Three Dark Crowns

By Author / Illustrator

Kendare Blake

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Pan Macmillan

ISBN

9781509804559

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

22-09-2016

Synopsis

Three Dark Crowns is a heart-stopping fantasy from Kendare Blake, acclaimed author of Anna Dressed in Blood.

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 stomach-ache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of beasts.

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.

Three Dark Crowns is the first book in the bestselling Three Dark Crowns series. Discover more about the three queens and continue the thrilling quartet with One Dark Throne and Two Dark Reigns.

Reviews

Three Dark Crowns follows a set of triplets, all three queens - heirs to the crown, though only one will reign. All three born with a different gift. At the age of six, they are separated to be raised by different families, each with a different gift, giving each a completely different upbringing. The sisters don't see each other again until they turn 16, when they will have to kill each other leaving only one to be the ruling Queen of Fennbrin... I loved the idea of this book, however the plot wasn't what I was expecting. From the synopsis, I was expecting this brutal battle between the sisters. This first book is really the lead up to all of that. I have got to say that not a lot happens in the first half as the author has given this over to setting the scene,the plot and letting the reader getting to know the girls. Normally this would only take a few chapters but as the book is from three different perspectives you are kind of getting this three times! In saying this, I'm glad that I stuck with it as it gets so much better in the second half and leads the reader into a very unsuspected twist at the end, leaving you eager for the next book, which I believe is on the shelves during September 2017. Katharine is a poisoner. She's supposed to be able to consume excruciating amounts of poison without any side-effects, but her power is still developing. Mirabella is an elemental, giving her power over the elements such as fire, water, and wind, she is very powerful and seems to be the strongest contender for the throne. Arisnoe is a naturalist. She should be able to make flowers bloom, have control over animals, and have an animal familiar, however her power has yet to develop. I liked all the girls, didn't have a favourite as they all have such different personalities. The story is written in third person from each if the girls' perspectives and a few other characters so I would only recommend the book to very advanced, confident readers as the chapters jump from character to character. This book is for 13+ readers who enjoy pure fantasy on the Game of Thrones type of theme with lots of magic and mystery. Sorry but I have to mention the ending once again as it had me shouting WHAT!.. didn't see that coming and left me wanting more. Not a bad story at all and would highly recommend. 432 pages / Ages 13+ / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian.