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Crown of Oblivion: A Gripping YA Survival Fantasy About a Cutthroat Race for Freedom
In this mesmerizing YA fantasy mash-up of The Road meets The Amazing Race , one girl chooses to risk her life in a cutthroat competition in order to win her freedom. In Lanoria, Outsiders, who don’t have magic, are inferior to Enchanteds, who do. That’s just a fact for Astrid, an Outsider who is indentured to pay off her family’s debts. She serves as the surrogate for the princess—if Renya steps out of line, Astrid is the one who bears the punishment for it. But there is a way the life-or-death Race of Oblivion. First, racers are dosed with the drug Oblivion, which wipes their memories. Then, when they awake in the middle of nowhere, only cryptic clues—and a sheer will to live—will lead them through treacherous terrain full of opponents who wouldn’t think twice about killing each other to get ahead. But what throws Astrid the most is what she never expected to encounter in this race. A familiar face she can’t place. Secret powers she shouldn’t have. And a confusing memory of the past that, if real, could mean the undoing of the entire social structure that has kept her a slave her entire life. Competing could mean death…but it could also mean freedom.
496 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2019
80 people are currently reading
8293 people want to read
About the author
Julie Eshbaugh
4 books491 followersJulie 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. Her YA fantasy standalone, CROWN OF OBLIVION, was released by Quill Tree Books in November 2019. She is also the author of IVORY AND BONE (HarperTeen 2016) and OBSIDIAN AND STARS (HarperTeen 2017). You can learn more about Julie’s writing escapades by visiting www.julieeshbaugh.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
February 20, 2020
Nope. Just not for me. Ended up skim reading to see if it got better for me. Nope. Awesome cover though and I’m happy so many loved it 😉
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
July 11, 2019
This book is a thrilling, heart pounding race to its conclusion. The story centers on Astrid, who is a surrogate for Princess Reyna of Lanoria’s surrogate. Whenever the princess acts out, it’s Astrid who bears her punishment. In a desperate attempt to save the people she loves, Astrid joins the Race of Oblivion, the winner of which wok be granted full citizenship. As an Outsider, it’s the only hope for Astrid and her family to live better lives. The race is brutal, testing Astrid’s endurance as well as her conscience. Along the way, she discovers secrets about herself and her abilities she never knew, comes face to face with rebellion, and even finds herself at the center of a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance. I really enjoyed this book. It’s dystopian, but is not cliche like many others in the post-Hunger games world is. It’s strikingly brutal and original. I really hope there is a sequel!
November 11, 2019
With an enchanting blend of fantasy and dystopian, The Crown of Oblivion was a breath of fresh air.
Wholly entertaining with flairs of magic, espionage, and a race to the death, it was a story that kept me engaged and rapidly turning the pages.
If you want something a bit different without being wholly unique but still fresh and new enough to keep you engaged and entertained, I definitely recommend giving this a try. It truly held my attention and left me captivated until the very end.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Wholly entertaining with flairs of magic, espionage, and a race to the death, it was a story that kept me engaged and rapidly turning the pages.
If you want something a bit different without being wholly unique but still fresh and new enough to keep you engaged and entertained, I definitely recommend giving this a try. It truly held my attention and left me captivated until the very end.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
February 1, 2020
I was a little skeptical at first to read Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh because I’ve heard her other books are not amazing and it seemed kind of similar to The Hunger Games, but I was surprised that I did actually like this one. It was action-packed, intense, and exciting.
Astrid Jael is an Outsider working as a surrogate to princess Renya to help pay off her family’s debt. If Renya steps out of line, it is Astrid who gets punished. After a tragic incident, Astrid is determined to enter the Race of Oblivion to win citizenship for her and her family. After the racers get drugged with the memory erasing Oblivion and put in the middle of nowhere outside the city, they have to follow a series of clues to lead them to the finish line. There is only one winner so people will do whatever it takes to win-even if that means killing.
I really liked Astrid’s character. She’s determined, strong, and loves her family. I also liked the setting of the book because it was described in a way where I could picture it very vividly. The political side of the book was also interesting and well-written and well-described. I found it very easy to follow what was happening in the book.
Overall, I liked Crown of Oblivion because of the setting, characters, and political aspect of the book.
Astrid Jael is an Outsider working as a surrogate to princess Renya to help pay off her family’s debt. If Renya steps out of line, it is Astrid who gets punished. After a tragic incident, Astrid is determined to enter the Race of Oblivion to win citizenship for her and her family. After the racers get drugged with the memory erasing Oblivion and put in the middle of nowhere outside the city, they have to follow a series of clues to lead them to the finish line. There is only one winner so people will do whatever it takes to win-even if that means killing.
I really liked Astrid’s character. She’s determined, strong, and loves her family. I also liked the setting of the book because it was described in a way where I could picture it very vividly. The political side of the book was also interesting and well-written and well-described. I found it very easy to follow what was happening in the book.
Overall, I liked Crown of Oblivion because of the setting, characters, and political aspect of the book.
November 14, 2019
"But that wouldn’t remind Outsiders what we’re worth: the strength of our backs. Our resilience. Our ability to survive the hardest struggles, to be hurt, fall down, and still, to get back up again."
So much of this journey is focused on Astrid and the increasing political unrest her community faces. In a world of have and have-nots (but with powers!), the power dynamic is about to go through a shift thanks to one girl’s desire to better the situation her family is in.
"Enchanteds popping sweets into their mouths and pinning flowers in each other’s hair, while Outsiders scurry to serve them or struggle under unbelievably heavy loads."
But what happens when the playing field begins to level – and the Outsiders find themselves with powers? What happens when the people without power find it – physically and mentally? The Crown of Oblivion symbolizes so much more than winning a race and citizenship; this round, it will force a rebellion.
"Darius shakes his head. “Whatever your life was before this race, it’s made you tough.” “Is that a compliment?” “It is.” “Well, save it. I’m looking for a promise, not a compliment.”"
What I loved about Astrid is her no-nonsense attitude. She knows the stakes are high and her chances are low – and she’s not afraid to fight for it. It’s interesting to learn about Astrid and what makes her her as she learns about herself. The dynamic between Darius and Astrid, two races in the same game, will have you wondering about their past….
"If I ever wondered why they say heartbroken to describe grief, I don’t have to wonder anymore."
If you liked the cold, gritty reality of The Hunger Games, you’re going to love Crown of Oblivion. Julie does not shy away from finding increasing ways to remind you of the world Astrid comes from. Nothing and no one is safe…
"But the Outsiders who have joined them—how do they live with themselves? How do they look in the mirror? They know their own people are oppressed and slaughtered every day, and yet they mix with their oppressors. Some of them even sleep with them.” He pauses and spits on the ground. “How could any Outsider aspire to coexist with the butchers of their own people?” he asks, and then waits, as if that’s a question I’m supposed to answer."
Crown of Oblivion gets to the core of why rebellion comes slowly, and how the repressed can be socialized into situations that don’t benefit them.
"It takes all my strength to lift my head, but I do. Maybe it’s because I can’t accept the loss. Maybe it’s because it hurts just as much to lie here on this jagged and uneven ground as it does to get up."
But you can never give up…
----
Look at these preorder goodies (THAT PIN)! Get yours here.
-----
Officially part of the Racers of Oblivion Street Team! Stay tuned for all of the special info :)
So much of this journey is focused on Astrid and the increasing political unrest her community faces. In a world of have and have-nots (but with powers!), the power dynamic is about to go through a shift thanks to one girl’s desire to better the situation her family is in.
"Enchanteds popping sweets into their mouths and pinning flowers in each other’s hair, while Outsiders scurry to serve them or struggle under unbelievably heavy loads."
But what happens when the playing field begins to level – and the Outsiders find themselves with powers? What happens when the people without power find it – physically and mentally? The Crown of Oblivion symbolizes so much more than winning a race and citizenship; this round, it will force a rebellion.
"Darius shakes his head. “Whatever your life was before this race, it’s made you tough.” “Is that a compliment?” “It is.” “Well, save it. I’m looking for a promise, not a compliment.”"
What I loved about Astrid is her no-nonsense attitude. She knows the stakes are high and her chances are low – and she’s not afraid to fight for it. It’s interesting to learn about Astrid and what makes her her as she learns about herself. The dynamic between Darius and Astrid, two races in the same game, will have you wondering about their past….
"If I ever wondered why they say heartbroken to describe grief, I don’t have to wonder anymore."
If you liked the cold, gritty reality of The Hunger Games, you’re going to love Crown of Oblivion. Julie does not shy away from finding increasing ways to remind you of the world Astrid comes from. Nothing and no one is safe…
"But the Outsiders who have joined them—how do they live with themselves? How do they look in the mirror? They know their own people are oppressed and slaughtered every day, and yet they mix with their oppressors. Some of them even sleep with them.” He pauses and spits on the ground. “How could any Outsider aspire to coexist with the butchers of their own people?” he asks, and then waits, as if that’s a question I’m supposed to answer."
