Early Review – Crownchasers (Crownchasers, Book 1) by Rebecca Coffindaffer (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Length:384 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 29, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-0062845160
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Crownchases duology
Source: eGalley from Edelweiss
Rating: 5/5 stars
“Farshot has spent her whole life trying to outrun her family legacy, even leaving behind the Kingship and her uncle, the emperor, for a life of exploring.
But when her dying uncle announces a crownchase—a search for the royal seal hidden in the empire that will determine the next ruler—Alyssa is thrust into her greatest, most dangerous adventure yet.”
Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Crownchasers duology. I got an eGalley of this through Edelweiss to review.
Story (5/5): This was an absolutely stunning book. I read the Prologue and was completely hooked, from there it just got better and better. The premise is relatively simple. Alyssa is the daughter of the emperor, but has been making her living as an explorer…that is until the emperor passes away. Right before his death the emperor instituted an ancient custom, the Crownchase. Each prominent family will be able to put one of their members into the Crownchase. The Crownchase will lead these contestants across the galaxy in an effort to determine who will be the next ruler.
This was incredibly fast-paced as our characters constantly dodge dangers and struggle with puzzles in an effort to find the royal seal. We get to journey to amazing worlds and see amazing things. It was an astounding story that was entertaining, witty, and funny but also had a lot of heart to it.
Characters (5/5): Okay so the characters are hands down amazing. There are many Crownchasers that we follow, yet somehow Coffindaffer made me engage with them all and made me love them all. I have never been so quickly engaged in so many characters’ stories so easily. The main character we follow is Alyssa and I loved her. She is snarky and witty and daring, yet still concerned with her father’s last wishes and with what is best for the people of the planets he ruled. She is just sooo much fun. She travels with an engineer named Hell Monkey and he won my heart right away. He is a badass engineer, who somehow manages to let Alyssa do all her crazy shenanigans while still managing to be supportive. Oh, I loved all of these characters soooo much.
Setting (5/5): I absolutely loved this world and setting. While there isn’t as much depth to the world-building as some sci-fi stories, we do get to journey to a lot of amazingly deadly and interesting worlds. We are talking about fire tsunamis and acid storms here, so interesting and so breathtaking. The worlds are put together well and do form a cohesive whole with the empire that these Crownchasers are looking to rule.
Writing Style (5/5): This book is perfectly written and exactly the type of thing I love to read. The story is mostly from Alyssa’s POV, but we also hear from another one of the Crownchasers off and on. Each series of breathtaking scenes is followed by a look into Alyssa’s past and some scenes from when she was a kid growing up with these other kids who are now her fellow Crownchasers. The book is snappy, action-packed, and full of wit. It’s a wonderful blend of adventure, action, politics, and heartfelt (yet uncomfortable) scenes between Alyssa and those she is competing against.
My Summary (5/5): Overall this was amazing and one of my absolute favorite books of the year. I grabbed this to review on a whim and am soooo glad I did. I was in the mood for a good sci-fi and boy did this deliver. The worlds are amazing, the characters engaging, the action non-stop and the puzzles and politics complex and intriguing. I loved so much about this book and want the 2nd book immediately!!! Alyssa has such a unique and fun voice throughout the book. I need more of her, Hell Monkey, and all these crazy Crownchasers. If you are looking for an action-packed sci-fi with a snarky heroine who doesn’t have a good sense of self preservation this is the book for you. Highly recommended!!!!
