emiann2023's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. If I could write descriptions like that. This book is like watching cooking shows on the Food Network. There is such savory detail, you can't help but want to try it too.
Gauri is amazing, and far braver and stronger than I'll ever be. She is strong and she is wise, and I love my princesses that way.
Vikram is my favorite, if only because I think I relate to him the most. He is clever and he is kind, and he is hilarious, which I love.
Roshani Chokshi's books are always a treat. I hope there are more in this world in the future, because I will gladly devour them too.
Gauri is amazing, and far braver and stronger than I'll ever be. She is strong and she is wise, and I love my princesses that way.
Vikram is my favorite, if only because I think I relate to him the most. He is clever and he is kind, and he is hilarious, which I love.
Roshani Chokshi's books are always a treat. I hope there are more in this world in the future, because I will gladly devour them too.
thaictaff's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, where to start? I’m obsessed with this book so much? Everything in it gives me life? Incredible main characters? Definitely one of my all time favorites? Yep, yep, yep and yep. I just have a lot of feelings towards this book.
“Beauty, coveted though it was, could not outlive you. Only actions would.”
The story follows Gauri, a princess of Bharata who was exiled for treason. She finds herself as a prisoner in the neighborly kingdom, where she’s to be executed. Until she meet Vikram, the fox prince, he wants to show the council of his kingdom that he’s capable of being a ruler on his own other than a puppet where they pull the strings. He sees a possibility of achieving that with the Tournament of Wishes, but for that he’ll need to team up with the enemy princess and learn how to be partners and not kill each other.
“Find the one who glows, with blood on the lips and fangs in the heart.”
The characters from this book, and I mean every character, are unbelievably amazing. It was impossible to me to find one single character that I didn’t enjoy, so let’s start from the main ones. Gauri walks the line of unlikable heroine and sympathetic, she’s a flawed character and you can’t help but feel empathetic towards her, she’s very brave and kind-hearted, I love my baby girl so much. Vikram is wonderful, he’s so charismatic and charming, but more than that, he’s smart and courageous, together they make for an amazing team.
Now to the side characters, Aasha is a vishakanya, meaning she feeds off other beings desires and her touch can kill humans. I was not expecting her and I didn’t know what to make of her when we have the first chapter from her POV. But as the story progresses and we get to know more about her, she quickly becomes a favorite. She’s caring and dreams of eating things other than desire, to just feel what’s like to be human. Quick shout out to the Lord of Treasures, he’s such a fun character, and nº1 Vikram/Gauri shipper. Also his consort, as the vetala, because it made for a great addition and I loved his humor.
The writing in Star-Touched Queen was maybe a little too much for me, but that changed completely in Crown of Wishes. This is lyrical writing done right, oh so right, honestly it’s astonishing. The idea of the book is so creative and Roshani Chokshi built it so flawlessly. Every aspect of it complimented the others and went together perfectly.
Another thing that differs a lot from the first book is the romance. With a beautifully written slow burn and enemies to lovers, I couldn’t help but smile every time Vikram would tease Gauri, their interactions were filled with banter and flirting. It gave me life.
“Vicious and sweet,” said Vikram, shaking his head. “Beastly girl.”
“You like me, don’t lie,” I teased.
“I couldn’t lie if I tried,” he said quietly.”
This book left me speechless, it’s a masterpiece and you really need to pick this up if you haven’t already.
Review also posted at Read. Breathe. Repeat.
“Beauty, coveted though it was, could not outlive you. Only actions would.”
The story follows Gauri, a princess of Bharata who was exiled for treason. She finds herself as a prisoner in the neighborly kingdom, where she’s to be executed. Until she meet Vikram, the fox prince, he wants to show the council of his kingdom that he’s capable of being a ruler on his own other than a puppet where they pull the strings. He sees a possibility of achieving that with the Tournament of Wishes, but for that he’ll need to team up with the enemy princess and learn how to be partners and not kill each other.
“Find the one who glows, with blood on the lips and fangs in the heart.”
