Roshani did it again. I loved this book so much. It was magical, witty, beautiful, and just amazing. I might like this even more than TSTQ.

Gauri and Vikram are two of my new favorite characters. She's fierce and he's clever. On their own, they're great, but together they're the best. There was so much snarky banter and passion, and I just can't get over them. They work well together, they're funny, and they make an epic couple.

I liked Aasha too. She was so sweet and innocent, and her curiosity was the best thing ever. Just saying.

It felt like this story meandered some, but it was still gripping and really good. I got caught up in the whimsy and the intrigue, and I wanted to know more. The world, the tournament, the magic; everything was written so spectacularly and I couldn't put it down. Not to mention, the writing itself was just gorgeous. Roshani's books are so gloriously quotable. 😍

While I loved the whole book, I think my favorite parts were the very beginning and the very end. It was so fun to see Gauri and Vikram warm up to each other and then eventually get what they wanted all along. My favorite stories are the ones that make the journey challenging but still wrap everything up nicely with a glittering bow in the end, and that's what this was. Making the protagonists two unlikely allies that slowly fall in love helps as well. 😉

Oh, and I loved the food in this book. I admit, I didn't actually know what some things were, but I did some research and it made me so hungry. I didn't know fictional food could be so appealing.

Last thing: the Maya and Amar cameo made me so, so happy! And I'm pretty sure Kamala had the briefest moment of page time. If I'm right, that also makes me very happy. She was my favorite in TSTQ.

So all in all, this was a fabulous read and everyone that hasn't read it yet needs to. ❤️