Witchling Wanderer: ARC REVIEW: The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

Watch me flail over this drop-dead gorgeous fantasy. I was going to wait to post this closer to the release date but I wanted to give you all little something too.

My thoughts and feelings are completely everywhere in my review so beware of that!! It's more like a fangirl book talk than review because I'm just flailing everywhere but THAT'S OKAY! Also stay tuned for the epic giveaway at the end of my ~~review~~ fangirling.

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Ghokshi

Release Date: May 3, 2016
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format: Print ARC, 339 pages
Genre: Young Adult, High Fantasy, Romance
Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

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Cursed with a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, sixteen-year-old Maya has only earned the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her world is upheaved when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. But when her wedding takes a fatal turn, Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Yet neither roles are what she expected. As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds friendship and warmth.

But Akaran has its own secrets - thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Beneath Akaran's magic, Maya begins to suspect her life is in danger. When she ignores Amar's plea for patience, her discoveries put more than new love at risk - it threatens the balance of all realms, human and Otherworldly.

Now, Maya must confront a secret that spans reincarnated lives and fight her way through the dangerous underbelly of the Otherworld if she wants to protect the people she loves.

The Star-Touched Queen is a lush, beautifully written and vividly imagined fantasy inspired by Indian mythology.

*Thank you so much to Roshani for hosting the ARC giveaway on Twitter and allowing me the chance to read this early.*

The Star-Touched Queen had everything I love in a High Fantasy. It just swept me up in the stunning and mystical world. Did I mention it's a retelling of Hades and Persephone mixed with Indian mythology? And once you start, you'll never want to put it down!!

Our main character Maya has been given a horoscope that foretells she would bring death once she is wed-locked. She's pretty much used to being feared and ignored from everyone in her kingdom even her harem mothers. Except for her younger sister who she is close to. Then she learns that her father has planned an arranged marriage to stop an uprising. And she finds herself married to the Raja of Akaran. A kingdom she's never heard of. Wanting freedom and independence, she goes along with him. And let's just say she gets more than she expected.

My summary does not do the book justice but you MUST give this book a chance. It's a MUST-READ FOR THIS YEAR.

Going into the story I had no clue about Indian mythology. This was a first for me and it was a complete success for me. I want more Middle Eastern fantasies. Specifically more Indian fantasies!! Roshani did a marvelous job entailing us readers just how amazing the culture really is. It also really added a lot to the fantasy side and a more mysterious vibe for me since I had no idea what to expect.

I fell in love with the Night Bazaar, the flesh-eating horse, the crystal garden, the tree that holds memories, and the magical palace that sings and doors that whisper and compel. It was all so eery but magical at the same time.

The cover is completely BEAUTIFUL!! I don't think it's what I was imagining but it still blew me away when it was revealed. It will definitely draw in lots of readers. And the designer deserves a medal!

I think what stole my heart the most was the drop-dead gorgeous writing. If I don't like the writing or voice in a book, it takes my enjoyment away. Roshani's writing was not simple. It was outstanding! Every quote is so memorable and worthy of having the entire book highlighted (on the e-reader because it's too precious to stain the physical book).

There were these scenes of Maya learning of her past lives and a really cool scene with a reincarnation pool that was just amazing to read about. It was definitely one of my favorite parts but I could truly say that my favorite part is the entire book!! It's just THAT GOOD. It's what unicorns are made off...

As I was reading, I kept recalling how there were parts in the book that reminded me of The Wrath and The Dawn and Cruel Beauty. If you loved those two, then you will completely fall in love with this whimsical fantasy!!

It had the perfect touch of romance. Amar is officially one of my favorite book boyfriends. I just found him so alluring and mysterious. And his lines just made me fall for him even more. As a romantic junkie, I wish we had gotten more scenes with him and Maya but it was still pretty amazing.

Overall, The Star Touched Queen left me reeling for more. I can say without a doubt that it's one of my favorite debuts of 2016. I may have read it last year but it still surpasses a lot of the books I've read this year. I'll just have to re-read it this year and count it as a favorite for this year!!

I'm so excited for the companion novel of this book because I loved that side character that will be the protagonist!!

5 Sea Stars: Out Of This World!

Stunning Quotes:

"Come with me and you shall be an empress with the moon for your throne and constellations to wear in your hair. Come with me and I promise that we will be equals."

"I am at the mercy of the moon to reveal the secrets of this kingdom"

"I would rip the stars from the sky if you wished it. Anything for you."

"There are place where you can jump and find yourself buried beneath the earth. There are pools of glass that you can swim through and find lost monsters with no names. In Akaran, things just are."