Crown of Oblivion gets to the core of why rebellion comes slowly, and how the repressed can be socialized into situations that don’t benefit them.
"It takes all my strength to lift my head, but I do. Maybe it’s because I can’t accept the loss. Maybe it’s because it hurts just as much to lie here on this jagged and uneven ground as it does to get up."
But you can never give up…
----
Look at these preorder goodies (THAT PIN)! Get yours here.
-----
Officially part of the Racers of Oblivion Street Team! Stay tuned for all of the special info :)
November 15, 2019
Much thanks to Harper Teen and The Fantastic Flying Book Club Book Tours for sending me a copy for review and for inviting me to be a part of this tour. This review is voluntary and opinions are fully my own. Also, all quotes are taken from the ARC and may or may not appear in the final published copy.
📚 Series: No, standalone.
📚 Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
📚 POV: First person.
📚 Cliffhanger: No.
⚠ Read if: you are looking for a fantasy that is slightly reminiscent of Hunger Games.
Crown of Oblivion is my first read from the author but it was surely a fun adventure! I have to admit I took on the chance to join this blog tour because I was enticed by the cover. The illustration is beautifully done and I really love the fact that illustrations are being the go-to trend for book covers. Based on my mini-research, credit goes to Jason Chan for the art and Joel Tippie for the design.
Now, let’s dig in to the book.
This novel is about Astrid, who was the surrogate for Princess Renya of Lanoria. At first, I was confused on what surrogate meant, but it means that she is a stand-in for punishment whenever the princess does something she shouldn’t. Some messy things happen and to save her brother, Astrid decides to join the Race of Oblivion, which is basically what the story revolved around.
This read is a surprisingly fast-paced novel that opened into action even in its first few pages. What I felt with this read was a mix of The Hunger Games and an extreme version of The Amazing Race. This book was engaging at the start and the author did a fairly good job of world building in what I felt as a high-tech dystopian world with a mix of using magic. In terms of reading, this book was an easy one to read. The prose was simple yet engaging and there was so much action in every spot of the race that even I felt crazy with all the twists and turns.
For the main character, Astrid, I had a little of a love-hate relationship with her. I loved her strength, smarts, bravery and she was a likeable character. She has her own principles that she still stuck through even when her memory was erased. There were decisions she made that made me frustrated about her, but that’s what make reading even better. Characters like this challenge me and made me even more interested to see what happens next.
If there are things that I didn’t like, I could probably say the romance part. I felt like I wouldn’t ship Astrid with who she ended up with in this book. I didn’t feel chemistry or a spark between them and I don’t think the romance was necessary for the plotline to be delivered. Also, I don’t know if it’s just me but I felt more spark and tension between Astrid and Princess Renya. I guess that would’ve been a better romantic arc for this story.
Overall though, reading this book was still a great experience. I was left with a few questions, though, so I’m curious if this book will really end up as a standalone like was originally planned. It could do good as a duology, as I feel like there are still things left to be said.
My Book Rating Breakdown:
🌼 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Significant Other: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Romance: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Action/Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Unputdownability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☁ FINAL VERDICT: 4.17/5 ☁
October 14, 2019
Crown of Oblivion is trying really hard to be the new HUNGER GAMES, only without the actual intrigue, world building, and romance. On the other hand, it is JAM PACKED with action as it is essentially a bloody scavenger hunt, and our MC is a complicated character who has no qualms about essentially doing everything she needs to do in order to win.
The rest of this review is full of spoilers cause I just can't be chill.
PS; I was provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review. And I think I hit the nail on the 'honest' part of that sentence.
PPS; I plan to revisit this book when it comes out in November as I only read a review copy and changes might occur. Will revise review then.
The rest of this review is full of spoilers cause I just can't be chill.
PS; I was provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review. And I think I hit the nail on the 'honest' part of that sentence.
PPS; I plan to revisit this book when it comes out in November as I only read a review copy and changes might occur. Will revise review then.
Read
October 25, 2019Delightful!
November 17, 2019
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
4.5*
Crown of Oblivion was pretty much all the things I hoped it would be: a high stakes adventure in a terribly dangerous world. I asked, it delivered, I'm happy to report!
What I Loved:
• First, this should be a movie. Or a show, I shan't be picky. But everything about both the world and the race itself would translate incredibly onscreen. Someone make this happen, please and thank you.
• It's an adventure, and also, they take your memories, and also also, you could die. And if you're Astrid, I think the chances are even higher that someone's trying to kill you, tbh. Seriously, put yourself in Astrid's (and the other racers') shoes: You sign up for this Death Crawl, but when you wake up, sans memories, you have no idea why you would sign up for such a thing! That in itself is worth the read! But it's even more precarious than that, because Astrid is trying to save her family and herself at the same time, while fending off all kinds of enemies and brutal conditions.
• Loved the characters, of course extra loved Astrid. Okay but how did I fall in love with a character who's missing her memories for half the book? Easy, she's awesome. She cares so deeply about her family, that's clear from the start. But even when she no longer remembers that they even exist, she works so hard to survive. She's smart, she's brave, and she just has a ton of heart.
• The world had so many problems that are mirrored in our own society. So much of the inequality that people experienced were for such garbage reasons. Just like real life, naturally.
• There really just wasn't anything I didn't like. It's fast paced and compulsively readable. Once I got going, I didn't want to stop!
Bottom Line: An incredible adventure in a very messed up world, with a main character you simply can't help but root for!
4.5*
Crown of Oblivion was pretty much all the things I hoped it would be: a high stakes adventure in a terribly dangerous world. I asked, it delivered, I'm happy to report!
What I Loved:
• First, this should be a movie. Or a show, I shan't be picky. But everything about both the world and the race itself would translate incredibly onscreen. Someone make this happen, please and thank you.
• It's an adventure, and also, they take your memories, and also also, you could die. And if you're Astrid, I think the chances are even higher that someone's trying to kill you, tbh. Seriously, put yourself in Astrid's (and the other racers') shoes: You sign up for this Death Crawl, but when you wake up, sans memories, you have no idea why you would sign up for such a thing! That in itself is worth the read! But it's even more precarious than that, because Astrid is trying to save her family and herself at the same time, while fending off all kinds of enemies and brutal conditions.
• Loved the characters, of course extra loved Astrid. Okay but how did I fall in love with a character who's missing her memories for half the book? Easy, she's awesome. She cares so deeply about her family, that's clear from the start. But even when she no longer remembers that they even exist, she works so hard to survive. She's smart, she's brave, and she just has a ton of heart.
• The world had so many problems that are mirrored in our own society. So much of the inequality that people experienced were for such garbage reasons. Just like real life, naturally.
• There really just wasn't anything I didn't like. It's fast paced and compulsively readable. Once I got going, I didn't want to stop!
Bottom Line: An incredible adventure in a very messed up world, with a main character you simply can't help but root for!
November 8, 2019
this book was an epic thrill ride from beginning to end! i just stayed up til 2 am and fought off sleep to finish it -- it was THAT good. There's so many twists and turns! The only person you can trust is Astrid herself!
more to come when i'm fully awake. But this was SO GOOD. Read it! READ IT NOW!
more to come when i'm fully awake. But this was SO GOOD. Read it! READ IT NOW!
October 9, 2019
This book reminds me of The Hunger Games meets The Amazing Race. The main character is actually a lot like Katniss if she had magic but a lot less sullen and is more open to friendship and teamwork. Needless to say I am absolutely loved this book. I really hope that it becomes a duology because I really want to know what happens with the characters next!
Read the full review on my blog!
Read the full review on my blog!
February 7, 2023
3.5 stars
This is a standalone??? I feel robbed of an entire series. Like there are rebellions and secret underground societies and class inequalities to dismantle and a new world order to enact!!! HOW IS THIS IS A STANDALONE! I genuinely feel conned. I’m calling the fbi. This is unacceptable.
I have slept on this and I think leaving all these loose ends, setting up a revolution with the main fmc as the voice of the oppressed and the figure head of the rebellion and her unresolved complex feelings about her best friend, the princess, who she was the surrogate of and was whipped every time the princess stepped out of line, as well as her older brother who left her when he went on the run to get away from being Prince Lars surrogate whipping boy. She didn't express or challenge these people for their actions that directly affected her and how she saw herself. I think its lame this is a standalone. It feels like a cop-out of addressing these things. Why set it up and then decide its too hard?? Lame.
This is a standalone??? I feel robbed of an entire series. Like there are rebellions and secret underground societies and class inequalities to dismantle and a new world order to enact!!! HOW IS THIS IS A STANDALONE! I genuinely feel conned. I’m calling the fbi. This is unacceptable.
