The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi: Book Review

This is a spoiler-free review.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Published January 15th, 2019 by Wednesday Books

My rating:

No one believes in them. But soon no one will forget them.

It’s 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.

To hunt down the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin calls upon a band of unlikely experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian banished from his home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in arms if not blood.

Together, they will join Séverin as he explores the dark, glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the course of history–but only if they can stay alive.

Content Warnings: mentions of child abuse, violence

“Everywhere he looked, he was surrounded by gilded wolves. And for whatever reason, it made him feel perfectly at home. Wolves were everywhere. In politics, on thrones, in beds. They cut their teeth on history and grew fat on war. Not that Séverin was complaining. It was just that, like other wolves, he wanted his share.”

I was instantly gripped when reading this story. Between the beautifully detailed historical setting, the incredibly thought-out fantastical lore, the nail-biting plot, the thematic pointedness and the colourful band of easily loveable characters, I found it impossible not to fall head-over-heels for this book.

Chokshi manages to do what should be impossible: combine historical fiction, mystical fantasy, adventure, romance, mystery and intrigue all into one book. AND successfully portray every single aspect, while leaving the reader wanting even more (I mean, come on, that ending!!!) without leaving them feeling unsatisfied.

It’s hard to say which aspect I loved most about this book, because without the culmination of them all it wouldn’t be the incredible story that it is. The descriptions of 1880s Paris made me feel like I was physically there. The mythology behind the art of Forging was so detailed and imaginative I still can’t stop thinking about it. The insightful and revealing look at history through the eyes of The Order of Babel that forced me to stop and really consider how our society remembers (and quantifies) its past.

But the way Chokshi manages to perfectly balance her innovative lore with the documented religious and cultural stories of old was truly what tied it all together and brought this novel to the level of above-and-beyond for me.

And if that wasn’t enough, it has an incredible cast of characters. All of which were fully realized and totally unique; with a wide array of cultural, religious and racial backgrounds and a refreshing variety of romantic/sexual orientations. Their emotions and motivations were so well expressed throughout the entire novel that it was impossible not to feel for them, each on an individual level.

Honestly, this book has it all! 💗

Have you read The Gilded Wolves?

Are you looking forward to the release of The Silvered Serpents?

Let me know!