Feature: Crush on This #6
Crush On This is a new feature that highlights my love for books that don’t get as much recognition as I feel they deserve. I will try my best to hit every genre in order to be as diverse as possible. I’d also love your suggestions, so if you love a book and want similar titles, let me know in the comments!
Crush on This:
It’s probably insane that I’m comparing these books, but I don’t feel that way. Both are beautifully written. Both contain lore or other languages and cultures to set their story. Both contain magic. Both are stories of people on quests. And yes, both contain romance.
As much as I love Shadow and Bone, I really believe Gauri to be a stronger heroine than Alina. So that gave it a slight edge. Also, I was never a of fan of Mal as a character, so Vikram wins there, too. But there’s also the added appeal of a game (if you liked/read Caraval, it’s sort of similar) which added an element of fun—even if it was for a pretty serious prize. Again, this just makes it more thrilling!
A Crown of Wishes was the first book to make my Best of 2017 list, so take a chance!
A Crown of Wishes (The Star-Touched Queen #2) by Roshani Chokshi
Category: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication: March 28th, 2017; St. Martin’s Griffin
Purchase: Amazon
An ancient mystery. An unlikely union. For one young princess in a state of peril, a dangerous wish could be the only answer…
She is the princess of Bharata—captured by her kingdom’s enemies, a prisoner of war. Now that she faces a future of exile and scorn, Gauri has nothing left to lose. But should she trust Vikram, the notoriously cunning prince of a neighboring land? He promises her freedom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together they can team up and win the Tournament of Wishes, a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor. It seems like a foolproof plan—until Gauri and Vikram arrive at the tournament and find that danger takes on new shapes: poisonous courtesans, mischievous story birds, a feast of fears, and twisted fairy revels. New trials will test their devotion, strength, and wits. But what Gauri and Vikram will soon discover is that there’s nothing more dangerous than what they most desire.
