REVIEW: Star-Touched Stories by Roshani Chokshi

Publication:  August 7, 2018 by St. Martin's Press
(I received an ARC from Netgalley and St. Martin's in exchange for a review)

Publisher's Summary: 
Three lush and adventurous stories in the Star-Touched world.

Death and Night

He was Lord of Death, cursed never to love. She was Night incarnate, destined to stay alone. After a chance meeting, they wonder if, perhaps, they could be meant for more. But danger crouches in their paths, and the choices they make will set them on a journey that will span lifetimes. 

--I'd previously read/reviewed "Death and Night" earlier this year. Chokshi's writing is rich, vibrant and sensuous in its detail and world building. I want to wrap myself up in her descriptions and dive head first into the beautiful, intriguing stories.  I still love this first novella, kicking off the Star-Touched Queen series.  It is a beautiful story--lush, dark yet romantic.

Poison and Gold

Now that her wish for a choice has come true, Aasha struggles to control her powers. But when an opportunity to help Queen Gauri and King Vikram's new reign presents itself, she is thrown into the path of the fearsome yet enchanting Spy Mistress. To help her friends, Aasha will have to battle her insecurities and perhaps, along the way, find love. 

--Aasha was one of the stand out characters from A Crown of Wishes. I was delighted that she got her own story. The pacing was great as was Aasha's physical and internal journey to accept her future and who she is because before you can find fulfillment with another, you must first love yourself.

Rose and Sword

There is a tale whispered in the dark of the Empire of Bharat-Jain. A tale of a bride who loses her bridegroom on the eve of her wedding. But is it a tale or a truth?

--This was another lovely story, set several generations in the future with Gauri and Vikram's grandchildren. We do get a lovely tale featuring the peril Gauri must once again endure to save Vikram before their wedding.  This story reminded me a lot of the myth Orpheus and Eurydice.  What sacrifice and challenge would you face for love?  A beautiful tale, both lovely and bittersweet. I might admit to some tears at the end!

Overall, a masterfully written set of novellas!

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: The Rogue Queen by Emily R. King

*Thank you to Netgalley & Skyscape for an ARC in exchange for a review*

Publisher's Summary:
Despite the odds, Kalinda has survived it all: Marriage to a tyrant. Tournaments to the death. The forbidden power to rule fire. The icy touch of a demon.

That same demon now disguises itself as Rajah Tarek, Kalinda’s late husband and a man who has never stopped haunting her. Upon taking control of the palace and the army, the demon brands Kalinda and her companions as traitors to the empire. They flee across the sea, seeking haven in the Southern Isles.

In Lestari, Kalinda’s powers are not condemned, as they are in her land. Now free to use them to protect those she loves, Kalinda soon realizes that the demon has tainted her with a cold poison, rendering her fire uncontrollable. But the lack of control may be just what she needs to send the demon back to the darkest depths of the Void.

To take back the empire, Kalinda will ally with those she distrusts—and risk losing those most loyal to her—to defeat the demon and bring peace to a divided nation.

Thoughts:
The Rogue Queen is an action packed adventure full of peril, uncertainty, betrayals and heartbreak. The novel is another strong addition to the series. King excels at world-building of a fantasy realm with loosely inspired ties to Sumerian and Indian cultures. Kalinda is an admirable female protagonist and readers connect with her readily on her journey for her strength and vulnerability.  She is quickly learning that sometimes to right choices are the hardest ones.  

King continues to alternate voices by assigning chapters and the parallel story to Deven.  He does his fair share of soul searching throughout the book and fans of his and Kali's romance must weather the storm of their relationship once again.  Fair warning, have tissues handy near the end.  Here's hoping that fairer skies might be on the horizon for these two after more BIG challenges must be faced in book 4, The Warrior Queen, due out in August 2018.

The narrative benefits from its host of well developed secondary characters as well as a really great villain with clear world domination goals and good dialogue with some YA books often lack.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Also recommended...

Publisher's Summary:
As an orphan ward of the Sisterhood, eighteen-year-old Kalinda is destined for nothing more than a life of seclusion and prayer. Plagued by fevers, she’s an unlikely candidate for even a servant’s position, let alone a courtesan or wife. Her sole dream is to continue living in peace in the Sisterhood’s mountain temple.

But a visit from the tyrant Rajah Tarek disrupts Kalinda’s life. Within hours, she is ripped from the comfort of her home, set on a desert trek, and ordered to fight for her place among the rajah’s ninety-nine wives and numerous courtesans. Her only solace comes in the company of her guard, the stoic but kind Captain Deven Naik.

