BOOK REVIEW : The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye

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Book Title : The Crown’s Game

Author : Evelyn Skye

Book Type : 1st Book

Book Genre: Fantasy,Romance, YA

Pages : 399

Format : Paper back

Published : May 17, 2016

Date Started :July 09, 2016

Date Finished : July 18, 2016

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.

So I was so excited to read this book ever since I’ve heard about it from JesseTheReader. Also because it’s a Russian themed book ( since I love THE GRISHA TRILOGY & SIX OF CROWS). I wasn’t planning to buy this book since I already have the ebook copy (actually started chapter 1 in my ebook copy) but my amazing bestfriend from bookstagram – Zel @thebookmetropolis gave this book on my birthday last June. So yeah when I continued reading it I was so pumped up and was amazed of the 1800’s Russia. So if you’re a fan of Grisha Trilogy & Romeo and Juliet this book is for you

Vika, seriously I can’t feel Vika’s character. It was like talking to a stranger. I don’t know how to describe her character. I just can’t connect with her character.

Pasha, at first I was infatuated with Pasha, he’s giving me this Dorian(From TOG) feels. But then I was annoyed by his infatuation toward Vika. He said that he’s inlove with her but for me it’s  just a childish-crush/lust/shit-infatuation.

Nikolai, omg! for me he’s the star of this book! His character is the only one who caught my attention. I can feel him and obviously he’s my fave character in this book.

Since I love Russia, the setting was perfect. I could picture out those amazing glamour that Nikolai & Vika have done in the Tsar’s kingdom. Also the Ovchinin Island it was amazing even tho’s a fictional setting/place.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5 stars

The writing style was awesome! It was an easy read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5 stars

The plot was ok, slowpaced, predictable & a little bit cliche. Also the love triangle was a meh. But because of the Russian elements from this book I would rate it
⭐⭐⭐⭐/3.8 stars

What I Love?
– Nikolai of course!
– the Russian Elements
– the romance betweek Vika & Nikolai
– First Parts of Pasha (yas I’ll explain it on what I hate)

What I Hate?

– later parts of Pasha, because he was too infatuated towards Vika and it annoyed me so much
– Aizhana idk if she’s even the main villain but I was annoyed by her coz duh! She’s explaining to everyone about her drama from start to end like again and again 😧
– The Game, I was expecting a Goku vs. Majimbo fighting face to face but ugh! (I’ll will no explain it further coz it contains spoilers)I also find it unique but it’s not what I’m  really expecting

 

All in all, I have a love & hate relationship with this book. It was magical but annoying at the same time. I did love the setting because duh! It’s Russia 😂 So I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone but if you’re interested you can still read it since we all have different taste 😂 

⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 / 5 stars