emiann2023's review against another edition
5.0
This collection has three novellas and an extended excerpt from The Gilded Wolves.
I absolutely adored Death and Night and Rose and Sword. I was a major fan of both couples from the original books, so these were an absolute delight to read.
I was never much of a fan of Aasha in Crown of Wishes, so I really didn't find as muchto love about Poison and Gold. It was okay, but I never really connected with Aasha the way I did Gauri and Maya.
The extended look at The Gilded Wolves really just whet my appetite and now I am super excited to read the whole thing. Ugh. Cannot wait.
Overall, this collection was a pleasure to dive into, and I hope there are future books with Hira. ;)
I absolutely adored Death and Night and Rose and Sword. I was a major fan of both couples from the original books, so these were an absolute delight to read.
I was never much of a fan of Aasha in Crown of Wishes, so I really didn't find as muchto love about Poison and Gold. It was okay, but I never really connected with Aasha the way I did Gauri and Maya.
The extended look at The Gilded Wolves really just whet my appetite and now I am super excited to read the whole thing. Ugh. Cannot wait.
Overall, this collection was a pleasure to dive into, and I hope there are future books with Hira. ;)
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Death
kristie5's review against another edition
4.0
If you are a fan of Roshani Chokshi then you are going to love this novella. As always the writing is beautiful and magical and all three stories were wonderful additions to this series. I would definitely recommend reading The Star Touched Queen and A Crown of Wishes before getting into this novella as there are spoilers. Overall, I really enjoyed all of these stories and it answered some questions that I had from the first two books.
angelabookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wraithandmermaid's review against another edition
3.0
I'm stuck between giving this 3.5 or 4 stars (come on Goodreads, where's that half star rating that we've all been thinking about), so we'll just stick with this, and I'll give my thoughts on each actual novella and generalize at the bottom.
Death and Night:
This one is the reason why I almost did not finish the book. It put me in a slump and I felt like a snail with my reading progress. There's nothing wrong with it, and I do actually like the references to The Star Touched Queen in this one (which makes sense, given that it's pretty much a prequel to Amar and Maya's story). The writing is pretty, but since readers already know about Amar and Maya's ending, we can already guess that there will be quick love in this one. I also felt like the ending was pretty quick/ rushed.
Poison and Gold:
I actually enjoyed this one! It was nice to read a more fleshed out Aasha since she had a pretty big impact in A Crown of Wishes. I liked reading what happened to Aasha, Vikram, and Gauri after that story, and this just made Aasha more interesting. This story was clever, and like Aasha, my basic thoughts were twisted so I could look deeper into things. I liked Zahril (ignoring the fact that for some reason, despite reading what she looked like, I pictured an old lady??? It's probably bc I'm used to characters like Baghra in the Grishaverse lol) and she and Aasha were actually kinda cute and complex. I generally like relationship dynamics like theirs (positive x grumpy, putting it simply). It was more straightforward than Death and Night and not as centered on romance, which I appreciated.
Rose and Sword:
The beginning with Hira and her family had me confused for a bit, at least until Hira ran off to find her grandma (Gauri!). The framing of this story was interesting, but I found it amusing and I did like this one too. Again, this was more focused on romance, but it explored Gauri's mind and the way she saw relationships pretty well. Her passion and devotion make her a pretty straightforward character to understand, which is helpful in the case of a novella. The angst in the middle of this was actually written pretty well, but I'm not surprised, seeing how Roshani Chokshi is pretty good at dialogue and romantic tension, which is also why the ending made me go "aww." The only critique I'd have for this one is that it's never explained (to my knowledge) why Vikram suddenly fell so ill that he nearly died.
So generally, there's nothing horrible about this book, but there's nothing too special either. Its defining feature is the flowery language and romance, so if you want something light and easy to read, this is fine. I did enjoy two out of the three stories, but I almost didn't go through with my read because I just suddenly got so weary with this book universe. Chokshi's prose is beautiful as always, as is her ability to craft good and interesting romantic relationships. The last story actually elicited some physical reactions from me, so I guess I'll keep the star rating at this just for that. I do like seeing characters doing more beyond their original story in novellas, so that was perfect for Vikram and Gauri. I don't know if I'll reread this book universe, but these novellas were good closure.
Death and Night:
This one is the reason why I almost did not finish the book. It put me in a slump and I felt like a snail with my reading progress. There's nothing wrong with it, and I do actually like the references to The Star Touched Queen in this one (which makes sense, given that it's pretty much a prequel to Amar and Maya's story). The writing is pretty, but since readers already know about Amar and Maya's ending, we can already guess that there will be quick love in this one. I also felt like the ending was pretty quick/ rushed.
Poison and Gold:
I actually enjoyed this one! It was nice to read a more fleshed out Aasha since she had a pretty big impact in A Crown of Wishes. I liked reading what happened to Aasha, Vikram, and Gauri after that story, and this just made Aasha more interesting. This story was clever, and like Aasha, my basic thoughts were twisted so I could look deeper into things. I liked Zahril (ignoring the fact that for some reason, despite reading what she looked like, I pictured an old lady??? It's probably bc I'm used to characters like Baghra in the Grishaverse lol) and she and Aasha were actually kinda cute and complex. I generally like relationship dynamics like theirs (positive x grumpy, putting it simply). It was more straightforward than Death and Night and not as centered on romance, which I appreciated.
Rose and Sword:
The beginning with Hira and her family had me confused for a bit, at least until Hira ran off to find her grandma (Gauri!). The framing of this story was interesting, but I found it amusing and I did like this one too. Again, this was more focused on romance, but it explored Gauri's mind and the way she saw relationships pretty well. Her passion and devotion make her a pretty straightforward character to understand, which is helpful in the case of a novella. The angst in the middle of this was actually written pretty well, but I'm not surprised, seeing how Roshani Chokshi is pretty good at dialogue and romantic tension, which is also why the ending made me go "aww." The only critique I'd have for this one is that it's never explained (to my knowledge) why Vikram suddenly fell so ill that he nearly died.
So generally, there's nothing horrible about this book, but there's nothing too special either. Its defining feature is the flowery language and romance, so if you want something light and easy to read, this is fine. I did enjoy two out of the three stories, but I almost didn't go through with my read because I just suddenly got so weary with this book universe. Chokshi's prose is beautiful as always, as is her ability to craft good and interesting romantic relationships. The last story actually elicited some physical reactions from me, so I guess I'll keep the star rating at this just for that. I do like seeing characters doing more beyond their original story in novellas, so that was perfect for Vikram and Gauri. I don't know if I'll reread this book universe, but these novellas were good closure.
planetbeth91's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely luscious in every way a beautiful additional to the Star-Touched universe
mrspenningalovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the three stories and how they connect like stars in the sky- you think you see a constellation, but you aren’t always sure until it comes together. Chokshi writes beautifully - love her imagery and how she poetically creates sentences that meld together. Her imagination, characterization, and depth of themes are beautifully created. I want a Night Bazaar created somewhere- what a fantastical place to visit!
💫”fear is like a curse... like a curse, it lays down lines where none should exist. It squeezes your thoughts into a pattern until you become convinced that there is no other way to see.”
💫” the older you get, the more memories feel like old battle scars. They will ache for no reason until you ease them away.”
💫”They lived. Mostly happily. Sometimes furiously. But always gratefully. It is, I think, the best way to spend existence.”
💫”fear is like a curse... like a curse, it lays down lines where none should exist. It squeezes your thoughts into a pattern until you become convinced that there is no other way to see.”
💫” the older you get, the more memories feel like old battle scars. They will ache for no reason until you ease them away.”
💫”They lived. Mostly happily. Sometimes furiously. But always gratefully. It is, I think, the best way to spend existence.”
rainbow_reader's review
4.5
Roshani Chokshi is the type of author whose grocery lists I would gladly read. The magic this woman ingests in her words just has such an effect on me, and I am obsessed with this woman. These novellas were such an enjoyable experience to read and I really loved these "random" small stories set in the world of The Star-Touched Stories.
mora55's review against another edition
Story One: Death and Night
This one was give-and-take for me, because we already kinda knew all of this from The Star-Touched Queen. The imagery was pretty, of course, because Roshani Chokshi is a master at working words, but nothing here was new? And it was just kinda floaty romance that you knew the ending to? Literally it was just floaty romance. They even did the stars-in-the-hair thing, and The Star-Touched Queen isn't my favorite anyway, so that could potentially be an influence? Sort of an "I wasn't super interested then so why would I be that interested now" type of thing.
Story Two: Poison and Gold
LOVE. This one was the best. I love Aasha and how she is so uniquely herself and how she rediscovers herself after trying to be what everyone else was.
I love how Aasha's trying to figure out what emotions are and how she grows to care for Zahril, and how Zahril makes an effort to overcome her prejudice against vishakanya for Aasha's sake.
I like how it is acknowledged that this is not immediate love, but it has the potential become more.
