The Crown's Game (The Crown's Game #1) by Evelyn Skye -- Restarting November 5th 2024

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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.

[Allison]

Chapter 13

(view spoiler)[ So I guess the game begins. Low key, not so low key, rooting for Nikolai. His personality calls to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Allison]

Chapter 25

(view spoiler)[ That really scared me for a second. His last words! (hide spoiler)]

[Allison]

Chapter 39

(view spoiler)[ Foreshadowing much? Like joking about Nikolai taking orders from Pasha (hide spoiler)]

[Allison]

Chapter 53

(view spoiler)[ It is really dangerous that she is waiting this long to make a move (hide spoiler)]

[Shav]

I'll join as soon as I finish the book I'm currently reading

[Tati]

Allison wrote: "Chapter 13

[spoilers removed]"

I don't know who I'm rooting for yet, tbh. I haven't seen them on their own (away from their guardians) long enough.

(view spoiler)[ I just hope it's nothing like the following: Pasha falls in love with Vika (already happening, methinks), and Nikolai decides to throw the game in Vika's favor so she and Pasha can be together. (hide spoiler)]

[Tati]

Up to chapter 33 (view spoiler)[ I find it a tad strange how the two of them just launched into trying to kill each other, no questions asked. I'm liking Vika's magic best, though. (hide spoiler)]

[Tati]

Up to chapter 39 (view spoiler)[ huh, that mother of his sure seems crazy enough. I wonder who'll die soon. Given that there is another book, it can't be any of the main characters. (hide spoiler)]

[Tati]

Chapter 41: (view spoiler)[ what's the point in making benches that 'transport' you to some other place and putting them in a beautiful island? (hide spoiler)]

[Tati]

Chapter 57: (view spoiler)[ Oh no... Pasha and Nikolai are actually half brothers! I'm not sure if and how they'll ever find out, as the tsar doesn't seem too long for this world... (hide spoiler)]

[Shav]

32%
(view spoiler)[It's really cute how Galina and Sergei bicker with one another. Maybe there's a true reason to why they're so competitive?
The Enchanter thing is confusing me a bit. Could it be that every mother dies when giving birth to an enchanter? And how is Vika's mother a nymph? (hide spoiler)]

[Shav]

58%
(view spoiler)[Apparently the magic/enchantment is what is drawing Vika and Nikolai to each other. It can't be love but they just don't have it in them to kill the other... at least not yet (hide spoiler)]

[Shav]

78%
(view spoiler)[Oh my goodness!! Can't believe that Segei died and Vika kinda killed him!!!! Now she just has to win (hide spoiler)]

[Shav]

100%
(view spoiler)[I loved this book so so much!
But what if Nicolai and Vika had the same father but didn't know this? And maybe Vika will bring Nicolai back in the next book? (hide spoiler)]

[Meaghan]

I read this book a couple weeks ago but finally have internet again to do my BR posts!

[Meaghan]

10%
(view spoiler)[Absolutely loving these POVs so far! I want them both to win! (hide spoiler)]

[Meaghan]

Shavony wrote: "32%
It's really cute how Galina and Sergei bicker with one another. Maybe there's a true reason to why they're so competitive?
The Enchanter thing is confusing me a bit. Could it be that every moth..."

(view spoiler)[Yea I'm confused by the whole nymph thing too! I hope it gets explained! (hide spoiler)]

[Meaghan]

Tati wrote: "Up to chapter 33 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yea that is strange! I know they both want the "job", but, especially in Vika's case as she didn't expect it, they don't truly seem to have many doubts in just all out attacking each other at first. (hide spoiler)]

[Meaghan]

Allison wrote: "Chapter 13

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Same! Except I can't help but be drawn to Vika during her POVs too! I'm so conflicted! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting August 8th 2016. Happy Reading ☺

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[Helen 2.0]

Starting on time, yay :) I'm going to shoot for 12 chapters a day, hope I can keep it up.

[Helen 2.0]

Oops.... forgot to comment but I'm on schedule.

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[ Pasha seems like the complete stereotypical Prince Charming but I have a weakness for that so I don't mind. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 24: (view spoiler)[These enchanters are RIDICULOUSLY overpowered. Is there anything they can't do? Everybody in this book is so damn perfect and unrealistic. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 44: (view spoiler)["I'm not in a position to fall in love. With you or anyone else."
If he could, Pasha would have sucked the sugar off her finger. But it wasn't appropriate, and she'd made it clear she wasn't interested, so he settled for removing his glove and wiping the sugar crystal off her fingertip, lingering for a second as their hands touched. Even that sent sparks through every one of Pasha's nerves.
"Will you tell me if that ever changes?"

