Book Shelf: The Crown's Game (The Crown's Game #1) by 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.

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Review: 

The Crown’s Game is Evelyn Skye’s debut novel and is a lush and lyrical tale set in a fantastical Russia and introduces readers to a dangerous game of magic where there can be only one winner.

Vika Andreyava is an enchanter, able to summon lightning and control water. She has trained all her life for the day when she will become the Imperial Enchanter, the Tsar of Russia’s most trusted advisor. Yet unbeknown to Vika, there is another…..For the first time in generations there are two enchanters born at the same time and in order to decide who should stand beside the Tsar, both Vika and her opponent must engage in a deadly test of abilities called the Crown’s Game in order to determine the winner. Nikolai Karimov has always known the day would come when the Crown’s Game would be called. Discovered as an orphan by a mysterious benefactor, Nikolai always knew he would have to fight for the chance to be the Imperial Enchanter. Nikolai has always known the fight would be to the death, but he never expected himself to be so drawn and enchanted by the girl who is for all intents and purposes his enemy. It doesn’t help that Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne is also bewitched by Vika and determined to discover her secrets. Though they are opponents in the most dangerous game of all, Vika and Nikolai are unable to deny the pull between them. Only one can win. Only one can survive, but with outside forces determined to invade Russia, having an Imperial Enchanter is no longer a desire, it’s a necessity and either Vika or Nikolai will have to pay the ultimate price…..

After getting off to a slow start, I came to very much enjoy The Crown’s Game. Evelyn Skye has taken Russian history and given it a unique and thrilling twisting, instilling within the story elements of danger, magic and even the perfect hint of romance. The Crown’s Game is beautifully told and lyrical, the writing taking on a fairy-tale like quality that helps give the story such a magical feeling.

Told in third person, The Crown’s Game follows a number of characters to give readers a well-rounded understanding of what is going on. Vika and Nikolai’s voices are understandably the strongest and most prominent given their importance and role within the novel. Personally I liked the majority of the characters and thought Skye did a great job bringing the story to life through their eyes. Everyone has such potential, although I do think Nikolai is shaping up to be my favourite character and I’m keen to see his development in the next novel.

Evelyn Skye throws the possibility of a love triangle into the works with both Nikolai and Pasha finding themselves drawn to Vika. Though I admit I could see where Skye was building and developing both relationships, I don’t necessarily think either boy knew her well enough to be “in love” with her. Attracted to, intrigued by, yes, but not necessarily love. Personally I think this seemed too forced—the idea of them being in love with her—it was too soon, too quick. That being said, I do like both Pasha and Nikolai, although I think Vika’s connection to Nikolai runs deeper.

The Crown’s Game is set in a luscious Imperial Russia and will sweep its readers to a land of danger and possibility. Filled with twists readers won’t see coming and featuring a spectacular ending, The Crown’s Game sees Evelyn Skye leave me keen to discover what happens to her characters next and easily leaves dying to pick up the sequel and conclusion The Crown’s Fate as soon as I can!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you Holly!)
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP: $19.99
Release Date: 30th June 2016
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: I'm glad I finally got around to reading this book and am looking forward to reading the second and final book in this duology!