The Crown’s Game

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Title: The Crown’s Game (The Crown’s Game #1)

Author: Evelyn Skye

Published: May 17th 2016

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 399 pages 

More info: Amazon, TBD and etc.

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Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges outof 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.

 INITIAL THOUGHTS:
I have been itching to read this book ever since I had it just because of the amazing cover that doubles as some kind of castle and a crown! History is one of my favorite subjects and we did discuss the Ottoman Empire and tsars and all that. I’m just super excited to read!

THOUGHTS:
I got hooked within a few pages. I liked how the story just flows naturally. It was definitely refreshing to read a very light fantasy book that focuses on magic with a sprinkle of Russian history. The world-building wasn’t complicated and it was easy to imagine.The characters started off strong. Vika, Nikolai, Pasha and everyone else had a very strong lead. I was quitely falling in love with Pasha’s character. I mean who wouldn’t want the Tsesarevich of Russia? It was a little cliche that Pasha and Nikolai are friends in terms of who they really are but it didn;t bug me much so I’ll stop complaining. Now, the plot was really interesting and it was delivered decently. The fact that Vika and Nikolai are both powerful in totally different aspects is a marvelous touch to get me to keep on reading.

And then, the stupid love triangle happened. Can I just say that it was a stupid element in the plot twist? Ugh, everything was going so good. And the insta-love between Pasha and Vika added to the basket of must-throw-aways. And don’t get me started on Renata. I don’t like her at all. Forever rooting for Vika and Nikolai! But the ending sold me. THE ENDING WAS THE BOMB DOT COM! It gave me goosebumps. It was amazing.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Next book please! It’s a nice light fantasy read anytime you need a little cup of the genre. I wouldn’t say it’s amazing but it is a good book. I wanna praise the writer for such an amazing writing style. It’s compelling and fast-paced.

       Omg you guys! I almost went into a total slump over everything (including bookstagram) but now I’m all good. Don’t shun me but I’ve been watching kdramas instead of reading and blogging. The holidays are here and Christmas is right around the corner! Also, I still haven’t done any Top 5 Wednesday posts. I feel so bad. It’s almost 2017 and I still haven’t kept my promise. Anyways, what are your Christmas reads? Mine is Three Dark Crowns!