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d_l_sims's review against another edition
3.0
An okay book. I liked most of the characters, but didn't connect with them on the level that I actually cared what happened to them; Hypnos was the only one I truly loved and cared what happened to. The plot really didn't grab my attention, it is one of those books I kept reading because I thought to myself: "why not?" Not a book that made me want to devour it in one sitting, but I liked it.
dxmazy's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
karmel14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
yunooooo's review against another edition
2.0
I'm so sad to say that this book isn't for me.I found the writing quite bland and abrupt tbh, and I couldn't really connect with the characters at all. Maybe it's just not the right time. But I dun think I'll try reading this again in the future. I really appreciate the theme being explored here, but maybe YA is just not for me any longer. :(
kara_bianca_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Summary:
The Gilded Wolves is the first book in a new series following a misfit group of thieves in a fantastical version of 1880s Paris. With some steampunk elements, some cool secret society elements and a great cast of characters, this is a great fun 2019 release! It's been compared to Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and it has some similarities in a vague sense but it is also SO unique. I read Crooked Kingdom as well this month and I would NOT confuse the two at all!
Characters 5/5:
OH. MY. GOD. The characters are the strongest part of this book by far. I was connected to all of them SOOOO quickly. Severin, Laila, Tristan, Zofia, Enrique and Hypnos all play such important roles in this story, and they all have their unique personalities! No one is there to score points in diversity bingo, and I love them all! I cried for them, I laughed with them... I JUST CAN'T.
Setting and atmosphere 4.5/5:
This book is just filled with ATMOSPHERE. It was lush and rich and poignant, and although there were a few times where some world building elements were a tad complicated (i.e. I had to go back and read the paragraph a few times to get the thing) or a tad info dumpy, the world developed in scope really well across the course of the book. Also, I can totally see where the world is going to expand even further in future books and blast wide open and I CAN'T WAIT.
Plot 4.75/5:
I loved the plot. The stakes were so high and it was JUST SO FUN! I only had one little niggle and it's a niggle that I seem to be having a lot with YA heist novels: and that is that the twists and heist action is not twisty and unpredictable/complicated enough. Maybe I've just been spoiled with the Oceans movies, and adult heist novels, but I'm just never super WOWED by a particular move in the heists.
Writing Style 4.75/5:
Again, basically flawless. I was so engaged, and couldn't stop reading. There were just a FEW moments that were either a little hard to follow, or alternatively a little info dumpy. BUT OVERALL I JUST LOVED IT SO MUCH.
Bonus points:
Diversity 5/5:
This book was FILLED with diversity in a way that seemed super genuine to me, not forced or token at all. For anyone's reference: Severin is African (in particular, Algerian)/French biracial. Laila is Indian (and I think plus sized). Zofia is Jewish and is on the autism spectrum. Hypnos is also biracial West African/French (I can't remember the exact country but it was definitely exactly named) and gay. Enrique is Filipino and openly bisexual. And Tristan is implied to be suffering from some kind of mood disorder. The bi rep was awesome (which I can speak to), and from what I've been told from aspy friends, the autism rep was also really good. I loved that Severin was white passing, but he also strongly identified as biracial -- one of my good friends is half Algerian and is also white passing so I could see the authenticity in that. I just loved them all so much and I'm still crying over them.
Enjoyment 5/5:
I just really freaking enjoyed this! I couldn't put it down and I devoured it in basically one sitting! Can you tell I'm screaming over this book??? I can't wait for the sequel!
The Gilded Wolves is the first book in a new series following a misfit group of thieves in a fantastical version of 1880s Paris. With some steampunk elements, some cool secret society elements and a great cast of characters, this is a great fun 2019 release! It's been compared to Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and it has some similarities in a vague sense but it is also SO unique. I read Crooked Kingdom as well this month and I would NOT confuse the two at all!
Characters 5/5:
OH. MY. GOD. The characters are the strongest part of this book by far. I was connected to all of them SOOOO quickly. Severin, Laila, Tristan, Zofia, Enrique and Hypnos all play such important roles in this story, and they all have their unique personalities! No one is there to score points in diversity bingo, and I love them all! I cried for them, I laughed with them... I JUST CAN'T.
Setting and atmosphere 4.5/5:
This book is just filled with ATMOSPHERE. It was lush and rich and poignant, and although there were a few times where some world building elements were a tad complicated (i.e. I had to go back and read the paragraph a few times to get the thing) or a tad info dumpy, the world developed in scope really well across the course of the book. Also, I can totally see where the world is going to expand even further in future books and blast wide open and I CAN'T WAIT.
Plot 4.75/5:
I loved the plot. The stakes were so high and it was JUST SO FUN! I only had one little niggle and it's a niggle that I seem to be having a lot with YA heist novels: and that is that the twists and heist action is not twisty and unpredictable/complicated enough. Maybe I've just been spoiled with the Oceans movies, and adult heist novels, but I'm just never super WOWED by a particular move in the heists.
Writing Style 4.75/5:
Again, basically flawless. I was so engaged, and couldn't stop reading. There were just a FEW moments that were either a little hard to follow, or alternatively a little info dumpy. BUT OVERALL I JUST LOVED IT SO MUCH.
