The structure of finding a challenge, solving it, then immediately finding a new challenge worked well in Crownchasers because it was set up as a competition. It didn’t need to feel like a natural progression of events because the Crown Chase was a deliberately designed contest (with some unexpected twists). Outside of the competition plot, like in this sequel, it doesn’t work as well. The first 3/4 of the book felt just ever so slightly off.

I mean it wasn’t even 10 seconds after we finish the “challenge” of grieving for the dead when the next immediately presents itself with the announcement of Edgar’s execution.

While quick pacing and action-packed story can be fun, I feel like Thronebreakers would have benefited from slowing things down a touch.

Also, I don’t know if I’m just in a worse mood than when I read Crownchasers or if Alyssa got more frustrating but I had much less patience with her, especially in the beginning. She was acting like a teenager, though. Teenagers make poor decisions and act selfishly. And this is a YA book. I’m not the target demographic so me not being able to relate or being frustrated isn’t necessarily a point against the book. Still, something to consider for anyone looking to get into it.

That being said, I didn’t hate it. Less enjoyable than Crownchasers but by no means is the book a flop. Yes, a lot of the conflict is very easily resolved to the point of feeling too convenient.

I mean really? Waith goes on an evil villain monologue and conveniently puts himself in the same room as his super evil assassins so that he can conveniently be filmed doing all this?

Yes, the plot felt formulaic and predictable to a fault. Yes, we got basically no answers about the evil shadow organization, mysterious assassins, or royal seal. But we get more time with the other Crownchasers, get some nice development to Edgar’s character, and Hellmonkey/Alyssa are a very cute couple with a surprisingly well developed relationship considering how everything else works out.

Not a book I see myself coming back to in the future but also not one I’ll immediately forget.