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worldsunlikeourown's review
4.0
4.5 stars
After the events of The Crown's Game, Vika is now the Imperial Enchanter but quickly realizes it is not all she hoped it would be. Sworn to the royal family, she is forced by the magic to obey their commands and is not at all happy with this perceived loss of freedom. Even as Pasha prepares for his coronation, he is struggling with his guilt over being the cause of Nikolai's, his brother's, death. At the same time, he is extremely uncertain over how he will lead the people of Russia.
Meanwhile, it turns out that Nikolai is not quite dead, but is a shadow, living in the enchanted bench with the Kazakh steppe dream that he created. His mother, Aizhana, visits him there, and tries to convince him that he should kill Pasha and take the throne for himself. But Nikolai is unwilling since while he feels betrayed by Pasha's actions at the end of the game, he still considers him a brother. When he refuses, she secretly pushes some of her own energy into him, enabling him to leave the bench and return to reality. But the addition of this darker energy changes Nikolai, twisting his anger and distrust towards both Pasha and Vika, setting him down a path of revenge as he decides he wants to claim the throne.
When the others learn of Nikolai's intentions, Yuliana straightaway orders Vika to kill him, but Pasha is still reluctant, although equally hesitant to go against his sister. His hand is forced however, and he has to make some tough decisions as magic is revealed to the people. There are stirrings of rebellion in his own army, as Nikolai begins to spread rumours about Pasha's legitimacy and right to the throne.
I definitely liked this much more than the first book. The plot line, even the quality of writing were significantly better. Though I wasn't completely satisfied with the way it ended, it was a lovely adventure that had it's moments of magic, romance, friendship and family that made it an excellent read.
After the events of The Crown's Game, Vika is now the Imperial Enchanter but quickly realizes it is not all she hoped it would be. Sworn to the royal family, she is forced by the magic to obey their commands and is not at all happy with this perceived loss of freedom. Even as Pasha prepares for his coronation, he is struggling with his guilt over being the cause of Nikolai's, his brother's, death. At the same time, he is extremely uncertain over how he will lead the people of Russia.
Meanwhile, it turns out that Nikolai is not quite dead, but is a shadow, living in the enchanted bench with the Kazakh steppe dream that he created. His mother, Aizhana, visits him there, and tries to convince him that he should kill Pasha and take the throne for himself. But Nikolai is unwilling since while he feels betrayed by Pasha's actions at the end of the game, he still considers him a brother. When he refuses, she secretly pushes some of her own energy into him, enabling him to leave the bench and return to reality. But the addition of this darker energy changes Nikolai, twisting his anger and distrust towards both Pasha and Vika, setting him down a path of revenge as he decides he wants to claim the throne.
When the others learn of Nikolai's intentions, Yuliana straightaway orders Vika to kill him, but Pasha is still reluctant, although equally hesitant to go against his sister. His hand is forced however, and he has to make some tough decisions as magic is revealed to the people. There are stirrings of rebellion in his own army, as Nikolai begins to spread rumours about Pasha's legitimacy and right to the throne.
I definitely liked this much more than the first book. The plot line, even the quality of writing were significantly better. Though I wasn't completely satisfied with the way it ended, it was a lovely adventure that had it's moments of magic, romance, friendship and family that made it an excellent read.
vmillswood's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
autumn2001's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
loveleepages's review
4.0
WOW! This book has been amazing! I just love the world and everything about it!
(Edit) Reason why I gave it a 4/5 stars was because it wasn’t as fast paced as the first and now thinking about it it was t as memorable as the first.
(Edit) Reason why I gave it a 4/5 stars was because it wasn’t as fast paced as the first and now thinking about it it was t as memorable as the first.
slomo447's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
firvida's review against another edition
4.0
3,5⭐️
Esta bilogía está muy infravalorada: ¿Rusia tzarista meets magia clásica meets romance entre rivales meets hermanos que rivalizan por el trono? I'm in.
Ahora, ¿es perfecta? It is not. Leí el primero hace mucho tiempo, pero recuerdo haberlo disfrutado más. A ver si consigo explicarme.
Creo que la autora juega con un concepto muy interesante: la idea del héroe corrompido que se convierte en villano (Nikolai), los remordimientos de quien se sabe en parte culpable de ello (Pasha) y la indecisión de la chica en el medio (Vika) sobre si debe seguir su corazón y apoyar a Nikolai no matter what o seguir la lógica y estar al lado de Pasha por el bien mayor. Es un concepto que merece la pena explorar, y Skye no lo hace mal del todo. Ahora bien, este libro es quizás demasiado plano o repetitivo, es decir, da la sensación de que las cosas suceden porque tienen que suceder, siguiendo un curso natural, y nadie parece querer hacer nada por forzar su final. Por ejemplo, cuando Vika descubre por qué Nikolai no parece él mismo...¿por qué no avisa a Pasha y se dedican a buscar una solución para separar la energía de su madre de él? En su lugar, simplemente dejan que las cosas sigan su curso, como abrumados por las circunstancias, lo cual podría resultar verosímil si...estuviera mejor contado. Me hubiese gustado, por ejemplo, ver a Vika elaborar un plan para salvar a Nikolai, no simplemente perseguirlo con cara lánguida y actitud melancólica porque le quiere.
Relacionado con eso, quizás llegue el día en que me guste un triángulo amoroso, pero hoy no es ese día. Los breves (por suerte) ramalazos de atracción de Vika hacia Pasha resultan forzados y poco verosímiles: llegan después de una actuación atroz de Nikolai y resulta un poco "girl, what?" que, justo después, Vika se sienta atraída por Sasha.
En general, a Nikolai se le trata bastante mal en la novela: ni Pasha ni Vika intentan ayudarle hasta las últimas 10 páginas y lo hacen solo de rebote. Está sufriendo, no es él mismo, lo saben y...les importa un pepino. Resulta que hay que darle caza igual. No sé, yo es que odio a Pasha desde el primer libro y no he cambiado de opinión.
Por otro lado, la decisión de la autora de hacer de los "malos" a los que buscaban la ruptura del absolutismo de los tzares y su substitución por una monarquía parlamentaria que aboliera la servidumbre...I mean, the audacity. En esta casa se apoya a los decembristas.
Bueno, pues con todo...esto engancha de lo lindo. Es una historia diferente, bien escrita, de ritmo pausado pero constante. Así que muy bien.
Esta bilogía está muy infravalorada: ¿Rusia tzarista meets magia clásica meets romance entre rivales meets hermanos que rivalizan por el trono? I'm in.
Ahora, ¿es perfecta? It is not. Leí el primero hace mucho tiempo, pero recuerdo haberlo disfrutado más. A ver si consigo explicarme.
Creo que la autora juega con un concepto muy interesante: la idea del héroe corrompido que se convierte en villano (Nikolai), los remordimientos de quien se sabe en parte culpable de ello (Pasha) y la indecisión de la chica en el medio (Vika) sobre si debe seguir su corazón y apoyar a Nikolai no matter what o seguir la lógica y estar al lado de Pasha por el bien mayor. Es un concepto que merece la pena explorar, y Skye no lo hace mal del todo. Ahora bien, este libro es quizás demasiado plano o repetitivo, es decir, da la sensación de que las cosas suceden porque tienen que suceder, siguiendo un curso natural, y nadie parece querer hacer nada por forzar su final. Por ejemplo, cuando Vika descubre por qué Nikolai no parece él mismo...¿por qué no avisa a Pasha y se dedican a buscar una solución para separar la energía de su madre de él? En su lugar, simplemente dejan que las cosas sigan su curso, como abrumados por las circunstancias, lo cual podría resultar verosímil si...estuviera mejor contado. Me hubiese gustado, por ejemplo, ver a Vika elaborar un plan para salvar a Nikolai, no simplemente perseguirlo con cara lánguida y actitud melancólica porque le quiere.
Relacionado con eso, quizás llegue el día en que me guste un triángulo amoroso, pero hoy no es ese día. Los breves (por suerte) ramalazos de atracción de Vika hacia Pasha resultan forzados y poco verosímiles: llegan después de una actuación atroz de Nikolai y resulta un poco "girl, what?" que, justo después, Vika se sienta atraída por Sasha.
En general, a Nikolai se le trata bastante mal en la novela: ni Pasha ni Vika intentan ayudarle hasta las últimas 10 páginas y lo hacen solo de rebote. Está sufriendo, no es él mismo, lo saben y...les importa un pepino. Resulta que hay que darle caza igual. No sé, yo es que odio a Pasha desde el primer libro y no he cambiado de opinión.
Por otro lado, la decisión de la autora de hacer de los "malos" a los que buscaban la ruptura del absolutismo de los tzares y su substitución por una monarquía parlamentaria que aboliera la servidumbre...I mean, the audacity. En esta casa se apoya a los decembristas.
Bueno, pues con todo...esto engancha de lo lindo. Es una historia diferente, bien escrita, de ritmo pausado pero constante. Así que muy bien.
readingmissfroggy's review
5.0
*I got an e-arc from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Check out my full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tihhmusEpg
4.5 stars, I loved it but I do prefer the first book. I loved the different magical things that happened in the first book and there was less of that in this one. I also felt like Nicolai's mom changed quite suddenly and Vika wasn't as spunky as in the first book. But I loved the overall plot and the fighting chapters at the end were amazing! I'm very happy with the conclusion to this duology though I also wouldn't mind a third book ;)
Check out my full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tihhmusEpg
4.5 stars, I loved it but I do prefer the first book. I loved the different magical things that happened in the first book and there was less of that in this one. I also felt like Nicolai's mom changed quite suddenly and Vika wasn't as spunky as in the first book. But I loved the overall plot and the fighting chapters at the end were amazing! I'm very happy with the conclusion to this duology though I also wouldn't mind a third book ;)