At first I didn't know what to expect with this title, but I was blown out of the water. There are so many complex social and historical themes running through the fabric of this story. The characters had SO MUCH personality and vibrant life. What begins as a story of a young man, Severin, attempting to regain his inheritance becomes a tale of intrigue and rich interactions that also explores the place of the marginalized ethnicities and persons of the colonized world of the late 1880s. Add a dash of magical transmutation of matter and mind alongside the story of the Tower of Babel and flavor it with a little cult-like taking over of the known world and you've successfully reached an AMAZING read. I would definitely recommend this title to any teen or adult who enjoys a nuanced story with a touch of magic, a little angst, and a lot of self-exlporation, steeped in imagination.

This book has been on my most anticipated upcoming releases list and I was so excited to read it. Thankfully my expectations were met and surpassed. The story is so unusual and I couldn't put the book down. Roshani's writing is so strong and she had me addicted to the story.

All I can say is: Wow! Luscious world-building setting the stage for a heist in an alternate version of 1889 Paris? Roshani Chokshi must have written this novel just for me. The characters are somewhat typical of YA fantasy in that they all have special, magical abilities. That said, they are complex and very well written. I'm having a hard time in deciding who is my favorite character... I think it's whoever I'm reading about at the time. Séverin leads a band of extraordinary misfits. All of them with tons of baggage but great talent. Their banter is funny and smart and it really does sound like overhearing the conversation of a reluctant family who may argue but really love each other. The will-they/won't-they relationship between Séverin and Laila, a mysterious and ethereal creature had me fangirling like a teenager. The twists were all unexpected and quite clever and the final surprise took my breath away. Lastly, I must say that, even if it's not something I actively search for, I know how important diversity is and this is diversity done right. This is not a "let's throw in a token minority character to make critics happy" but truly colorblind casting that doesn't fall in stereotypes. I can't wait for the next volume. This is escapist but quality fun.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/St. Martin's Press!

3.5 stars rounded to 4

I have a complicated relationship with Roshani Chokshi's books. I like her stories but I am not particularly fond of her writing style, I find it too flowery and too whimsical. Overall I enjoyed The Gilded Wolves but it wasn't a five star read for me because once again I didn't necessary connect with the writing style. There was a lot that I really liked about the book though.

I loved how different myths from different cultures were woven together with the myth of Babel at the center. I find the story of Babel to be one of the more interesting Biblical stories, so I was happy to see it in this book. Other elements that I liked were the Order, a secret society with different Houses or families, each with their own secrets and agendas; a hunt for ancient artifacts; and a number of compelling and diverse characters that Severin's crew was comprised of. Out of all the characters Laila was definitely my favorite, her origins story was so fascinating!

I found the worldbuilding to be intriguing but overly complex. It took me awhile to wrap my head around the Forging (magic?) system. Because I struggled a bit with the writing style I found some parts of the book slow-paced. For a heist story it wasn't as action-packed as I would've liked. But the ending was interesting and I definitely want to read the next book, especially since I really want to follow Laila's story arc.

I very rarely DNF books but this one I am going to put down for now. I loved the authors first book, The Star Touched Queen. She has an amazing writing style. This book just started off with way too much information, specifically about all the many characters, for me to get into. I just became confused trying to remember who was who. As I have enjoyed the authors previous work, I may try to read this again in the future, but my now I’m calling it a DNF.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARV of this book.

I had heard some hype about this book and it got me interested in it. It is set in a very cool world with a great magic system. Unfortunately the plot just didn't grasp my attention. I had a hard time getting through this book. There were some boring parts that just seemed to drag on. I did really enjoy the characters. They each had their own unique personality with a troubling past. They were a group of misfits and it was my favorite aspect of the book. Overall I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Well I feel like I need to keep this short and to the point until it actually comes out! This was a good book. That being said, did I expect more? Kind of.

