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.
I love historical fiction. It is probably my most read genre, and YA Fantasy is a very close second. Roll that all together and you will have me hooked from page one. I really enjoyed this merge of the two!
This really wasn’t on my radar until I got my hands on a copy of the sequel due to come out next year. I immediately knew from the synopsis that I needed this series in my life. I powered through this book in a little over a day and I loved this strange fantasy world that Chokshi has created. I did feel like the plot was lacking a bit in direction. It felt very back and forth.
I loved this odd group of friends, it almost felt like a very breakfast clubby vibe. People who normally wouldn’t be friends but somehow are. I love the backstories you get in this book, though I wish it would have had some more relationship building. The characters had already established a history with one another, so you didn’t really get to see their relationships grow and flourish. I would have really liked if there had been more than just the backstories we got.
As much as I wanted to detest Hypnos.. I just really couldn’t. He was just too hilarious and provided so much needed comic relief. Character-wise this book is very strong, I just hope the plot gets a bit more depth in the second book. I really did love the diversity of the characters. I feel like anyone could find someone to relate to in this book. Chokshi has a very unique way of writing that doesn’t just let you read about their diversity, but you feel it and see it in every action.
Images and synopsis taken from NetGalley.
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