The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi: A Book Review and Summary
[PDF] The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi: A Review
If you are looking for a thrilling fantasy adventure with a diverse cast of characters, a rich historical setting, and a complex magic system, then you should definitely check out The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi. This book is the first in a trilogy that follows a group of talented outcasts who team up to steal a powerful artifact from a secret society in Paris during the Belle Epoque era. In this article, I will give you a brief summary of the book, an analysis of its themes and symbols, an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses, and a conclusion with my personal opinion. I will also tell you more about the author, the series, and how you can download a free PDF copy of the book if you are interested.
[PDF] The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Summary
The story begins in 1889, when Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, a French-Algerian hotelier and treasure hunter, is offered a deal by Hypnos, the patriarch of House Nyx. Hypnos promises to restore Séverin's inheritance as the leader of House Vanth, one of the four powerful families that control the Order of Babel, a secret society that guards ancient secrets and artifacts. In exchange, Séverin must help Hypnos steal an ancient artifact called the Babel Fragment from the Exposition Universelle, a world fair that showcases technological innovations and cultural wonders.
Séverin agrees to take on the heist, but he needs help from his loyal crew of experts. They are:
Laila, an Indian dancer and baker who can read the memories of objects and people.
Enrique, a Filipino historian and spy who can decipher any code or language.
Zofia, a Polish-Jewish engineer and mathematician who can manipulate metal and fire.
Tristan, Séverin's brother by bond and an expert gardener who can communicate with plants and animals.
Together, they infiltrate the Exposition Universelle and manage to steal the Babel Fragment. However, they soon realize that they have been betrayed by Hypnos, who has his own agenda. They also discover that the Babel Fragment is not just a relic, but a key to a hidden world called the Sleeping Palace, where the secrets of the Order of Babel and the origin of their magic are hidden. To unlock the Sleeping Palace, they need to find three other Babel Fragments that are scattered across the world. They also have to face the wrath of the Fallen House, a mysterious enemy that wants to destroy the Order of Babel and unleash chaos.
As they embark on a dangerous quest to find the other Babel Fragments, they also have to deal with their own personal struggles, secrets, and feelings. They learn more about each other, their pasts, and their futures. They also realize that they are not just a crew, but a family.
Analysis
The Gilded Wolves is a book that explores many themes, such as identity, belonging, colonialism, racism, privilege, power, loyalty, love, and sacrifice. The book also uses many symbols, such as the Babel Fragments, the Sleeping Palace, the Houses, the animals, and the tarot cards. Here are some examples of how the book uses these themes and symbols:
Identity and belonging: The main characters are all outcasts who struggle with their identities and their places in society. Séverin is a half-French, half-Algerian who was denied his rightful inheritance as the leader of House Vanth because of his mixed blood. Laila is an Indian who was brought to France as a child and sold to a brothel. She has a mysterious past and a curse that will kill her if she does not find her true name. Enrique is a Filipino who faces discrimination and prejudice because of his skin color and his heritage. He wants to be recognized as a historian and a scholar, but he is often ignored or ridiculed by his peers. Zofia is a Jewish who suffers from autism and sensory overload. She is brilliant at math and science, but she has trouble with social cues and emotions. She also faces anti-Semitism and violence from the people who blame her for a fire that killed her family. Tristan is an orphan who was abused by his uncle and rescued by Séverin. He has a phobia of spiders and a love for plants and animals.
Colonialism and racism: The book depicts the effects of colonialism and racism on the world and the characters. The setting of Paris during the Belle Epoque era is contrasted with the darker realities of imperialism, exploitation, oppression, and genocide. The Order of Babel is a symbol of how the European powers divided and conquered the world, stealing its resources, cultures, and secrets. The magic system is based on Forging, which is the ability to manipulate matter and mind using one's bloodline and affinity. However, Forging is also regulated and restricted by the Order of Babel, who decides who can use it and how. The main characters are all Forgers who use their abilities to fight against the Order of Babel and its injustices.
Privilege and power: The book shows how privilege and power can affect people's actions and choices. Hypnos is a symbol of privilege and power, as he is the patriarch of House Nyx, one of the richest and most influential families in the Order of Babel. He lives in a lavish mansion with servants and luxuries. He can do whatever he wants without consequences. However, he is also lonely and bored, as he has no friends or family who care for him. He uses his charm and wit to manipulate people and get what he wants. He also has a hidden agenda that involves overthrowing the Order of Babel and creating a new world order.
Loyalty and love: The book shows how loyalty and love can motivate people to do extraordinary things. The main characters are loyal to each other and to their cause. They risk their lives for each other and for their mission. They also develop romantic feelings for each other that complicate their relationships. Séverin and Laila have a history of love and betrayal that makes them wary of trusting each other again. Enrique has a crush on Zofia, who does not understand his flirting or his feelings. Tristan has a crush on Hypnos, who flirts with him but also uses him for his own purposes.
Evaluation
The Gilded Wolves is a book that has many strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of them:
Strengths: The book has a captivating plot that keeps the reader engaged and intrigued. The book has a diverse and dynamic cast of characters that are well-developed and relatable. The book has a rich and immersive historical setting that transports the reader to a different time and place. The book has a complex and original magic system that adds to the mystery and excitement of the story. The book has a beautiful and lyrical writing style that enhances the mood and tone of the story.