I have slept on this and I think leaving all these loose ends, setting up a revolution with the main fmc as the voice of the oppressed and the figure head of the rebellion and her unresolved complex feelings about her best friend, the princess, who she was the surrogate of and was whipped every time the princess stepped out of line, as well as her older brother who left her when he went on the run to get away from being Prince Lars surrogate whipping boy. She didn't express or challenge these people for their actions that directly affected her and how she saw herself. I think its lame this is a standalone. It feels like a cop-out of addressing these things. Why set it up and then decide its too hard?? Lame.
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August 9, 2019Look at these preorder goodies (THAT PIN)! Get yours here.
October 27, 2019
You can find this review on my blog Shades of Paper.
I was so excited to read this book, because I thought the premise sounded so unique and cool, and like a concept I would totally love, and I have to say that I overall really enjoyed the book and found it incredibly fast paced and engaging, but I had some issues that made me lower my rating a little bit.
I found Crown of Oblivion such an easy book to get into. I don’t know why I was a bit intimidated, but once I started I flew through it and couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next and how things would tie up. The beginning was very interested and caught my attention, and the plot had a lot of twists and turns that kept me engaged in the story and not bored at all.
It’s true that what made me lower my rating that much was how the world and magic were done. I think those concepts were super interesting and definitely were one of the most unique things this book had and played an important role in the story, but they were so unexplained. Basically, it seemed as if the reader should know the magic system and its limitations, but those things weren’t really explained throughout the story, so when certain character would mention something regarding that magic system left me so confused because I didn’t know how that magic worked, which was so underwhelming and disappointing, because I feel if those things were explained, they could have created such an intriguing and unique book.
The other thing that it was a bit lackluster was the world building. It’s true that we got to explore it more throughout the story and know a bit more about that society, but because the main focused on the story were the race and the evolution of certain characters, the other things were so lacking. I was hoping that because this was a fairly long book to know more about the society and why there was this confrontation between these two big groups, because it made the reader a bit disconnected with what was going on.
However, I have to say that I really enjoyed our main character’s arc throughout the novel. I love me a good unreliable narrator, and because our protagonist had no recollection of memories after taking the serum, the reader didn’t know who to trust and basically anything about her past, which I think added an interesting touch to the novel. There were certain moments where I feel that part was a bit confusing, because I had a picture in my mind of her character before the race and after, and there were a few holes that didn’t make a lot of sense to me, but I overall enjoyed her evolution and her dynamics with the rest of the characters, and her relationship with her brothers.
And I have to say, that because it was such a fast paced book, the ending left me wanting for more. I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a sequel, because there were a lot of things left unsolved, and after those few last chapters, I want to know what was going to happen next.
Overall, though I had some issues with the magic and the world building, it was such an entertaining book and I had a good time reading it. I think it could have been better if some things have been a bit more complex, and the reader got to know more about the backstory of the characters and the society, because it all felt a bit surface level to me.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t change my opinion whatsoever. All thoughts are my own.
....
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Thank you HarperCollins for providing me with an ARC of this book
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“For the winner, the Race of Oblivion means citizenship, but there’s only one winner each year- For many of the contestants, the race means death.”
I was so excited to read this book, because I thought the premise sounded so unique and cool, and like a concept I would totally love, and I have to say that I overall really enjoyed the book and found it incredibly fast paced and engaging, but I had some issues that made me lower my rating a little bit.
I found Crown of Oblivion such an easy book to get into. I don’t know why I was a bit intimidated, but once I started I flew through it and couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next and how things would tie up. The beginning was very interested and caught my attention, and the plot had a lot of twists and turns that kept me engaged in the story and not bored at all.
It’s true that what made me lower my rating that much was how the world and magic were done. I think those concepts were super interesting and definitely were one of the most unique things this book had and played an important role in the story, but they were so unexplained. Basically, it seemed as if the reader should know the magic system and its limitations, but those things weren’t really explained throughout the story, so when certain character would mention something regarding that magic system left me so confused because I didn’t know how that magic worked, which was so underwhelming and disappointing, because I feel if those things were explained, they could have created such an intriguing and unique book.
“It doesn’t matter what you saw here. In a few mints, you will have forgotten this. You will have forgotten everything. And before any of it comes back to you, you will be bead.”
The other thing that it was a bit lackluster was the world building. It’s true that we got to explore it more throughout the story and know a bit more about that society, but because the main focused on the story were the race and the evolution of certain characters, the other things were so lacking. I was hoping that because this was a fairly long book to know more about the society and why there was this confrontation between these two big groups, because it made the reader a bit disconnected with what was going on.
However, I have to say that I really enjoyed our main character’s arc throughout the novel. I love me a good unreliable narrator, and because our protagonist had no recollection of memories after taking the serum, the reader didn’t know who to trust and basically anything about her past, which I think added an interesting touch to the novel. There were certain moments where I feel that part was a bit confusing, because I had a picture in my mind of her character before the race and after, and there were a few holes that didn’t make a lot of sense to me, but I overall enjoyed her evolution and her dynamics with the rest of the characters, and her relationship with her brothers.
And I have to say, that because it was such a fast paced book, the ending left me wanting for more. I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a sequel, because there were a lot of things left unsolved, and after those few last chapters, I want to know what was going to happen next.
Overall, though I had some issues with the magic and the world building, it was such an entertaining book and I had a good time reading it. I think it could have been better if some things have been a bit more complex, and the reader got to know more about the backstory of the characters and the society, because it all felt a bit surface level to me.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t change my opinion whatsoever. All thoughts are my own.
“If I told you monsters could be tamed, would you want to live with monsters? Even a tame monsters is still a monster.”
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Thank you HarperCollins for providing me with an ARC of this book
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November 23, 2019
The Crown of Oblivion goes to… the race winner! What?!
I have a weakness for powers. Yup, if a premise, no matter how ridiculous, talks about super powers then I sign up. And Astrid’s power had the potential to be quite unusual. Plus Crown of Oblivion happened to come on the heels of the worst reading month I’ve had all year.
Did the powers in Crown of Oblivion win over this Fangirl?
I liked Astrid from page one. She’s in a tough spot, basically an indentured servant. No one wishes to become a whipping girl even with her proximity to the royal family. She’s losing her real family one by one, and refuses to lose the last one. Entering the race is dangerous, but the rewards will save a life. We’re thrown right into her world without many details beyond these and it’s speedy pace quickly pulled me into the story.
The race wasn’t thrilling the way you’d think a race would be.
In this race you go from point A to point B by following clues. Thus the first to obtain the clues has an edge. And anything goes. Astrid’s power made dealing with physical altercations easy for her to handle. But in order to keep up with the clues there were a lot of odd interactions that worked in her favor. It kept me engaged, but only rarely did it feel like she was competing against other racers.
But her memories being taken allowed for some neat meetings with VIPs from her past.
Even though the racing plot was basic traveling 101, Astrid had an extra level of challenge. All the racers had their memories temporarily blocked for the race. This allowed some meetings with VIPs from her past to be peppered through the story. Each one had a neat connection to Astrid and even though the twists were easy to see, they made me care. Each relationship, in their own way, made me love Astrid more. You can’t beat those kind of connections.
I needed a fun, quick read, and Crown of Oblivion supplied that!
Having read book after book, earlier in the month, where I struggled to care about the protagonist, Crown of Oblivion was a breathe of fresh air. I would much rather feel for the protagonist and what she is going through before anything else. There was just enough push back from the world for us to feel for Astrid’s circumstances. And yet she had sufficient personality and strength so we didn’t feel overly sorry for her. To top it off, enough neat moments happened that I had fun.
However the world was a mess and I wanted more.
I did appreciate many of the details about the world in the moment when they showed up in the story. But when I tried to put them together as a whole world there were many missing details.
The idea of citizens vs. outsiders wasn’t a bad one. I liked that they were the magicked and the magic-less. And we get some hints about what that’s about. But it wasn’t nearly enough.
There were rebel groups fighting for outsider rights but they were muddled. It was outrageous how they worked and they lacked history to make them genuine and believable.
The magic had potential. I liked what Astrid could do even if I didn’t enjoy how easily she beat everyone. And the other magic we learn about is neat. But we don’t really get any idea how it works. It felt totally random.
The race lacked boundaries. It’s a neat idea to have to figure out clues and beat out other racers who potentially would kill you. But the lay of the land was vague. Everything relied on them having a vehicle. The race disrupted normal people’s lives in a way that invited negativity toward the royal family. So why do they sponsor the race?
Crown of Oblivion was just what I needed… a fun romp with stakes that kept me entertained and glued to the page. Astrid has me rooting for her each stage of the race, I just wish the world made me care equally as much.
I have a weakness for powers. Yup, if a premise, no matter how ridiculous, talks about super powers then I sign up. And Astrid’s power had the potential to be quite unusual. Plus Crown of Oblivion happened to come on the heels of the worst reading month I’ve had all year.