At this point I honestly don't know if I didn't like it as much because I started reading it a few months ago, put it down and read a ton of books in-between, and then just now finally finished it. I do think that this might suffer from a case of the "people likened it to Six of Crows so my bar was set SUPER HIGH" or what. And I get that, it had a cast of misfit and awesomely diverse characters that came together to pull of a heist and that was awesome. BUT. I guess there was also a lot I didn't get. Maybe it was because unlike Six of Crows which is set in a completely fictional world, this was set in France is 1889 and I kept forgetting that. There are instances of people being treated a certain way because of their race and talks of revolution and things of that nature that had pausing for a second because I honestly have no idea what kind of a place France was during that time period. I do always feel bad too, when books are compared to a series that was hyped up so much and so loved by so many. I'm always nervous like, okay, is this book set up to fail because too many people are going to go into it expecting something exactly like the other series??!?! I'm not sure.

EITHER WAY, this book has solid bones. The characters, like I said, were really diverse and fun and had good banter with one another. A lot of things really intrigued me about them and I hope that we continue to get more back story on all of them, ESPECIALLY Laila..Also, the ending set the next book up in a way that I NEED IT. I need more Severin and Laila (the best kind of tortured romance, folks), I need to know more about last thing that was said about a certain someone being an heir or not..I just need to know a lot of things. So again, this wasn't GREAT like I thought it was going to be, but it was good and I will be 100% checking out book two. I still think this will get a lot of buzz and that a ton of people will fall madly in love with the characters, too.

In this book, a group of incredibly wealthy and powerful young people--and some of their poorer friends, some of whom are actually the wealthy folks' slaves, gather together--or are forced to--in order to pull off a heist that will return one of said wealthy young people to the ranks of even more wealthy and powerful people. Everyone is young and gorgeous and magically talented and wears fabulous clothes and entertains in grand and whimsical and decadent places and ways and what a bunch of incredibly horrible snobs, who believe that your bloodlines make you better than other people and who use people in horrible ways to attain recognition of said bloodlines and what an utter waste of paper and ink.

[4.5 stars] This book broke me, okay?! If you're new around here, I am not a huge fantasy person. But I can usually tell the kind of fantasy that I will like and this sounded up my alley. And I was right! Definitely one of my all time favorite fantasies! I absolutely adored all the characters. Especially Hypnos and Tristan. I completely fell in love with Laila and Zofia's friendship. The care Laila put into helping Zofia feel comforted! MY HEART! (pretty sure Zofia is on the spectrum). Honestly, I loved the entire gang's found family vibe. It was just really fantastic. But then Roshani went and did something I did not want her to do. So now I am just a shell of my former self, while I wait for the sequel.

If it wasn't obvious, I highly recommend this book. There's lots of racial diversity, one character is Bi or Pan. Another male character definitely likes other men, but I don't know if he only likes men, dig? And like I said before, pretty sure Zofia is on the spectrum.

Description:
No one believes in them. But soon no one will forget them.
It's 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.
To hunt down the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin calls upon a band of unlikely experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian banished from his home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in arms if not blood.
Together, they will join Séverin as he explores the dark, glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the course of history--but only if they can stay alive.

My Thoughts:

This is a story of young thieves with different powers. If this were contemporary novel, the characters would have different 21st century tech skills. Together, under the leadership of their own ousted "prince," these young people have created their own extended family, working together to try and return their "prince" to his throne, or his House. What I like about this is the fact that in a way the characters are both loyal to each other and using each other at the same time. That leads a complexity to the relationships that draws me in. I also like that this is not a happy sappy. The best YA stories, in my opinion balance victory and tragedy, magic and mundane, disappointment and optimism.

