A deadly race across 1,001 planets will determine more than just the fate of the empire. This explosive first book in a duology jam-packed with tension and thrills is perfect for fans of  The Hunger Games ,  Aurora Rising ,   and  Three Dark Crowns . Alyssa 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.  Gr 9 Up—Alyssa Farshot, blue of skin, brown of eye, is a pilot and adventurer extraordinaire who, along with her dishy human engineer, Hell Monkey, he of sexy hazel eyes, explores the universe in her worldcruiser the Vagabond Quick. She is also the niece of the Emperor of the United Sovereign Empire, a conglomeration of humans and humanoids, like the foarians whose silvery horns and huge eyes exude empathy, and the hallüdrae like Alyssa and the emperor, with jewel-toned skin and eyes. Alyssa thought she had escaped royal duty and politics but upon his deathbed her uncle declares a crownchase to determine the next ruler and Alyssa must take part. This is no tame race; murder of a chaser is forbidden but pretty much anything else goes. And it is clear from the start that not everyone will play nice. Alyssa and Hell Monkey hurtle across the universe chasing from one dangerous clue to another while grappling with ambitious and deadly chasers, with non-stop snark and clever repartee that will keep readers laughing and gasping at the same time. It wraps up with a sequel-launching cliffhanger. VERDICT Recommend this space opera hit to fans of Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff's Aurora Rising and Brandon Sanderson's Skyward.—Gretchen Crowley, formerly at Alexandria City P.L., VA " Crownchasers is a sharp, smart, and exhilarating space adventure, filled with intrigue and romance, unique tech and all the cool alien worlds you could wish for!” - Tessa Gratton author of Strange Grace and The Queens of Innis Lear “With stakes that are as personal as they are political, Coffindaffer delivers a fast-paced adventure that pulls no punches. Dynamic and explosive!"  - Natalie C Parker author of Seafire and Steel Tide "With a voice that punches you straight between the eyes, Crownchasers is a rip-roaring good time. Fun, fast, witty, and deep, this space opera takes classic tropes and puts them through an intergalactic spin cycle. A fresh take on the final frontier." - Sarah Henning author of Sea Witch and Sea Witch Rising “This story blasts off from the first page—hang on for one hell of a ride!” - Claudia Gray, New York Times bestselling author of Defy the Stars “Packed with action, snark, and a competition to claim the rule of the empire,  Crownchasers  is a love letter to all that is good in science fiction.” - The Nerd Daily "Non-stop snark and clever repartee will keep readers laughing and gasping at the same time. This space opera hit [will appeal] to fans of Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s Aurora Rising and Brandon Sanderson’s Skyward ." - School Library Journal Rebecca Coffindaffer (they/she) grew up on  Star Wars ,  Star Trek , fantastical movies and even more fantastical books. They waited a long time for their secret elemental powers to develop, and in the interim, they started writing stories about magic and politics, spaceships, far-off worlds, and people walking away from explosions in slow motion. These days they live in Kansas with their family, surrounded by a lot of books and a lot of tabletop games and one big fuzzy dog. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram, or visit their website at www.rebeccacoffindaffer.com.