manu71005's review against another edition
2.0
You know that type of book that has everything you like but you still don't like(?) This book was that kind, it had a story that wasn't bad, but..... I don't know, too slow maybe? or so something?
Conclusion it's a good story that you won't enjoy (mostly bad (?))
Conclusion it's a good story that you won't enjoy (mostly bad (?))
jtisreading's review against another edition
4.0
First, Crown of Oblivion is a quick read that is fast-paced and both character and plot-driven. This was the first book I've read by Eshbaugh and was pleased. This is definitely a read f0r middle-grade focused readers the content is a little gory at times for some perhaps but altogether a well crafted exciting book that paces decently well and doesn't take away from enjoyability.
It is hard to make a journey story non-repetitive and there might be a few redundant feeling pages especially since the journey is episodic. Esbaugh is smart enough, however, to create enough fresh ideas that lend themselves to a unique feel for the story world she has created. The political and moral ideas are also important and yet not performed in any soapbox fashion.
Once again the writing isn't unique or difficult as prose but should that be expected of a YA middle-grade novel? Nope. In fact, this book is exciting and fun enough that I would definitely recommend schools use in the classroom. There are big ideas that would generate discussion and yet the story would catch even the most bored of readers.
It is hard to make a journey story non-repetitive and there might be a few redundant feeling pages especially since the journey is episodic. Esbaugh is smart enough, however, to create enough fresh ideas that lend themselves to a unique feel for the story world she has created. The political and moral ideas are also important and yet not performed in any soapbox fashion.
Once again the writing isn't unique or difficult as prose but should that be expected of a YA middle-grade novel? Nope. In fact, this book is exciting and fun enough that I would definitely recommend schools use in the classroom. There are big ideas that would generate discussion and yet the story would catch even the most bored of readers.
novelheartbeat's review against another edition
2.0
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
Spoiler
(even down to the ending, with the race *conveniently* having two winners)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.
sleepycharlene's review against another edition
3.0
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.
maggie56's review
4.0
I gave it four stars but it should be 3 1/2; it’s good, after the first 50 pages you are constantly picking it up to read... “what’s going to be next?” The ending was what I expected, but then it just ends...... I was hoping for a better finale. But to each his own...
jessica_8675's review
4.0
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.
chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
4.0
Crown of Oblivion was a gritty, entertaining read with a main character to root for. The Race of Oblivion was a Hunger-Games-esque fight to the death created to control and limit two warring sides of society, and the fast-paced action of it kept the story moving forward as the stakes increased. Written with heart and care, Eshbaugh's story of a girl fighting for agency was a joy to read.
The heart of the story was found in Astrid and the love she had for her family. Her strength—both physical and mental—was a huge reason why this story was so easy to fall into. She was selfless and brave, loyal and yet still naive. Those basic emotions were never far behind her choices and while she was continually tested, she never strayed far from her moral compass even if it would've been easier to. The world—while not as fleshed out as it could've been—felt reminiscent of modern society with a magical twist, and it really dug into exploring divided classes and how it destroys both sides, without shying away from the sad brutality of it. Through twists and turns, I enjoyed falling into this world, falling for who Astrid was no matter what came at her, and I hope that there's more to come.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
The heart of the story was found in Astrid and the love she had for her family. Her strength—both physical and mental—was a huge reason why this story was so easy to fall into. She was selfless and brave, loyal and yet still naive. Those basic emotions were never far behind her choices and while she was continually tested, she never strayed far from her moral compass even if it would've been easier to. The world—while not as fleshed out as it could've been—felt reminiscent of modern society with a magical twist, and it really dug into exploring divided classes and how it destroys both sides, without shying away from the sad brutality of it. Through twists and turns, I enjoyed falling into this world, falling for who Astrid was no matter what came at her, and I hope that there's more to come.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
missprint_'s review against another edition
2.0
I just don’t want to read this. I was excited about the premise but I wanted the book to start in a different place (like the super cool race!) and wound up not caring enough about the characters to read long enough to get to that point.
fullsun00's review against another edition
3.0
2,75.
I will keep this short. It was fun yes. But there were some plot holes and it was really confusing and no problem that is presented gets resolved. They just keep appearing and by the end we have them all with an abrupt ending and no solutions.
I will keep this short. It was fun yes. But there were some plot holes and it was really confusing and no problem that is presented gets resolved. They just keep appearing and by the end we have them all with an abrupt ending and no solutions.