The Crown's Game
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The Crown's Game
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Narrated by:
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Steve West
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By:
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Evelyn Skye
About this listen
Perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone and Red Queen, The Crown's Game is a thrilling and atmospheric historical fantasy set in imperial Russia about two teenagers who must compete for the right to become the Imperial Enchanter - or die in the process - from debut author Evelyn Skye.
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.
©2016 Evelyn Skye (P)2016 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
What listeners say about The Crown's Game
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 04-06-24
Characters development, concise story
The story never feels slow. The characters are “real” with flaws. The imagery/writing draws you in
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Willie
- 05-26-19
Not a nice Book
Sorry, but tis book left a lot to be desired. I actually enjoyed the first 1/3 quite a bit. after that the characters started behaving very unrealistically. The plot was pretty straightforward with one slightly redeeming twist at the end. It just didn't really work, or flow. The narration was fine- at 1.35 speed. Ultimately, there were a few redeeming qualities, but not enough to justify the time spent in listening to it, much less a credit.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Laura
- 01-17-17
Great story!
Loved the Russian dialect & accent!!! It made the story seem more alive and easy to follow. Beautifully woven characters with just the right amount of suspense and drama. Wonderful read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Warningunsupervised
- 06-21-16
A Bit Too Long
Great story! There where parts of the story that didn't move the plot along and could have been left out so make the story more concise.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jenny
- 08-07-16
The 'Night Circus' for young adults, and in Russia
I could not stop drawing parallels to the novel "The Night Circus". Possibly because I read the Night Circus first, and also because it's a bit darker, I liked it better than this book. But man, the beats, and even the pros/cons of each of their magics is SO similar.
I would recommend that book over this one.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DragonMaster Buniny
- 06-23-17
Addictive!!
Some of the scenes in this book will capture you and twirl you around in either euphoria or heart break. If you have a life, you'll have to put that on hold and listen.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jeffrey B (Pool) Nattania
- 10-26-16
The Game You Never See coming . . .
It was kinda confusing at first trying to get the names situated and then who was related to who - then about at the beginning of the GAME, clarity made its way upon me and I could follow. A certain love tryst could have been added, I think that would have had GRAVE (no pun) situations, to add to the heap of cross troubles and hidden agendas.. LOVE IT and the ending, though I could for see, was a great welcome to the second edition, yet to be released.
I am eager to purchase when it becomes available! 4.5 / 5
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mary
- 07-29-16
AMAZING STORY
The Story had me wanting more every second. I hope there is an Epilogue or a sequel to this story. I is truly amazing!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Reverie and Ink
- 01-02-17
Holy wow...
What did you love best about The Crown's Game?
.... I barely know what to say right now... so here goes ~ a mess of words and emotions. Don't worry, this is spoiler free.
"Imagine, and it shall be. There are no limits."
First of all, the elephant in the room. The plot of this book is nearly IDENTICAL to the Night Circus. Maybe I should rant about that but you know what.. I didn't really care? I love both books so I didn't mind the nostalgia. There are parts I liked more about each of the books- but I just found myself savoring this book to pieces regardless. Plus, this one is going to be a trilogy - so I see the series spinning off drastically from where the Night Circus ended.
Okay, now that is out of the way...
HOLY WOW. I just need to point out all the reasons I loved this book.
The Magic
Magic Russia will never ever get old. Never. (BRB going to watch Anastasia now...) And not only is the magic system here lush, it is completely unique and imaginative.
The Writing + Pacing
This is is where I see the most complaints. But honestly, I just savored it. I'm glad it wasn't too fast paced. But yes, this is a slower book... so don't go into it expecting otherwise. The writing itself was every bit as beautiful as The Night Circus - the prose, descriptions.. everything!
“This was the sort of book one ought to read in pieces, to properly appreciate and savour each bit. And yet he wanted to devour it whole. Messily and all at once.”
I couldn't have said it better myself.
The Characters
I think I can safely say that each character will tug at your heartstrings (though Nikolai was my favorite for obvious reasons.. gentle, sly, and TOPHAT.) Just enjoy discovering each one... I'd rather not give any further hints.
The Plot
As it was in the The Night Circus, the game aspect of the plot was just heartbreaking. It was a bit more vicious in this book... more intense and emotional. Yes, there was a "bit" of insta-love, but it was not handled the way a YA book typically handles it. There was much more of a connection than just attraction even though some things seemed to escalate quickly. I had no complaints in that department. Overall, I was completely swept away in the entirety of this story.
THAT ENDING
Someone help me because I am a WRECK. No, I am not OK. Will I be? That rests in your hands, Evelyn Skye. Please save us all. I literally beg you. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD IN THIS WORLD.
For real though I need some serious comfort food right now...
Which character – as performed by Steve West – was your favorite?
Steve West was just... phenomenal.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Robin
- 08-26-17
I couldn't get beyond the narration
I was so ready to read an engrossing semi-magical book especially about Russia. I thought this had all the credentials but I was wrong. I couldn't get into the characters much - I honestly didn't feel much empathy for them. But what I found a real distraction was the narration. The Russian accent was like something you'd hear from a villain on a bad tv movie. I almost didn't finish it because I could hardly get beyond the narration. But I plugged on to finish it and although it was mildly entertaining, I never really wondered what was going to happen. So sorry.
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