Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh – a Review

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Description:
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.

Review:

Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh is a YA Fantasy novel. Astrid Jael, our heroine, is a surrogate outsider to the Princess Reyna, with both being very close.  However, Astrid suffers consequences, such as being whipped, for anything that the family deems Reyna has done wrong; Astrid has the scars on her back to prove her loyalty to Reyna.  But when Astrid tries to help her family, even with Reyna’s help, her father dies and Astrid needs to step up to save her young brother.

She decides to enter the Race of Oblivion, which is a death defying race (similar a little to Hunger Games), with only the winner receiving full citizenship with benefits for the entire family.  The race is difficult and brutal, as for most of the contestants, the race will end in their deaths.   This will free her brother and herself as surrogatea; despite the low odds, Astrid signs up to enter the race.

Each contestant is given a memory altering drug (Oblivion) that wipes out their memory, being in the middle of nowhere and trying to find clues to further them in the game.  Astrid was a wonderful heroine, who was loyal, strong, smart, independent and who had secret magical ability, which she kept hidden until she needed to use it to save herself.  Along the way, Astrid meets many people who would help her or try to kill her, as well as finding her long lost older brother, who turns out to be a member of the OLA (revolutionary group).  Determined to do this alone, Astrid reluctantly accepts the help of Darius, to partner up until they would reach the end. 

What follows is an intense, exciting, action filled adventure that will have us on the edge of our seat throughout the many violent and dangerous situations as they get closer to the end. Esbaugh gives us some great secondary characters besides Astrid; Darius, Reyna, both of her brothers, and a nasty villain in Prince Lars. I did love Astrid, and liked Darius after a bit.    As we raced to the climax, there were so many twists and turns that caught us by surprise, and changing things drastically. 

Crown of Oblivion was not only exciting and intense, but it was an intriguing and compelling story line.  The world building was very well done and different.  Julie Esbaugh did a wonderful job writing this story in a difficult world.   I have not seen if this is going to be a series, but I thought that though the end was satisfying, there were things left open that could result in another book or two.  I suggest if you enjoy YA fantasy, you should read Crown of Oblivion.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher