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takarakei's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
- 4 POVs, 6 main characters
- Stolen treasures (imperialism)
- late 19th century Paris
- found family
- autism rep (not explicitly stated)
- bit of romance
The male audio narrator was not my fav but it didn't completely ruin it for me. There's a lot of visual puzzles that make more sense if you're reading the physical books (because there are diagrams etc)
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Animal cruelty, Homophobia, and Antisemitism
luna_bear's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry
hannahs_library_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
florecita_lectora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
resterenvie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
“Wolves were everywhere. In politics, on thrones, in beds. They cut their teeth on history and grew fat on war.”
Have you ever imagined a fantasy book featured with a cool mix of ancient histories, puzzles, mythology, symbology, heists, magic system (the Babel Fragments, the Houses, Forged items) and ofc MATH? This book is for you.
Seriously, the characters are what makes this whole book come together so beautifully, every character is well developed and has interesting backstory, purposes, desires and personalities. I love how Roshani gave so many different races, cultures and backgrounds in one set of these characters. They have this complexity that makes them feel so real and human, so much relatable on some level. ‹𝟹
- Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, the half French-Algerian fallen heir to House Vanth, owner of Hotel L'Eden.
- Laila, the Tamil (South Indian) baker and a dancer aka L’Énigme, she is the mom friend. A QUEEN INDEED. Her backstory was probably my favorite to read. ”MAJNUN”
- Enrique Mercado-Lopez, a Filipino-Spanish, bisexual, a historian nerd and book worm. FUNNY.
- Zofia, a Polish, Jewish, and autistic (actually this is never explicitly stated) scientist, math and chemistry genius, very socially awkward.
- Hypnos, black French-Haitian aristocrat, the young head of House Nyx, dramatic and sarcastic.
- Tristan Maréchal, he adored natures and animals, a botanist, obsessed with his pet—tarantula. Needs to be protected at all costs.
I like the writing style as well, the banter, sass (I don’t have any idea how many times I laughed out loud because of them, especially conversation between Enrique-Hypnos-Zofia), tension, and romance through the story were just so much fun and heart wrenching (especially Séverin and Laila) to read. Also the world-building, especially the puzzles and the mysteries surrounding the artifacts.
What’s more facsinating is the fact that Rohsani wrote Order of Babel; their history that has a connection to the Tower of Babel, how they were divided into four different Houses that led by their own matriarch/patriarch, and their unique custom. I also love the setting of this book and think the historical and fantasy aspects blended really well together, while also follows strong themes of colonialism and racism that existed at that time.
“Nothing but a symbol? People die for symbols. People have hope because of symbols. They're not just lines. They're histories, cultures, traditions, given shape.”
IT WAS SO GOOD, SO PRECIOUS, AMAZING CHARACTERS AND DIVERSITY, I LOVE FOUND FAMILY TROPE, THE ANGST, THE DRAMA. THIS BOOK BROKE ME AND I LOVED IT. Thanks to Rohsani Chokshi. ‹𝟹
Ps. Please read the author notes.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Racism, and Blood
deerlybeloved's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Classism
friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Gore, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Xenophobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Self harm and Suicide
aniquegrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Death and Violence
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A historical fantasy set in an alternate history in France The Gilded Wolves follows a found family of lovable and diverse characters. Their primary goal is to help Séverin regain his place as a Patriarch, a title stolen from him when he was younger, and a way to guarantee everyone gets what they most deeply desire. Along the way they plot, heist, and use magically forged objects to achieve their goals. This story follows 6 different characters, all unique with their own backgrounds and complex personalities. It is a testament to the writing talents of Roshani Chokshi that the narrative was easy to follow. I never felt confused or lost, or had the urge to construct a string map to keep track of the plot.
I adored the magic system in this book! All the imagery and inventions were so intricate and beautiful, I felt like I could see all the descriptions around me. It was so cool watching the characters figure out the puzzles, I liked how there were illustrations on the pages so the reader could also try to solve them as well. (Not me though, it is over my head!) I really liked Zofia, it is so great to read books with autism representation. I saw a few reviews not liking how she was written, but I thought it was very accurate. (Especially how sensory adverse she is!) I think it is important to remember there is no right way to be "autistic" and everyone has such a wildly different experience it's impossible to compare.
Favorite Moments: Hypnos being extra, Laila laying a cookie trail, all the clues and puzzles, and Séverin's parental figures depicted as the 7 sins
Least Favorite: The ending *ugly cries*
This book follows strong themes of colonialism, racism, and trying to find your place in a world that only sees you by your race. I highly recommend it, and can't wait till the next book comes in from the library so I can find out what happens next! (Oh yeah, it ends on a bit of a big reveal/cliffhanger, fair warning)
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Racism, Torture, Blood, Antisemitism, Murder, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Slavery, and Death of parent
moonlightreads007's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Animal cruelty, Homophobia, and Antisemitism