Feature: Prepping for the Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh

Ready. Set. RACE. The Race of Oblivion is about to begin and we have the rules and tips laid out here. Will you take the Crown of Oblivion?

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Crown of Oblivion

by Julie Eshbaugh
Published by: HarperTeen
on November 12, 2019
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
IndieBound
Goodreads

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.

Rules of the Race of Oblivion & Prepping for the Crown

1. You’re racing for citizenship for you and your family. You’ll be indentured no more. No pressure.
2. You lose your memories. No amount of mental prepping will help you here. At best, you might have a spark of a memory that helps you later.
3. You wake up with nothing but the clothes you went under in. You should wear something practical for the long haul (but also something someone won’t want to steal).
4. It is illegal for anyone to help you. That means you’re at best an outcast and at worst an enemy.
5. There can only be one winner. Don’t make friends. Definitely do not fall in love.