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Saturday, January 16, 2016

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi Review + ARC Giveaway


The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
Format: Format Paperback
Published by St. Martin's Griffin
Pub. Date: May 3rd, 2016
Pre-Order: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
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.



When I got my hands on an ARC of The Star-Touched Queen, this was me:


It was one of my most anticipated reads of 2016 and it did not disappoint. I didn't want to put this book down for anything. I kept reading, even while I was at work and while my family was waiting for me to start dinner, and you guys... IT WAS WORTH IT!


The Star-Touched Queen is a book of beautiful artistry and sophistication. I simply can't contain all of my feelings about it because it's just so amazing. Roshani's words are pure art and I loved every second of it. She combines Indian and Greek mythology into this incredible story of the main character,  Maya, who just wants to find her place in the world. There are so many things to marvel at when it comes to The Star-Touched Queen. The otherworldly setting and the characters—it's all absolutely marvelous. Roshani's work is definitely going to be an auto-buy for me in the future. 




1) The writing, oh my god, the writing. Roshani paints The Star-Touched Queen with sophistication and beauty. Her writing is filled with stunning imagery and wonderful dialogue. I marveled over each of her words and re-read sections over and over again because of how hard I was fangirling. This book is a masterpiece that we all could learn from. 


2) All of the characters in The Star-Touched Queen felt so real. No one is perfect and each person makes mistakes with repercussions. They are all so well-rounded and I felt that I could really see into each character's mind. 

3) If you like Studio Ghibli films—particularly Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away—you will love the world and magic in this book. The Night Bazaar reminded me a lot of the these movies and it was magnificent. 


4) I love the bond between Maya and Gauri—it was just so sweet and pure. It made me want to go and hug my sisters. Their relationship was just so great and truly really refreshing, especially since we don't see sisterly love in books nearly enough.

5) AMAR. Now I have to say, this guy really knows how to make an entrance. Plus, he's so dreamy and swoon-worthy... *drools*





82 comments:

  1. Thank you for the giveaway, Brittany! I haven't read it but I've only heard GREAT things.

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  2. YES!!! The writing was probably my most favorite thing!!! It was completely gorgeous! I also loved AMAR!! I wish there were more scenes with him and Maya XD.

    ~Karina @ A Reader Under The Sea

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    1. The writing is exceptional, I could go on and on about it. I also wish that there were more scenes of Amar and Maya, they were so cute.

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  3. OMG BRITTANY YOUR REVIEW IS FABULOUS AND TSTQ IS IN MY TOP 5 MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2016 AND I AM SO EXCITED TO READ IT (AND EVEN MORE SO AFTER READING YOUR REVIEW AND I'M SORRY FOR "screaming" I AM JUST SO HAPPY YOU ENJOYED IT AND I CANNOT WAIT TO READ IT AND THE FACT THAT YOU'RE DOING THIS GIVEAWAY -- YOU ARE AMAZING)

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    1. Yay, I'm glad you liked my review! And don't worry about the screaming, this book is worth screaming over =) I love doing giveaways and I wish you good luck =)

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  4. GAAAH! So excited for this May 3rd is the day of all the book releases!! Thank you for the giveaway :)

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  5. This is also one of my most anticipated books of 2016 and omg!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :D Honestly that last quote made me want to squeal because I experienced all the feels even though I haven't even read the book yet :P I honestly can't wait to read this book haha. Great review!

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    1. It's really a special book and that quote makes me swoon each time I read it, that's why I had to include it the review.

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  6. Thanks a million for the opportunity and for making it international :P Awesome review btw :P love that sheldon GIF :P !!
    http://karinysteenbooxfrenz.blogspot.com/

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    1. You're welcome =) All of my self-hosted giveaways our international so be on the look out for my future giveaways as well. And that Sheldon gif, I've been dying to use it for something and it fit perfecting for this!

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  7. Great review! I can't wait to read this! Thanks so much for hosting a giveaway!

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  8. Thank you so much for this giveaway! I would LOVE to win it :)

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  9. Wow the book quotes alone have convinced me Brittany, and I love your goodreads updates!

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  10. I love books that incorporate mythology in them and i love your review it makes me so excited to read it even more !!
    And the cover is to DIE FOR!!!

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    1. I have always loved mythology but it's rare that I find a book that incorporates it without it being cheesy, at least for me. I did not have that problem with this book. I'm glad my review made you more excited and that you pick it up when it's published. THE COVER IS GORGEOUS!

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  11. Oh my those quotes!! Can't wait for this book now!! Was looking forward to it before but after reading such a great review and those snippets from the book, now I am just plain excited!!

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    1. When I read reviews, it's always the snippets that get me which is why I include them all in my reviews. So, I'm glad that the snippets I chose made you want to read this book even more!

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  12. OMG! Great review! Now I want to read it even more than before omg it sounds sooooo good <3
    Thanks for the giveaway as well!

    Laura @ psilovethatbook

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    1. Thank you! I was so inspired after reading this book that I had to write the review immediately after. It really is a wonderful book and that I hope that you enjoy it.

      Good luck on the giveaway!

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  13. This is the first time that I have heard of this book, but now I definitely plan to pick it up!

