a purple cover I am on board with. But on top of that you have the dichotomy of the tree and what looks like maybe parts of a motherboard. Either way, it's science-y. Also, it's shiny! It's going to look so pretty in the final hardcover.

I was really hoping that there would be copies of this at ALA and I was so glad to hear that there were. I of course picked up a copy it looks quite pretty just in the ARC format. But I am so excited to read it!

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on That Inevitable Victorian Thing along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine

*** This is the third book in a series. If you have not read Ink and Bone and Paper and Fire read those first. Seriously, they are amazing. What are you waiting for? Go read them! ****

Title: Ash and Quill Series: The Great Library #3 Written by: Rachel Caine Published: July 11, 2017 by Berkley (Penguin Group) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: The unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone and Paper and Fire unite to save the Great Library of Alexandria from itself in this electrifying adventure in the New York Times bestselling series.  Hoarding all the knowledge of the world, the Great Library jealously guards its secrets. But now a group of rebels poses a dangerous threat to its tyranny....  Jess Brightwell and his band of exiles have fled London, only to find themselves imprisoned in Philadelphia, a city led by those who would rather burn books than submit. But Jess and his friends have a bargaining chip: the knowledge to build a machine that will break the Library’s rule.  Their time is running out. To survive, they’ll have to choose to live or die as one, to take the fight to their enemies—and to save the very soul of the Great Library....

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

I absolutely LOVE this series and this book proved it even more. It's a book and a series that is full of action and adventure, complex and likable characters, an amazing world, and such a thrilling plot. It's seriously everything I want in a book and more.

One of the things that continues to impress me about this series is the world building and atmosphere of the series. In Ash and Quill, the author was able to further develop the world with the trademark atmosphere and darkness. In this book we are first taken to Philadelphia. I was super excited to see what the US is like in this alternative reality I was not disappointed. Philly is controlled by the Burners (hey Burners, stay away from my part of Pennsylvania). As the political intrigue of the series continues it was fascinating to see a group of people and a place that rejects Library control for similar reasons but very different ways. It added a lot of interest and drama.

But honestly, most of the drama and amazing world building comes from The Great Library itself. Normally a library would be an amazing part of the world of a book. It's the place where our book loving protagonist finds knowledge and people who also love books. And yes, that happens here but The Great Library is the main antagonist. And as crazy as this sounds, it is a brutal antagonist. It is super hardcore and one of the most brutal dictators I have ever seen in a dystopian. It makes for a really interesting story to hate the library. And the more we learn about it and the more we see in this book, the more I do just that.

And with a brutal antagonist like this, you know there is going to be an exciting plot. And Ash and Quill had a really amazing plot. As the series develops, the stakes become even higher and was how it was here in Ash and Quill. This is a book that is full of action, adventure, and mystery. From the first page to the last the action didn't stop. It took you on a wild ride full of daring escapes, thrilling fight scenes, and plenty of surprises. Rachel Caine's writing gives it a really cinematic quality. I am not the kind of person who often visualizes what is happening but here I can't help it. It really built to an exciting conclusion that had me absolutely in need of the next book. I even found myself attempting to turn the pages at the end of my e-ARC because I needed more and I needed it ASAP.

However, I think what really connected me to this book was the characters. Over the past three books I have become so attached to each and every one of them. This is one of those book that has a group of diverse people from different walks of life that come together to make an unlikely team. And what a great team they make. I loved seeing them interacting throughout the book. There's fantastic banter, shippable romances, great friendships, complex family dynamics, and a brilliant mentor/mentee relationship. And it handles all these relationships beautifully. Caine doesn't take it easy on these characters though. Every time I found myself thinking how much I loved a character something else would happen to them. But they are all so smart, tough, and resourceful especially our main character Jess. The way this book ended I am incredibly worried about what is going to happen to them next, but I can't wait for that ride.

Because if these three books have been any indication we are going to be in for one amazing ride in the next two books in the series. Ash and Quill was an amazing read and I loved every second of it. It's a truly thrilling adventure novel with a fascinating dark world, amazing characters, and a great plot.