Faced with the danger of a tournament to the death—and her growing affection for Deven—Kalinda has only one hope for escape, and it lies in an arcane, forbidden power buried within her. 

Thoughts:
This first book of Kalinda's journey had me spellbound from beginning to end.  She begins naive and rather fragile but blossoms to embrace newly discovered abilities all to save herself, her best friend and her newfound love. 

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Publisher's Summary:
Though the tyrant rajah she was forced to marry is dead, Kalinda’s troubles are far from over. A warlord has invaded the imperial city, and now she’s in exile. But she isn’t alone. Kalinda has the allegiance of Captain Deven Naik, her guard and beloved, imprisoned for treason and stripped of command. With the empire at war, their best hope is to find Prince Ashwin, the rajah’s son, who has promised Deven’s freedom on one condition: that Kalinda will fight and defeat three formidable opponents.

But as Kalinda’s tournament strengths are once again challenged, so too is her relationship with Deven. While Deven fears her powers, Ashwin reveres them—as well as the courageous woman who wields them. Kalinda comes to regard Ashwin as the only man who can repair a warring world and finds herself torn between her allegiance to Deven and a newly found respect for the young prince.

With both the responsibility to protect her people and the fate of those she loves weighing heavily upon her, Kalinda is forced again to compete. She must test the limits of her fire powers and her hard-won wisdom. But will that be enough to unite the empire without sacrificing all she holds dear? 

Thoughts:
Kalinda's journey is far from over despite the death of her tyrant husband.  While her powers seem to grow, she learns even more secrets about her ancestry, finds new allies and must participate in another trial to secure her freedom and those she holds most dear.  Well written with an intricate, fast paced plot and good characterization. I did like the addition of Deven's POV in alternate chapters to add depth to the story.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi

*Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

A Crown of Wishes is the stunning sequel to 2016's Star Touched Queen.  Gauri, Princess of Bharata, has been taken as a prisoner of war by her kingdom's enemies and has little hope for her future.

Enter Vikram, the cunning prince of this enemy land. Unsatisfied with becoming a mere puppet emperor, Vikram offers Gauri a chance to win back her kingdom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together, they’ll have to set aside their differences and team up to win the Tournament of Wishes—a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor.

Merely reaching the Tournament is just the beginning with a slew of challenges including dangerous courtesans, songbirds, feasts and fears that will have to keep Gauri and Vikram's senses sharp if they have a chance to win.

Truthfully, I think I enjoyed this novel more than Chokshi's debut. I found it easier to engage with Gauri and Vikram in their adventure. Readers are in for a treat with the lush, exotic imagery and adventure steeped in Indian mythology and lore. Honestly, I loved everything about the writing and characters. The descriptions held me transfixed to the adventure as did the fantastic romanticism and passion built between protagonists.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Follow the author on Twitter: @NotRashKnee

REVIEW: The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

Expected publication: April 26, 2016

Cursed with a dark horoscope leaving her fated to marry Death and Destruction, Princess Maya is scorned and feared by all within her father's kingdom.  With war looming on the palace's very doorstep, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience in hopes to quell rebellion.  Maya is devastated since the act takes her away from scholarly pursuits as well as her beloved half sister.

The fateful day arrives with some surprises. Maya soon finds herself whisked away, becoming queen of Akaran and wife to Amar. Here she finds her voice and power as his equal. But trust is not easily won in this mysterious kingdom made up of locked doors, gardens of glass and a tree that bares memories instead of fruit. Maya must unravel her own past and an ancient mystery spanning many reincarnated lives in order to save those she loves.

Chokshi's writing is lush and beautifully descriptive. I felt transported to these kingdoms and longed to see the vivid silks, jewels and embellishments for myself. The Star-Touched Queen fits nicely within the trend of a middle eastern-esque setting with supernatural flare. The author's exploration of Indian mythology and lore makes for a truly unique reading experience that will entice audiences from the first page. The cover art is captivating as well.

Overall, I appreciated the story's pacing and development. I found Maya really fascinating and think her voice will resonate with readers. I've had some limited Twitter interaction with Chokshi and she's just been delightful. I wish her all the best with this publication.  I definitely recommend this for purchase --ages 14 and up for those who enjoy fantasy steeped in mythology, mystery and romance.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @NotRashKnee



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