Bonus points:
Diversity 5/5:
This book was FILLED with diversity in a way that seemed super genuine to me, not forced or token at all. For anyone's reference: Severin is African (in particular, Algerian)/French biracial. Laila is Indian (and I think plus sized). Zofia is Jewish and is on the autism spectrum. Hypnos is also biracial West African/French (I can't remember the exact country but it was definitely exactly named) and gay. Enrique is Filipino and openly bisexual. And Tristan is implied to be suffering from some kind of mood disorder. The bi rep was awesome (which I can speak to), and from what I've been told from aspy friends, the autism rep was also really good. I loved that Severin was white passing, but he also strongly identified as biracial -- one of my good friends is half Algerian and is also white passing so I could see the authenticity in that. I just loved them all so much and I'm still crying over them.
Enjoyment 5/5:
I just really freaking enjoyed this! I couldn't put it down and I devoured it in basically one sitting! Can you tell I'm screaming over this book??? I can't wait for the sequel!
nevad_23's review against another edition
5.0
Such an amazing read
When I started reading The Gilded Wolves, I had a lot of different voices in my head, mostly negative. But honestly, I didn't see why they didn't enjoy it. For me, it was a fun read, full of interesting characters and set against an interesting historical background. I loved especially the use of mythology and religion as they help to define what the culture was like and the way in which the characters navigated the religious and mythological.
When I started reading The Gilded Wolves, I had a lot of different voices in my head, mostly negative. But honestly, I didn't see why they didn't enjoy it. For me, it was a fun read, full of interesting characters and set against an interesting historical background. I loved especially the use of mythology and religion as they help to define what the culture was like and the way in which the characters navigated the religious and mythological.
williamsocnwld's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting premise and a fun band of misfits with an Indiana Jones-style adventure tale. Entertaining and fun with a LOT of detail about each component of the book from character wardrobe to food options, making for a pretty visually stimulating storyline. Can’t wait for the next one in the series!
noralastra's review against another edition
2.0
This book...took me SO long to get into and I can't bring myself to finish it after two weeks of trying to drag myself through it. And I'm so mad about it!! I was very much looking forward to this book because it reminded me a lot of Six of Crows in the sense that we get to meet a new, interesting crew going on a heist!! Alas. I can't tell if it's just not the right ~mood~ for me to read it or what. I'm very intrigued by the story and Chokshi's writing is so pretty and lush but it's not making me want to keep reading. I like all the characters and I like where the story has the potential to go but the characters aren't making me want to stick around enough. I'll probably trying reading it at another time and hopefully be more interested in it.
greenmtgirl's review against another edition
1.0
A few representative sentences/phrases:
"Which meant she had to be prepared for an unexpected burst of light." (Come on, you either prepare or it's unexpected. Can't be both.)
"Laila took a couple steps forward, pausing long enough to let the growing crowd outside the hall see her hand slide up his arm. 'I wanted to surprise you,' she said silkily. Then she turned to face the open door and the growing crowd of curious faces. 'Are we to have an audience?'" (Growing crowd twice in one short passage.)
"Séverin’s eyes were the precise color of sleep—sable velvet with a violet sheen, promising either nightmare or dream." (The purplest prose.)
"A network of crystal vines and quartz veins formed the walls, as if they were sumptuously below the ground." (That is not how one uses that adverb.)
"On her lips, it sounded like a talisman. Something that could protect him. Chew up the dark." (A lot of odd, even nonsensical, word choices.)
"Enrique mimed a zip over his mouth," despite the fact that the zipper didn't exist for another couple decades.
"we could harness the essential essence" :sigh:
Also: do you know how hard it is to draw blood by biting your tongue? And yet it happens multiple times to characters in this book (and not because of head trauma). As does drawing blood by digging your fingernails into your palms, which would require you to have specially sharpened your nails.
And then there was the ending. I've never wished so hard that I had quit reading 85% or so through the book. I won't say what happens, but prepare for joylessness.
"Which meant she had to be prepared for an unexpected burst of light." (Come on, you either prepare or it's unexpected. Can't be both.)
"Laila took a couple steps forward, pausing long enough to let the growing crowd outside the hall see her hand slide up his arm. 'I wanted to surprise you,' she said silkily. Then she turned to face the open door and the growing crowd of curious faces. 'Are we to have an audience?'" (Growing crowd twice in one short passage.)
"Séverin’s eyes were the precise color of sleep—sable velvet with a violet sheen, promising either nightmare or dream." (The purplest prose.)
"A network of crystal vines and quartz veins formed the walls, as if they were sumptuously below the ground." (That is not how one uses that adverb.)
"On her lips, it sounded like a talisman. Something that could protect him. Chew up the dark." (A lot of odd, even nonsensical, word choices.)
"Enrique mimed a zip over his mouth," despite the fact that the zipper didn't exist for another couple decades.
"we could harness the essential essence" :sigh:
Also: do you know how hard it is to draw blood by biting your tongue? And yet it happens multiple times to characters in this book (and not because of head trauma). As does drawing blood by digging your fingernails into your palms, which would require you to have specially sharpened your nails.
And then there was the ending. I've never wished so hard that I had quit reading 85% or so through the book. I won't say what happens, but prepare for joylessness.