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    1. Really? Well, then I'm glad to be the one to introduce it to you! It is a must add to your TBR!!

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  14. OMGOMGOMG. Thanks for the giveaway. I CAN'T WAAAIT.

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  15. Aggggggh I'm so excited for The Star-Touched Queen!!! It's my most anticipated 2016 debut. Thanks so much for the chance <33333

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    1. It doesn't disappoint, I'm in love with this book <3 Good luck on the giveaway =)

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  16. Definitely eager to read this book. Everyone is loving it so far! The cover is absolutely fantastic :D

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    1. Believe what everyone is saying, it's fantastic! The cover and what's inside is absolutely gorgeous =)

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  17. I really, really can't wait for this book! It sounds soooooo good! Thank you so much for the giveaway!

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  18. Thank you for the giveaway, I've been hearing some great things about this book! I'm even more excited to read it now you've compared elements of it to Spirited Away, as I absolutely loved that film :)

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    1. You're welcome, good luck!

      One of Roshani's favorite books is Howl's Moving Castle, so I think that's why the magic is similarly described and IT'S AWESOME!

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  19. I am so so excited for this book! The description, the cover and just everything about it sounds so so good. Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. Trust your instincts on this book because it is amazing! Good luck on the giveaway =)

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  20. Yaaaay :D Amazing review Brittany. <3 I'm thrilled that you loved this book so much. Sigh. You make it seem AMAZING :D And no triangle. And awesome romance. And yeah. I think I will love it a lot :) Fingers crossed for your giveaway. <3 Wish to read it early so badly :) Thank you for the chance sweetie.

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    1. Thank you! I was so inspired after I read it that I had to write this review immediately so I'm glad you're excited about it. Good luck on the giveaway =)

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  21. The GIF use was PERFECTION.
    I'm so excited for this one! (Especially since you loved it)
    I'm only slightly scared for some sort of heartbreak on my part xD
    Thanks for the giveaway lovely <3

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    1. Thank you! I pride myself on my gif usage if nothing else xD
      You should be excited for this one because it's wonderful! There are some things in it that might break your heart but you'll enjoy it haha.

      Good luck on the giveaway and thanks for stopping by!

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  22. I'm very excited to read this book! I've heard amazing things about it (including this review!) and I'd love to read it!

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    1. Believe all the amazing things you hear because they're all true! =)

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  23. This is one of my top 2016 WL books! Thanks so much for the giveaway <3

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  24. Yours is actually the first review I've seen and I am FREAKING OUT. I'm so happy you loved it and it makes me even more excited to read this book. A massive selling point to this review is the swoon Amar, I won't lie. Who doesn't want another book boyfriend? ;) Fantastic review Brittany and thanks again for the giveaway! xo.

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    1. We all could use more book boyfriends ;P I'm happy to be the one to introduce this beauty to you. I hope that you love it as much as me =)

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  25. omg Spirited Away is one of my favorite movies & THOSE QUOTES. My heart is far too delicate for them. Amar sounds so gorgeous. I seriously can't handle. I literally feel like Rapunzel from Tangled, thinking of him, haha. Darling review & thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Amar is gorgeous--this whole book is gorgeous. You need this book in your life!

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  26. I'm so excited for this book! It sounds soooo good! And now that I know how much you love it, I'm basically dying for it! Haha! I've had this one preordered for awhile! Great review! Thanks for the chance for an ARC! :)

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    1. Yes, you need it. You'll love it, it's ART! That's all I can really say without spoiling anything.

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  27. Thanks so much for doing a giveaway!!! I've been looking forward to this one since you tweeted about it this weekend! :D

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    1. No problem, I love doing giveaways =) This is truly an amazing book and I hope you'll love it.

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  28. Thanks for the giveaway and double thanks for making it international *hug*

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    1. I try to do as many international giveaways as I can =) Good luck!

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  29. This sounds so very lovely! TSTQ is a much-anticipated read for me in 2016!!!

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    1. It's so wonderful and it surpassed all of my expectations *heart eyes*

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  30. I'm definitely excited about reading this book! I keep hearing about it and it sounds amazing!!

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    1. Believe everything you hear about its amaziness! IT'S ALL TRUE =)

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  31. Thanks for the chance! Everyone I know seems to love this book, so I'm excited to read it :D

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  32. I've had my eyes on this book for AGES! Such a generous giveaway, you've made me even more excited to read it :-)

    I've recently posted <a href="http://emmasbookery.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/top-ten-books-ive-recently-added-to-my.html>my TTT post as to what I've added to my TBR list</a> if you would like to check it out :-) Have a great day :-) xo

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    1. That's awesome! Thanks for stopping by and good luck on the giveaway =)

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  33. Yep, this sounds amazing. Adding it to all the lists!

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  34. Cannot wait to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

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    1. I absolutely love this book, I hope you will too! Good luck =)

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  35. I have not read this as of yet, but very excited to! Thanks for the chance to get the book to read it!!

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  36. Well, to say I'm excited for this book would really be understatement.. I can't freaking wait!! Is it May yet, is it?!
    Thanks for the giveaway and a great review! :)

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    1. I CAN'T CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT, THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC!

      *clears throat* I'm so glad that you liked the review, good luck on the giveaway ;)

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