Let me say that I'm dreading the incoming love triangle but in any case I'm on Team Pasha. I can't believe Vika would fall in love with Nikolai, who TRIED TO KILL HER SEVERAL TIMES. WHAT THE HELL. The same goes for Nikolai falling for Vika. Smh. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 51: (view spoiler)[Pasha knocked on Nikolai's head. "Talk to me. You're my best friend. I think I love her, and she might die."
Nikolai peered up from the table. "You cannot love her. You hardly know her."

EXACTLY, NIKOLAI.

Now practice what you preach! Neither Nikolai nor Pasha should be in love with Vika right now. UGH. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[ Why do authors do this? Why do they have to attempt to match the dialogue to the current world or time period. If they can't do it, then tough. The story will carry the book through. I would much rather have a book with regular updated dialogue than an awkward dialogue throughout the whole book. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13: (view spoiler)[ Honestly, I'm pretty bored so far. All everyone's been doing is fussing over the Crown's Game which actually just started...after 13 chapters... (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Chapter 21: (view spoiler)[ I am so bored.......There's nothing happening except for searching and political issues. The main issue so far for me about this book is the lack of tension. Everyone's supposed to be against each other fighting for the crown but there's no tension at all! I want tensions and emotions flying off the page like in the Winner's Trilogy! (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Chapter 39: (view spoiler)[ I'm sorry but I can't take Pasha seriously. I've never been into the whole Prince Charming character but I can appreciate them as love interests. I don't mind Prince Charmings that are kind, caring and chivalrous but there are also the other type of Prince Charming that I loathe. I'm talking about the clueless Prince Charming that I picture prancing around, counting daisies. That's how I'm picturing Pasha in the end of this chapter. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Nicole wrote: "Chapter 39: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Haha counting daisies! Pretty much. I liked Pasha, he was cute, but I agree he's hard to take seriously because he's kind of useless and puny next to the enchanters. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

First 1/4: (view spoiler)[I equally loved both POVs and how the story was set up. I also appreciate the insight into the royal family as that is pretty much my historical weakness! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Second 1/4: (view spoiler)[I loved how the story took a little while to set up before the Crown's Game actually begun. I also loved how there wasn't a definite good and bad enchanter and both are equally as lovable. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third 1/4: (view spoiler)[I am not sure how accurate this actually is, but the history this book imparts is fascinating! I am enjoying this so much, I only wished we saw more of the landscape and had more information on the threats to Russia. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fourth 1/4: (view spoiler)[The only negative for me is that, whilst enjoyable, this lacks a bit of tension. I was never worried for the characters, despite them dueling to the death! However, historical fiction with a fantastical twist might just be my newest obsession! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting February 5th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

I'll be starting this shortly. :)

[Brooke]

15%
(view spoiler)[ I feel thats its unfair for him to know about her! Well kinda knows about her since he doesn't know of the game yet. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

41%
(view spoiler)[Omg someone die already! thou the box puppets were nifty. Nothing major happening thou :/ (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

56%
(view spoiler)[And im bored. boring dancing. kill each other soon pls. Her snowy dress was pretty cute thou (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

62%
(view spoiler)[ Well that escalated quickly. "I'm going to kill the King" -Said after crawling out of the ground half dead... oh my (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

71%
(view spoiler)[ Bet they'll get murdered!!! Any time a King/Queen must go on a journey for some reason, they die. Example: Frozen. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

87%
(view spoiler)[ Called it, both dead now. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

End
(view spoiler)[ Holy crap Pravel got legit fast. I read the bio for book 2 so i know a certain person isn't really gone, but still, it was a good ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Brooke you always read too fast XD I'll be waaaay behind on this one too. Probably won't get to it within the next 2 weeks so it probably won't count for a br :/ Bookbuyer, read it slow so I have more time :p Joking.

[Brooke]

Maddison wrote: "Brooke you always read too fast XD I'll be waaaay behind on this one too. Probably won't get to it within the next 2 weeks so it probably won't count for a br :/ Bookbuyer, read it slow so I have m..."

I took a sick day from work today, stayed in bed reading and chugging cold meds all day

[Maddie]

Ah so that's why you read so much! Hope you feel better.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Brooke wrote: "15%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I too think it's an unfair advantage. -.- (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Brooke wrote: "41%
[spoilers removed]"

O.o (view spoiler)[I can't believe you want someone to die already! I really enjoyed the back and forth and them upstaging each other! (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Brooke wrote: "56%
[spoilers removed]"

I agree (view spoiler)[that the dress sounded amazing! (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Brooke wrote: "62%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That was really quick! You'd think she would take a few days to recover from being nearly dead before she went on a revenge binge. O.O (hide spoiler)]