A Crown of Wishes

January 15, 2017
Set in the same Indian-inflected fantasy world as The Star-Touched Queen (2016), Chokshi's sophomore effort examines fear, desire, and ambition as three protagonists compete in the Tournament of Wishes.The most compelling of the characters is Aasha, a vishakanya curious about the human life she left behind when she received the Blessing and became a poisonous courtesan. Her subplot is a beautiful exploration of vengeance and healing. It is here that the worldbuilding is most nuanced and deftly woven. At other times, the prose is exceedingly allegorical and overwrought. The two human contestants--Vikram, the puppet prince of Ujijain, and Gauri, the exiled princess of Bharata--make an unlikely pair. Their relationship relies heavily on witty banter punctuated by imminent peril that is designed to draw them closer together. In many respects the book reads like nested fables. Alaka, the otherworldly Kingdom of Desire where the tournament takes place, is full of wondrous creatures and deities from Indian mythologies, all representative of lessons the protagonists need to learn as they complete their Herculean tasks. With a happily-ever-after reminiscent of beloved fairy tales, this is a great pick for voracious readers who like their bejeweled princesses to have hard edges. (glossary) (Fantasy. 12 & up)

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Starred review from February 1, 2017

Gr 9 Up-In this companion to The Star-Touched Queen, Chokshi returns to a vivid fantasy world steeped in Hindu mythology. After her brother's betrayal, Princess Gauri is awaiting execution in an enemy Ujijain prison. Prince Vikram faces the unhappy destiny of becoming a puppet ruler in Ujijain. With nothing left to lose and everything to gain, this pair of would-be monarchs forge an uneasy partnership and journey to the mythical world of Alaka to compete in the Tournament of Wishes, hosted by Kubera, the Lord of Treasures. Kubera has promised a wish to anyone who wins the competition, but after traveling through dangerous realms and meeting supernatural foes and allies, Gauri and Vikram will have to confront their own desires and fears if they hope to survive long enough to win. Gauri is a ruthless, calculating heroine who negotiates her femininity and perceived weaknesses as adeptly as she handles her swords and battle strategies. Vikram is a perfect contrast; his measured cunning is tempered by his introspection and optimism. All of the characters grasp for freedom and autonomy as they question what power and choice really mean. The lush language and vibrant imagery combine beautifully to evoke the book's elements of magic and legend. This is a novel about fierce want, unmet potential, magic, forged alliances, and the power of story.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2017
Grades 9-12 Gauri, sister to runaway princess Mayavati of Bharata, has been captured and imprisoned, forced to marry an enemy prince. Her devious, power-hungry brother, Skanda, tortured her for years before casting her off to the opposing kingdom of Ujijain. But Prince Vikram has also been coerced into the marriage, and he seeks out Gauri after a sage suggests she is mystically significant. Vikram is intent on using his wits and Gauri's martial skills to enter the Tournament of Wishesa magic quest that will give them both an out, though it may be fraught with more peril than either could imagine. Chokshi's debut, The Star-Touched Queen (2016), was lush and gorgeously written, and Chokshi has only improved; this lovely companion tale boasts a stronger narrative structure in addition to the delightful prose. Chokshi's characters are dreamers at heart, longing for magic in a world where they don't expect to find it. Fans of the first book will find this to be a worthy successor.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)