I’m so excited to be part of The Crown’s Fate blog tour today!
In case you have been reading my blog with only half an eyeball, hi, let me introduce myself: I LOVE RUSSIAN FANTASY. So I was ecstatically in love with The Crown’s Game last year, and I’m so so excited to be on the tour for the sequel too. Usually I’m a bit terrified of sequels, but this one did not disappoint and absolutely ALL THE STARS for this darkly magical Russian fantasy masterpiece.
There’s also an INT giveaway at the end of this post! Which is enormously exciting.
And NOTE: there may be mild spoilers for the first book…but NO spoilers for this book. So if you haven’t read this one yet, you’re safe!!
★★★★★
The gorgeous and darkly compelling sequel to The Crown’s Game—perfect for fans of Red Queen and Shadow and Bone.
Magic is growing, shadows are rising, and the throne is at stake…
Russia is on the brink of great change. Pasha’s coronation approaches, and Vika is now the Imperial Enchanter, but the role she once coveted may be more difficult—and dangerous—than she ever expected.
Pasha is grappling with his own problems—his legitimacy is in doubt, the girl he loves loathes him, and he believes his best friend is dead. When a challenger to the throne emerges—and with the magic in Russia growing rapidly—Pasha must do whatever it takes to keep his position and protect his kingdom.
For Nikolai, the ending of the Crown’s Game stung deeply. Although he just managed to escape death, Nikolai remains alone, a shadow hidden in a not-quite-real world of his own creation. But when he’s given a second chance at life—tied to a dark price—Nikolai must decide just how far he’s willing to go to return to the world.
With revolution on the rise, dangerous new magic rearing up, and a tsardom up for the taking, Vika, Nikolai, and Pasha must fight—or face the destruction of not only their world but also themselves.
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Evelyn Skye was once offered a job by the C.I.A., she not-so-secretly wishes she was on “So You Think You Can Dance,” and if you challenge her to a pizza-eating contest, she guarantees she will win.Website | Twitter | Goodreads |
The Crown’s Fate is marvellously exquisite and absolutely everything I was hoping for in a finale!
Although I lowkey admit I didn’t want it to be the finale! If there are more books in Vika, Pasha, and Nikolai’s world I would be totally on board for that. I might even pass bribes of cake, let’s be real here. You know a book is excellent when the world so so captivates you with its breathtaking descriptions and complexities that you want INFINITELY MORE OF IT. And I love how it mixes historical-Russia with a dash of magic that just makes everything all the more special. Because every book should have magic in it. #fact
One thing I particularly enjoyed about this sequel is that it’s a lot darker than the first book. Erm, yes, cue that moment where you think, “OKAY, CAIT YOU’RE A LITTLE SCARY.” And it’s true. I am. But honestly. I am here to be chilled a little! We have shadow realms and darker magic and DEATH, with the return of sinister powers and with Nikolai frolicking in the dark side. I love him 5000% more now.
And you know how sequels sometimes fall into a bunch of awkward cliches? NOT SO HERE. It basically had THE LIST of things a sequel should be. Shh shhh, sit tight, let me give you a list.
- Plenty of character development. Like they’re ALL reeling from the heart-wrenching finale of book one, and the effects are soooo palpable I JUST MIGHT HAVE AN EMOTION.
- Deepens the magic system. We get to see MORE of what the magicians can do, and since they were pretty dang spectacular the first time round, this is THE BEST.
- There is food. AKA Vika makes an edible Christmas tree and I think this is why I love her.
- Higher stakes. Which means you’re going to experience pain.
- Death. HAAAA HAHA MWHAHAH HA. I’LL SAY NO MORE.
- Girl power. Like SERIOUS girl power. Vika is #Fabulousness personified, and Yuliana (Pasha’s sister) just slays with her ability to run a kingdom because Pasha is adorable and I love him but he’s also as useful as a grape.
- Better than the first! And I loved the first a lot, so this is saying something. All the AND ADORATION.
And excuse me while I take another moment for foodie appreciation.
Look, I’m not try to tell you how to live your life, but if your epic fantasy doesn’t have gobs and gobs of delicious foodie descriptions, WHAT IS IT DOING. The Crown’s Fate RULES for the foodie levels.
Plus it offers quality life advice like so:
GOD BLESS AND AMEN.
And while it is about love, it’s also about friendship and family.
Which is my favourite thing in books. I can’t be more happy with how it all worked out and like AGH MY POOR BROKEN CHILDREN. <3 I loved getting to see Pasha and Nikolai interact as brothers now. Although, let’s be real: they took sibling rivalry to the next level. AH HOW I LOVE THEM.
Is it possible to flail enough over this book?!?
I THINK NOT. It perfectly balanced gorgeous writing, a rich and imaginative Russia, with characters I care SO SO much about!! The plot was fast-paced and rich with intrigue and twists. It’s definitely a highlight of my year so far (and this is coming from someone who’s read 100 books so far!) and basically Evelyn Skye is an auto-buy author for me now. The Crown’s Fate is absolutely darkly magical, beautiful, and total perfection.
Open INTERNATIONALLY!
Ooh! I hadn’t heard of this series! It looks interesting – I’ll have to check it out! (Okay, but we both know that this came down entirely to the fact that you called it ‘dark’. :’) )
I liked Catching Fire more than I liked The Hunger Games, but that still wasn’t enough to get me to read Mockingjay.
Mwahhaha *pretends is not grinning evilly* 😂 The first book isn’t so dark, but this one has SUCH cool sinister elements. As all fantasy should. :’)
Catching Fire was SO good!