Ms. Chokshi is not known as a trilogy YA writer, however, although there is no hype about a second book, based on the end of the book, there will be at least one more story. If I am wrong about that, I am very confused because there are so many unanswered questions left hanging.

well damn just damn I REBUKE THAT ENDING!! *sobs*

This was such an intriguing and lush world created here. Every aspect of it was fascinating. So many little details that wowed me, from the tezcat doors to the very idea of Forgers and what they could do, to the Sphinxes. And the characters felt so alive, just as the world did, and i'm still not sure who's my fave. With each POV change and backstory reveal I realize everyone one of them have an interesting story, made even more so by how they all intersect. I mean i enjoyed Enrique and Hypnos a lot because i always have a soft spot for the over the top, charming, flirty one and that is certainly Hypnos.

Although the ending did secure a special place in my heart for Laila, for reasons!! Damn girl, you let him know! No spoilers obviously but my feels were allll over the place. Laila has a past that was just sad and heartbreaking and i just want her happyyyy pleaaase.

So if you're looking for a fun,lush, fantasy with several characters of colour as the mains this is it friends!

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 thoroughly enjoyed The Gilded Wolves and despite the small issues I still give this 5 Stars, with thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.

<i>The Gilded Wolves</i> follows a group of friends as they work to uncover the hidden secrets of the magical order that controls unspeakable power while also working to achieve their own goals. If this sounds incredibly vague, it’s because one of the best parts of this book was how well the plot unfolded and I don’t want to give anything away.

This is ultimately a book about friendships, chasing what you want, and magical artifacts. There were tons of twists that kept me hooked. The ending left me <b>so upset</b> and I can’t believe I have to wait so long to get my hands on a sequel.

I loved the world-building in <i>The Gilded Wolves</i>. This is a dark, glittering Paris filled with power and illusions. The Houses were a unique way to organize magic and the politics involved with them made the world feel even richer. I liked that the descriptions were rich and evocative without bogging down the plot.

The only place where I felt a little disappointed was with the character development. Séverin, Laila, and Zofia were really well done and had lots of internal motivations to explain their actions. Hypnos, Enrique, and Tristan felt a bit more removed to me and were often referred to in the context of just one character trait. This didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story by any means but I’d love to see more character development in book 2.

If you like books with ensemble casts, like <i>Six of Crows</i>, or are in the mood for something with an evocative setting and lots of action, I highly recommend <i>The Gilded Wolves</i>.

The Gilded Wolves contains some of my favourite elements: Paris in the late 19th century, magic, and a wonderful amount of diversity – so it’s no surprise that I absolutely adored this novel!

Chokshi’s magic system is unique and well thought out; I loved the idea of the Babel fragments, and the powers of Forging. The setting of Paris during the Exposition Universelle was used to wonderful effect with Chokshi’s lush and dynamic writing style.

For me, however, it was the characters who really made The Gilded Wolves. Séverin, our main character, owns the prestigious hotel L’Eden, where he lives with a select group of friends and allies:

Tristan, his childhood friend who has the ability to Forge living things and create wonderful and exquisite gardens. His talent hides a damaged soul, however, and he remains a rather mysterious and aloof character throughout.

Laila, a dancer from India with whom it is implied Séverin has had a romantic affair, but no longer. Laila, uniquely, can touch objects and discover their past. She is in Paris to search for a book taken by the Order of Babel which can hopefully provide answers for her.

Zofia, a Jewish girl from Poland who was recently kicked out of university. Zofia sees the world a little differently than most, but her friends never treat her as any less because of this. She is an expert engineer, nicknamed ‘Phoenix’. I admire Chokshi for including an autistic character, and I loved the chapters from Zofia’s point of view!

Enrique, a historian and linguist who is Spanish-Filipino and a walking encyclopaedia. He is sarcastic, hilarious, and a solid friend. He wants to join a group working for a Filipino revolution, but he is white-passing and none will let him join.

Hypnos, who at first no one actually really likes – they are working for him, after all – but eventually they are all enamoured by his charm. He is heir to a different House, and wants to help Séverin and is often underestimated due to being black.

And Séverin, of course, whose claim as heir of his House was denied, and who desperately wants it back. He is half-Algerian himself, and was raised by seven different ‘fathers’, each of whom he named after one of the seven deadly sins.

