ARC Review: Crownchasers by Rebecca Coffindaffer

My Review:

A fun and gripping YA sci-fi novel with heart-pounding action and compelling characters, Crownchasers follows Alyssa Farshot as she competes in a dangerous game for the throne. There are so many levels to this story. At a basic level, it’s a space race for the throne. However, the story is also about what it takes to be a good leader. It examines values and morals, what people are willing to do or sacrifice for those they love, the lengths people go to for power, as well as the power of friendship, grief, love, and loss. And at the heart of it all is Alyssa.

Alyssa is an exceptional protagonist. Finding herself as she grudgingly participates in the competition, Alyssa is smart, astute, vulgar, and fierce. I love her sass and independent spirit. As the only relative of the reigning emperor, Alyssa knows she must eventually face the responsibilities of her station. However, she has wanderlust and longs to travel the universe. The Crownchase is Alyssa’s chance for adventure before she fulfills her familial expectations.

Alyssa is also really funny, though she often uses sarcasm to avoid her feelings, especially when dealing with her love life. Her witty banter with friends and foes lightened some tense situations and exacerbated others. Alyssa is a good person who can be selfish and selfless at the same time, but, above all, she is loyal and true. People tend to gravitate toward her because of her empathetic, interested, and adventurous personality.

The other characters in the story are equally interesting and well-developed, and, as the characters explore the universe, there is also an exploration of their relationships. I found this aspect of the story really interesting since the relationships are complex and universal. There’s a young woman taking steps toward independence, there is a blossoming relationship with the pair afraid to reveal their deep feelings, there are trustworthy and untrustworthy friendships, and there are frenemies whose intentions are unclear. All of the relationships are intricately woven, fascinating, and universal.

An epic sci-fi odyssey that’s a cross between The Amazing Race, Aurora Rising, and The Hunger Games, Crownchasers gripped me from beginning to end. I loved the immersive story, the sci-fi setting, the intense competition, the dynamic characters, and the poignant messages. Plus, there’s the romance and that ending!! Amazing!!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Harper Teen for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

---

Rating:

Favorite Lines:

Anything looks harmless and pretty if you’re far enough away.

I’m not like Charlie, polished and respectable. And I’m not like Enkindler Wythe, happily needling his way deeper and deeper into politics. I flew out of here once, trying to shake the weight of the kingship and the throne and everything that came with it. But I didn’t fly far enough.

She laughs and it’s like a bell calling people to worship.

They might… like him more. He wanted that once, a long time ago when he was young and they’d all seemed like bright, vibrant suns that he’d circled endlessly, always at a distance, never allowed to get close enough to discover if he had a light of his own to cast.

“Sure, Mega,” Faye says, and I check the floor to make sure all the sarcasm dripping off her words hasn’t made a pool around her feet.

Recommendations:

I recommend Crownchasers to everyone!!! lol It’s such a great read, and I think people who enjoy YA sci-fi will love it!!