A Crown of Wishes

I needed a fantastic book and I savored this one for two days though I wanted to swallow it whole at times. It lingered with me in my sleep and I smiled when I woke up because I was so happy to just keep reading this book. Chokshi includes Indian myths and also just really great characters that you want to keep reading about. We also get appearances from characters from the last book that I was sad to see go when we finished. I often worry when authors start writing a YA book and write a sequel or decide it will be a trilogy. That's only because not many have held up. This one holds up. I highly recommend.

Spoilers for those who have not read "The Star-Touched Queen."

Readers were introduced to Gauri in the last book. Sister to Maya, we show more find out that Guari ended up becoming a soldier. We know that Maya was worried about what would become of her sister due to their awful brother Skanda. When "A Crown of Wishes" starts we have Gauri captured by a rival kingdom (Ujijain). She doesn't know what is to become of her, but she is determined to escape and rule her own kingdom, Bharata even if it means killing the Prince of Ujijain. And the Prince of Ujijain (Vikram) longs to be seen as the rightful ruler of his people. He is obviously intelligent and wise, but without the council's blessing, he knows that he would only be a puppet king, and he wants more.

Due to both of them having wishes in their hearts they are afraid to say out loud, these two end up being thrown into a magical journey together, that if they survive, will end up with them winning two wishes if they participate and win the Tournament of Wishes.

Gauri is headstrong but loyal. I loved her from beginning to end. Based on what we find out about her upbringing and what her brother did to those she cared about, it's natural that she is cautious and not trusting with Vikram. But slowly but surely, Vikram warms her heart and she warms his as well. I loved seeing the growth between the two of them and actually laughed out lout at their back and forth with each other, think of Carey Grant and Rosalind Russell in "His Girl Friday" if you want an apt comparison.



Vikram was so good. I was having a book boyfriend crush. And that has not happened in a long time. He was cautious, but ultimately optimistic about everything, Vikram more than Gauri had a lot of hope in him for the future. I did love how in certain ways he was strong and in others Gauri was stronger. I loved that Chokshi made the female character in this book a warrior and the man a philosopher. There is a moment when he says as you wish and I maybe squealed out loud.

There are too many characters to name in this book, but the most important is Aasha. I loved her and at first didn't get why we were being introduced to her, but slowly that gets revealed. I would love a short story with her in the future, hint hint.

The writing was lyrical and also flowed wonderfully. I honestly have no complaints. I loved the myths that were wrapped in this story and enjoyed looking up all of the words that I didn't understand. My only complaint, my Kindle dictionary did not recognize any of the Indian terms so I had to often go Google on my cell phone and look things up in Wikipedia. In the back of the book is a glossary, that was not as extensive as it should have been. Since I bought an e-book it would have been awesome if the words that were in the glossary were connected to the first time they were used in the text so I could click and go and read and click and go back to my place in the book. Just something for next time for the publisher to think about.

The setting of this book was great. Think of an India that exists in myth and legends. The descriptions of everything made my long for this book in a visceral way. I know that a lot of people were oohing and ahhing over the cover, I would have loved it if this book had included illustrations, I would have probably lost my mind in a good way if we had gotten that. For now, my imagination was enough and I daydreamed about forests that dripped with golden fruit and diamonds, women who wear rivers as dresses, people who when they tell a story a bird flies out of their mouths, and a garden of swords.

The ending was fantastic. No spoilers, except I leave you with this:

"i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)"

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The sequel to Roshani Chokshi’s debut novel The Star-Touched Queen remains equally adventurous as the first, transporting the reader to the far-away otherworldly lands of Bharata & Ujijain, Alaka and beyond, this time following Mayavati’s younger sister Gauri on her own journey of self-reflection and self-discovery. Filled with adventure, politics, friendships, sisterhood, romance, illusion, transformation, sacrifices, trials and tribulations, A Crown of Wishes weaves an otherworldly story, carried on the wings of birds with feathers of glittering gold.

In A Crown of Wishes we find Gauri, the legendary warrior princess of Bharata, exiled and imprisoned in Ujijain at her brother Skanda’s command. Scorned by her people for the lies show more Skanda has spread, Gauri faces execution in Ujijain. But Vikram, the cunning ‘Fox Prince’ of Ujijain, sees her potential and offers Gauri a chance at redemption. Together, they enter the Tournament of Wishes with hopes of winning a wish from The Lord of Treasures that would secure them their greatest desires.

In contrast to Maya’s simple soul, GauriImage result for the star touched queen quotes stands strong and independent, cunningly intelligent though unwise and impatient. Gauri confuses the idea of power with control as simply as she confuses aggression for strength. So often Gauri relies on weapons to fight that she is unable to see the strength in peaceful confrontation. She says, “being a solider was the only way that I could keep safe the people I loved” (13), having developed warfare as her own defense mechanism.

“But sometimes weakness wore the face of strength, and sometimes strength wore the face of weakness.” (335)

The theme of control heavily influences the direction of this second novel. Gauri’s power-hungry brother Skanda directly represents the controlling patriarchy. The theme of male control can be traced throughout book, highlighting some of the ways that men assume a certain ‘power’ over women. Women are characterized as “easily traded and replaced” (56), suggesting an interchangeability of women. Telling someone they are replaceable can be equated to telling them they are valueless, and by removing their sense of worth Skanda removes their sense of self. “To so many men in Bharata, your body wasn’t yours” (82). Removing a persons personal freedoms and preventing someone from making their own life decisions is a very real form of control that has basis in our world. By illuminating the injustices that men force upon women through literature, Chokshi makes a powerful statement about patriarchal control. Gauri’s story also encourages self-control, sharing with readers the value of taking charge of your actions and responsibility for your own decisions. Similarly, Aasha’s character represents a successful break from allowing herself to be controlled to gaining the power to control her own destiny: “it meant we weren’t walking a cut path. We carved it into existence with every step” (177).

Makeup is mentioned much in the novel, often considered as a weapon. For Gauri and the harem mothers (as well as women in the real world) makeup is our great mask, capable of covering the self up, to hide, to protect and defend the self. Gauri herself connects need for her mask of defense to her reality: “blood red lips for the blood I wouldn’t shed and night-dark kohl for the secrecy I had gathered” (14). And though Gauri recognizes the dangerous advantages of wearing a mask (“if the powder got in your eyes, the grit would make you weep and temporarily rob you of sight.” (14)) on her journey she must realize the same painful downfalls of that mask in order to fully understand both sides of it.

“This is how we protect ourselves, beti. Whatever insults or hurts are thrown at our face, these are our barriers.” (13)

Gauri says, “fighting was the last connection I had to Maya” (306). “The necklace was a reminder to live for myself the way Maya had. But it was also a reminder of loss. Every time I looked at the pendent, I remembered not to place faith in things I couldn’t control.” (16). “I wouldn’t place my life at the mercy of magic (34)”.

Gauri’s journey challenges her, forcing her to reassess her ability to trust others, to believe (in magic), and allow herself to give up control. She shifts from beginning un-trusting at the start to a believer in magic and love. Vikram helps Gauri to understand her weaknesses and challenges her to change for the better. He tells her, “we could use magic. But you would rather close your eyes to all that” (44), comparing light to understanding and knowledge while Gauri’s closed, unseeing eyes are symbolically blinded by hate. Vikram makes Gauri open her eyes and see the possibilities that come with faith, always reminding us that “magic is a test of faith” (104).

At the threshold of strength and bravery stood hope.” (303)

Gauri also must learn to love. “I wouldnt let myself care. I’d learned that lesson young.” (16). Chokshi applies the language of flowers to impart meaning, using roses as an analogy for love. In chapter two we learn of Gauri’s heartbreak: how she “used to grow roses” (19) in her room as a way of collecting her memories and victories; of the betrayal that destroyed Gauri’s hopes (“burning roses”); and how she ultimately “turned my back on the roses”, leaving Bharata and those she loved.

“Showing strength wasn’t always about physical valor or even cunning. True strength sometimes demanded unstitching everything you knew.” (261)

Along their path to Alaka, Gauri matures her strong, impatient aggression into calculated self control and transforms her tendency to fight into a patient understanding of real power. She faces temptation, realizing that desire is “all demon in its soul. So gilded in its form” (63) that “desire is a poisonous thing” (146). She also must learn to discern illusion from reality in order to pass through the Grotto and the Crossroads. But the journey to the tournament was only half of the battle.

“Our enemies stare at us from the mirror. The quest for power and treasure is a solitary one. Who else is the true enemy in such a quest but ourselves?” (140)

Gauri and Vikram must be challeneged by faceing their fears in order to grow. Both take heroes journeys in order to grow within themselves in order to be the ruler their kingdoms need. In order to do this they must gain what they lack. Serendipitously, each posesses what the other needs so that they can help each other in their search for strength. Gauri needs strength of heart and mind, and the ability to think before acting. She must learn that power is not synonymous with control. In contrast, Vikram needs to learn physical strength and must hone hs ability to act on his thoughts. While Gauri admits that “magic had forced me outside myself” (168), Vikram conversely understands that “Alaka had forced him to look in. Not out” (300).

