Evelyn Skye

Gorgeous and richly imagined.--Sara Raasch, New York Times bestselling author of the Snow Like Ashes series

Teeming with hidden magic and fiery romance.--Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes

Perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone and Red Queen, The Crown's Game is a thrilling and atmospheric historical fantasy set in Imperial Russia about two teenagers who must compete for the right to become the Imperial Enchanter--or die in the process--from debut author Evelyn Skye.

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters--the only two in Russia--and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown's Game, an ancient duel of magical skill--the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the tsar's most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter--even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown's Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with--beautiful, whip smart, imaginative--and he can't stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai's best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love . . . or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear . . . the Crown's Game is not one to lose.

The Crown's Game

Annalissa Powner 

"This was the sort of book one ought to read in pieces, to properly appreciate and savor each bit" 

How fitting a quote from a book that is meant to be savored yet is impossible to put down.

A duel, five turns each, and an ending with no happily ever in sight.

I'm not sure I could have loved this more if I tried. even in the moments I was unsure how it would go, was sure I was about to be let down, it suddenly turned and shifted into something even more magical than before. 

I can not wait to read the next book!

Lacy W

I was kind of disappointed with this book, to be honest. The blurb made it sounds super interesting. A magic-like duel set in imperial Russia? I've certainly haven't read any books like this before so I was super pumped.

I was just left with the feeling of wanting more. I liked the characters well enough. Vika was interesting. Her powers were very well developed (although I'm not sure what it was she specified in. Was she a naturalist? Just general magic?) and she had an alright personality. Nikolai was interesting as well. I liked that he could see through walls. I was unsure of what he truly specified in as well. Was it mechanics? 

I think it was the plot. The concept of the Crown's Game was neat. Reminded me of the  Hunger Games (then again, what doesn't?) with less death. It just progressed really slowly. I was expecting a lot of incredible magic, maybe some duels? Instead it was a slow turn based game of half feeble attempts at killing.

What else I got was a weird love triangle with magic interspersed in there. I didn't understand Pasha's love for Vika. He saw her once for like two seconds. How does that even count? It made more sense (to me anyway) for Nikolai and Vika to be together, being as they are connected by magic. 

I will continue with this series because the ending had me super intrigued and the bulb was me curious. But overall, this is not my favorite series and it makes me sad because of the potential it had.

dija

Can't even write a review about this crap.

tina

I highly recommend The Crown's Game to those who are new to the fantasy genre because it isn't as heavy or as complex as the other fantasy books. There aren't any new terms or languages that you have to get used to. It's pretty simple.

Those who are big fans of fantasy, like I am, would say that this book wasn't as captivating or amazing as the others. If you put this book besides Throne of Glass, or A Darker Shade of Magic, this would seem bland. But despite it's simplicity and non-complex magic and world building, I still find this one enjoyable. The first half was uneventful, and the magical elements that were introduced weren't impressive to be honest. But the second half was what I really enjoyed. And I somehow found myself intrigued and anxious for the next scenes/parts. 

The romance had a little bit of insta-love (or a better word for it would be infatuation). But I didn't really mind it because it wasn't the kind of insta-love we get from contemporary novels (you know what I mean *looks at Colleen Hoover*).

Overall, even though this wasn't as amazing, captivating, fascinating, and enchanting as other fantasy books, The Crown's Game was still a pretty good read. And I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Elda Mengisto

** spoiler alert **
           I've wanted to read "The Crown's Game" for a little while--it seemed intriguing in that there was a competition to become the Tsar's enchanter, in a realm with so much political unrest due to war. It was only recently that I managed to find this book at a library and consumed it.'

With the Crown's Game itself, I assumed it would be more like the Hunger Games or an Agni Kai from the Avatar series--there would be an actual duel to determine who wins, especially with the "you win or you die" aspect of it. Instead, we see a demonstration of how their magic works and what impresses the throne the most, more like "Throne of Glass" in that aspect. While it makes the story drag on a bit, it adds a bit of dimension to the characters' relationships, both with Nikolai/Vika and their families. Nevertheless, it works as it pulls Nikolai and Vika together.

And I got to see how the two enchanters' relationship blossomed, especially in the ball scene and where Vika and Nikolai tour the dream benches. There's a forboding sense of doom in which one of them will die, which adds power to the scenes. In the final duel, where Nikolai uses his magic to stab himself, only to hurt Vika and then him risking his life to save her, was touching, especially in how intense the buildup was. While I know there wasn't going to be a happy ending for the both of them, it was still touching.

Nevertheless, I noticed some flaws. Sometimes, I would notice Skye telling in parts, rather than showing. While its important considering the information in the story, it could be better manifested. Another part is Aizhana's arc, where she rose herself from the dead to return to Nikolai, only to bound by him on a church pew. I wanted to see what would become of her next--would she raise an army of the undead to threaten Russia? Or could she be redeemed? Her arc with Nikolai clearly ended, but I feel like there should be something more.

Overall, a wonderful book, especially the last part of it. It would work as a stand-alone, but seeing there's a sequel, I wonder how good it will be? 8/10

Colette McDermed

If you are about to add this to your TBR, think twice. This is not your typical YA fantasy novel. No, in fact it is worse. This book is a poorly written version of The Night Circus meets a fairytale book for for children. There is no suspense, no romantic tension, no charming characters, no scenes that bring you to tears. A love triangle does exist, but it is based on "oh my, I saw a mysterious maiden in the forest, now I must invite her to my birthday bash at the palace" kind of love. A lot of things happen with absolutely no meaning or explanation. Why does he suddenly fall in love with her enough to give his own life? We never find out, he just does. But they've hardly spoken or come into contact! Yeah, but he would still sacrifice his own life...
The characters all lack common sense and the whole book overall lacks depth. The main female protagonist in the story is incredibly annoying due to her lack of basic logic and respect for others. The love triangle feels forced, and absolutely did not need to be there. Overall, this book is not worth your time or your money. I give it 1 star for the cover, and another because I found it tolerable enough to actually finish. (though I did skim read the end)

Nicole Dykeman

4.5 I loved this?? It was literally everything I wanted but didn’t get out of The Night Circus. A magic competition with a hint of romance, and the balance between the two was just the way I like it. There were several plot twists that made me pause; I always appreciate when a book can surprise me. 

Vika, Nikolai, and Pasha were great characters to follow. I loved all of their relationships with one another, and with side characters like Renata and Ludmila. And I am so, so curious what happens in the second book in this duology. It’s coming in my next book outlet order so I don’t have to wait very long. 

It wasn’t perfect - there were a few characters that I wish were developed more, like Sergei and Galina. The love triangle trope is getting kind of old, too (but I’m on team Nikolai here in case anyone was wondering). But honestly, it was enjoyable and I was invested in the characters, and that’s all I ever really need in the end.

Megan Lowe

I wanted to love this book. I had high hopes for it, but I found it a little all over the place and a bit too busy. I also don't really have a read on the characters, Vika probably more so than the boys. I don't really think enough depth was went into and you just moved from one thing to another with the consequences of the previous event not really mattering. 
That being said, I will read the second book if for no other reason than to find out what happens.

jess

I really wanted to like this book, because I've recently been interested in Russian history, ESPECIALLY at the time this book was written. And the premise sounded awesome - fights to the death, an inside look at the tsars ... I was aware that there was some romance, but the book ended up being mostly romance. It was really frustrating - filled with insta-love and unrealistic romance, and very little fighting to the death. The Crown's Game ended up being really slow, and I wish more had happened. 

I did appreciate the world-building; the author really did her research on Russia and it felt very real and I really liked the environment that she created.

The Crown's Game

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