Together they make a fantastically diverse group, and I adored every one of their interactions. There are mysteries and adventures aplenty, as well as more touching moments between them. Our group contains characters of colour, characters who are gay, and characters who are neurodivergent – and never does it seem like the author went to a great amount of effort to make it seem this way. They simply are, and it’s wonderful to read about.

The attitudes that were common at the time are constantly called into question, and I admire the way this is done – we are never allowed to forget about the colonialism and exploitation of the age, and the white Europeans claiming the objects, magic, artefacts, of other cultures as their own.

Overall I gave The Gilded Wolves 4 stars, because while I did genuinely enjoy it, I found that the ending kind of fizzled out; it also ended on several cliffhangers, but I feel the effect of these was less successful as a result. I still look forward to reading the next book in the series, however!

Part heist novel, part adventure story, part fantasy – this book is many things, all of which I feel come together to create a dynamic and exciting YA novel, one which I can see becoming very popular and which I expect to see lots of praise for – and deservedly so.

Actual rating: 4.5/5

I've been hearing about Roshani Chokshi (and about this book) for a while now, and now that I read it I completely get the hype. Not only is Chokshi's writing truly beautiful, but the parallel universe she created in The Gilded Wolves is captivating and unique.

The story is set in the Paris of the 19th century, during the Exposition Universelle, and throughout the entire book I could perfectly picture how it was at the time. Roshani Chokshi perfectly translates the atmosphere of the period, and I loved discovering the French capital through the characters' eyes.

Séverin, Tristan, Zofia, Laila and Enrique are amazing characters, as flawed as interesting, and I quickly fell in love with each of them. I especially loved how different they are, but somehow they form a family (even if quite dysfunctional). Their bond reminds me of Leigh Bardugo's Dregs in Six of Crows, though only in the relationship that these characters share.

I absolutely loved what I read, from beginning to end, though I must admit that it took me a while to fully grasp the workings of the Order of Babel, and to understand everything that was happening, which is why I'm not giving this book a higher rating.
Now that I'm done, I don't know how I am supposed to wait for book 2 (and the fact that The Gilded Wolves is not even officially out yet doesn't help).

A magical heist set in the historical period of Belle Époque? Roshani Chokshi has breathtaking prose and imaginative world-building. I've read other reviews that compare this to SIX OF CROWS (which I adore), but I think this novel definitely has legs to stand on its own.

WOW! Roshani Chokshi did it again! This novel will rock out there! A MUST READ FOR EVERYFANTASY READER!

There is nothing better than a book set in Paris, except for a book set in Paris in 1889. This book is fun and unique. It isn’t just any YA, which is hard to come by now. The story is great and the characters are intriguing. It’s all I could want in a delicious book..

4.5 stars. The story was so intriguing that I read the book in a night. I want the book to be made into a movie so the vivid characters and scenery can come alive. I like the diversity of the main characters in appearance, background, talents, and weaknesses and the fact that they all have secrets. The mixture of science, math, history, religion, nature, and "magic" (for lack of a better word) is great. I like that the book utilizes historical events and religious beliefs and events to advance the plot and explain the current circumstances. In particular, the story utilizes the biblical story of the Tower of Babel. It was also nice that scientific inventions and principles and mathematical principles were key to solving some of the puzzles/mysteries that confronted the main characters. Although the six main characters are not equals in terms of status and power, I appreciated that all of them made major contributions and that the success of the group in their endeavors could not have happened without all of them. I liked the use of the seven deadly sins as the nicknames/identities of Severin's foster fathers and the fact that he learned lessons from each of them, even the worst/cruelest ones. While all six main characters are appealing in their own way, Zofia is one of my favorites because the reader gets to witness more emotional growth/self-confidence.

I am glad I had the opportunity to read a copy of the e-book via NetGalley and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Stunning. Absolutely beautifully written. Roshani Chokshi is a master storyteller and this is yet another example of her mastery. If you enjoyed her previous works, this one will captivate you as well.