“His fears were his own … He’d spun them out from himself. He’d forged them from every hurt and every fury. Fear was a reminder that even the insubstantial could kill. But insubstantial meant it had no shape. It couldnt be conquered or tamed or avoided. Only moved through, with force and will.” (257)

They must come face to face with their fears to understand their desires and earn their wish: “What is more frightening than our deepest darkest selves?” (73).

“The eternal is not solely a fight through desire. It is a fight through fear.” (234)



At the Tournament of Wishes, they must face two obstacles and make on sacrifice. Ultimately, both sacrifice that which was hindering them -Vikram loses the pain of him past/memories which allows him to move forward/forgive self. Gauri loses her dominant hand (replaced by glass which refuses to weild a weapon) parallel to her lost “sense of control” (307) forcing Gauri to use her wit as a weapon, allowing her to develop her warfare techniques and making her a better, wiser fighter. “Strength is not…” “Its not about fighting. It’s about seeing, (81)”

“Past and present. Alaka had cut my life in half. When I looked forward, the hand that had been my horror became my hope: transparency.” (333)

Image result for the star touched queen quotesMaya’s lessons were not Gauri’s lessons; while Maya needed to learn patient decision making, Gauri needed to learn to love. The glass hand draws a parallel between the control that Gauri had to sacrifice in order to understand true power while the release of Vikrams guilt directly parallels the pain he needed to let go in order to move forward into forgiveness. A Crown of Wishes tells a classic tale of opposites attracting lovers who have what the other lacks. Guari and Vikram represent and ideal relationship of opposites, demonstrating how two very different people can complete each other and help each other to grow.

“Sometimes the greatest power comes not from that which we do, but that which we do not.” (308)

Light can be read as a reference to understanding throughout the novel. The unknown can be seen as a “blocking out the light” (28) whereas when they discover things about the other they move into the light. When Gauri gains self understanding “I felt that wish like a line of light” (79). When Gauri shows her true colors to Vikram and again when she reveals her secrets she appears to him as “made of light” (53). “Those secrets had coaxed a shadowed part of us to step into the light” (123).

“How many times have answers been so simple and yet someone is determined to take the path of thorns instead of roses?” (105)

Mayas journey wove a tapestry; Gauri’s tells a story. “A story is control” (333); A story “was the key to immortality” (267). (“We are all only standing on the shoulders of giants”).

“The key to immortality is in creating a story that will outlive you (145)”.

As beautifully written as the first novel, A Crown Of Wishes keeps readers enchanted by mystery, magic, lore and love from beginning to end. Bathed in the imagery of golden honey palaces and spoken in riddles and symbols, A Crown Of Wishes will leave readers with “hungry hearts” and open minds. show less

5 freaking magical stars!!

And the biggest surprise of the year goes to....

This one really took me by surprise because I didn't like The Star Touch Queen at all. A matter of fact I didn't even finish it at all because I couldn't connect with Maya, Amar or the story itself even tho the writing was beautiful.. It took me like three times to actually read the first chapter until I decided to get the audiobook which I only made it half way. A Crown of Wishes was a totally different story altogether. Everything from the characters, the story to the writing was so much better in this one! Gauri was such a badass that didn't play with noone while Vikram's sass was freaking everything! One of the best things about this book was their banter show more which had me on the ground laughing sometimes. I just love how their perception of other started to disappear as they started to know and understand each other better thanks to the tournament. This was everything I wanted Caraval to be because the actual tournament was interesting and it had a sense of that everything is not what it seems and someone probably wouldn't make out alive. Also Gauri and Vikrum become actual partners who relied and trust on each other as the tournament went which almost remind me of Peeta and Katniss. It honestly remind me of a little bit of Hunger Games without kids killing each other because of a corrupted government. It really cured my disappointment I felt with Caraval big time. So this was the shocker of the year so far because I was not going to read it until someone said it has the " enemies to lovers" trope that I love so much. Boy, did it! lol All and All it was really good and I recommend it.

You can read my review on my blog as well!
https://tanyasreading.wordpress.com/2017/05/21/a-crown-of-wishes-by-roshani-chok.... show less

This story left me heartbroken, but for all the wrong reasons...