Ahhhhh I need to read the Crown’s Fate! I’m very intrigued by the darker twist you’ve hinted at, and considering I absolutely adored the first book, this one will have to be put near the top of my TBR. (Plus, that cover is just as gorgeous as the first!) Thanks for this review Cait; you made me even more excited to read it! 🙂
AHH I’M SO PLEASED, MELISSA!! *flails happily* I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to try it soon!!
I probably won’t read them for a while, since they are grown up books, but still, Vika sounds so awesome. (an edible christmas tree??? yes please!!) XD
Most crazily, ~Olive
They’re not grown up books? 😂 This is YA!
Oh. oops. XD well, it sounded kind of dark, and I wasn’t sure….. 😛
Most crazily, ~Olive
I only post YA on the blog! If I do post adult, I clarify if it’s an adult book.
Okay. They eat food? Maybe I should read this one. XD Seriously! No one ever eats in books! Ever! It is sometimes very annoying. If I can forget that they aren’t eating, the book is truly good.
THEY EAT SUCH GOOD FOOD. I mean there’s an edible christmas tree. This book speaks to my soul. <3
I have to confess I kinda skimmed this review because I was TERRIFIED of coming across a spoiler because I’ve yet to read the first book. BUT DAMN. If I hadn’t already wanted to start this series, I definitely do now! And omg, YES! to Russian fantasy. Love, love, love, LOVE. <3
I totally get that!😂 I always avoid sequel reviews if I haven’t read the first book. BUT JUST KNOW THIS IS GOOD AND YOU GOTTA READ THEM BOTH.
I actually bought The Crown’s Game because of you and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. My copy of The Crown’s Fate will probably arrive today and I’m not sure I’m ready for it but I’m also ready for it. Especially after hearing that you loved it! BUT I ALSO DON’T WANT IT TO BE OVER. The usual struggle, I guess.
AFJDSALD MY DAY IS MADE. I’M SO SO GLAD YOU’RE A FAN TOO!! *flings confetti on both of us and shares cake with you* I hoooope this one lives up to your expectations too! And I was so sad to realise it’s only a duology. I needed more.😂
Watching the news about Russia and then read the word Russia…lol
I’m not…quite…sure what you’re getting at?
In synopsis it says Russia and they were talking about russia in the news and right as read that they said Russia.
OMG READING THIS ASAP. I actually didn’t finish the first book because I to return it to the library. Apparently it was “overdue” and “selfish to keep it for so long when others want to read it too” (but what they don’t understand is that I wanted it MORE).
Now I’m at the bottom of the hold list, and I am sad. I must finish it with haste cuz I NEED The Crown’s Fate. NEED.
Duuude, libraries can be so rude right? Wanting their books back. sheesh. I kind of need a library where I only have to return books I hated. 😂
I’m so excited for this book! I absolutely LOVED The Crown’s Game, and if you say this is even better than that, it’s going to easily be one of my favorite books of the year.
Yaaaas I’m so glad you’re excited for it too!! I know a lot of people were dubious about the first one but I LOVED IT TO PIECES TOO.😍
It looks so cool!
I confirm that is true. 😉
A great post thank you.
I’m glad you liked it!
GOSH DARN IT CAIT, ANOTHER ONE FOR THE TBR. (Omg I actually almost called you Cake. 😂) I don’t read enough Russian fantasies? Or Russian anything, really. This morning my friend was carrying The Crown’s Game and I asked her if it was good, but then she actually just used that cover for a different book. 😂 That means she has TCG though, so maybe I can get her to lend it to me???
AND YAS. FOOD. WE NEED MORE FOOD IN BOOKS.
FAIR ENOUGH. I mean, my name is basically Cake. I just am kidding myself by continuing to go by Cait. :’) 😂
OMG YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY BORROW IT FROM HER. THAT IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA. It’s so magical and beautiful. 😍
I was a bit meh about The Crown’s Game so I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue the series to be completely honest, but you’ve made me reconsider. It’s great that there’s such an emphasis on friendship and family and that the book isn’t completely overwhelmed by romance (that was pretty much my main problem with the first book). Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3
NOOOOO DO YOU MEAN OUR BOOKISH TWINNESS FAILED?! 😭😂
This series sounds really interesting, I can’t wait to get stuck into it, stories based on fairytales/folktales and/or mythology are an interest of mine.
I’m glad you like the sound of it! Although I’d say it’s more based on historical events than fairytales? Like it’s historical fiction Russia + magicians.
I LOVE THIS! I just discovered this blog and it is so hilariously written with amazing content. I have been thinking of starting a bookstagram account for awhile now, and I think your post just gave me the final push to do it 🙂
Aww, that totally makes my day. THANK YOU SO MUCH. *gives you all the cake*
I’ve read the first book in this duology, and I can’t wait to read the second book! I find sequels to be not as good as the first book, but in this case I’ll have to say The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien and Catching Fire by Susanne Collins.
YASS I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKED THE FIRST TOO. *throws Russian confetti over us* And I am totally with you on the dubious mistrust of sequels. However sometimes they’re even better and that’s what I live for. Catching Fire was perfection.😍
I enjoyed The Crown’s Game, but it wasn’t my favorite read. I was intrigued by the ending, but I wasn’t sure I was going to pick up the sequel. But it sounds even better than the first book! Nikolai going to the dark side and Vika being a badass! Count me in! Great review!
I so hope you give this one a try and enjoy it!! *fingers crossed* 😍😜
I liked book one, but I kept waiting for it to turn darker…..so I’m stoked that happens in book two!! Now I know to actually read this and not just keep checking it out indefinitely from the library. Thanks Cait!