Russian Copycat: The Crown's Game

Months ago
I call foul.The fact that it takes place in Imperial Russia rather than a circus then shows itself for what it is-window-dressing. That's not to say that the descriptions weren't good, but none of it was integral to the story. It could have been set anywhere, as The Night Circus demonstrates. So even though this book was slightly better than The Night Circus, in its enchantments and in the romantic tension between the characters, I can't say that I respect the effort. And in some ways, the advantages of this book are neutralized by certain elements that were saccharine, even when trying to be dark, while in The Night Circus the consequences for all the players becomes more pronounced the deeper into the novel you go. Imperial Russia on the eve of revolution is a very hard and sinister place, or, at least, has the potential to be depicted that way, and I don't think that angle was exploited as much as it could have been to set a more dramatic and compelling tone.

If I read the sequel, The Crown's Fate , I'll be hoping for some originality. It's not that I'm naive or unaware of the degree to which most works today are derivative or otherwise influenced by those that have come before us, but the level to which Evelyn Skye copied another author's plot structure and characterization is, to me, disingenuous. For that reason alone, it's entirely possible that I'll stay away.

Rating: 2/5
**New author goal: 30** - Yay!! (Finished in December 2017, I swear! Check my goodreads page!)