sillypunk's review against another edition
2.0
Made of fluff: https://blogendorff.com/2017/09/14/book-review-a-crown-of-wishes/
zenalth's review against another edition
Vikram reads like any other generic YA protagonist. You could have replaced him with Nikolai, Dorian, Will or Jace and it would still have the exact same flavour. Gauri is the same - the classic headstrong warrior princess that we've seen a hundred times.
The cover might be different and the blurb fancier, but A Crown of Wishes feels like every other YA book out there. Maybe I'm just more critical (or older and more bitter, you decide) or maybe the genre has grown so stale and manufactured that it feels like the same old story being milked to death, but this felt incredibly flat despite Chokshi's lyrical prose.
Everything happened way too fast, the decisions felt contrived and forced instead of organic, and the budding romance between Vikram and Gauri felt somewhat insta-lovey.
I could push through, but I'm forcing myself to be ruthless. My TBR is way too big for me to be bleeding time on something that I just know is going to be lacklustre at best.
The cover might be different and the blurb fancier, but A Crown of Wishes feels like every other YA book out there. Maybe I'm just more critical (or older and more bitter, you decide) or maybe the genre has grown so stale and manufactured that it feels like the same old story being milked to death, but this felt incredibly flat despite Chokshi's lyrical prose.
Everything happened way too fast, the decisions felt contrived and forced instead of organic, and the budding romance between Vikram and Gauri felt somewhat insta-lovey.
I could push through, but I'm forcing myself to be ruthless. My TBR is way too big for me to be bleeding time on something that I just know is going to be lacklustre at best.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Review copy: Audio copy via publisher.
I really enjoyed this audio. The fantasy world was elaborate and drew me in.
I really enjoyed this audio. The fantasy world was elaborate and drew me in.
internationalkris's review against another edition
3.0
Crown of Wishes is a new fantasy novel which has been receiving a lot of buzz in book reviews. I found it to be a good read and appreciated the alternating chapters between the male and female main characters as well as few led by a supernatural being. The newest angle of the book was the setting within the world of Indian mythology. Otherwise there was a quest, a prize, characters striving to be recognized for their talents rather than their situations - standard fantasy structure. All in all I definitely liked it, but can't say that I would recommend it widely since it didn't feel especially fresh. A cool iteration of the standard line though.
ummar's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely LOVE the pairing in this one 😂
My favourite Roshani book so far 👏
My favourite Roshani book so far 👏
Chivalry demanded that he should inquire after the Princess’s well-being. Then again, when the princess in question had tried to kill him and probably would try again the next chance she got, perhaps chivalry should be ignored. She caught him looking at her and frowned:
“You’re heaving like a water buffalo in its death throes.”
Never mind.
“You do realize that I don’t need the enhancements of demon fruit to knock you to the ground?”
“I do. But I concede that some bodily harm from you is inevitable. I’m just trying to minimize the damage.”
“Spread your legs,” I shouted.
“Rather forward of you—”
“Distribute your weight or we’re going to die.”
^^ just a few of my favourite quotes from those two 😂
amouria's review against another edition
3.0
When I read about Vikram’s “thread” and Maya’s encounter with an older Gauri in TSTQ, I became curious about what was ahead for them. Thankfully, A Crown of Wishes, not only provides the next chapter of Gauri and Vikram’s story, but intertwines them together on a quest. I knew I had to read the book.
I’m not exactly sure why, but I did struggle in the beginning of the book. However, once I got through the first half, it was easier for me to read through the rest. I liked this story more than TSTQ as many of the issues I had with TSTQ were improved (less purple prose, more grounded in reality, female friendships and slow-burn romance). Gauri, driven by her love for her people, is a beloved protagonist and Vikram, with his cleverness and potential, is a perfect match for her. Chokshi created a beautiful world of fantasy for these characters. I’d love to see this book as a live action mini-series. The lush world-building demands to be seen because based on visual descriptions, it would be GORGEOUS.
Anyway, 5 stars for positive rep for Indian characters. I wish I had this when I was growing up.
I’m not exactly sure why, but I did struggle in the beginning of the book. However, once I got through the first half, it was easier for me to read through the rest. I liked this story more than TSTQ as many of the issues I had with TSTQ were improved (less purple prose, more grounded in reality, female friendships and slow-burn romance). Gauri, driven by her love for her people, is a beloved protagonist and Vikram, with his cleverness and potential, is a perfect match for her. Chokshi created a beautiful world of fantasy for these characters. I’d love to see this book as a live action mini-series. The lush world-building demands to be seen because based on visual descriptions, it would be GORGEOUS.
Anyway, 5 stars for positive rep for Indian characters. I wish I had this when I was growing up.
zoya_neela's review against another edition
1.0
Audiobook: Priya Ayyar, 14hrs; Audience: YA, Fantasy, Mythology, Fiction
I DNFd this book, because while I was disappointed with the first one, I was willing to see where the characters went. This seemed to be a new story, with new characters and not immediate path visible to our former protagonists.
DNFing is not something I do lightly, but as I have continued my reading journey, I find that YA books are not always able to hold my interest. That is okay, they are not meant for me.
I DNFd this book, because while I was disappointed with the first one, I was willing to see where the characters went. This seemed to be a new story, with new characters and not immediate path visible to our former protagonists.
DNFing is not something I do lightly, but as I have continued my reading journey, I find that YA books are not always able to hold my interest. That is okay, they are not meant for me.
rebeccaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
maralib's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0