The Crown's Game, by Evelyn Skye (BOOK REVIEW)

 

"She couldn't find the correct words-which was, in itself, a miracle, for Vika was rarely without something to say-"

Vika Andreyeva and Nikolai Karimov are the only two enchanters in Russia. When the tsar is threatened by the Kazakhs, he needs a powerful enchanter by his side. And so he commences The Crown's Game; a battle between the two enchanters to determine the Imperial Enchanter and the tsar's most respected advisor. Vika is eager and ready to show her talent. But she didn't know she would have to kill someone or die herself. For Nikolai, and orphan, the Crown's Game is a chance for a better life. One that he will never get again. But his fatal opponent is pretty, smart and he can't stop thinking about her. When Pasha, Nikolai's best friend and heir to the throne, starts falling for the mysterious enchantress Nikolai must kill the girl that they have both fallen for...or be killed himself. 

"I was lost from the moment I saw you on Ovchinin Island. It took a long while for me to realize it, but it's true. I've spent my entire life scrambling to fit in and to change myself, Vika, but where I've belonged and who I needed to be, has been right here the whole time. I love you."

Whoah. This book was a roller-coaster. What did I just read? Set in Russia, battling enchanters, love triangle, sorrow and lovers that have to kill each other!? Wow! What's not to like? This book was absolutely amazing. The amount of things that happened in one book was altogether impressive. The beginning was a little slow but there was something about the mystery of the story that kept me tied to the book. I couldn't stop reading and probably spent one too many nights reading way too late. Because some of it was about the Romanov family I was getting some Romanov by Nadine Brandes vibes, which I love. But, let me slow down. Some areas of the book also didn't really appeal to me. Some points were pretty slow but, I also don't like books that go way too fast. The ending was rushed in my opinion, and I was pretty confused as to what happened. It took me a little bit to understand what happened.

If the author doesn't take some breathing time, then there isn't really any foundation for a good solid story. I think that there was a balance of slow and then fast, action-packed chapters. But, everyone has their own opinions and styles of books. 

Another thing is that some chapters were really short, which always encourages me! It felt to me, like I was getting more progress in the book that I probably really was. 

I really liked the characters! They all had their own personalities that were pretty distinguishable and I fell in love with them (the nice ones to be exact ;). I liked how I got to read the perspective from different characters too. Sometimes I don't really like changed perspective, but Skye really handled that well. I still felt like I got to know each character pretty well. I thought that Pasha and Vika were really sweet, but I also love Nikolai!! I don't usually like both guys in a love triangle, but I did in this book. I just surprise myself all the time :)

I'll be honest, some parts creeped me out! The author is really good at details and I was grossed out at some parts and sometimes in complete shock. Let me pause there at the grossed out parts. The "villain" is a lady that has come back from the dead and she does some really violent and "gross" stuff. I won't elaborate too much on some of the things that she does, but be prepared. There was also tea leaf reading. Which I can understand is a part of Russia's culture so it didn't really bother me that much.

The way that Skye writes, for me personally, really drew me into the detail and beauty of Russia. There was something about how this book was written and paced that held my attention. In spite of the few things I didn't like, it was still a really solid book with a really interesting plot. Overall this book was really fantastic and it will forever have it's own little world in my head.

"Thinking can be a perilous sport."

I give this book a 7 out of 10 and recommend it for ages 14+

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Happy Reading!

-Ariana :)