Did the powers in Crown of Oblivion win over this Fangirl?
I liked Astrid from page one. She’s in a tough spot, basically an indentured servant. No one wishes to become a whipping girl even with her proximity to the royal family. She’s losing her real family one by one, and refuses to lose the last one. Entering the race is dangerous, but the rewards will save a life. We’re thrown right into her world without many details beyond these and it’s speedy pace quickly pulled me into the story.
The race wasn’t thrilling the way you’d think a race would be.
In this race you go from point A to point B by following clues. Thus the first to obtain the clues has an edge. And anything goes. Astrid’s power made dealing with physical altercations easy for her to handle. But in order to keep up with the clues there were a lot of odd interactions that worked in her favor. It kept me engaged, but only rarely did it feel like she was competing against other racers.
But her memories being taken allowed for some neat meetings with VIPs from her past.
Even though the racing plot was basic traveling 101, Astrid had an extra level of challenge. All the racers had their memories temporarily blocked for the race. This allowed some meetings with VIPs from her past to be peppered through the story. Each one had a neat connection to Astrid and even though the twists were easy to see, they made me care. Each relationship, in their own way, made me love Astrid more. You can’t beat those kind of connections.
I needed a fun, quick read, and Crown of Oblivion supplied that!
Having read book after book, earlier in the month, where I struggled to care about the protagonist, Crown of Oblivion was a breathe of fresh air. I would much rather feel for the protagonist and what she is going through before anything else. There was just enough push back from the world for us to feel for Astrid’s circumstances. And yet she had sufficient personality and strength so we didn’t feel overly sorry for her. To top it off, enough neat moments happened that I had fun.
However the world was a mess and I wanted more.
I did appreciate many of the details about the world in the moment when they showed up in the story. But when I tried to put them together as a whole world there were many missing details.
The idea of citizens vs. outsiders wasn’t a bad one. I liked that they were the magicked and the magic-less. And we get some hints about what that’s about. But it wasn’t nearly enough.
There were rebel groups fighting for outsider rights but they were muddled. It was outrageous how they worked and they lacked history to make them genuine and believable.
The magic had potential. I liked what Astrid could do even if I didn’t enjoy how easily she beat everyone. And the other magic we learn about is neat. But we don’t really get any idea how it works. It felt totally random.
The race lacked boundaries. It’s a neat idea to have to figure out clues and beat out other racers who potentially would kill you. But the lay of the land was vague. Everything relied on them having a vehicle. The race disrupted normal people’s lives in a way that invited negativity toward the royal family. So why do they sponsor the race?
Crown of Oblivion was just what I needed… a fun romp with stakes that kept me entertained and glued to the page. Astrid has me rooting for her each stage of the race, I just wish the world made me care equally as much.
November 18, 2019
I received a copy of this book via Harperteen via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.
Content Warning: Indentured Servitude, Beating/Whipping, Drug use, abuse & dealing
Crown of Oblivion is a Young Adult fantasy that has science fiction undertones. Strongly influenced by The Great Race, and compared to The Hunger Games, the story revolves around a race and a system of inequality. In the land of Lanoria, indentured servants, known as Outsiders, are magicless, and powerless. Astrid is the surrogate to Princess Renya, and takes any physical punishment that she earns through disobedience. Astrid is no foreigner to a life of difficulty. Her father is ill, and she does everything she can to get him a pass to receive medical help. When she is finally able to get the document he needs, he collapses and dies on the stage at a national affair.
Shortly after, Astrid finds herself signing up for the Race of Oblivion--a race where Outsiders can participate to win and become a Citizen. With becoming a Citizen, her entire family would gain access to citizenship, and would receive help and status.
Once Astrid is basically drugged and finds herself nameless in the race, many new obstacles appear. One never knows who is trustworthy, and fatalities occur regularly.
I didn’t feel that Astrid really play the game in the race. She never really worked towards solving any of the clues, and left others around her do it for her. This is a small fry complaint in comparison to the lack of world-building, and an unclear magic system. I found myself throughout wanting to know much more especially about the magic system, but it wasn’t discussed thoroughly enough. I thought Astrid's character was done well. She was inquisitive, and didn't fall into the trap of trusting everyone she met along the way throughout the race.
Overall, I thought this was a decent read. I simply wanted more information, especially the world-building, dissected further. Unfortunately, the plot simply didn't resonate with me. Several aspects were new and unique, but overall, it felt familiar to me.
Vulgarity: Minimal
Sexual content: Minimal
Violence: Moderate
My Rating: ★★★
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Content Warning: Indentured Servitude, Beating/Whipping, Drug use, abuse & dealing
I may not know my own name, but I know misery, and this is it.
Crown of Oblivion is a Young Adult fantasy that has science fiction undertones. Strongly influenced by The Great Race, and compared to The Hunger Games, the story revolves around a race and a system of inequality. In the land of Lanoria, indentured servants, known as Outsiders, are magicless, and powerless. Astrid is the surrogate to Princess Renya, and takes any physical punishment that she earns through disobedience. Astrid is no foreigner to a life of difficulty. Her father is ill, and she does everything she can to get him a pass to receive medical help. When she is finally able to get the document he needs, he collapses and dies on the stage at a national affair.
Shortly after, Astrid finds herself signing up for the Race of Oblivion--a race where Outsiders can participate to win and become a Citizen. With becoming a Citizen, her entire family would gain access to citizenship, and would receive help and status.
For the winner, the Race of Oblivion means citizenship, but there’s only one winner each year. For many of the contestants, the race means death. It’s cruel, really. Stripped of all their personal memories, racers wake with amnesia somewhere outside the city walls, with nothing more than a short list of instructions and a map to the first clue.
Once Astrid is basically drugged and finds herself nameless in the race, many new obstacles appear. One never knows who is trustworthy, and fatalities occur regularly.
I didn’t feel that Astrid really play the game in the race. She never really worked towards solving any of the clues, and left others around her do it for her. This is a small fry complaint in comparison to the lack of world-building, and an unclear magic system. I found myself throughout wanting to know much more especially about the magic system, but it wasn’t discussed thoroughly enough. I thought Astrid's character was done well. She was inquisitive, and didn't fall into the trap of trusting everyone she met along the way throughout the race.
Overall, I thought this was a decent read. I simply wanted more information, especially the world-building, dissected further. Unfortunately, the plot simply didn't resonate with me. Several aspects were new and unique, but overall, it felt familiar to me.
Vulgarity: Minimal
Sexual content: Minimal
Violence: Moderate
My Rating: ★★★
My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Facebook
November 12, 2019
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Crown of Oblivion was sold as a standalone Young Adult Fantasy novel. Meet 17-year old Astrid Jael who is the story's protagonist. Astrid is indentured to the royal family as a surrogate to Princess Renya. Whenever Renya steps out of line, Astrid is the one who gets whipped. Astrid has no choice. She and her family are Outsiders, the lowest class of people, without magic or citizenship. In Lanoria, there are (3) types of magic: Cientia, Pontinum, and Projectura. Each indentured must serve at a minimum of 21 years.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Crown of Oblivion was sold as a standalone Young Adult Fantasy novel. Meet 17-year old Astrid Jael who is the story's protagonist. Astrid is indentured to the royal family as a surrogate to Princess Renya. Whenever Renya steps out of line, Astrid is the one who gets whipped. Astrid has no choice. She and her family are Outsiders, the lowest class of people, without magic or citizenship. In Lanoria, there are (3) types of magic: Cientia, Pontinum, and Projectura. Each indentured must serve at a minimum of 21 years.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
March 11, 2020
1,5/5
“Al ganador de la Carrera del Olvido se le concede la ciudadanía, pero solo hay un ganador cada año. Para muchos de los demás participantes, esta carrera significa la muerte.”
Corona del Olvido ha sido una total decepción, no ha sido un libro para mi. Os animo a que lo leáis si os gustan mucho este tipo de historias. Una pena que yo no haya podido disfrutarlo.
-Reseña completa: http://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.co...
“Al ganador de la Carrera del Olvido se le concede la ciudadanía, pero solo hay un ganador cada año. Para muchos de los demás participantes, esta carrera significa la muerte.”
Corona del Olvido ha sido una total decepción, no ha sido un libro para mi. Os animo a que lo leáis si os gustan mucho este tipo de historias. Una pena que yo no haya podido disfrutarlo.
-Reseña completa: http://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.co...
July 2, 2023
Fun quick YA fantasy. Reading about the race is the best part. Its fun to read about how the characters get out of tough situations and their thought process behind it. Good book if you want a fantasy thats not to heavy with the lore.
September 16, 2019
This was one of the most positives surprises of the year. There was so much I loved in this story.
Lanoria reminded me a lot of Irelands' fight for independence mixed in with The Hunger Games, with OLA being really similar to the IRA in how they were fighting for freedom via terrorism. The world-building and the characters were incredibly complex and nuanced for a YA fantasy, even more for a standalone.
Julie excelled particularly at the rhythm in which she revealed Lanoria, never overwhelming us with too much information but never dragging it out either. Every chapter just made me want to read more and more with the writing being so beautiful and descriptive that I felt the fields and forests around me.
I particularly loved Astrid because I found her not only an amazing main character but unique in how she was portrayed: she was smart but not the kind of smart that allowed her to win on her own and she realized that very fast so she made alliances, she was strong and a good fighter but there were stronger characters but none more stubborn, driven or prepared to do whatever it took. I also loved how self-assured she was: even without her memories she knew she had entered the race for a very good reason and refused to disappoint the person she had been before the race.
I also liked Astrid because her environment is taken into account: she grew up and indentured servant, not only that but her sole purpose if to be physically punished every time the princess misbehaves so she learned to see her survival as a strength on itself and regard her place in the palace with pride. When this book starts she sees the injustice in how people like her are treated but being dissatisfied with her lot or betraying the royal family and Renya in particular never crosses her mind and it was interesting to see how much of that indoctrination remained after her memories disappeared.
I also noticed that the moment she stopped being an Outsider, she also stopped seeing the unfairness Outsiders had to live through by no fault of their own, reminding herself several times that she was privileged now.
Astrid is not the only character that sets herself apart from the usual YA tropes in how imperfect and real she is: every character in this book has the ability for good and evil and a very elastic sense of right and wrong.
There were only two (plus the Spoiler part) things that bothered me throughout the story. The first was that some of the details and character arcs were ripping at the seams and that occurred more and more towards the end culminating in some very important characters and plot arcs being left unanswered or not getting a proper closure.
The second thing was the romance. I did not ship that at all. Astrid would have been perfectly well by herself or as friends with “I-won't-tell-you-who” without having that sham of a romance shoved down our throats at the very end.
I was not the biggest fan of the ending but at least it was a happy one and thank gods for that.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and HarperTeen for this DRC
7/10
Spoilers
Spoilers
Spoilers
Spoilers
In my view, the saddest thing about this book was that it was an incredible journey towards nowhere.
When this book starts Astrid’s back is absolutely destroyed after being repeatedly whipped after years of being punished for Renya’s mistakes. And yet Astrid loves Renya as her best friend, always fully knowing that she depends on Renya for everything which Renya takes advantage of.
For me, Renya is the personification of entitlement. She has no problem preaching about equality and justice but it’s never her that suffers the consequences of the fight. She pretends to treat Astrid as equal but the moment she feels like Astrid is not demonstrating the appropriate level of devotion or tries to question her actions, she immediately reminds her of her place and how worse things could be if she was not on her side.
And yet when we get to the end of the book, Renya gets an entire chapter just dedicated to explaining to us how she was on the right side of the fight the entire time, sacrificing her personal relationships in prole of an ideal.
Ahahahahahahahahah (Her head on a pike, for example, is the only sacrifice I would like to see her make.)
She never acknowledges what her actions did to Astrid, going as far as trying to hide Astrid’s scars so she doesn’t have to see what she did. Renya’s explanation is not an apology but an attempt to make Astrid feel guilty for Renya’s pain.
Astrid who spends her entire life getting Renya’s scraps being that of affection or material things ends the in a relationship with Renya’s former lover whose existence had Astrid being beaten almost to death, which I see as only further proof of my point that nothing changed.
Honestly, I have this theory that Renya is in love with Astrid and if that had been the way their relationship had been written, their abusive relationship and Astrid’s dependence on Renya would have made a lot more sense.
In conclusion, I really hate Renya as a person (great character though, I didn’t remember having a villain awake so many emotions in me in a while).
Lanoria reminded me a lot of Irelands' fight for independence mixed in with The Hunger Games, with OLA being really similar to the IRA in how they were fighting for freedom via terrorism. The world-building and the characters were incredibly complex and nuanced for a YA fantasy, even more for a standalone.
Julie excelled particularly at the rhythm in which she revealed Lanoria, never overwhelming us with too much information but never dragging it out either. Every chapter just made me want to read more and more with the writing being so beautiful and descriptive that I felt the fields and forests around me.
I particularly loved Astrid because I found her not only an amazing main character but unique in how she was portrayed: she was smart but not the kind of smart that allowed her to win on her own and she realized that very fast so she made alliances, she was strong and a good fighter but there were stronger characters but none more stubborn, driven or prepared to do whatever it took. I also loved how self-assured she was: even without her memories she knew she had entered the race for a very good reason and refused to disappoint the person she had been before the race.
I also liked Astrid because her environment is taken into account: she grew up and indentured servant, not only that but her sole purpose if to be physically punished every time the princess misbehaves so she learned to see her survival as a strength on itself and regard her place in the palace with pride. When this book starts she sees the injustice in how people like her are treated but being dissatisfied with her lot or betraying the royal family and Renya in particular never crosses her mind and it was interesting to see how much of that indoctrination remained after her memories disappeared.
I also noticed that the moment she stopped being an Outsider, she also stopped seeing the unfairness Outsiders had to live through by no fault of their own, reminding herself several times that she was privileged now.
Astrid is not the only character that sets herself apart from the usual YA tropes in how imperfect and real she is: every character in this book has the ability for good and evil and a very elastic sense of right and wrong.
There were only two (plus the Spoiler part) things that bothered me throughout the story. The first was that some of the details and character arcs were ripping at the seams and that occurred more and more towards the end culminating in some very important characters and plot arcs being left unanswered or not getting a proper closure.
The second thing was the romance. I did not ship that at all. Astrid would have been perfectly well by herself or as friends with “I-won't-tell-you-who” without having that sham of a romance shoved down our throats at the very end.
I was not the biggest fan of the ending but at least it was a happy one and thank gods for that.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and HarperTeen for this DRC
7/10
Spoilers
Spoilers
Spoilers
Spoilers
In my view, the saddest thing about this book was that it was an incredible journey towards nowhere.
When this book starts Astrid’s back is absolutely destroyed after being repeatedly whipped after years of being punished for Renya’s mistakes. And yet Astrid loves Renya as her best friend, always fully knowing that she depends on Renya for everything which Renya takes advantage of.
For me, Renya is the personification of entitlement. She has no problem preaching about equality and justice but it’s never her that suffers the consequences of the fight. She pretends to treat Astrid as equal but the moment she feels like Astrid is not demonstrating the appropriate level of devotion or tries to question her actions, she immediately reminds her of her place and how worse things could be if she was not on her side.
And yet when we get to the end of the book, Renya gets an entire chapter just dedicated to explaining to us how she was on the right side of the fight the entire time, sacrificing her personal relationships in prole of an ideal.
Ahahahahahahahahah (Her head on a pike, for example, is the only sacrifice I would like to see her make.)
She never acknowledges what her actions did to Astrid, going as far as trying to hide Astrid’s scars so she doesn’t have to see what she did. Renya’s explanation is not an apology but an attempt to make Astrid feel guilty for Renya’s pain.
Astrid who spends her entire life getting Renya’s scraps being that of affection or material things ends the in a relationship with Renya’s former lover whose existence had Astrid being beaten almost to death, which I see as only further proof of my point that nothing changed.
Honestly, I have this theory that Renya is in love with Astrid and if that had been the way their relationship had been written, their abusive relationship and Astrid’s dependence on Renya would have made a lot more sense.
In conclusion, I really hate Renya as a person (great character though, I didn’t remember having a villain awake so many emotions in me in a while).
November 13, 2019
See this review and others at Whispers & Wonder
Stars are for people safe enough to enjoy them.
Crown of Oblivion is author Julie Eshbaugh’s newest publication, and is an intense and brutal tale of social injustices, and the essential fight to balance the scales. Astrid Jael is an Outsider, as well as surrogate to the Lanorian Princess Renya – when the princess misbehaves, Astrid is the one to be mercilessly punished. After the death of her father, she enlists in the Race of Oblivion to secure citizenship for herself and her brother, so they are able to receive the same benefits of those who are rightful members of this society defined by abuse and oppression. This story is one of remaining steadfast if the face of adversity, standing your ground regardless of the cost, and most notably, the importance of family and true friendship.
The world Eshbaugh builds around us is remarkably whimsical, intelligently weaving magic with technology – crowded market squares, serene sea-lined shores, deadly deserts of black sand, quaint logging towns hiding terrible secrets, fantastical forests, the places we’re delivered to are endlessly beautiful. The world itself contains a population that is divided into Enchanteds and Outsiders, and the latter is broken up into the slaves of society and various rebel groups. The Outsider Liberation Army proactively fights for the rights of their people, often viewed as domestic terrorists, while the Third Way are those that have withdrawn from society, attempting to live peacefully out of sight of their oppressors. This turmoil is the driving force for the entirety of this story, leading to pleasantly unexpected twists and turns. My only criticism would be that there are so many places visited, and not enough time is spent in all to truly discover what each has to offer.
