Paris, 1889: The world is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. In this city, no one keeps tabs on secrets better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Severin Montagnet-Alarie. But when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help, Severin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance. To find the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Severin will need help from a band of experts:
An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian who can't yet go home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in all but blood, who might care too much.
Together, they'll have to use their wits and knowledge to hunt the artifact through the dark and glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the world, but only if they can stay alive.
Initial thoughts: I don't think I've ever read a book with such a culturally diverse cast! My heart was leaping. We've got main characters who are French-Algerian, a Jewish, and also Indian. Enrique's even Spanish-Filipino, making him the first main character of mixed Filipino descent I've ever read in YA Fantasy. That is momentous and must be celebrated! (FYI: I'm of Filipino descent myself, thanks to my mum.)
Anyway, beyond identities, I had a lot of fun reading The Gilded Wolves. Lots of puzzles to solve, twists to overcome, and trust issues to address. I actually burst out laughing when I read the last page because I saw that coming during the first half of the book. The build-up towards that moment was good though, so I'm excited for the sequel.