I give Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! If you read the first two books and loved you need to read this book. If you haven't have read them and you are looking for a unique dystopia or alternative history or book with a ton of action then check this series. Everyone should read it and then talk to me about it because I am OBSESSED!

Have you read Ash and Quill? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Timekeeper by Tara Sim

Title: Timekeeper Series: Timekeeper #1 Written by: Tara Sim Published: November 8, 2016 by Sky Pony Press (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Two o’clock was missing.  In an alternate Victorian world controlled by clock towers, a damaged clock can fracture time—and a destroyed one can stop it completely.  It’s a truth that seventeen-year-old clock mechanic Danny Hart knows all too well; his father has been trapped in a Stopped town east of London for three years. Though Danny is a prodigy who can repair not only clockwork, but the very fabric of time, his fixation with staging a rescue is quickly becoming a concern to his superiors.  And so they assign him to Enfield, a town where the tower seems to be forever plagued with problems. Danny’s new apprentice both annoys and intrigues him, and though the boy is eager to work, he maintains a secretive distance. Danny soon discovers why: he is the tower’s clock spirit, a mythical being that oversees Enfield’s time. Though the boys are drawn together by their loneliness, Danny knows falling in love with a clock spirit is forbidden, and means risking everything he’s fought to achieve.  But when a series of bombings at nearby towers threaten to Stop more cities, Danny must race to prevent Enfield from becoming the next target or he’ll not only lose his father, but the boy he loves, forever.

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

I was really excited to read Timekeeper. I remember first learning about this debut and thinking that it is a total me book. I mean I love historical fiction set in the Victorian era, not to mention steampunk YA and was super intrigued by this one with a focus on clockwork. Despite a slow start, this was a good read that I enjoyed a lot.

One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book was the world of it. For one thing there is a lot to the world and setting of this book. First and foremost there is the steampunk elements. An alternate Victorian England setting with time being controlled by clockwork was really cool. But it was a subtle kind of steampunk. That I think was because there was also a really cool mythology and history to this book. There are gods at play here and their stories added some interest to establish and develop the world. It didn't seem to totally make sense but it was interesting.

As for the plot development, that did make sense. It made a lot of sense. This is a book that is surprisingly heavy on mystery elements. I wasn't expecting there to be so much of a mystery but it was actually really well plotted with solvable twists along the way. In fact, this was a return to form for me where there were a ton of mysteries and twists that I was able to predict. All the pieces slowly fell into place at the climax of the book which had me flipping pages so fast and needing to know what all would happen next.

But as much as I enjoyed the plot development, I didn't love the pacing. This was a pretty slow book. It took awhile to really take off. I would like a little bit more of the plot earlier in the book. I'm not exactly sure however what made the beginning feel slow for me. Usually that's because there is a lot of exposition. But I don't think that was the case here. There was set up, but it didn't feel like too much. I just think it didn't hook me until later in the book when things really started kicking into high gear (pun unintended!)

It could be however that the beginning was about the character development. Although I'm not sure that was the case either. I honestly would have liked a little more from the characterizations. Now don't get me wrong, I did like the main character of Danny. I thought he was a fantastic protagonist. He's smart, kind, and the right amount of reckless. He also was complex and vulnerable in that he didn't always make the right decision but I understood his motivation. I wanted to see him succeed a mechanic and by the end I was invested in him accomplishing his goals, even the ones I didn't totally agree with.

And by the ones I didn't totally agree with, I mean the romance. I don't know you guys, I just didn't connect with the relationship with Danny and Colton. It's a trope I've been seeing periodically in YA lately and it's one I don't really enjoy. I don't want to give too much away but it veered to far into the supernatural romance lane for my liking. The moments where I think I found myself enjoying the book the least we're the ones that had too much romance and not enough of the other plot points to me.

But in the end, I really did enjoy Timekeeper. Despite some elements that I didn't totally enjoy and a bit of a slow start, this was a good debut with a great alternate history setting, and interesting plot, and a complex main character.

I give Timekeeper by Tara Sim 8 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow/Buy. If you are interested in this book you should definitely check it out. There is a good mystery that I am interested to see develop. Fans of steampunk and historical fiction should check it out.

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

ARC Review: Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin

*** This is the second book in a duology so if you have not read Wolf by Wolf proceed with caution. Also, what are you waiting for? Wolf by Wolf was amazing! READ IT! Here's my review. ***

Title: Blood for Blood Series: Wolf by Wolf #2 Written by: Ryan Graudin Published: October 11, 2016 by Amulet Books (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: The action-packed, thrilling sequel to Ryan Graudin's Wolf by Wolf.  There would be blood.  Blood for blood.  Blood to pay.  An entire world of it.  For the resistance in 1950s Germany, the war may be over, but the fight has just begun.  Death camp survivor Yael, who has the power to skinshift, is on the run: the world has just seen her shoot and kill Hitler. But the truth of what happened is far more complicated, and its consequences are deadly. Yael and her unlikely comrades dive into enemy territory to try to turn the tide against the New Order, and there is no alternative but to see their mission through to the end, whatever the cost.  But dark secrets reveal dark truths, and one question hangs over them all: how far can you go for the ones you love?  This gripping, thought-provoking sequel to Wolf by Wolf will grab readers by the throat with its cinematic writing, fast-paced action, and relentless twists.

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

Oh wow! Wow, wow, wow. This book was everything I was expecting it to be. It was a non-stop thrill ride of action and adventure, great characters, and pain. So much pain. I was late to the Wolf by Wolf party but I took my seat on the bandwagon and seriously loved that book. It was amazing and I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next in this series. And this was everything the first book was but more.

More action and adventure, for one. I thought that the Axis Tour motorcycle race and attempt to assassinate Hitler had high stakes but that's nothing to Yael on the run. Around every corner, after every turn there was some tight scrape to get out of. When I thought it couldn't get more intense, it did. If you are like me and are a plot-driven reader who likes a ton of action in their books this is right up your alley. It really builds to an amazing and thrilling conclusion that had me stress reading in my safe space. Not to mention it is the kind of book you will get so engrossed in you will not want to put it down. I did not expect to finish the nearly 500 pages of this book in two days but I couldn't stop. I just kept reading through all the stress and feels. Because seriously, this book is full of feels that will wreck you in the best possible way.

A lot of why this book is so full of feels is because of the characters. Because this book also has really amazing characterization. I seriously love these characters so much, they are some of my absolute favorites. I love them so much because they are incredibly complex and multi-dimensional. Throughout these books we have seen them at their best and their worst. You see them succeed and you see them vulnerable. All of this makes them easy to root for and want to see succeed. In this one we alternate perspectives between Yael, Luka, and Felix which adds a really interesting dimension to the book as we learn more about them and their pasts while seeing the present through their eyes. It makes for great character development and a great read.

But the world of this book is really fantastic too. This is a book that defies genre classification and a lot of that has to do with the world. Very simply it is an alternate history but it definitely goes deeper than that. I was blown away in the first book the way that this blended history and speculative fiction and it does it again. The author clearly did her research on World War II but she took that as a jumping off point for an complex science fiction like world and plot. I loved the way the two blended as we learned more about the skin shifting, how it works, and its history. It made for a fascinating setting and a great jumping off point for this story.

This is absolutely one of my favorite books of the year. It was everything I was hoping it would be, everything I knew it would be. It was thrilling, engrossing, and painful with amazing characters and an amazing story.

I give Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin 10 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! Without a doubt by this book. If you loved Wolf by Wolf you will love Blood for Blood. I seriously loved it and I cannot say enough good things about it. It's so creative and entralling. If you like books with a lot of action check this out. If you like character-driven stories check this out. If you like sci-fi, historical fiction. If you like nice things, read this book.

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