My Thoughts: The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye (Audiobook)

The Crown's Game
(The Crown's Game #1)
by Evelyn Skye
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Publication Date: May 17th 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 407
ISBN: 9780062422583
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy \ Own

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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. (Goodreads)

I originally read The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye way back in 2016 when it was first released, and I remember loving the story SO much, but for some reason never read the second book in the story. After recently reading Evelyn’s newest book, Circle of Shadows, which I enjoyed SO much as well, it reminded me that I still needed to finish this series, so I set out to do just that!

As I mentioned above, I originally read this book a few years ago, and while I remember some of the story, most of the details have been forgotten in my old brain. (That’s what happens when you read hundreds of books a year!) I do remember how much I enjoyed the story the first time I read it, so I was more than happy to dive back into it again, and I’m thrilled that once I did, all the details from the story came rushing back. That being said, I think I enjoyed reading the book even more the second time around, and I’m excited to get my hands on the sequel now!

One of the things that I love most about The Crown’s Game is how magical the story is. It reminds me a little of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, which happens to be one of my most favorite fantasy stories. The storyline for this book was absolutely addictive, and the setting was so well described, that I could picture everything perfectly in my mind.

The book also has a really great group of characters, including the two main characters, Vika and Nikolai, who are both enchanters, and who are both absolutely fantastic. The story is told from their alternating viewpoints, and I was completely fascinated by them both.

I also want to add that I listened to the audiobook for this re-read, and it was Fantastic. Steve West did an amazing job of narrating the story, and it made this magical story even more magical. If you have the opportunity to check this book out in audio format, I highly recommend it.

Overall; I enjoyed The Crown’s Game the first time I read it, and I think I enjoyed it EVEN MORE the second time around! I am absolutely kicking myself for not having finished this series sooner, but I’m thrilled that I am doing just that now. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book asap! If you’re a fan of magical fantasy stories, do check this book out right away!