This book is told mainly through the dual perspectives of Gauri and Vikram..

Gauri, the princess of Bharata, has long been under the thumb of her brother. After staging an unsuccessful coup, Gauri has been handed over to her enemies in Ujijain.

Vikram, the prince of Ujijain, has tried to prove himself as worthy to rule one day, but knows he will never be fully accepted.

Vikram is invited to the Tournament of Wishes where the winner is given a wish by the Lord of Treasure. The catch is that the invite is for two. After convincing Gauri to join him in the tournament, the two set off on a wild and dangerous journey that tests them both in ways they hadn't expected.

Overall, I like this book much better than The Star-Touched Queen. The plot was easier to follow and the world-building was fantastic. It was something I enjoyed, but probably not something I would pick up to read again.

Loved this book almost as much as the author's first one. The reading experience for me was very similar to The Night Circus. The world is three dimensional and immersive. The characters are interesting and grow over the course of the narrative. I didn't want it to end.

This book was one of my most highly-anticipated books of 2017 and it was absolutely captivating. I long to dive back into this world of games and magic! This story pulls you into a world different from the debut, the Star-Touched Queen but is as mesmerizing as ever!

I loved everything about ACOW. It was unputdownable and the plot just kept getting better as the book progressed. I felt as if I were truly in Chokshi's world and I loved the diverse characters and the mix of Indian Mytology and the culture. Living in Singapore, a multi-racial and multi-religious society, I felt really happy to read about the food (who doesn't love food?)

Roshani Chokshi writes in a way that leaves you breathless for more. Get ready for the ride of your lives! A Crown of Wishes certainly left me wanting more and left me with the truth that books are indeed pure magic.

I do recommend that you read The Star-Touched Queen before starting on A Crown of Wishes as it will fill you with awe at some revelations on certain characters.

I was so happy when I saw that this was on NetGalley. I had read the first in this series The Star-Touched Queen through that platform and was lucky enough to have my request accepted for this one. This does not pick up again where we left off. It is a new kind of tale, set in the same realm with characters that you may have met in the first one. You don't have to read the first one to understand this one but I highly recommend that you read both!

I loved the dynamic between Gauri and Vikram. They were so quick to be sassy with one another. I loved how both of them were both meant for thrones but something was in there way from that position even though it was rightly theres. During their time in the Otherworld they learn so much about one another and about themselves.

I'll admit that it took me a while to get into this book because I was trying to remember the world from The Star-Touched Queen. I think I was confused but I had no memory of these characters and when I realized that Gauri was Maya's sister that she told stories too at night and they went through the Night Baazar everything started falling into place.

The quotes that you can pull from this book are amazing, The dialogue and the writing is fantastic. The characters are well rounded and you actually feel attached to them. The culture and mythologic creatures within was so great to read and learn about. It definitely felt like I entered another world when I read this and I am sad that it is over.

I will read whatever Chokshi puts out if it's as good as this series!

**This was kindly given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

A million little shiny stars for one of my new favorite books! A Crown Of Wishes is a companion novel to Roshani Chokshi's debut, The Star-Touched Queen, and can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed TSTQ but had some trouble adjusting to the writing. This book though!

Gauri, the Princess of Bharata, is exiled and imprisoned by an enemy kingdom. Gone is Maya's innocent little sister. After years playing her brother's cruel political games, she has hardened her heart against magic and is distrustful of anyone. Vikram, a prince who seeks to become more than a puppet king, offers her an opportunity to take back her city by being his partner in the mystical Tournament Of Wishes and she accepts.

In my opinion, Roshani's writing and characterization has greatly improved. I could tell within the first couple chapters, there were less extravagant metaphors but the prose still flowed with a lush, atmospheric quality. The descriptions were so whimsical and delightful to imagine.

