31 Jul 2018

#BlogTour: STAR-TOUCHED STORIES by Roshani Chokshi // #Review + #interview + #Giveaway

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Hello and welcome to my blog tour post for

STAR-TOUCHED STORIES by Roshani Chokshi!

I have a review of the book for you plus an interview with the author so be sure to read all the way through for that! I am also giving away a copy of either THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN or A CROWN OF WISHES to one lucky reader! But first, let's learn more about the book...

STAR-TOUCHED STORIES

Author: Roshani Chokshi
Series: The Star-Touched Queen #2.5
Source: eARC via Publisher
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: August 7, 2018
Rating: 5/5 stars

 Summary:
Three lush and adventurous stories in the Star-Touched world.

 Death and Night
He was Lord of Death, cursed never to love. She was Night incarnate, destined to stay alone. After a chance meeting, they wonder if, perhaps, they could be meant for more. But danger crouches in their paths, and the choices they make will set them on a journey that will span lifetimes. 

 Poison and Gold
Now that her wish for a choice has come true, Aasha struggles to control her powers. But when an opportunity to help Queen Gauri and King Vikram's new reign presents itself, she is thrown into the path of the fearsome yet enchanting Spy Mistress. To help her friends, Aasha will have to battle her insecurities and perhaps, along the way, find love. 

 Rose and Sword
There is a tale whispered in the dark of the Empire of Bharat-Jain. A tale of a bride who loses her bridegroom on the eve of her wedding. But is it a tale or a truth?
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Other books in this series...

THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN

Author: Roshani Chokshi
Series: The Star-Touched Queen #1
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: April 26, 2016

Summary:
Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you’re only seventeen?

 Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father’s kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran’s queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar’s wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire…

 But Akaran has its own secrets—thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most…including herself.
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and...

A CROWN OF WISHES

Author: Roshani Chokshi
Series: The Star-Touched Queen #2
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publication Date: March 28, 2017

Summary:
From the author of The Star-Touched Queen comes a beautiful lush fantasy, Roshani Chokshi's A Crown of Wishes.

 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.
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Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

 These stories freaking gutted me. I was ugly crying at the end of them because they were so beautiful. I loved all the stories and just so want someone to smile just for me. Honestly, I know how much I love Roshani's writing, but these were over the top. I can't believe how amazing they were. See a breakdown of each of the stories.

 Death and Night: 4.5*
I thought the beginning of this one was a little slow but once it got to the meeting point, I was hooked and enthralled. I am so amazed with how this story turned out.

 Poison and Gold: 5*
I loved this one. I liked seeing the world through Aasha's point of view. I would have liked this to be a full length novel to be honest, but I am so happy with how it turned out. I also loved that there was some non-heterosexual romance aspects in this one! It was good representation too. I am so here for all of it.

 Rose and Sword: 5*
HEY GUESS WHAT. THIS STORY BROKE ME INTO A MILLION PIECES AND PUT ME BACK TOGETHER. Don't read this if you don't want to cry!!! Ugh. I just loved it so much. So so much. I'm crying thinking about it again.

Why did you feel it was important to add Star-Touched Stories to this world you've created?  What do you want readers to gain from the stories? Do you think there are any more stories to tell from the Star-Touched world, and if so, who you most like to write about next?

Roshani Chokshi: For me, this collection of stories is my farewell to the world that I created. It was extremely cathartic to write these three stories. I want readers to gain a sense of closure. I want readers to feel as much as I did when I with the stories. Who can say whether or not there are more stories left to tell in this world? ;)

Will you miss writing this world and characters?

Roshani Chokshi: Absolutely! They lived in my head for so long that I feel strangely weightless to be without them. 

What was your favorite scene to write from Star-Touched Stories, and what was your favorite scene to write from the whole series?

Roshani Chokshi: Honestly, my favorite scene that I wrote was the last scene the last story. I think you'll see why. As for my favorite scene that I wrote from the whole series, I think it would have to be the moment when Maya first enters the Night Bazaar.

Is there a scene or character from one of your stories that you've had to cut which you really wish you could share with readers?

Roshani Chokshi: There once was a speaking monkey character… But I had to let go of him. Maybe he'll reappear some other time.

Favorite myth and how has it inspired your writing? What was your inspiration for these stories?

Roshani Chokshi: I think my favorite myth is Hades and Persephone. I love the atmosphere, the goth undercurrent, the power dynamic. I love the movement of princess to Queen.
ROSHANI CHOKSHI comes from a small town in Georgia where she collected a Southern accent, but does not use it unless under duress. She grew up in a blue house with a perpetually napping bear-dog. At Emory University, she dabbled with journalism, attended some classes in pajamas, forgot to buy winter boots and majored in 14th century British literature. She spent a year after graduation working and traveling and writing. After that, she started law school at the University of Georgia where she's learning a new kind of storytelling. More information on the author can be found at www.roshanichokshi.com.



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