[book-info]

I buddy read The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye with Alexa. I had seen a few prominent people in the bookish community talking about just how awesome this book was. We had both checked the title out from the library unbeknownst to each other. Alexa sent me a library loot photo; I spotted The Crown’s Game and we went from there. Unfortunately the hype was just that: hype.

The Crown’s Game had so much potential! An alternate (but mostly true to the original) Russia not too long after the fall of Napoleon and magic? I was sold! I expected so much more from the Game. I felt like the person in charge of keeping the empire of Russian and its tsar safe should be able to do more than large scale parlor tricks. The action of the Game leaned more towards middlegrade than it did YA. I was borderline bored and frequently disappointed.

I really enjoyed the characters of The Crown’s Game. They kept me entertained and I was curious enough about them to keep working through the book. I am disappointed in Pasha. I felt like he blew things way out of proportion and his grief doesn’t excuse it.

I think this book fell prey to being overhyped. I think it would have been a much better reading experience if I had gone into it without any expectations. I am just curious enough to see how they story continues.