Blog Tour: The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye

The Crown's Game Blog Tour

Hey guys!

Welcome to the my stop on the The Crown's Game blog tour.

I'm so excited to be apart of the tour as I fell in love with this book so much and I can't wait for everyone to read it. So I'll be doing a quick 10 reasons why and a big gushy review filled with all the reasons you should read this book!

The Crown's Game

Author: Evelyn Skye

Series: The Crown's Game #1

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Release Date: June 30th 2016

Book Length: 399

Publisher: HarperCollins

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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10 Reasons you need to read The Crown's Game

FANTASY

This book is absolutely perfect for fellow fantasy fans, it has the detailed world building, gorgeous depictions of Imperial Russia. It reminded me a lot of Shadow & Bone and now alls I want to do is move to Russia and get drunk on the amazing scenery.

MAGIC

It's so freaking magical. There's so many different types of magic and it was used for so many different things; magical food, magical dresses, magical masquerade masks, magical objects and even magical islands!

BATTLES

Let's not forget the actual Crown's Game, a duel to the death. The strategic mental and magical battles between Vika and Nikolai will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's fast paced and fun, you'll find yourself flying through the pages.

 COVER

Yes, I am totally judging the book buy it's cover. Come on now, it's beautiful; it deserves it's own point.

CHARACTERS

Vika and Nikolai are just adorable. I loved them apart and I loved them even more together. They're both very strong characters and I loved how they interacted and used their magic to speak for them. There's also a bonus, the secondary characters are just as great. Pasha the mischievous Tsesarevich of Russia is bound to steal your heart, he brings so much humour to the book that I found myself looking forward to his chapters. It's also told from multiple POV's which I loved because you really get to know the characters and immerse yourself in their story.

ROMANCE

It's clear from the synopsis that there's a love triangle but I am hear to tell you that's is very, very clear who the main OTP is, yaaaaay!  The romance isn't the main focus of the book because let's face it, there's much more dangerous games afoot, ahem The Crown's Game. If anything I didn't think there was enough romance but that's just because I'm a hopeless romantic.

WORLD BUILDING

World building? I've already said this, but it was spectacular. Evelyn has clearly done her research and she didn't leave any stone unturned, I guarantee that when you finish this book you will all want to join me on my flight to Russia.

WRITING

Again, I have to just praise Evelyn on her flawless writing, it was completely captivating and was probably the biggest reason for me finishing this book in two sitting's; I couldn't get enough! Warning: Do not read this book on an empty stomach, the descriptions of mouth-watering food is just plain unfair, I'd suggest you stock up on lots of chocolate because let's face it who has kasha lying around in their kitchen?

THE ENDING

 Prepare yourselves people. This ending is not for the faint-hearted, it destroyed me. You will need the next book trust me, I am counting down the days!

       

IT'S A SERIES; MORE MORE MORE

Basically making a point from my last point. There will be another book, yaaaaayyy!!

Go buy this book and fall in love.

Review

The Crown’s Game is a fast paced, action packed debut filled with magic, mischief and a whole lotta’ fun. Set in Imperial Russia where magic exists but is kept under wraps and is only used to protect the Royal family. There’s usually one enchanter born every few generations, only one enchanter to protect Russia and only one enchanter to have full access to this deadly magic; however now there are two, Vika and Nikolai. As there can only be one Enchanter, The Crown’s Game begins; Vika and Nikolai must take turns trying to kill each other, be the ultimate victor and be the Imperial Enchanter of Russia.

            Vika is a force of nature, she’s fierce, ambitious and will do anything to become the Imperial Enchanter of Russia. But Vika has never known there was another Enchanter, didn't know she would have to fight for her life and once she enters the game and meets Nikolai her iron will starts to crumble, can she really kill someone?

           

Nikolai is just a precious snowflake; I adore him and he must be protected. Unlike Vika, he’s known that The Crown’s Game will eventually come to pass so he’s been training for this his entire life. He’s creative, ruthless, and not at all bad to look at but he soon finds out that being prepared to kill someone isn’t the same as actually doing it, especially when he’s already met the fiery redhead in question.

The Magic! Oh it was fantastic, watching Vika and Nikolai battle is out was such a rush. They both have very different magical skills and their own strengths and weaknesses but when it came to their turn in the game, they were lethal. Creating deathly traps for one another in front of Russia all under the guise that it’s some impressive illusion because let’s not forget, magic doesn’t technically ‘exist’. Skye was able to draw the action out just enough to leave you wanting more, the paced never plot and the fun never stopped.

           

So after falling in love with the world, the characters, the plot, basically everything Skye created we come to the ending.... oh it is not nice at all. A devastating climax and will ensure readers will do nothing but wait all year round for the next release. The Crown's Game will definitely go down as only of my favourite fantasy debut's of this year, it had everything I could of asked for, yes even that ending, it's the type you hate to love and obsess over.

 

About the Author

Evelyn Skye was once offered a job by the C.I.A., she not-so-secretly wishes she was on "So You Think You Can Dance," and if you challenge her to a pizza-eating contest, she guarantees she will win. When she isn't writing, Evelyn can be found chasing her daughter on the playground or sitting on the couch, immersed in a good book and eating way too many cookies. THE CROWN'S GAME is her first novel.  

Website / Twitter 

So that's all folks, I'm incredibly honoured to have been apart of the The Crown's Game tour, in case any of you missed any stops on the tour check out the tour banner below!

Massive thanks to Harper for allowing me to take part.

Happy Reading <3