3.5 stars
Awww guysss… I hate to say this, but I was kind of disappointed with this one *criesss*
Before we get started, thank you Bookish, St. Martin’s Press, and Roshani Chokshi for being amazing enough to give me an arc of The Gilded Wolves. I appreciate the copy, and I have to say, I did enjoy reading it, honestly! It just did not reach the hype for me.
Good news first! I really honestly did enjoy reading this book to a degree, and I know MANY who absolutely adore this, so make sure to read other reviews as well! But there were specific things I noticed that really bummed me out while reading.
First of all, the prose felt weighty, and there were times I had no idea what was being described, and I’ll include one of the first times I noticed this:
“The ground did not rush up to meet her. But a knife did. She never felt the blade, only felt the consequence of it - a sharp pressure digging into her knuckles, the snap of finger bones unclasping, hot wetness sliding down her palm and wrist and staining her expensive bell-sleeves. Someone prying her Ring from her fingers. The Matriarch of House Kore did not have time to gasp. Her eyes opened wide. In front of her, Forged moth-lights with emerald panes for wings glided across the ceiling.”
Maybe I’m just crazy, and keep in mind this is an uncorrected proof, but I read this probably twenty times and still didn’t understand if she was being killed or if her finger was being cut off, but if her finger was being cut off how did she feel the ring come off, and how did she end up on her back? There were plenty of moments like this where things just didn't make sense, and the metaphors got a little heavy as well.
I also felt that the world-building, especially pertaining to the magic system, was developed too slowly. I didn’t understand the magic system enough as the plot progressed to completely fall in love with the heist aspect, which was what I was most excited for! For me, the plot progressed way too slowly to maintain the excitement of the “heist” grandeur.
I will say, I did enjoy the magic system itself. I thought it was really unique and interesting, and I liked that it was based on the biblical Tower of Babel!
I hate to say this, but even the characters fell short for me. By the end, I didn’t feel as though there was any real development for any of them, but with what happened at the end, I might be intrigued enough to pick up the second one. Who knows.
I will call an end to the rainy parade now. I know, it’s sadness. But you should still try it out! You might like it…
Au revoir!
Oh, and if you enjoyed this review and want to experience more of my craziness, be sure to follow me here on Goodreads! I also have an instagram dedicated to books under @ashton_reads if you’d like to follow that as well. I love y’all!
Awww guysss… I hate to say this, but I was kind of disappointed with this one *criesss*
Before we get started, thank you Bookish, St. Martin’s Press, and Roshani Chokshi for being amazing enough to give me an arc of The Gilded Wolves. I appreciate the copy, and I have to say, I did enjoy reading it, honestly! It just did not reach the hype for me.
Good news first! I really honestly did enjoy reading this book to a degree, and I know MANY who absolutely adore this, so make sure to read other reviews as well! But there were specific things I noticed that really bummed me out while reading.
First of all, the prose felt weighty, and there were times I had no idea what was being described, and I’ll include one of the first times I noticed this:
“The ground did not rush up to meet her. But a knife did. She never felt the blade, only felt the consequence of it - a sharp pressure digging into her knuckles, the snap of finger bones unclasping, hot wetness sliding down her palm and wrist and staining her expensive bell-sleeves. Someone prying her Ring from her fingers. The Matriarch of House Kore did not have time to gasp. Her eyes opened wide. In front of her, Forged moth-lights with emerald panes for wings glided across the ceiling.”
Maybe I’m just crazy, and keep in mind this is an uncorrected proof, but I read this probably twenty times and still didn’t understand if she was being killed or if her finger was being cut off, but if her finger was being cut off how did she feel the ring come off, and how did she end up on her back? There were plenty of moments like this where things just didn't make sense, and the metaphors got a little heavy as well.
I also felt that the world-building, especially pertaining to the magic system, was developed too slowly. I didn’t understand the magic system enough as the plot progressed to completely fall in love with the heist aspect, which was what I was most excited for! For me, the plot progressed way too slowly to maintain the excitement of the “heist” grandeur.
I will say, I did enjoy the magic system itself. I thought it was really unique and interesting, and I liked that it was based on the biblical Tower of Babel!
I hate to say this, but even the characters fell short for me. By the end, I didn’t feel as though there was any real development for any of them, but with what happened at the end, I might be intrigued enough to pick up the second one. Who knows.
I will call an end to the rainy parade now. I know, it’s sadness. But you should still try it out! You might like it…
Au revoir!
Oh, and if you enjoyed this review and want to experience more of my craziness, be sure to follow me here on Goodreads! I also have an instagram dedicated to books under @ashton_reads if you’d like to follow that as well. I love y’all!