Weaknesses: The book has a slow and confusing start that may deter some readers from continuing. The book has a lot of information and details that may overwhelm or confuse some readers. The book has some plot holes and inconsistencies that may affect the logic and coherence of the story. The book has some clichés and tropes that may reduce the originality and freshness of the story. The book has some unresolved questions and cliffhangers that may frustrate some readers who have to wait for the sequel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi is a book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure, history, and romance. It is a book that offers a thrilling and captivating story, a diverse and dynamic cast of characters, a rich and immersive historical setting, a complex and original magic system, and a beautiful and lyrical writing style. It is also a book that explores many themes, such as identity, belonging, colonialism, racism, privilege, power, loyalty, love, and sacrifice. It is a book that will make you laugh, cry, think, and feel. It is a book that will leave you wanting more.
If you are interested in reading The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi, you can download a free PDF copy of the book from the link below. However, before you do that, I would urge you to support the author and buy the book legally from your local bookstore or online retailer. By doing so, you will not only help the author continue writing more amazing books like this one, but you will also enjoy a better reading experience with a high-quality copy of the book.
About the Author: Roshani Chokshi
Roshani Chokshi is an American author of Indian-Filipino descent who writes fantasy books for young adults and children. She was born in 1991 in Georgia, USA. She graduated from Emory University with a degree in English literature and studied law at the University of Georgia. She decided to pursue her passion for writing instead of becoming a lawyer.
She published her first book, The Star-Touched Queen, in 2016. It is a fantasy romance inspired by Indian mythology and folklore. It was followed by a companion novel, A Crown of Wishes, in 2017. She also wrote a middle-grade series called Aru Shah, which is based on Hindu mythology and part of Rick Riordan's imprint. The first book, Aru Shah and the End of Time, was published in 2018. She also wrote a collection of short stories called Star-Touched Stories, which features characters from The Star-Touched Queen series.
She is best known for her trilogy The Gilded Wolves, which is a historical fantasy set in Paris during the Belle Epoque era. The first book was published in 2019 and received critical acclaim and commercial success. It was nominated for several awards, such as the Locus Award, the Hugo Award, and the Nebula Award. The second book, The Silvered Serpents, was published in 2020 and continued the story of Séverin and his crew. The third and final book, The Bronzed Beasts, was published in 2021 and concluded the trilogy with an epic finale.
Roshani Chokshi lives in Georgia with her husband and her dog. She loves reading, writing, traveling, cooking, and watching movies. She is currently working on her next project, which is a fantasy duology called The City of Thorns.
The Gilded Wolves Series
The Gilded Wolves series is a trilogy of historical fantasy books by Roshani Chokshi. It follows the adventures of a group of outcasts who team up to steal ancient artifacts and secrets from a secret society in Paris during the Belle Epoque era. The series is inspired by various sources, such as French history, art, culture, architecture, literature, and mythology. The series also incorporates elements from other cultures and mythologies, such as Indian, Filipino, Polish, Jewish, Egyptian, and Babylonian.
The series consists of three books: The Gilded Wolves (2019), The Silvered Serpents (2020), and The Bronzed Beasts (2021). Each book focuses on a different heist and a different location, as the main characters travel across the world to find the Babel Fragments and unlock the Sleeping Palace. Each book also reveals more about the characters' backgrounds, motivations, and relationships. Each book also ends with a twist or a cliffhanger that sets up the next book.
The series has received positive reviews from critics and readers alike. It has been praised for its diverse and dynamic cast of characters, its rich and immersive historical setting, its complex and original magic system, its thrilling and captivating plot, its beautiful and lyrical writing style, and its exploration of various themes and issues. It has also been compared to other popular books and media, such as Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, National Treasure by Jon Turteltaub, and Ocean's Eleven by Steven Soderbergh.
The Gilded Wolves (2019)
The Gilded Wolves is the first book in the series. It introduces the main characters and the main conflict. It is set in Paris in 1889, during the Exposition Universelle, a world fair that showcases technological innovations and cultural wonders. The main characters are Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, a French-Algerian hotelier and treasure hunter who was denied his inheritance as the leader of House Vanth; Laila, an Indian dancer and baker who can read the memories of objects and people; Enrique, a Filipino historian and spy who can decipher any code or language; Zofia, a Polish-Jewish engineer and mathematician who can manipulate metal and fire; and Tristan, Séverin's brother by bond and an expert gardener who can communicate with plants and animals.
The plot revolves around a heist that Séverin and his crew are hired to perform by Hypnos, the patriarch of House Nyx. Hypnos promises to restore Séverin's inheritance as the leader of House Vanth if he helps him steal an ancient artifact called the Babel Fragment from the Exposition Universelle. The Babel Fragment is one of four keys that can unlock the Sleeping Palace, a hidden world where the secrets of the Order of Babel and the origin of their magic are hidden. However, Séverin and his crew soon realize that they have been betrayed by Hypnos, who has his own agenda. They also discover that they are not the only ones who are after the Babel Fragments. They have to face the Fallen House, a mysterious enemy that wants to destroy the Order of Babel and unleash chaos.
The book ends with a twist that reveals that Laila is actually a reincarnated goddess who was created by the Order of Babel to be their weapon. She has a limited lifespan and needs to find her true name before she dies. She also has a connection to the Sleeping Palace and the Babel Fragments. She decides to leave Séverin and join Hypnos in his quest to find the other Babel Fragments.
The Silvered Serpents (2020)
The plot revolves around a heist that Séverin and his crew are hired to perform by a mysterious benefactor who claims to know the location of the second Babel Fragment. The Babel Fragment is hidden in an ice palace in Siberia, where a legendary creature called the Ice Dragon guards it. Séverin and his crew have to infiltrate the ice palace and steal the Babel Fragment before Hypnos and his allies do. However, they also have to deal with their own personal issues, such as betrayal, guilt, grief, love, and trust.
The book ends with a cliffhanger that reveals that Tristan has been killed by the Ice Dragon and that Séverin has been possessed by the Fallen House. He has also stolen the Babel Fragment from Laila and left her to die in the ice palace. He plans to use the Babel Fragments to destroy the Order of Babel and create a new world order.
The Bronzed Beasts (2021)
The Bronzed Beasts is the third and final book in the series. It concludes the story of Séverin and his crew after the events of The Silvered Serpents. It is set in various locations around the world in 1891, such as Venice, Cairo, Istanbul, and Babylon. The main characters are Laila, who has survived the ice palace and is determined to stop Séverin and save him from the Fallen House; Enrique, who has joined Laila in her mission and is determined to find a cure for her curse; Zofia, who has joined Laila and Enrique in their mission and is determined to avenge Tristan's death; Hypnos, who has joined Laila, Enrique, and Zofia in their mission and is determined to redeem himself for his mistakes; Séverin, who has been possessed by the Fallen House and is determined to find the last Babel Fragment and unlock the Sleeping Palace; and Tristan, who has been resurrected by the Fallen House and is determined to escape their control and reunite with his friends.
The plot revolves around a race against time and fate that Séverin and his crew are involved in. They have to find the last Babel Fragment and unlock the Sleeping Palace before it is too late. They also have to face their final enemies and their final choices. They also have to face their ultimate destinies and their ultimate sacrifices.
The book ends with a resolution that reveals that Laila has managed to stop Séverin and free him from the Fallen House. She has also managed to find her true name and break her curse. She has also managed to unlock the Sleeping Palace and discover its secrets. She has also managed to reunite with Séverin and confess her love for him. Enrique has managed to find a cure for Laila's curse and save her life. He has also managed to confess his love for Zofia and start a relationship with her. Zofia has managed to avenge Tristan's death and kill the Ice Dragon. She has also managed to confess her love for Enrique and start a relationship with him. Hypnos has managed to redeem himself for his mistakes and help his friends. He has also managed to confess his love for Tristan and start a relationship with him. Tristan has managed to escape from the Fallen House and reunite with his friends. He has also managed to confess his love for Hypnos and start a relationship with him. Séverin has managed to free himself from the Fallen House and regain his humanity. He has also managed to reconcile with his friends and apologize for his actions. He has also managed to confess his love for Laila and start a relationship with her.
How to Download [PDF] The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi for Free
If you are interested in reading The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi, you may be wondering how you can download a free PDF copy of the book. There are several ways you can do that, but before I tell you how, I would like to remind you that downloading a free PDF copy of the book is illegal and unethical. By doing so, you are violating the author's rights and depriving them of their income. You are also harming the publishing industry and discouraging future authors from writing more books like this one.
Therefore, I would strongly advise you to support the author and buy the book legally from your local bookstore or online retailer. By doing so, you will not only help the author continue writing more amazing books like this one, but you will also enjoy a better reading experience with a high-quality copy of the book. You will also avoid the risks of downloading a free PDF copy of the book, such as viruses, malware, spyware, or identity theft.
However, if you still insist on downloading a free PDF copy of the book, here are some options you can try:
Option 1: You can get a free trial of Kindle Unlimited and read the book online. Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service that allows you to read unlimited books from a large selection of titles. You can get a free trial of Kindle Unlimited for 30 days and cancel anytime. To get a free trial of Kindle Unlimited, you need to have an Amazon account and a credit card. You can sign up for Kindle Unlimited here: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/hz/signup?tag=bing-20
Option 2: You can get a free trial of Audible and listen to the audiobook. Audible is a subscription service that allows you to listen to unlimited audiobooks from a large selection of titles. You can get a free trial of Audible for 30 days and cancel anytime. To get a free trial of Audible, you need to have an Amazon account and a credit card. You can sign up for Audible here: https://www.audible.com/ep/freetrial?tag=bing-20
Option 3: You can find a free PDF copy of the book on the internet (not recommended). There are many websites that claim to offer free PDF copies of books, but most of them are either scams or illegal. They may contain viruses, malware, spyware, or identity theft. They may also have poor quality or incomplete copies of the book. They may also violate the