I can't say too much but Gauri and Vikram's relationship was very well developed and their individual personalities and arcs were just as well done. From endless cheeky innuendos to finally breaking through the walls around Gauri's heart, it's quoteworthy from beginning to end *HEART EYES FOR DAYS*

Btw Vikram puts the fox in Fox Prince amirite

He's actually a huge dork which is why I love him. A charming, funny, sarcastic, clever dork. He's also haunted by his own past and it made me want to give him all the hugs. Did I mention I love him???

There's also another character who was really loveable and I secretly hope she gets her own story along with more Gauri and Vikram... Also, Vikram's dad is the cutest. So yeah, the romance, magic and adventure get 5/5 stars from me. Even if you were meh about The Star Touched Queen, I would give this a try!

Thank you so much, Netgalley, for granting my wish (heh) and providing this ARC!

Roshani Chokshi is a brand new author for me, and I was so excited to get the opportunity to review this book before its release. Chokshi is a master storyteller, as evidenced by her unique world-building and the imagery she creates with words alone. I felt like I was there right alongside Gauri and Vikram, seeing the magical gardens of Alaka and the fatal attractiveness of the vishakanya through their eyes.

Vikram is a prince, though one without a drop of royal blood. Adopted by the king when he was a young child, he has grown up knowing he will one day rule as merely a puppet and figurehead. Being adopted has hindered his chances for true freedom to rule. He is offered the chance to gain that which he desires most by competing in the Tournament of Wishes, but he is told he must find a partner, one who is both valuable in skills and equal in desperation. Gauri, a princess and the Jewel of Bharata, is imprisoned within the walls of Vikram's palace. When Vikram offers her a chance to escape in return for helping him on his quest, she agrees, if only to be sure she can get away from the palace. They quickly discover that this quest for wishes will come with much sacrifice and danger, but the potential good from their wishes far outweighs the possibility of death, or worse, being stuck in the Otherworld forever.

Of course, I must first say again how wonderful the descriptions were of the world the author built. It was amazing how easily I could picture everything in my head as I was reading. The chemistry between Vikram and Gauri was jumping off the pages. Their witty banter was comical and made me laugh several times. Both were equally matched in personality and spirit, though it took a while for them to realize it. When they became close, it was sweet to see them find comfort in each other while staying strong in the face of overwhelming challenges.

I am happy to say that this is a book I could recommend to anyone who asked, regardless of age or gender. It has battles, romance, and puzzles that are sure to entrance even the most reluctant of readers. I cannot wait to read more books by this author!

I don't expect anything less from Roshani Chokshi than a book that is the perfect balance between love and adventure.

Roshani Chokshi is a queen of storytelling! Every word, every line is filled with exquisite magic. It feels like honey spreading through your veins and making your blood sing. Reading her books is a pleasure I find myself addicted to. It also doesn't hurt that books' covers are so gorgeous. This is how the author described A Crown of Wishes:

There are feasts of silk birds, poisonous courtesans, strange rooms where desires can be devoured, thrones to be conquered, rakshasi fruit that turns princesses to beasts, and, of course, love.

I wouldn't say better!

This story is about a lonely Fox Prince. The world praises his mind and slyness, but would never accept him as a true ruler - only as a Puppet King. He is so sure of himself; he never doubts, he hides his hurt behind smirks and loopsided grins. And so he wishes: for magic to show him the way, to hope for something more, to own his fears, for power and recognition.

This story is about a fierce girl - with blood on her lips and fangs in the heart, who wears the armor of silk and cosmetics as confident as she wears the armor of leather and chain mail. The ‘Jewel of Bharata’ they call her. She got so tangled up in court games that she one day lost herself. She hides her weaknesses, she strikes her enemies, but she looses. And so she wishes: for a chance to prove her worth, to shed her guilt, to save her people.

