The Gilded Wolves

Set in 1889 Paris, The Gilded Wolves follows treasure-hunter and hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie as he assembles a team for a high-stakes heist. To reclaim his stolen inheritance, Séverin must work with a historian, an engineer, a dancer, and a botanist to acquire a magical artifact from a powerful secret society. The team navigates a version of Paris where science and magic blend through Forging - a divine power that allows objects and materials to be transformed. Their pursuit leads them through grand hotels, dark catacombs, and glittering ballrooms as they decode riddles and dodge rival treasure hunters. The story combines historical fantasy with elements of heist films and puzzle-solving mysteries. Behind the glamour of the Belle Époque setting lie questions of colonialism, cultural identity, and the price of belonging.

Readers describe The Gilded Wolves as a heist story with diverse characters and rich historical details, though many note similarities to Six of Crows. Readers highlight: - The 1889 Paris setting and incorporation of real history - Complex magic system based on artifact creation - LGBTQ+ and racial representation - Strong found family dynamics between characters - Detailed descriptions of architecture and artifacts Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in first half - Confusing magic system rules - Too many character perspectives - Plot feels derivative of other YA heist books - Dense historical exposition interrupts flow Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (84,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,300+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Multiple readers note requiring a second reading to fully grasp the magic system mechanics. As one Goodreads reviewer states: "Beautiful writing but I spent the first 150 pages completely lost trying to understand how forging worked."

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo A group of outcast thieves attempts a heist in a magical version of Amsterdam while navigating politics, betrayal, and forbidden romance.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab A woman who makes a deal with dark powers navigates time, art, and fate through centuries in France and New York.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong Former lovers from rival gangs must work together to solve a supernatural mystery in 1920s Shanghai.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Two rival magicians compete through their apprentices who create magical displays in a mysterious traveling circus.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson A portrait painter becomes entangled in faerie politics and forbidden romance when she paints human emotions in her works.

🌟 The story takes place in an alternate 1889 Paris, weaving together real historical elements with fantasy and magic rooted in the ancient divine arts known as Forging. 🔮 Author Roshani Chokshi drew inspiration for the novel's magical system from historical innovators like Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, blending science with mysticism. 🎭 The main character, Séverin, is based on Edmund Dantès from "The Count of Monte Cristo," but Chokshi gave him a found family instead of a revenge-focused storyline. 🗺️ The book's treasure-hunting aspects were influenced by "National Treasure" and "The Da Vinci Code," incorporating puzzles and historical mysteries throughout the narrative. 🎨 Chokshi extensively researched the 1889 Paris World's Fair (Exposition Universelle) to create authentic historical details, including the newly constructed Eiffel Tower, which plays a significant role in the story.