ARC Review: A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi

A Crown of Wishes
Author: Roshani Chokshi
Series: The Star-Touched Queen #2
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Mythology
Release Date: March 28th 2017
Book Length: 352

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Gauri, the princess of Bharata, has been taken as a prisoner of war by her kingdom’s enemies. Faced with a future of exile and scorn, Gauri has nothing left to lose. Hope unexpectedly comes in the form of Vikram, the cunning prince of a neighboring land and her sworn enemy kingdom. Unsatisfied with becoming a mere puppet king, Vikram offers Gauri a chance to win back her kingdom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together, they’ll have to set aside their differences and team up to win the Tournament of Wishes—a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor.

Reaching the tournament is just the beginning. Once they arrive, danger takes on new shapes: poisonous courtesans and mischievous story birds, a feast of fears and twisted fairy revels.

Every which way they turn new trials will test their wit and strength. But what Gauri and Vikram will soon discover is that there’s nothing more dangerous than what they most desire.

Goodreads / Amazon UK / Amazon US / YA Books Central

Review

A Crown of Wishes is a spellbinding follow up to the stunning The Star-Touched Queen which was based on a Hades and Persephone retelling. TSTQ has a focus on Indian folklore, mythology, horoscopes and infused with wild imagination and enchanting writing.

Vikram’s eyes widened. “What’s this? Praise from Her Beastliness in the morning? Are you under a curse that makes you friendly before noon? If so, how do we make it permanent?”

A Crown of Wishes follows Gauri and Vikram both princess and prince of neighbouring warring kingdoms, who take part in a deadly tournament of wits and magic. They both have nothing left to lose and take risks for their kingdom and people. Gauri wants her lecherous brother off her throne and to be able to rule her kingdom whether she’s an unmarried woman or not. Vikram the sly fox prince will never be seen as a true ruler and being surrounded by a council of vipers he must never let his mask slip, he must be cunning and swift and prove he can rule regardless of his heritage.

“It felt silly to say that he couldn’t bear to lose her. He never had her. She was not a thing to be possessed. But her entrance in his life had conjured light. And losing the light of her would plunge him into a darkness he’d never find his way out of.”

The romance is a slow burn and highly addictive, if this is your type of romance then you will find yourself flying through the pages, highly anticipating the next interaction with a wildly beating heart. Gauri and Vikram have chemistry straight away, Gauri may have tried to kill Vikram in the beginning buy hey that’s just how Gauri is - stab ask questions later. I really don't want to say too much about this book because I feel it's one that the reader should go into slightly blind but I will say it's perfectly paced with lots of mythology and mystery to keep you entertained.

He turned to me, mischief glinting in his eyes.

“How do they celebrate good fortune in Bharata? In Ujijain, we kiss." 

“Look elsewhere.”

“Are you sure? You spend an awful amount of time looking at my lips.”

“That’s only because I’m horrified at the sheer idiocy of the words leaping out of them.”

I highly recommend A Crown of Wishes for fantasy fans and for suckers for magical retellings with their own unique twist. Chokshi has such a lyrical way of writing, she has the ability to pull you into the story and allow you to experience everything first hand. I never wanted to leave the magical world with its lush wildlife and vivid scenery. I’m eagerly awaiting the short story Death and Night as I can’t wait to revisit the dazzling world Chokski has created.