A chance meeting. Reluctant allies. A tournament of wishes. Everything to gain and nothing left to lose. A Crown of wishes is many things in one. I liked The Star-touched Queen a lot, but I loved this one. The author found a perfect balance between story-characters-writing-wisdom and magic. Lovers of fast-paced, engaging plots will find this book entertaining, but characters is what really makes it shine brightly. Gauri and Vikram stole my heart from the first moment I met them. They deservedly take place among my all-time favorite book couples. Why couples, not characters? Because I can't imagine anything but a team when I think about them. Their shared scenes and interactions is what makes this book light and funny, but, at the same time, deep and sad. Gauri and Vikram felt real and flawed; they grow throughout the book: they make mistakes, they fall; they stand and move on but with every step they become someone new, someone better.

Gauri is a fierce and strong warrior. Vikram, on the other hand, fights with his wits. Gauri places her faith only in herself. Vikram believes in magic. Two absolutely different people forced to work together in order to get their wishes. What to expect from such duet? ONE OF THE BEST CHARACTER DYNAMICS! Their banters are the best thing I've experienced in a while.

When they first meet, they do not hesitate to threaten the other. They don't value each other's lives; after all they are from two warring Kingdoms. But time passes, bonds grow tighter and THAT transformation from enemies to more is EVERYTHING. I highlighted practically the whole book, and I feel like running re-reading those passages already, though, I finished reading it only a couple of hours ago!

A Crown of wishes is a story filled with wisdom. I admire, once more, how unique and beautiful the world author created. I know little about Indian (Hindi) culture, but it felt authentic to me in this book. And it's not only about one culture: Roshani Chokshi added something from the western mythology as well, flavoring the story with richness. It doesn't feel just like an entertaining story, it feels like a story that teaches you something valuable. The writing is so beautiful, I couldn't stop myself from reading some passage aloud or re-reading some - so beautiful and melodic they were.

All in all, A Crown of Wishes is better and richer than its predecessor. If you didn't fully enjoy The Star-touched Queen, I would strongly recommend you to give this book a chance: I am sure it will surprise you in more ways than one. This story left a deep imprint on me and it is, for sure, became on of my favorites. It has everything a reader can want in a book: an engaging and magical story (there's per se something irresistible about magical tournaments), three-dimensional characters with fantastic dynamics, exquisite writing that transfers you into the world of wishes you've never visited before, well-rounded secondary characters which, for once, play an important role in the story. It was a nice bonus to find myself caring for someone apart from our main characters.

I wish I had enough words to express how deeply I enjoyed this story. I can only hope that when the book is out in the world in March, you will wish to read it, my friends.

I love how beautifully written this book was. Chokshi always paints the story in such a pretty way that makes it feel like a fairy tale. Loved this book!

This novel was a good read. I enjoyed the story line and the characters. The story is told mainly from Gauri, the princess of Bharata, but also has views from Vikram, the prince of Ujijain and , Aasha, a Vishkanya, a woman whom is toxic to the touch. I enjoyed Vikram's wit and Gauri's stubborness.
Gauri is in a Ujijain prison, due to a failed attempt to overthrow her brother, who is an unjust ruler. She is betrayed by "friends", but nothing is at it appears to be. There are a few flashbacks about what occurred in Gauri's past that led her to make choices she did not agree with. Vikram is the adopted son of the emperor and the council does not want him to rule or to be a puppet king. When he receives an invitation to the Tournament of Wishes, and allows for 2 entries, he seeks Gauri in the prison and makes a deal with her to attend the tournament. Gauri has thoughts of escaping but changes her mind with the thoughts of what she could do with a wish. They face several trials on the way to the tournament and even more when they reach Alaka, which was believed to only be from stories. Gauri has much pain in her life and her choices weigh heavily on her.
While at the tournament, they encounter Aasha, whose choice to become a Vishkanya was not her choice. She helps Gauri and Vikram. Aasha is also part of the tournament, but has a difference set of rules due to her immortality. While Gauri and Vikram are facing their trials, they begin to care and fall in love with each other. However, if only one of them is come out alive from the tournament, what is each willing to sacrifice or will they both be able to get the wishes they desire? They novel contains romance, adventure, deception, and betrayal, as well as hope and sacrifice.

I loved this book! Even more than book one. The writing is beautiful beyond words.

I was very disappointed in A Crown of Wishes. With it being the companion book to The Star-Touched Queen, I expected the story to be gripping from the beginning with continued mystery and intrigue throughout, but I just did not find it in this story. This story was just a little "too far out there" for me. I don't think I will be purchasing this for my library because I don't have a large enough audience that this would appeal to.

Hi, everyone! Another day, another review! I'm really excited for today's review since it's on A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi! A Crown of Wishes is the companion novel to The Star-Touched Queen and focuses on Gauri, Maya's sister. In it, she has to compete in the Tournament of Wishes with a partner in order to obtain a wish to save her kingdom. Her partner turns out to be Vikram, a prince from an enemy kingdom who wants to be an actual leader to his people rather than just a puppet king. Along the way, they learn more about themselves- and each other- in a month's time than they did in years. I'll admit, I was mainly excited about this book because of how much I liked The Star-Touched Queen and was interested in what Roshani Chokshi wrote next. I wasn't heavily invested in what happened to Gauri after the events of The Star-Touched Queen until I read A Crown of Wishes, where Roshani Chokshi made me fall in love with Gauri and a number of other characters as well!
Where to begin... How about at the beginning and the fact that I loved it! During the first quarter of the book, I was thinking to myself,"Five stars, five stars, five stars!" The writing quality was outstanding and very realistic (which was a slight problem when it came to food :D ), whether it was on imagery, recaps or a character's thoughts and feelings. I think I take the writing style of a book for granted sometimes, but I could not ignore the stunning writing in this book that made it all the more enjoyable. ;) I also really liked the set-up and how our main characters entered The Tournament of Wishes. The story flowed from there and to all the adventures they had along the way until they reached their destination in the Otherworld. Along the way, we're given more information about the Otherworld as our protagonists travel to Kubera's, the Lord of Treasures, Court and to the Tournament. If you've read my previous reviews on fantastic novels, you'd know that I'm interested in the world-building and myth surrounding the novel just as much as the plot. I really enjoyed A Crown of Wishes' world-building, not only because we're already a bit familiar with some otherworldly beings, but so are our main characters. They might not know everything about the Otherworld, but they've learned enough to go by without flailing around about what to do. I think that's my favourite type of fantasy, more immersive than portal quest.

What I loved most about this book though was that it was really consistent. The overarching theme was how dangerous desire was and you could see that in almost every section of the book. That makes the story even more awesome because the supposed goal is that they obtain a wish from Kubera's tournament. What they learn while competing in the Tournament has the ability to change their whole perspective from what it once was. Then there was an emphasis all throughout the book about the importance of stories, how immortal and fluid they are, ever changing after multiple tellings. As a reader, I fully support the importance of stories and was glad to see that in here. :)

While there were some parts of the book where I got bored or didn't fully grasp, especially at the end, I enjoyed reading A Crown of Wishes and thought that it was on the same level as The Star-Touched Queen, maybe even better since it got me interested from the getgo whereas The Star-Touched Queen was a bit slow in the beginning. Well, that's all I have to say about A Crown of Wishes. If you liked The Star-Touched Queen, then you should go ahead and add this book to your TBR pile! ;)

A beautiful, lush fantasy of a book. I was sad when it ended - I wanted more time with Vikram and Gauri.

I was super excited to read Chokshi's second offering, since her first was one of my favorite reads last year. This one didn't disappoint! A lovely story that gives us the younger sister from Star-Touched and her own battles. There's a prince who knows he is more than what he's allowed to be, and the princess who desperately wants to save her kingdom, and a challenge issued to both of them to participate in the Tournament of Wishes in the Otherworld. There's self-discovery, a little bit of romance (the good sort, not the shove it in your face and there's no support for it sort), some heartbreaks and some triumphs. It was hard to put it down (but I'm old now, and can't always stay up all night reading and function the next day), and it was spellbinding at moments. Just the right balance of description and narrative, great characters, and a story that's worth telling, over and over.

