The Crowns Game
I know I have been late to the game with these fantasy reads. The Crown's Game duology is one of them. I had heard a few mixed reviews about this story and hesitated but since I am starting to enjoy fantasy books more and have a long love for Russian culture, I decided to give it a go.
I have to say that I am beyond pleased that I did. For those of you who aren't familiar with this book, here is the Goodreads summary:
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.
As I was reading this, I found to to be similar in some ways to The Night Circus. I highly enjoyed that novel but I have to confess, I enjoyed this one more. I can't pin point why exactly I liked this more, the Russian setting perhaps, maybe because it was a bit faster paced, there was just something more appealing with the magic for me.
I wish that this would be picked up for a movie because the images were so clear in my mind, it would be awesome to see them in life from my head.
The magic was stunning, the romance wasn't one I hated. I can just continue to gush about Evelyn's writing.
I especially loved the magical island that was created and the dream benches. I think it would be so amazing to sit down on a bench and find myself in another place like Moscow. I thought the colored water show was brilliant, even if it was made to mock the painted buildings.
Vika was a female character I enjoyed. I didn't find her to be wishy-washy like some female characters can be. There is somewhat of a love triangle and while I am sick of love triangles in YA books, this one wasn't so in your face and annoying.
Pasha's sister was a character I would have liked to see more of, especially because of how strong she is. I hope we see more of her in the sequel and get to know her better.
I would very highly recommend The Crown's Game to readers who are getting into fantasy books or who just love magic.
A solid 4.5 star rating from me!
