The Crown's Game is an intriguing read full of magic, mystery, and romance. It's a game where death is unavoidable, and magic can be deadly but also lovely.

Vika needs to train daily if she wishes to become the Imperial Enchanter, protector of the Royal family, so living on an island in a secluded spot where others rarely visit is her perfect little bubble of magic paradise where she can let go. Until two males stumble upon her little fire show. Nikolai deems her a deadly opponent from that moment on, and Pasha becomes intrigued and enchanted with her. That meeting kick-starts the love triangle, even though Nikolai denies it until later.

Fortunately for Vika, she can show off her talents sooner than expected because the Game has been announced two years early! Unfortunately for me, the Game was not what I was expecting. There was no epic action, no true close calls with death. It was a back and forth of pretty lights and dancing dolls to impress Pasha, and the odd attempt to kill but never being able to fully do it. Which is my main problem. If you're to protect the Royal family, you should be able to kill threats no problem. You need to be strong, impassive, sharp in mind, and quick on your feet. So why have a 16 year-old and an a 18-19 year-old battle it out? Their powers are not strong enough yet, nor are they themselves. You want someone experienced, powerful, and deadly to protect the Royal family. Not young kids who used their magic to provide pretty islands and dancing dolls and colourful water. It was enjoyable to read, don't get me wrong. I loved seeing what they could do with their magic, but what does it prove other than their need to impress? It just makes it abundantly clear that neither of them are -or should be- capable of being the Imperial Enchanter.

*Read my full review here