Crown of Wishes was TRULY TRULY an exceptional read. I've mentioned before on Goodreads that Roshani Chokshi's writing takes me back home to India, and this book was no exception. The writing was lyrical and mellifluous, and created vivid imagery that fully fleshed out the world created, although there were elements which made it feel dream-like and fuzzy around the edges.
One seemingly mundane thing that particularly stuck out to me as a credit towards Roshani Chokshi's world building skills were the attire. It would have been incredibly easy to write off clothing as a simple salwar or sari but I was able to tell that the sari that Gauri wore when she visited Vikram in the very end was draped in the Gujarati style with the pallu falling over the front of the shoulder. That little detail struck me as so incredibly amazing. I was able to tell the author's source of inspiration, in addition to the purpose of the character. It created such a vivid image for me while reading.
The characters Vikram and Gauri were wholesome, real, flawed, human beings with realistic narrative arcs. Their character development clearly progressed through cause and effect, action and reaction, which made them really really likable. Vikram, although cocky and smart mouthed, was not disrespectful or predatory towards Gauri, which was quite a relief. He really endearing the entire way through. Gauri, clearly the focus, was a rollercoaster ride. Her past and present blended together beautifully and gave purpose to her actions.
The side characters were enjoyable as well. I did think they fell flat in some places and clearly seemed to be plot devices set up to change course of action instead of people and creatures with whom the characters interacted.
I really loved this book and will not only recommend this to everyone I meet but I will probably also reread it until eternity. Exceptional work. I cannot wait to see what Roshani Chokshi has in store for us!

You guys! THIS. THIS is the story I wanted.

I am not going to lie. I wasn't a big fan of The Star-Touched Queen. I thought the writing was overly flowery. Beautiful, but just a little much. And, I ended up being bored by the story midway through.

However...

I had always been intrigued by the possibility of Gauri's story. I wanted more about her since the debut book and even though I was stoked A Crown of Wishes was going to be her story, I was also hesitant considering Chokshi's debut.

But, oh, the gloriousness of a followup! This was everything I had wanted and hoped for. The writing is stellar. Perfection. It's beautiful, but not overly so as I felt in TSTQ. Gauri is a fierce female warrior; one who I felt I could identify with at times. And Vikram! What an outstanding complementary male character to a STRONG female one. He was not afraid of her reputation or lifestyle. He did all he could to strengthen and stand by her. Lift her up. She was stubborn, fighting against their attraction. He was trying to break down her walls. Their relationship progressed organically. The banter between them made me laugh often. Nothing felt forced. And, I definitely didn't get the vibe of instalove. It took nearly the entire story for their feelings to be admitted. And even then, it wasn't just "we are in love and HEA." Reality set in. Their lives weren't simple. And the tournament itself was INTENSE. The riddles, the creatures, everything about it was brilliantly thought out. I absolutely LOVED this side of the Otherworld!

Chokshi has cemented herself as a wonderful storyteller with A Crown of Wishes. If you struggled—as I did—with her debut, fear not. This book is outstanding in every way. You won't regret picking it up. And, if you are one who loved TSTQ, get ready, because Gauri and Vikram's Journey will blow you away.

Once again I am enthralled by Roshani’s artistic and eloquent writing style. Her prose continues to impress. She has a very lovely and vivid way of describing the worlds in her books that just draws me in and holds me captive as I follow heroes, villains, tricksters, and monsters, as they navigate their way through magical obstacles and hidden truths.

A story full of magic, discovery, and dark trials, A CROWN OF WISHES is indeed that, a prince and a princess chasing after their deepest desires even when they didn’t quite know them their selves. It is an exquisite companion to The Star-Touched Queen.
-pooled ink Reviews

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.