The characters from this book, and I mean every character, are unbelievably amazing. It was impossible to me to find one single character that I didn’t enjoy, so let’s start from the main ones. Gauri walks the line of unlikable heroine and sympathetic, she’s a flawed character and you can’t help but feel empathetic towards her, she’s very brave and kind-hearted, I love my baby girl so much. Vikram is wonderful, he’s so charismatic and charming, but more than that, he’s smart and courageous, together they make for an amazing team.
Now to the side characters, Aasha is a vishakanya, meaning she feeds off other beings desires and her touch can kill humans. I was not expecting her and I didn’t know what to make of her when we have the first chapter from her POV. But as the story progresses and we get to know more about her, she quickly becomes a favorite. She’s caring and dreams of eating things other than desire, to just feel what’s like to be human. Quick shout out to the Lord of Treasures, he’s such a fun character, and nº1 Vikram/Gauri shipper. Also his consort, as the vetala, because it made for a great addition and I loved his humor.
The writing in Star-Touched Queen was maybe a little too much for me, but that changed completely in Crown of Wishes. This is lyrical writing done right, oh so right, honestly it’s astonishing. The idea of the book is so creative and Roshani Chokshi built it so flawlessly. Every aspect of it complimented the others and went together perfectly.
Another thing that differs a lot from the first book is the romance. With a beautifully written slow burn and enemies to lovers, I couldn’t help but smile every time Vikram would tease Gauri, their interactions were filled with banter and flirting. It gave me life.
“Vicious and sweet,” said Vikram, shaking his head. “Beastly girl.”
“You like me, don’t lie,” I teased.
“I couldn’t lie if I tried,” he said quietly.”
This book left me speechless, it’s a masterpiece and you really need to pick this up if you haven’t already.
Review also posted at Read. Breathe. Repeat.
melissawalcott's review
5.0
I was honored enough to be given the chance to meet this incredible author which prompted me to FINALLY purchase this companion to The Star Touched Queen, which I COMPLETELY FELL IN LOVE WITH! We met Gauri in TSTQ, but I had no idea how amazing Vikram as a character would be. His wit and his demeanor were incredibly sexy. I love Amar so much, but Vikram is a close second. This novel was incredibly magical with a gripping, delicious plot. It made me reminiscent of my own wild dreams.
The prose in this novel is brilliant all around, but I will leave you with a few favorite quotes of mine:
"Why wouldn't you hunger for life if you've only been surrounded by death?" pg. 174
"And if you do nothing else, give me a tale worth telling. Worth keeping." pg. 177
The prose in this novel is brilliant all around, but I will leave you with a few favorite quotes of mine:
"Why wouldn't you hunger for life if you've only been surrounded by death?" pg. 174
"And if you do nothing else, give me a tale worth telling. Worth keeping." pg. 177
npdj99's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
swiftlyreadingeverything's review
5.0
Such a beautifully written story. The way things were phrased and described took my breath away. I wish I had read the physical book so I could highlight the quotes I loved. I really loved how the characters weren't just forced together at the end of the story. They both discovered who they were and decided that they could then consider a future together.
kayu99's review
4.0
A solid sequel--I loved getting Gauri's perspective and seeing her grow as compared with how she was portrayed in the first book.
mikrokosm0s's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 - Gorgeous writing with lush imagery that occasionally felt too flowery and over the top. Overall, beautiful and much more enjoyable than The Star-Touched Queen.
meyy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-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
mansiv27's review
3.0
This book took me forever to read it considered to DNF it but then something happened in the book and i got hooked and again the slope went downwards this was a pattern through out the book.
The characters Gauri and Vikram were great. Gauri was spunky and fearless. Vikram was determined and courageous. And together, they made such an ultimate pair. I loved their quick and witty banter and I loved their chemistry.
But when it comes to story and book as a whole i like the things like the tournament and the lead characters but thats it. I liked the book in bits and pieces but as a whole it just didn't click as the first one did.
The characters Gauri and Vikram were great. Gauri was spunky and fearless. Vikram was determined and courageous. And together, they made such an ultimate pair. I loved their quick and witty banter and I loved their chemistry.
But when it comes to story and book as a whole i like the things like the tournament and the lead characters but thats it. I liked the book in bits and pieces but as a whole it just didn't click as the first one did.