Courage gets a few to the summit, my father is saying, but fear convinces most to choose the mud. Don’t you choose the mud, Astrid, he continues. You are far too strong for that.
The characters take center stage in this narrative, and although the tale is solely told using Astrid’s voice, a well-rounded cast, and the the precursor to the Race of Oblivion being the temporary removal of memories, we’re able to view the continent anew. I very much appreciated learning about the world and what makes it spin alongside the racers as they began to regain their memories. Tragedy spurs Astrid into entering the race in order to save what’s remaining of her family, and we witness a determined, adept, and supportive character emerge from the amnesiac fog. The consequences faced as a result of cruelty and arrogance is also highlighted brilliantly throughout. There are heroes, there are villains, there are those in between; each working towards separate goals using various means, allowing the reader to easily pick sides.
Another major aspect touched upon in this story is magic. A well-planned magic system called the Three Unities, namely Cientia, able to read emotions, Projectura, able to physically harm others without leaving visible wounds, and Pontium, able to build psychic bridges as a means of communication. At birth, Outsiders are inoculated, preventing them from ever developing these abilities since they’re only reserved for the Enchanteds. We learn Astrid is capable in these skillsets, which injects a new mysterious factor into the story that kept me guessing until the end. My only wish is that this system was further examined to convey the what and the how, as I felt it was slightly lacking.
Crown of Oblivion is a harsh and vivid account of a deadly scavenger hunt, leading us from one obscure clue to another at a breakneck pace. Simple prose made this a fun, easy read – however, there are aspects that felt overly-simplified, and would’ve benefitted from just a little more depth. The conclusion was also a bit lackluster, as I felt things tied up far too quickly, leaving me with more questions than answers, so I’m hoping this isn’t the last we see of this world. All things considered, I thoroughly enjoyed my journey through this book and would recommend it to anyone on the hunt for a YA tale of survival and pure conviction.
NOTE: A huge thank you to HarperTeen for providing me a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and to the Fantastic Flying Book Club for inviting me to take part in the Crown of Oblivion Blog Tour.
Stars are for people safe enough to enjoy them.
Crown of Oblivion is author Julie Eshbaugh’s newest publication, and is an intense and brutal tale of social injustices, and the essential fight to balance the scales. Astrid Jael is an Outsider, as well as surrogate to the Lanorian Princess Renya – when the princess misbehaves, Astrid is the one to be mercilessly punished. After the death of her father, she enlists in the Race of Oblivion to secure citizenship for herself and her brother, so they are able to receive the same benefits of those who are rightful members of this society defined by abuse and oppression. This story is one of remaining steadfast if the face of adversity, standing your ground regardless of the cost, and most notably, the importance of family and true friendship.
The world Eshbaugh builds around us is remarkably whimsical, intelligently weaving magic with technology – crowded market squares, serene sea-lined shores, deadly deserts of black sand, quaint logging towns hiding terrible secrets, fantastical forests, the places we’re delivered to are endlessly beautiful. The world itself contains a population that is divided into Enchanteds and Outsiders, and the latter is broken up into the slaves of society and various rebel groups. The Outsider Liberation Army proactively fights for the rights of their people, often viewed as domestic terrorists, while the Third Way are those that have withdrawn from society, attempting to live peacefully out of sight of their oppressors. This turmoil is the driving force for the entirety of this story, leading to pleasantly unexpected twists and turns. My only criticism would be that there are so many places visited, and not enough time is spent in all to truly discover what each has to offer.
Courage gets a few to the summit, my father is saying, but fear convinces most to choose the mud. Don’t you choose the mud, Astrid, he continues. You are far too strong for that.
The characters take center stage in this narrative, and although the tale is solely told using Astrid’s voice, a well-rounded cast, and the the precursor to the Race of Oblivion being the temporary removal of memories, we’re able to view the continent anew. I very much appreciated learning about the world and what makes it spin alongside the racers as they began to regain their memories. Tragedy spurs Astrid into entering the race in order to save what’s remaining of her family, and we witness a determined, adept, and supportive character emerge from the amnesiac fog. The consequences faced as a result of cruelty and arrogance is also highlighted brilliantly throughout. There are heroes, there are villains, there are those in between; each working towards separate goals using various means, allowing the reader to easily pick sides.
Another major aspect touched upon in this story is magic. A well-planned magic system called the Three Unities, namely Cientia, able to read emotions, Projectura, able to physically harm others without leaving visible wounds, and Pontium, able to build psychic bridges as a means of communication. At birth, Outsiders are inoculated, preventing them from ever developing these abilities since they’re only reserved for the Enchanteds. We learn Astrid is capable in these skillsets, which injects a new mysterious factor into the story that kept me guessing until the end. My only wish is that this system was further examined to convey the what and the how, as I felt it was slightly lacking.
Crown of Oblivion is a harsh and vivid account of a deadly scavenger hunt, leading us from one obscure clue to another at a breakneck pace. Simple prose made this a fun, easy read – however, there are aspects that felt overly-simplified, and would’ve benefitted from just a little more depth. The conclusion was also a bit lackluster, as I felt things tied up far too quickly, leaving me with more questions than answers, so I’m hoping this isn’t the last we see of this world. All things considered, I thoroughly enjoyed my journey through this book and would recommend it to anyone on the hunt for a YA tale of survival and pure conviction.
NOTE: A huge thank you to HarperTeen for providing me a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and to the Fantastic Flying Book Club for inviting me to take part in the Crown of Oblivion Blog Tour.
August 25, 2019
I honestly don’t understand my feelings for this book. Lol. There were many feelings....
In nutshell, Astrid lives a horrible life and was offered a chance at freedom and safety against others like her in a competition called the Crown of Oblivion. Basically all you need to know...
So I have many positives, and many negatives. They basically cancelled each other out in the end.
So the positives. I will say that this story was fast-paced, and that oddly worked for this story. Astrids constant struggles kept the story exciting and I found myself rooting for her because of the fact that she did nothing but struggle, both internally and externally. The element of the contestants losing their memory added an extra spice to the story that I...would have enjoyed a bit more had she made it a bit more interesting.
On the flip side I found myself entirely confused by the world surrounding Astrid. I just did NOT get it. There were kings and queens, lords, dukes, motorcycles, trucks, and technology. I was very confused. Like I get that fictional worlds can include modern elements, but it was delivered in a way that I just didn’t comprehend, and I found that that was my biggest reason for it not being 5 stars.
Moving on to the spoilers...
So remember when I said Astrid’s struggles kept this story alive? Well they freaking did. Astrid has been lied to the entire book, she had been beaten, she had a horrible past, and things just didn’t get any better for her. Immediately in the beginning of the book her father dies. Just flat out dies in front of her. I mean she already is a surrogate for the princess which means she takes all of the princess’s beatings on her behalf. Immediately following a bit about that in the prologue, he just freaking dies.
Throughout the book Astrid is beaten, especially in the fight between her and....ah I forgot his name. Starts with an O. Anyway, they fought, and I found it so chilling and anxiety inducing. These parts of the book are what moved me and kept me interested.
The villain. I found Prince Lars a bit...absent. When reading a book, I prefer that the villain be involved in the plot, usually heavily if possible. And Prince Lars barley had a reason to hate or attack Astrid in my opinion. Like, his reason fell short. It wasn’t strong enough. And then he becomes very prominent in the end? I feel like he should have been much more involved.
The romance was obvious, but it wasn’t insta-love. Or at least I didn’t feel like it was. Darius, who eventually becomes her partner, could barley stand her in the beginning. It took some trials for their guards to drop around each other, and I think Julie executed that part pretty well.
The element of magic. This was another thing I DID NOT GET. It wasn’t explained well. The enchanted vs the outsiders. The world basically was split by these two. Many of the outsiders were servants to the enchanted...and the enchanted were like...magical? They could feel presences and such. Nothing major. Astrid is an enchanted who wasn’t BORN one which causes authorities to chase her down a lot...but anyway, that connection to the world wasn’t explained well and so it felt very...out of place. Again with the world building, it was just....no.
The plot twists being that Darius—someone Julie leads us to believe is some random, and then reveals that he’s Kit; a boy Astrid simply lived with and hated while in the castle being the princess’s surrogate—had been in contact with this organization (OLA); outsiders who works against the “enchanted.” Also the thing with Kit been in love with the princess that Astrid has been a surrogate for before Kit and Astrid met was a fun twist. It wasn’t extremely shocking, as I predicted some of the twist. Also Astrid’s younger brother—her entire reason for entering, ALSO joined the competition. That was a nice twist...or just shocking. Not extremely though.