(Full disclosure: I received a free electronic ARC for review through NetGalley. Trigger warning for rape.)

“Find the one who glows, with blood on the lips and fangs in the heart.”

DNF at 60%.

When we first revisit Gauri, the Princess of Bharata - and the scrappy, story-hungry younger sister of Maya, the Star-Touched Queen of the series' title - it's from behind the bars of a dark, dank dungeon. Jealous of the devotion Gauri inspires in their people (and no doubt smarting from an assassination plot), her older brother Skanda arranged for her execution at enemy hands. Lucky for her (or is it really? Gauri is no distressed damsel), the Fox Prince needs Gauri alive.

The show more adopted only son of the the Emperor Pururavas, Vikram's pending power is in name only: The Council of Ujijain refuses to let an orphan of common blood rule their land. Announcing Gauri's execution is to be his first official act. But to kill the Jewel of Bharata is to turn his back on his one chance at true power. Vikram's invitation to compete in the mythical Tournament Of Wishes is for two: himself and a partner who glows. And when he first sets his eyes on Gauri, she is positively luminescent.

With a little persuading - after what happened to Maya, Gauri wants nothing to do with magic - the two set off for the Otherworld, in pursuit of victory ... and their most treasured wishes.

So here's the deal. I adored The Star-Touched Queen and was super-excited for A Crown of Wishes. I even rolled my eyes at the doubters, those who questioned whether this seemingly standalone story really necessitated a sequel, let alone one featuring a rather minor player from the first book. Honestly, Chokshi's dedication says it best: "For my siblings, Monica and Jayesh. And for all siblings who refuse to be secondary characters in anyone’s tale. You are legends in the making." When I learned that Gauri would be getting her own story, I grew antsy with anticipation: I wanted to see this adorable, fierce, loving, heartbroken girl, all grown up (and slaying her enemies like nobody's business).

As it turned out, A Crown of Wishes broke my heart - but in the worst way possible. I just couldn't get into it. After a few weeks of struggling, I finally DNF'ed at 60%. Cue: the bitter taste of disappointment.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly why my feelings for A Crown of Wishes were so lukewarm. I mean, Chokshi's prose is as elegant as ever. But the story didn't have the same grand, sweeping, epic feel as The Star-Touched Queen. And while I liked Gauri, I didn't connect with her or Vikram, and the predictability of the two of them together had me sighing like Fred Savage in The Princess Bride. I just couldn't bring myself to care about any of it.

That said, I'm going through what will probably go down as the worst period in my life (fingers crossed, but things can always get worse), and it'd be an understatement to say that I'm in a reading slump. Very few things - be they books, graphic novels, movies, tv shows, even good company or old-fashioned manual labor - have managed to take my mind of things for more than a minute or two. So, grain of salt.

On the other hand: I also have a tendency to try to explain a DNF away, especially when it's of an overwhelmingly popular book. It's like I just can't accept that my opinion diverges so dramatically from the norm, and in such a negative way. So maybe I'm doing us all a disservice by blaming it solely on the slump. Perhaps the problem lies in the book, or the story, or the characters who inhabit it. Maybe it's a romance that just wasn't meant to be ... for this reader, anyway.

http://www.easyvegan.info/2017/03/28/a-crown-of-wishes-by-roshani-chokshi/ show less

I loved this just as much as Chokshi's The Star-Touched Queen *-*

That said, ACOW has a completely different vibe....the pacing is faster, for one. That was almost to be expected with alternating POV chapters, and with Gauri as one of the main characters. I adored Maya's understated power in TSTQ but Gauri comes across as a more active heroine, and I don't just mean that because she's a warrior princess.

That lush, melt-in-your-mouth writing is still here too. Get ready to feel bad about whatever descriptive words you've tried using.

Also: Vikram is going to be my new book boyfriend. God. Damn.

Longer review later.

A lot of the things I said about The Star-Touched Queen apply here too: gorgeous though often opaque language, big ideas and wild abandon in exploring them, fun main characters. I sometimes found the skills of our main characters a little under-earned and infeasible, given than they're both only 18, but that youth gave them a fierce ambition that burned convincingly and drove everything forward. In the end, the plot wasn't quite as twisty as I was hoping, but the emotional arcs were lovely.

This is a magical novel! The romance was perfect and extremely satisfying in the end. The creatures from Indian mythology were really interesting to learn about through the story, and the descriptions were vivid and super magical. I could almost smell the food at some of the banquets in this book. Wonderful!

4.5 Stars for me!