The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye

Title: The Crown's Game

(The Crown's Game #1)
Author: Evelyn Skye
Length: 399 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Classification: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Historical Fiction
Release Date: May 17, 2016
Source: e-galley via Edelweiss (Thank you, Balzer + Bray!)

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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***I received an e-galley of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review***

As soon as I read the synopsis to The Crown's Game, I knew it was a book I just HAD to read. And I am so glad I had the chance to do so. I really enjoyed reading it! Very much. The Crown's Game is a wonderful, exciting, and fascinating debut. It is an enchanting tale full of wonder, surprises, magic, and action. 

It did take me a while to read The Crown's Game. But that wasn't because of the story or the writing. I loved the book, so I was trying to savor the story and not rush through it. I took my time and enjoyed every word. I definitely think this is a story that I will be rereading again and again. 

I LOVED all the magic in this story! The magic is my favorite part of the story. Although, I did enjoy everything about this book! I think the portrayal of magic in The Crown's Game is very well written. Magic makes up so much of this book and this world. I love how the magic is shown as being enchanting, magical, and at times surprising. But it also shows how the use of magic can have consequences and sometimes bad outcomes. 

I really love the characters. It was so easy for me to get swept up in their lives and care about what would happen to them. I love Vika. She is smart, determined, and passionate. I found Nikolai to be a bit mysterious and surprising. And I definitely loved the interactions between the two enchanters. I also really liked Pasha. He is an interesting character. 

There were a lot of different twists that surprised me while reading The Crown's Game. So I definitely think this book has a good amount of the element of surprise. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages, especially during the last quarter of the book. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen. And I am really anxious to find out what will happen in the next book!

My Recommendation:

I really enjoyed reading The Crown's Game. It is a book that I am already looking forward to rereading. I found the story to be well written, entertaining, and enchanting. I love all the magic and the characters. And I think the story has some good twists and surprises. I can't wait to find out what happens next! I highly recommend giving this one a read!

My Rating: