For readers who love a thrilling magical competition, this book explores the intense pressure of a life-or-death contest for power, testing loyalty, love, and self-belief.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating intense competition, whether in school, sports, or friendships, and is feeling the pressure to perform at all costs. Set in a magical 19th-century Russia, the story follows two young enchanters, Vika and Nikolai, who are forced into a deadly duel to become the Tsar's one and only magic-wielder. As they try to outdo each other with spectacular feats of magic, they find themselves falling in love, complicating their fight for survival. This book is a thrilling fantasy that explores loyalty, love, and self-belief under immense pressure. For older teens (13-17) who enjoy historical fantasy and romance, it provides a powerful, entertaining story that can open conversations about competition and making impossible choices.
A central love triangle with kissing and intense emotions, but no sexual content.
Sad ThemesModerate
Deals with themes of loss, forced fatal competition, and the burden of destiny.
Sensitive Topics
Character death is a central and direct theme. The premise is that one protagonist must die for the other to live, and this is handled with significant emotional gravity. The resolution is not neat; it is emotionally complex and leads into a sequel, offering a hopeful but costly outcome. The approach is secular, with magic presented as an inherent skill rather than a divine gift.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 14-17, who loves atmospheric historical fantasy, high-stakes competitions, and romantic subplots. It is a perfect fit for a reader who enjoyed the creative rivalry of "The Night Circus" or the political stakes of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse and is ready for a story where beloved characters face genuine, life-threatening consequences.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, but parents should know the 'duel to the death' premise is not a metaphor. The violence is primarily magical and not overly graphic, but there is a poisoning and the constant threat of death. The romance involves kissing and intense emotion but no explicit content. A parent might observe their teen feeling overwhelmed by academic or social pressures, hearing them say something like, "It feels like I have to be the best or I'm a failure," or expressing anxiety about a winner-take-all situation.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely be captivated by the spectacular magic, the beautiful Russian setting, and the drama of the love triangle. An older teen (15-17) will better appreciate the nuanced exploration of duty versus desire, the psychological toll of the competition, and the story's moral and political complexities.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA competitions focused on physical combat (e.g., The Hunger Games), the Crown's Game is a contest of creativity, artistry, and imagination. Its deeply atmospheric, richly detailed Imperial Russian setting provides a unique and immersive backdrop that sets it apart from more generic fantasy worlds.
Read plot summary
In an alternate 19th-century Russia, the Tsar initiates the Crown's Game, a life-or-death magical duel to select his new Imperial Enchanter. Two unknown teenagers, Vika Andreyeva and Nikolai Karimov, are pitted against each other. Their arena is the city of St. Petersburg itself, where they must create increasingly elaborate and wondrous magical displays. As the competition escalates, they begin to develop feelings for each other, further complicated by their mutual friendship with the charming tsarevich, Pasha. They must navigate court intrigue, their burgeoning romance, and the horrifying reality that only one of them can survive.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Vika’s magic is natural and elemental, while Nikolai’s is mechanical and precise. If you were an enchanter in the game, what kind of magic would you create and why?
2
The Tsar believes the Crown's Game is necessary for the good of Russia. Do you think the potential benefit justifies forcing two people to fight to the death? Why or why not?
3
Pasha befriends both Vika and Nikolai without realizing they are opponents. How does his friendship change the game for both of them? Was it fair for them to keep their roles in the game a secret from him?
4
At the end of the book, Nikolai makes a profound sacrifice. Do you agree with his choice? What other options, if any, do you think he and Vika had?
