Three Dark Crowns (#1) by Kendare Blake (Sept. 2016)
398 pages
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: The library.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble |
Amazon |
The Book Depository
My Rating:
Goodreads Summary: When kingdom come, there will be one.
In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born—three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.
But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins.
The last queen standing gets the crown.
My Review
Describe Three Dark Crowns in three words: Wicked. Smart. Shocking.
Before I even finished reading Three Dark Crowns I was recommending the book to anyone I came across. My coworkers may have even started to get annoyed that this was the only book I was talking about. Three Dark Crowns is dark and lovely and captivating. It's a strong start to what I am sure is going to be a great fantasy series. I know it left me wanting more.
Meeting all three sisters and trying to pick a favorite was a challenge. Each young lady is complex and I cheered for all three. I did find Katharine, the poisoner, to be most intriguing. If I had to pick a favorite it would be her. Arsinoe, the naturalist, is sweet and frustrated with her powers not blossoming. Mirabella, the elemental, has a power like no other and is amazingly strong. All three girls want to be queen, but only one can. Even though these ladies were raised apart, killing ones sister isn't going to be an easy task, even though that task is how it has always been. These characters are sure to get you invested in this novel.
The setting is pleasantly detailed and each sister's dwelling is remarkably different. Each sister was raised in a different town with different parental figures and different types of environments. As for the plot, it was nicely paced although some say it was a little slow going, but I have to disagree with that one. I was entertained from start to finish. It may have read like a first book (an introduction) in a series, but that didn't bother me any. The ending was explosive! I am still reeling over it. Now I just need the second book to come out already. I think it is going to be better than the first.
The Verdict: Read it. Better late than never. ;)
