ARC #Review: A CROWN OF WISHES by Roshani Chokshi

A CROWN OF WISHES

Author: Roshani Chokshi
Series: The Star-Touched Queen #2
Source: ARC via Publisher
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: March 28, 2017
Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary:
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.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher and decided to read and review it. This in no way affects my opinion of the novel

Where reading THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN was like reading liquid gold, A CROWN OF WISHES transformed the reader into a galaxy so they could live among the stars and sparkle. I will forever read anything that Chokshi writes as her writing feels like it wraps you up and never lets you go. The characters, setting, and plot were so rich and wonderful that I felt as though I was living in the story. I only put this book down when I had to and it is one you will easily get caught up in.

I loved the characters, Gauri and Vikram. I thought each of them was well defined, had good motivations, and were easy to relate to because they were fighting for freedom for themselves and others. They were easy to see as heroes and I loved being in both of their minds to understand what they were doing and why. I thought the alternating(ish) POVs were a good touch to this one because both characters saw things in a different way which added another dimension to the otherwise predictable story. I really liked their relationship as well and thought that Chokshi did a good job of making us love them individually and together. I could easily put myself into their position and enjoyed reading about them.

I did think that some of the secondary characters suffered this time around -- where I loved Gauri and Kamala in THE STAR TOUCHED QUEEN, I didn't have the same fierce loyalty to the other secondary characters this time around. I was a bit disappointed with the side characters this time around.

But the story itself was AWESOME. I think the plot and its development were perfect and Chokshi described everything in a fantastic way that made me feel as though I was a part of the magic and also safe from it as well. I liked seeing how Gauri and Vikram solved the riddles and won the game while still having high stakes. I think it was a great book and one I would recommend to anyone.

Not as purple prose-y as THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN, I think this will appeal to those who enjoy riddles, love, and rooting for the underdogs. I definitely recommend both THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN and A CROWN OF WISHES and I hope everyone decides to read these books because they are fantastic.