In this world, mortals can live for hundreds of years and no one bats an eye, but they can also have 'normal' lifespans, and no one questions either, and I love that. Everything is just so integrated, even though it's so different. I am reminded of that in this story, what with both Aasha and Zahril's backstories.
Story Three: Rose and Sword
Eh? It was fine? The message was solid - if you're just going to suffer later, why set yourself up for it - and then the resolution that it's better to love while you can than pushing everyone else away, even if it might hurt more later. (There's probably a more eloquent way of saying that but I'm tired and I ain't got it.) I like how Gauri was portrayed when she was old - not perfect, not always young, and a little about the state of the family and kingdom so much later. I was a little confused about some of the storytelling tendencies Gauri had and how her granddaughter didn't seem to know what was going on but also that she was told different versions? I don't know.
Thoughts, in Summary:
I liked how these were all in the Star-Touched world, because a) I like that world, and b) if I came for Star-Touched stories, I'm here for stories from that world. (However much I like Garth Nix, I come to [b:Across the Wall|47617|Across the Wall A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories (Abhorsen)|Garth Nix|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1302829636s/47617.jpg|46630] and [b:To Hold the Bridge|23213811|To Hold the Bridge|Garth Nix|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1413487205s/23213811.jpg|42756234] for the Old Kingdom titular stories, not the random other short stories he's written.) And I liked how these were fairly long stories instead of just little 20-page deals.
I liked the messages in the second and third story. The first was eh, because there was nothing there but floaty romance. Aasha's story was my favorite.
(I got this as an ARC from Goodreads Giveaways)
This one was give-and-take for me, because we already kinda knew all of this from The Star-Touched Queen. The imagery was pretty, of course, because Roshani Chokshi is a master at working words, but nothing here was new? And it was just kinda floaty romance that you knew the ending to? Literally it was just floaty romance. They even did the stars-in-the-hair thing, and The Star-Touched Queen isn't my favorite anyway, so that could potentially be an influence? Sort of an "I wasn't super interested then so why would I be that interested now" type of thing.
Story Two: Poison and Gold
LOVE. This one was the best. I love Aasha and how she is so uniquely herself and how she rediscovers herself after trying to be what everyone else was.
"If Zahril wouldn't acknowledge what she'd done, then so be it.
She could do it herself.
'Aasha, you're an upstanding individual. And also almost obscenely attractive,' she said out loud. She patted her head. 'Your reward is a foot rub. That you will give. To yourself.'
And then she gave herself a round of applause.
Zahril stared."
I love how Aasha's trying to figure out what emotions are and how she grows to care for Zahril, and how Zahril makes an effort to overcome her prejudice against vishakanya for Aasha's sake.
I like how it is acknowledged that this is not immediate love, but it has the potential become more.
In this world, mortals can live for hundreds of years and no one bats an eye, but they can also have 'normal' lifespans, and no one questions either, and I love that. Everything is just so integrated, even though it's so different. I am reminded of that in this story, what with both Aasha and Zahril's backstories.
Story Three: Rose and Sword
Eh? It was fine? The message was solid - if you're just going to suffer later, why set yourself up for it - and then the resolution that it's better to love while you can than pushing everyone else away, even if it might hurt more later. (There's probably a more eloquent way of saying that but I'm tired and I ain't got it.) I like how Gauri was portrayed when she was old - not perfect, not always young, and a little about the state of the family and kingdom so much later. I was a little confused about some of the storytelling tendencies Gauri had and how her granddaughter didn't seem to know what was going on but also that she was told different versions? I don't know.
Thoughts, in Summary:
I liked how these were all in the Star-Touched world, because a) I like that world, and b) if I came for Star-Touched stories, I'm here for stories from that world. (However much I like Garth Nix, I come to [b:Across the Wall|47617|Across the Wall A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories (Abhorsen)|Garth Nix|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1302829636s/47617.jpg|46630] and [b:To Hold the Bridge|23213811|To Hold the Bridge|Garth Nix|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1413487205s/23213811.jpg|42756234] for the Old Kingdom titular stories, not the random other short stories he's written.) And I liked how these were fairly long stories instead of just little 20-page deals.
I liked the messages in the second and third story. The first was eh, because there was nothing there but floaty romance. Aasha's story was my favorite.
(I got this as an ARC from Goodreads Giveaways)
janaikam's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This collection of stories from the world of the star touched queen were all very cute and sweet. It was nice to see the original love story between Death and Maya as well as see what happens with the other characters after the events of a crown of wishes. Each story captured the beauty of the first two and really showcased how their story is not the end of their world.