Anyway. I’m bad at reviews when I let the feelings sit too long 😂. But those are my initial thoughts on the Crown of Oblivion.
In nutshell, Astrid lives a horrible life and was offered a chance at freedom and safety against others like her in a competition called the Crown of Oblivion. Basically all you need to know...
So I have many positives, and many negatives. They basically cancelled each other out in the end.
So the positives. I will say that this story was fast-paced, and that oddly worked for this story. Astrids constant struggles kept the story exciting and I found myself rooting for her because of the fact that she did nothing but struggle, both internally and externally. The element of the contestants losing their memory added an extra spice to the story that I...would have enjoyed a bit more had she made it a bit more interesting.
On the flip side I found myself entirely confused by the world surrounding Astrid. I just did NOT get it. There were kings and queens, lords, dukes, motorcycles, trucks, and technology. I was very confused. Like I get that fictional worlds can include modern elements, but it was delivered in a way that I just didn’t comprehend, and I found that that was my biggest reason for it not being 5 stars.
Moving on to the spoilers...
So remember when I said Astrid’s struggles kept this story alive? Well they freaking did. Astrid has been lied to the entire book, she had been beaten, she had a horrible past, and things just didn’t get any better for her. Immediately in the beginning of the book her father dies. Just flat out dies in front of her. I mean she already is a surrogate for the princess which means she takes all of the princess’s beatings on her behalf. Immediately following a bit about that in the prologue, he just freaking dies.
Throughout the book Astrid is beaten, especially in the fight between her and....ah I forgot his name. Starts with an O. Anyway, they fought, and I found it so chilling and anxiety inducing. These parts of the book are what moved me and kept me interested.
The villain. I found Prince Lars a bit...absent. When reading a book, I prefer that the villain be involved in the plot, usually heavily if possible. And Prince Lars barley had a reason to hate or attack Astrid in my opinion. Like, his reason fell short. It wasn’t strong enough. And then he becomes very prominent in the end? I feel like he should have been much more involved.
The romance was obvious, but it wasn’t insta-love. Or at least I didn’t feel like it was. Darius, who eventually becomes her partner, could barley stand her in the beginning. It took some trials for their guards to drop around each other, and I think Julie executed that part pretty well.
The element of magic. This was another thing I DID NOT GET. It wasn’t explained well. The enchanted vs the outsiders. The world basically was split by these two. Many of the outsiders were servants to the enchanted...and the enchanted were like...magical? They could feel presences and such. Nothing major. Astrid is an enchanted who wasn’t BORN one which causes authorities to chase her down a lot...but anyway, that connection to the world wasn’t explained well and so it felt very...out of place. Again with the world building, it was just....no.
The plot twists being that Darius—someone Julie leads us to believe is some random, and then reveals that he’s Kit; a boy Astrid simply lived with and hated while in the castle being the princess’s surrogate—had been in contact with this organization (OLA); outsiders who works against the “enchanted.” Also the thing with Kit been in love with the princess that Astrid has been a surrogate for before Kit and Astrid met was a fun twist. It wasn’t extremely shocking, as I predicted some of the twist. Also Astrid’s younger brother—her entire reason for entering, ALSO joined the competition. That was a nice twist...or just shocking. Not extremely though.
Anyway. I’m bad at reviews when I let the feelings sit too long 😂. But those are my initial thoughts on the Crown of Oblivion.
November 26, 2023
This book was such a whirlwind of constant action, plot twists and magic! If you're a fan of The Amazing Race or, dare I say it, The Hunger Games, then you'll absolutely enjoy this!
The world is a bit odd, but somehow works. There are corn fields and tornado threats, pick-up trucks, Ferris wheels, castles, kings and queens and duke and duchesses, knights It took me about a quarter of the way through before I could get an idea of what it is and then really started to enjoy the book. To save you the confusion when you start, think of it as an alternate reality version of the US Midwestern landscape set in the Dustbowl era. Once I figured that out, the whole world clicked into place and I read so much faster. The magic aspect was interesting. An Enchanted can either feel the emotions of others to anticipate their next moves, or they can inflict pain on others with their mind.
As you can tell, there is indeed a race that is the focal point of this story. And it holds back no punches. This book is go-go-go from almost the start, and again, it somehow works. Indentured workers enter the Oblivion Races in the hopes they will be brought up to equal status with the Enchanteds and be declared citizens. The catch is they are injected with a drug called Oblivion that wipes their memories. When they awake they know nothing of themselves, and have nothing but the first clue. They follow clue after clue, riddle after riddle, together or alone, to reach the end. Hopefully without dying of thirst or exposure along the way. Astrid teams up with Darius, against her best judgement. While I found Astrid to be badass as heck, I didn't think she came out all too clever in this when it came to figuring out the clues. I could absolutely poke a hundred holes in the amnesia aspect, and point out that it seems half of the racers have the ability of teleportation, but why? It was entertaining to say the least!
I think Oblivion's downfall was in its being a standalone. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled when I learned it was. Thrilled. But there's a lot going on in this book. There is a lot of history, rebellion, backstory and such that it could have really benefited from that extra two hundred pages or so to properly give everything the attention it needed. Deserved even. The ending felt a bit rushed because of that, and I was a wee bit disappointed. There was so much more I wanted from the ending and several plot points throughout.
The world is a bit odd, but somehow works. There are corn fields and tornado threats, pick-up trucks, Ferris wheels, castles, kings and queens and duke and duchesses, knights It took me about a quarter of the way through before I could get an idea of what it is and then really started to enjoy the book. To save you the confusion when you start, think of it as an alternate reality version of the US Midwestern landscape set in the Dustbowl era. Once I figured that out, the whole world clicked into place and I read so much faster. The magic aspect was interesting. An Enchanted can either feel the emotions of others to anticipate their next moves, or they can inflict pain on others with their mind.
As you can tell, there is indeed a race that is the focal point of this story. And it holds back no punches. This book is go-go-go from almost the start, and again, it somehow works. Indentured workers enter the Oblivion Races in the hopes they will be brought up to equal status with the Enchanteds and be declared citizens. The catch is they are injected with a drug called Oblivion that wipes their memories. When they awake they know nothing of themselves, and have nothing but the first clue. They follow clue after clue, riddle after riddle, together or alone, to reach the end. Hopefully without dying of thirst or exposure along the way. Astrid teams up with Darius, against her best judgement. While I found Astrid to be badass as heck, I didn't think she came out all too clever in this when it came to figuring out the clues. I could absolutely poke a hundred holes in the amnesia aspect, and point out that it seems half of the racers have the ability of teleportation, but why? It was entertaining to say the least!
I think Oblivion's downfall was in its being a standalone. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled when I learned it was. Thrilled. But there's a lot going on in this book. There is a lot of history, rebellion, backstory and such that it could have really benefited from that extra two hundred pages or so to properly give everything the attention it needed. Deserved even. The ending felt a bit rushed because of that, and I was a wee bit disappointed. There was so much more I wanted from the ending and several plot points throughout.
November 12, 2019
Four years ago Astrid's brother Jayden ran away, escaping his indenture as the prince's surrogate. Astrid, Princess Renya's surrogate nearly died from the beating she took that night.
Now, with her father sick and needing medical attention and her younger brother depending on her, Astrid is thisclose to getting the King's decree allowing her father to get the treatment he needs.
But when tragedy strikes, Astrid is pushed to enter the Race of Oblivion, a life-or-death dangerous race/scavenger-like-hunt across the kingdom where the entrants are given a memory-erasing drug and the final outcome is death, a longer indenture to the king, or - for one lucky winner - citizenship for the winner's whole family.
When Astrid awakens in the race amid competitors who would kill her as soon as look at her, the unexpected help of a young man who seems so familiar to her, and a power she shouldn't have giving her an advantage the stakes are about to get a whole lot higher.
Crown of Oblivion was so easy to get caught up in. I loved Astrid right from the start and was rooting for her all the way.
I thought the Race of Oblivion, it's memory-erasing drug administered by masked people, and the terrain the race spread across were really interesting and inventive.
There's nervous tension, danger, intrigue, magic, and adventure in these pages that will keep you riveted from start to finish.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Crown of Oblivion and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a strong female lead and a unique life-or-death adventure.
Now, with her father sick and needing medical attention and her younger brother depending on her, Astrid is thisclose to getting the King's decree allowing her father to get the treatment he needs.
But when tragedy strikes, Astrid is pushed to enter the Race of Oblivion, a life-or-death dangerous race/scavenger-like-hunt across the kingdom where the entrants are given a memory-erasing drug and the final outcome is death, a longer indenture to the king, or - for one lucky winner - citizenship for the winner's whole family.
When Astrid awakens in the race amid competitors who would kill her as soon as look at her, the unexpected help of a young man who seems so familiar to her, and a power she shouldn't have giving her an advantage the stakes are about to get a whole lot higher.
