I've previously read and reviewed THE STAR TOUCHED QUEEN and A CROWN OF WISHES by Roshani Chokshi. So I kind of knew somewhat of the quality of writing I'd encounter in this book, but I was truly blown away. It was awesome.
An amazon summary, "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." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE
So, a huge aspect of this story is forging. Forging is kind of like magic in the sense that different objects are made with certain aspects or qualities by people with the gift of forging (who all have different alignments so to speak with their forging). Not everyone can forge, and there are also four houses who oversee what are believed to be the source of the forging power. One of the houses has been removed from memory due to their activities, another house has no heir, and two houses remain. The houses kind of serve as the governing body over forged objects, and objects that have the house mark on them are like extra special. There are also kind of like smaller magics around that anyone can kind of do depending if they have the right ingredients, circumstances, and willpower. ...uh... A lot of this will make sense when you read the book because the book explains everything very well in a timely manner.
Anywho, so there are like five main characters, and then like a secondary character who should be a main character. The entire story is told in third person, but each chapter follows around a different main character in very fluid storytelling style. There is the architect of plans (mastermind if you will - Severin), the dancer (Laila), the engineer (Zofia), the historian (Enrique), and the gardener (Tristan - brother to Severin). Each of them have found Severin over time for their own goals or purposes. Severin's ultimate goal is to be reinstated as the heir to the fallen house (not the house which had been removed from everyone's memories). To do this, he's been searching for various forged objects that will help him achieve his goal (which, they explain in the book, I'm trying to avoid a lot of spoilers here because this is a very intricate story). The secondary character who should be a main character is the head of one of the other houses, dun dun dunnn.
Everyone has a different stake in what Severin is doing and only time will tell if his plans play out successfully.
That's enough summary.
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. It's one of those stories that seems to start slowly, but it's a trick where it's actually weaving an intricate story while not overwhelming the reader with details, and slowly leading to this amazing climax and this cliffhanger ending which makes me want to demand the sequel from whoever can produce it (looking at you Roshani).
I would say it also took me a little longer to get through this book than normal because I simply wanted to savor it. The character development was so unique for each character, the plot had such a good pace, and there were also elements of mystery, suspense, action, love, morals, and kind of life lessons (kind of) sprinkled throughout. It was such a well told story.
Plus, there's going to be a sequel. Maybe even a series. I'm just very hopeful over here.
Love, love, love this book. The world building was also so on point with it being set in 1889 but definitely being alternative historical fiction with enough elements of how our world was back then, but changed enough to match how the forging would have shaped society. So good.
I can't recommend this enough.
Happy reading!!!!
Anywho, so there are like five main characters, and then like a secondary character who should be a main character. The entire story is told in third person, but each chapter follows around a different main character in very fluid storytelling style. There is the architect of plans (mastermind if you will - Severin), the dancer (Laila), the engineer (Zofia), the historian (Enrique), and the gardener (Tristan - brother to Severin). Each of them have found Severin over time for their own goals or purposes. Severin's ultimate goal is to be reinstated as the heir to the fallen house (not the house which had been removed from everyone's memories). To do this, he's been searching for various forged objects that will help him achieve his goal (which, they explain in the book, I'm trying to avoid a lot of spoilers here because this is a very intricate story). The secondary character who should be a main character is the head of one of the other houses, dun dun dunnn.
Everyone has a different stake in what Severin is doing and only time will tell if his plans play out successfully.
That's enough summary.
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. It's one of those stories that seems to start slowly, but it's a trick where it's actually weaving an intricate story while not overwhelming the reader with details, and slowly leading to this amazing climax and this cliffhanger ending which makes me want to demand the sequel from whoever can produce it (looking at you Roshani).
I would say it also took me a little longer to get through this book than normal because I simply wanted to savor it. The character development was so unique for each character, the plot had such a good pace, and there were also elements of mystery, suspense, action, love, morals, and kind of life lessons (kind of) sprinkled throughout. It was such a well told story.
Plus, there's going to be a sequel. Maybe even a series. I'm just very hopeful over here.
Love, love, love this book. The world building was also so on point with it being set in 1889 but definitely being alternative historical fiction with enough elements of how our world was back then, but changed enough to match how the forging would have shaped society. So good.
I can't recommend this enough.
Happy reading!!!!
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