I originally DNFed (did not finish) The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi last year. I had started reading in February 2019 and gave up after 100 pages in August 2019. The beginning was so slow for me, I just could not get through it. I tried to push through, but it felt like I was going nowhere with this story, like I was moving backwards. 

Then, November 2019 I got an ARC of The Silvered Serpents from YALLFest and decided I should give this book another try. And I finally finished it!

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Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:

No one believes in them. But soon no one will forget them.

It’s 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.

To hunt down the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin calls upon a band of unlikely experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian banished from his home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in arms if not blood.

Together, they will join Séverin as he explores the dark, glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the course of history–but only if they can stay alive.

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My first read through, I was interested in the story and was excited to see what was going to happen. And then it felt like nothing happened for pages and pages and I was just done. I put it back on my shelf and swore I would come back to this title.

And when I did, I liked it! It was strange, opening the book back up and reading through going “okay, yeah, I remember that” and then finally hitting the point where I stopped and thought “why did I stop here?”

The rest of the book was pretty exciting and fun – I loved the interactions between characters. A lot of people compare this book to Six of Crows, and while it is a heist novel, these friends bicker like Avatar: The Last Airbender or Legend of Korra characters. That formed family bond was more fun than Six of Crows (also, please don’t compare these two books. They’re nothing alike other than being a gang of people trying to pull off a heist!).

Tristan crossed his arms. “I should set one of my spiders on you. They’re very venomous, you know.”

Hypnos look around the room. “Are they present?”

Tristan faltered. “Well, no, not exactly, this is when Goliath eats, you see, and -“

Hypnos became one of my favorite characters – if you have watched Legend of Korra, his personality reminds me of Varrick. He makes up his own sayings and has a funny way of knowing the right thing to say. Plus, he’s a supportive friend to the group! I also love Zofia and just really want to give her a hug. 

Honestly, I’m glad I shelved the book and picked it up later. It wasn’t the right time for me to read this title and I wouldn’t have appreciated it as much as I did now. I’m excited to read The Silvered Serpents and see what happens next to our group of friends!

I would have to give this book a .5 // 5 stars – it was really fun and well written, the beginning was just kind of slow. Super excited for The Silvered Serpents! Hopefully I like it as much!

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If this book sounds interesting, be sure to check out Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte!

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