Crown of Oblivion was so easy to get caught up in. I loved Astrid right from the start and was rooting for her all the way.
I thought the Race of Oblivion, it's memory-erasing drug administered by masked people, and the terrain the race spread across were really interesting and inventive.
There's nervous tension, danger, intrigue, magic, and adventure in these pages that will keep you riveted from start to finish.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Crown of Oblivion and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a strong female lead and a unique life-or-death adventure.
November 18, 2019
Crown of Oblivion is so different from Julie’s first series which I love because we get to see a different writing style from her.
This book takes you right into the action within the first 10% which I really enjoyed. It is a fast-paced YA Fantasy that takes Astrid on a journey that will take her from being an indentured servant to a free citizen. Being the surrogate to the princess hasn’t been easy and Astrid has faced many hard times but when she gets the opportunity to enter the race of oblivion she takes it.
As soon as Astrid is dropped into the race with no memory of who she is and only a map containing one clue, she’s immediately tested. She comes across people that seem familiar to her but she can’t remember why and she soon realizes that she may have an advantage over the other racers that if revealed could disqualify her from winning. She is helped by many different people, some she can trust and some she doesn’t but takes the help out of survival. It’s a keep your enemies closer kind of situation and the best way to survive is to make allies with those that are using her for the same reasons.
Astrid faced many challenges throughout this book but got through them like a rockstar. I am so glad I got a chance to read this book and get to know Astrid!
This book takes you right into the action within the first 10% which I really enjoyed. It is a fast-paced YA Fantasy that takes Astrid on a journey that will take her from being an indentured servant to a free citizen. Being the surrogate to the princess hasn’t been easy and Astrid has faced many hard times but when she gets the opportunity to enter the race of oblivion she takes it.
As soon as Astrid is dropped into the race with no memory of who she is and only a map containing one clue, she’s immediately tested. She comes across people that seem familiar to her but she can’t remember why and she soon realizes that she may have an advantage over the other racers that if revealed could disqualify her from winning. She is helped by many different people, some she can trust and some she doesn’t but takes the help out of survival. It’s a keep your enemies closer kind of situation and the best way to survive is to make allies with those that are using her for the same reasons.
Astrid faced many challenges throughout this book but got through them like a rockstar. I am so glad I got a chance to read this book and get to know Astrid!
July 16, 2020
Uf este libro echa aguas por todas partes. El mundo que nos presenta y la historia tenía pintaza pero no ha sabido explotarlo para nada. Y ese final? En fin. En la reseña de mi blog os hablaré más de los pros y contras de este libro.
April 28, 2020
Otro libro más que me convencen de leer con una premisa que luego es mucho mejor que la propia novela. Drama.
Pintaba fenomenal, como distopía, como libro de acción: la carrera para alcanzar la ciudadanía, la libertad, y los posibles peligros que encontrarían, pero se desinfla rápidamente, y hay tantos aspectos a los que les falta desarrollo o que directamente no encajan en la trama, que resulta una pena, porque podría haber sido una historia muy entretenida y emocionante, pero se queda en una historia que, si bien tal vez habría disfrutado en mis primeros tiempos como lectura, ahora mismo me ha dejado bastante decepcionada.
Pintaba fenomenal, como distopía, como libro de acción: la carrera para alcanzar la ciudadanía, la libertad, y los posibles peligros que encontrarían, pero se desinfla rápidamente, y hay tantos aspectos a los que les falta desarrollo o que directamente no encajan en la trama, que resulta una pena, porque podría haber sido una historia muy entretenida y emocionante, pero se queda en una historia que, si bien tal vez habría disfrutado en mis primeros tiempos como lectura, ahora mismo me ha dejado bastante decepcionada.
November 13, 2021
Wow, I enjoyed this book so much! So much action, such interesting characters! And the mysteries that they have to solve, but not always. Great read, and I wouldn't mind a sequel!
September 25, 2019
Engrossing and completely thrilling, CROWN OF OBLIVION is a fantastic new YA fantasy that I highly recommend. Dealing with themes including social injustice, health care inequality, and citizenship lotteries, this book is quite the read. In a world where people are separated by their birth into Enchanteds and Outsiders (upper and lower class respectively), Astrid is an Outsider. When her mother died, she also took on some of her indentured time, which is typically twenty years (to start, time can be added for various offenses/non-offenses) during which they are subjugated and often tortured by the Enchanted class.
Astrid's indentured time has her as a Surrogate, essentially a whipping boy for the princess. Anytime the Princess Renya does anything wrong, Astrid receives her punishment, typically of whipping. Astrid's back is covered in scars because of it.
Each year, the Race of Oblivion allows one Outsider the ability to become an Enchanted citizen through a series of challenges- all while their memories have been completely removed. If you lose, you get more indentured time. However, most of the entrants lose their lives in the race. After a series of events makes her desperate, Astrid enters the race and is exposed to unexpected challenges, new insights into her world, and many life-or-death situations.
I absolutely devoured this book. It is non-stop action from start to finish, and the many twists at the end really shocked me, which I love. In terms of the world-building, I do feel like we learned enough about the society to fully grasp it. In terms of characters, I completely fell in love with Astrid- she's fierce, brave, loyal, and clever. The side characters did not all feel fully fleshed out to me. We get to know a couple pretty well, but this book is really Astrid's, and I enjoyed her perspectives.
There's also a little bit of romance, which is icing on the cake, though I found Astrid's physical and personal journey to be the most compelling parts of the book. I also will say that I loved the inclusion of Astrid's younger brother, who seems to have autism (though not named as such). I would absolutely be on board with more books featuring these characters and this world.
Compelling, engrossing, and exhilarating, CROWN OF OBLIVION is an incredible journey in a new YA fantasy world that will leave readers quickly turning pages. Highly recommend for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES, RED QUEEN, THE SCORPIO RACES, and other highly engaging YA fantasy reads.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Astrid's indentured time has her as a Surrogate, essentially a whipping boy for the princess. Anytime the Princess Renya does anything wrong, Astrid receives her punishment, typically of whipping. Astrid's back is covered in scars because of it.
Each year, the Race of Oblivion allows one Outsider the ability to become an Enchanted citizen through a series of challenges- all while their memories have been completely removed. If you lose, you get more indentured time. However, most of the entrants lose their lives in the race. After a series of events makes her desperate, Astrid enters the race and is exposed to unexpected challenges, new insights into her world, and many life-or-death situations.
I absolutely devoured this book. It is non-stop action from start to finish, and the many twists at the end really shocked me, which I love. In terms of the world-building, I do feel like we learned enough about the society to fully grasp it. In terms of characters, I completely fell in love with Astrid- she's fierce, brave, loyal, and clever. The side characters did not all feel fully fleshed out to me. We get to know a couple pretty well, but this book is really Astrid's, and I enjoyed her perspectives.
There's also a little bit of romance, which is icing on the cake, though I found Astrid's physical and personal journey to be the most compelling parts of the book. I also will say that I loved the inclusion of Astrid's younger brother, who seems to have autism (though not named as such). I would absolutely be on board with more books featuring these characters and this world.
Compelling, engrossing, and exhilarating, CROWN OF OBLIVION is an incredible journey in a new YA fantasy world that will leave readers quickly turning pages. Highly recommend for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES, RED QUEEN, THE SCORPIO RACES, and other highly engaging YA fantasy reads.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 4, 2019
To be honest, I don't remember much of this book. I put off reviewing this because after finishing I felt meh about the book and didn't have much to say about it, so I just never wrote a review. And now I've already forgotten a lot of it, even though I just read it two months ago. It just wasn't a memorable story.
Actually, it was quite generic. Super bland, basic dystopian. It felt a lot like a Hunger Games knock off , without the emotional attachment or the believability. (Sure, HG seems kinda farfetched, but this one was even more so.) It takes place in regular society, with the citizens that lived there. No isolated or controlled environment. And it just didn't really make sense here. The citizens are forbidden to help the racers, and obviously they stick to that rule for everyone except the main character. And the citizens just put up with the racers stealing from them and dying in front of them. Because who doesn't love a little murder on their front porch in the morning, amirite?
The concept of the magic and the different types was interesting, but seemed kind of out in left field in comparison to the gritty dystopian-esque world. It reads as a dystopian, but it has fantasy elements (magic) and the setting is high fantasy? There are some cases where a mash-up of dystopian and HF works, but this one didn't for me.
I also felt absolutely nothing for the story or the characters. I wasn't the least bit invested in any of it. There was plenty of action and stuff happening, but it wasn't overly exciting. I can't say that I was bored, but the pacing felt rather slow for a high stakes race. This is one of those books where I enjoyed while I was reading (even though I had to suspend belief and forget the other 93485 stories that read almost exactly the same), but it didn't stick with me after I finished.
This review was originally posted on Novel Heartbeat. To see a breakdown of my assessment, please visit the full review here.
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