Thank heavens for wishes being granted!

We wished for this book on NetGalley before reading The Star Touched Queen and it we wondered whether it was a bit hasty of us. We started reading The Star Touched Queen the day after wishing and it wasn’t good. We disliked almost everything about it. The characters didn’t come to life inside us, the writing felt clumsy and rushed and we genuinely thought the plot was just stupid. We gave up before reaching fifty percent.

People say that you must be careful what you wish for. You must know what it is you want and when we were granted the opportunity to read this book early, we realised exactly what it was we wanted.

We wanted a book that was better than its predecessor and we got that.

A Crown of Wishes gave us the story of a prince and a princess. Of a boy and a girl, a scholar and a warrior. It gave us the story of a thousand people even if it focused on only a few.

A Crown of Wishes taught us a lesson in perspective and it set loose stars and art inside us. There are images of wonder and magic and thrones belonging to distant lands that flicker behind our eyelids. It’s all because of Roshani’s writing.

There’s something so ethereal and grounding about the way she organises words into sentences on pages that makes us get lost in our head. Read this book was a vastly different experience.

A Crown of Wishes is bloody brilliant!

We followed Vikram and Gauri as they went from hesitant and in some ways unwilling allies to friends and then to more and we enjoyed every second of it.

Gauri is a warrior. She is a princess and she is a jewel. She knows the value of a blades and armour and she knows the value of a well-crafted face of makeup. She’s a clever woman and we appreciated her chapters. It was interesting to compare Maya’s relationship with Mother Dhina and Gauri’s relationship with her. To Maya, Mother Dhina was a curse, but to Gauri she is a mentor. She taught her how to wield her words, how to hone her body into a silent sort of weapon with pearl dust and kohl.

It was fascinating.

Vikram is a scholar. He’s a prince and he is a puppet. He knows the importance of words just as well as he knows the need for running. For pushing oneself faster and harder until you can run away from the nightmares that plague you to the things you dream of. When we went into this novel we expected the common prince. Arrogant and deadly with a blade. Vikram was neither. In fact, he reminded us of our self. Deep thinking and careful with wants so big you could eclipse the sun.

Something both of them had in common was the desire to make things right in their individual kingdoms. Their desire to rule and take power.

All of it, they came to discover could be granted with a wish. A wish that could be won by playing a special kind of game. One where everyone’s a contestant and where the challenges start at acceptance and not upon arrival.

We were intrigued by the game. It was difficult and nonsensical. There didn’t seem to be any sort of rules and the requirements for winning were many and varied. Only the hosts know what it takes to win and they were odd hosts indeed.

Kubera and Kuveira. A child and a river. They had such interesting takes on stories and on wishes. They made us think and if we could we’d sit down and chat with them.

You guys know our thoughts on books with chapters that alternate in terms of viewpoint. You know what we think if the two voices that the chapters are written in are male and female. What you don’t know, however, are our thoughts on a book that occasionally has a third point of view.

Would this third character create a love triangle of sorts? Would Vikram fall for someone else or would it be Gauri that falls in love with this newcomer?

We can happily say this third person. This intriguing girl named Aasha didn’t come into A Crown of Wishes to create some idiotic romantic tension. Instead she entered the book as an individual wanting something she never had the chance to experience because it was robbed from her.

She taught us something too.

She taught us that wants can be all consuming. They can take your heart and your mind and twist them until the only thing you need is something you can’t possibly have. She taught us that secondary characters aren’t always secondary characters. They are the hero or the villain or the hero and the villain in their own story.

We loved being inside her head, experiencing her doubts and everything she had to offer.

To sum up everything that is this book would be, we think, impossible. Many people will take many different things from it, but we read the last sentence knowing that different perspectives and voices are necessary to have a better understanding of the world. The voices in can come from others or they can come from your heart, mind and soul, but one thing is certain. There is a magic in wishes that cannot truly be captured except inside a book.