#BookReview: Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh

Synopsis: Astrid is the surrogate for Princess Renya, which means she bears the physical punishment if Renya steps out of line. Astrid has no choice—she and her family are Outsiders, the lower class of people without magic and without citizenship.

But there is a way out of this life—competing in the deadly Race of Oblivion. To enter the race, an Outsider is administered the drug Oblivion, which wipes their memory clear of their past as they enter a new world with nothing to help them but a slip of paper bearing their name and the first clue. It’s not as simple as solving a puzzle, however—for a majority of the contestants, the race ends in death. But winning would mean not only freedom for Astrid, but citizenship and health care for her entire family. With a dying father to think of, Astrid is desperate to prevail.

From the beginning, the race is filled with twists and turns. One of them is Darius, a fellow racer Astrid meets but isn’t sure she can trust. Though they team up in the race, as Astrid’s memories begin to resurface, she remembers just who he was to her—a scorned foe who may want revenge. Astrid also starts to notice she has powers no Outsider should—which could help her win the race, but also make her a target if anyone finds out. With stakes that couldn’t be higher, Astrid must decide what is more important: risking her life to remember the mysteries of the past, or playing a cutthroat game in order to win her—and her family’s—freedom.



Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 2 Stars
My Review: So this one was a mess. I felt like I was reading an unedited story.  The characters all felt like the same person and no-one really stood out.  I think that this could be amazing but sadly it didn't work for me at all. 

Review

“Perfect for fans of Deltora Quest and The Hunger Games, this suspenseful, action-packed adventure . . . invites conversations about dominance, oppression, and rebellion in our own world. Ambitious and provocative.” -- Kirkus Reviews

“Having similar tones and themes to Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games, this book would be enjoyed by those who like dystopian-themed novels.” -- School Library Journal

“There’s a hint of romance and fodder for discussions about bystander responsibilities, as well as the impact of emotional ties.” -- Booklist Online

“Astrid’s strong, stubborn character offers readers a magical heroine who’s fun to root for." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

About the Author

Julie Eshbaugh is a YA writer and former filmmaker. She made two short films and then spent several years producing an online video series for teens, which received several honors from the Webby Awards. You can learn more about Julie’s writing escapades (with the online group Publishing Crawl) by visiting www.julieeshbaugh.com.

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 Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."  Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information. Buying via these links allows my site to get a % of the sale at no cost to you. 

FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. If am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored. 

Posted in: 2 Stars, Edelweiss, Quill Tree Books, Review, Young Adult