Title: The Star-Touched Queen
Author: Roshani Chokshi
First published April 26, 2016
342 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250085474 (ISBN10: 1250085470)
Rating: 3.56
Overview
In Roshani Chokshi’s enchanting tale, The Star-Touched Queen, Maya is faced with a daunting destiny. With a cursed horoscope that predicts a bleak future, Maya has been ostracized by her kingdom and her own father.
However, fate has something else in store for Maya when she finds herself the queen of Akaran, through an arranged marriage. As she navigates her new role, Maya discovers hidden depths of power and love within herself.
But as secrets begin to unravel, Maya realizes that her life is in danger. With the help of her husband, Amar, Maya must unlock the mysteries of Akaran and her own past lives to save her loved ones and herself.
In this breathtaking tale of fate, love, and sacrifice, Maya discovers that destiny is not always set in stone.
About the Author
Meet Roshani Chokshi, a talented author who has won multiple awards for her fantastic novels. Her popular series, The Star-Touched Queen, The Gilded Wolves, and Aru Shah and The End of Time, have all been New York Times bestsellers.
In fact, Time Magazine even named Aru Shah and The End of Time as one of the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time. Chokshi’s writing draws inspiration from world mythology and folklore, which makes her work even more fascinating.
Her debut novel for adults, The Last Tale of The Flower Bride, was also a #1 Sunday Times bestseller. With her novels translated into over two dozen languages, it’s clear that her writing resonates with people from all around the world.
In addition to writing, Chokshi is also a member of the National Leadership Board for the Michael C. Carlos Museum.
She currently resides in Georgia with her husband and a mischievous cat who always keeps her on her toes.
Editoral Review
Roshani Chokshi’s novel The Star-Touched Queen is a spellbinding tale of love, adventure, and self-discovery. This young adult novel, first published on April 26, 2016, offers a fresh take on the genre of fantasy and mixes it with South Asian mythology.
Chokshi’s writing style is immersive and lyrical, evoking a dreamlike atmosphere throughout the novel. The descriptions of the Tamarath kingdom, the Night Bazaar, and the Otherworld are vivid and transport readers to a world that is both beautiful and dangerous.
The story follows the journey of the protagonist, Maya, a princess with a cursed horoscope who finds herself married to Amar, the enigmatic and mysterious ruler of Akaran. As Maya discovers the secrets of her new kingdom, she also unravels the truth about her own identity, her family, and her powers as a queen.
The characters in The Star-Touched Queen are complex, multi-faceted, and relatable. Maya’s growth as a character is particularly compelling, as she learns to trust herself and her instincts, and learns to forgive herself and others for past mistakes.
The themes of identity, destiny, and mortality are explored masterfully in this book. Chokshi’s weaving of South Asian mythology with the struggles and desires of her characters brings a fascinating element to the story.
The book also highlights the beauty and importance of storytelling, and the power of one’s own narrative. Overall, while The Star-Touched Queen might feel slow at times, the writing, characters, and themes make it a compelling read.
Its rich and diverse mythological elements, mixed with a beautiful love story and intriguing plot twists, make it a must-read for fans of YA fantasy. Rating: 4/5 stars.
