Three Dark Crowns: 1

When amazon first popped this book up as one I might like, my reaction was to search and see what book reading people thought of it. Big mistake. There are so many bad reviews out there saying this book is boring, a slow read, over complicated, confusing and hard to finish that I was almost put right off trying it for myself. One review said it was slow starting but worth it to persevere as the next in the series is amazing - this peaked my interest so I decided to go for it and am so glad I did! I really enjoyed this book, I found it easy to read and not complicated at all. The storyline is good and it's not difficult to move between the main characters, I really dont know how anyone interested in this book could not love it. Will be buying the next installment as soon as it's out in paperback - am excited to see this story evolve.

I don’t really know what I was expecting from this book, but it turned out to be pretty good. It starts off kind of dull and cold and miserable, but it soon perks up and by the time I was a couple of chapters in, I was really enjoying it. I think the miserable beginning is down to the viewpoint it’s told from - the book alternates chapters between the three sisters and Katharine the Poisoner is up first. She’s not having an amazing time eating poison every day, so I think that’s why the beginning of the book is a bit miserable. Once we get on to Arsinoe in the next segment, things get a bit happier. I liked the three sisters - they had enough similarities and differences to make things interesting and to make me want to keep reading, but for me the best aspect was the worldbuilding. It was really thoughtful and slightly creepy. The story is set on this island where people are gifted with different abilities, like the ability to eat poison without getting sick, or the ability to bloom flowers or ripen fruit with a wave of your hand. And that’s fine, but when outsiders visit from the mainland, you start to see how outsiders view the island, and that’s when it gets really interesting. The plot itself is slow-moving at first and for the first three quarters of the book there isn’t a great deal that happens. I still found it very readable, though, as I was really into the characters and the relationships between them and also the setting and background of the island’s traditions. The last quarter of the book ramps the action up a lot, but I’d have preferred a bit more tension/plot in the beginning. I didn’t realise this was a series - if I had I’d have waited a bit before reading it as the next book isn’t out for a while yet (September in the UK, I think?). I really want to read it as Three Dark Crowns ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I’m itching to find out what happens next.

Strongly I first read this book when it initially came out two years ago and was blown away by how much i enjoyed it. The story follows three sisters, each with their own type of magical ability, who must one day fight until one remains, to claim the throne and rule the kingdom. You follow each of the sisters in turn to see how they fare in their training and connect with them all to the point where you yourself do not know who you want to become queen. The writing is captivating and the story held my attention throughout and when the second installment came out i dropped everything to read it. This was an excellent read and i really can't wait to see how this story pans out in its final installment

I loved this book so much. The beginning was a bit slow, though I can understand why. Kendare spends the first half of the book laying the foundations for the character, the world and the story which I think is necessary to be able to keep up with what comes next. The plot twists, drama and character development are exquisite! This is a book that had my jaw dropping and my heart racing and I had to pick up Book 2 (One Dark Throne) straight after finishing this.

3.5 Stars 'Three Dark Crowns' is an inventive & intriguing novel with a fantastic dark premise that is centered around the lives of triplet queens. The queens are separated as children in order for them to compete for the throne when they reach the age of sixteen, with the world watching and waiting, knowing that after the ascension year only one sister will survive. Each sister is placed in the care of a different family who reflects the magical abilities that each queen possesses. The story opens as the triplets reach their sixteenth birthday. Katharine, the youngest and frailest sister is a poisoner. She is brought up by the Arron family in the dark and gothic setting of Greavesdrake Manor. As a poisoner Katharine is expected to be able to consume vast amounts of varying poisons without coming to harm as well as being able to mix her own poisonous concoctions to kill or punish her enemies. Poisoner queens have sat on the throne for multiple generations, allowing the Arron's vast political influence with many seats on the Black Council. Katharine is expected to continue their strong tradition but not all is going to plan.... It is very easy to sympathize with Katharine's plight and she has amazing character progression! I can't say any more because of spoilers but she is a very cool character. Arsinoe is a naturalist, who is brought up in the peaceful port town of Wolf Spring by the Malone family. She is a lovely, down-to-earth character and also has an amazing best friend in the daughter of the Malone's, Jules. Jules' naturalist gift is evident as she has a very formidable animal familiar, a mountain cat called Camden. Like her younger sister, Arsinoe is struggling with her gift and there is a lot of doubt as to whether she will survive the ascension year. For me, Arsinoe became my protagonist fairly early on as I enjoyed her tom-boyish charm, the way she interacts with her friends and perhaps because who doesn't love an underdog? Mirabella is a very powerful elementalist and her town of Rolanth, including the priestess', believe her to be blessed and destined to be the next heir to the throne. Mira as a character is a slow burner. It takes longer to get to know her as she is a very thoughtful character and, despite her vast power, she feels very human. As the reader moves from chapter to chapter the narrative cleverly switches between the three queens, which gives a deeper insight into their individual lives and helps to create empathy towards each of them. This writing style decision is so important to the novel as the whole premise is that only one queen will survive and as you go along you feel like you have to pick a side. I enjoyed the switching third person perspectives as I found it refreshing. It is an easy book to pick up and put down, which is great if you want to read in shorter bursts. There are times when you want to keep going because you are interested in a particular queen but on the other hand there is also the danger that when you complete a chapter you feel like you are 'finished', which can discourage you from continuing. The book, particularly the first half, is extremely slow. This is due to switching perspectives between chapters but also because you enter the story at a time when the queens are preparing rather than straight in to the action. The premise does create a dark undertone but it also lacks presence in the preparation stages. The last third of the book definitely picks up steam as you get in to the real action and I loved the way the book concludes. There are several twists in the book. The main twist I saw coming but I know a lot of people were left open-mouthed! The question that drives you is how many queens are left standing by the end of the book and that is a very exciting driver throughout. I really enjoyed the story and immediately picked up the sequel 'One Dark Throne'. There are a lot of well thought-out and interesting characters. The world building is complicated but really well done. I would recommend this book to any YA fans who want something a little different, particularly if they enjoy dystopia. If however you are the sort of person who likes to get straight into the action then this book is probably not for you!

I really enjoyed this book, I found the idea of triplets born in a cruel world, where only one can be queen, so that once they grow up one girl must kill the other two to be able to rule. I love the dynamic between these girls and how each are different according to their gifts. – Mirabella, the elemental. – Katharine, the poisoner. – Arsinoe, the naturalist. At times this book was slow, I did get confused between the secondary characters and I would have liked a bit more world building but I liked that there were so many twists and I was really shocked at times, hoping these events will get explained in the next book. There was a romance in the book that I didn’t like at all and I didn’t understand why it was put in unless all was not as it seemed, which I would prefer. For the moment my favourite Queen is Arsinoe. I liked her personality, she is very laid back and not afraid to get her hands dirty and she seems to have had the best upbringing of all of the triplets. The training that Mirabella and Katharine especially was horrible and there are some cruel moments shown when the story moves onto them. I also like how political it is from throughout the book, there is a lot of plotting and sly tactics which made me gasp a few times. I cannot wait for the next one. Have you read this series? Which of the queens is your favourite?

I really enjoyed this book. I love how it twisted every supposed idea you had before reading, like each perception you had of each sister from the blurb, and how each girl was a unique, individual character who was completely different from the blurb, especially by the end of the story. I'll admit that sometimes parts were a little tedious or I found myself impatient to get to the next chapter and another character's perspective but I think it's natural that you pick a favourite out of the 3 main girls. I really look forward to the next book, and I would recommend this one to people in a heartbeat. A different turn after Anna Dressed in Blood but I enjoyed this book just as much.

This is a great YA read. The story starts strong and introduces you to three unique characters. I really like how the author has all three in completely different mindsets and how they all actually act differently! I definitely didn’t expect the ending and couldn’t wait to read book two!

Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Many people say there isn't really anything happening, but I think that's not true. I mean something is always happening but it isn't like a crash or an explosion. Just many smaller things. Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved all three sisters immediately. Especially Katherine (Don't know why). And I mean the boys weren't so bad either. World ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Like how cool is that? Three princesses were born and they have to kill each other with their magic skills to become queen. What a nice way to get a throne, huh? Love ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ There is not only one love story, there are a few. And I liked them all. Writing style ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Definitely will read more of this author. I really liked the writing.

Bom

Never thought it would be this good. Breathtaking ending, so many unfinished business that i'd love to revisit once the sequel is out. Amazing work of fiction and a very absorbing read.

Le pongo cinco estrellas porque el contenido es bueno y no quisiera dañar a la autora por el mal manejo de Amazon, pero por fuera está en terribles condiciones. Me llegó sin plástico protector, con la portada con polvo y manchas como de grasa, y todas las páginas están mal cortadas o rasgadas. Pedí un reemplazo y, no me quejo, me lo cambiaron sin contratiempos y al día siguiente, pero me encuentro con la sorpresa de que el reemplazo tiene los mismos defectos sólo que en cantidades ligeramente menores. Recomiendo comprar el libro, pero no de Amazon, si es posible de una tienda física en la que puedan estar seguros de que está en buenas condiciones.

Oh My. I read this book in 2 days and am contemplating devouring it again as soon as I finish this review. It's dark fairytale fantasy. There are three sisters destined to fight to the death. There can only be one queen. Each sister has a gift. Only the strongest will prevail. Enough synopsis. The poisoner storyline was amazing. These were characters so dark and yet so alluring it was reminiscent of Anne Rices vampires!!! I couldn't get enough!! The descriptions of the poisoned food made me indeed ravenous while at the same time my stomach was twisting in knots. The poisoner queen is my pick to win the dark throne but either the elemental or the naturalist queen could easily win also. The author managed to create three strong queens that inspire devotion, love and sacrifice from their followers despite the fact that two of the three appear to HAVE NO GIFT. So this really isn't even a contest. Or is it? *****Spoiler Alert******* I was idly pondering the mystery of the giftless queens from the second they were introduced and my very first instinct was that they were switched. Despite a small pang of disappointment that I had guessed half of the big reveal early on in the novel the ending STILL left me on tenterhooks. Sure I guessed the twist......but how will that change things? Which animal did the poisoner queen (Katherine) call to save her from the pit? I'm dying to know what her familar is!! How does Arsinoe (naturalist queen) even stay in the GAME? She's a poisoner who knows nothing of POISONS. Strong personality but she's holding a very weak hand at this point. Mirabella (Elemental queen) is sort of the boring big sister/mother hen type but she can literally rain down hell on you. Strong gift. Boring girl. But her bond with her sisters and also now with Joseph is intriguing. Does her empathy and magnetism lose her a crown or does she change the entire GAME??? And speaking of changing the game this author just obliterated Anne Bishop's Dark Jewels trilogy with a single novel!!!! (Please don't cut off my hands) Blasphemous I know. Unbelievable really. But also true. Stay with us Ms. Blake. Please. This is your niche. And there are so few novels of this quality in this subset of the dark fantasy genre. Back to the book review. The only weakness of the novel was the men. Largely forgettable and interchangeable.....even Joseph was a let down! The book sets you up for this fire brand alpha male who defies all in order to save Arsinoe. Mmmmmm not so much. Jules herself could take him down in her sleep. And seriously???? Two nights with Arabella completely unmanned you??? Boooo! Dude turns out to be a total cream puff. They all are really. I get the whole matriarchal society thing but the male characters need more personality and to grow a spine in order to be interesting and suitable mates for any of the women. That's it folks. Fantastic novel. Immersive and fascinating world. Intriguing culture and lore. Three kick butt triplet queens. And a heck of a contest for the dark throne hunger games style but without the moralistic undertones. Random Fangirl Sidenote: Gooooooo team Katherine!!! A skilled poisoner nee' strong naturalist should be a force of nature right????And she's freaking pissed! Love IT!