Friday, August 26, 2016

Review: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Title: Three Dark Crowns
Author: Kendare Blake
Series: Book One in the Three Dark Crown Series
Published By: HarperTeen (September 20, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
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.


If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.









Kendare Blake is known for her uniquely dark and sometimes morbid writing. Stories that suck you in and fascinate you regardless of how gory or disturbing they may be at times. And when I saw her latest read about triplets that must kill one another so one can take the crown, I knew I was all in.

After loving and devouring Anna Dressed in Blood on it's release, I knew another dark story by a very talented writer was just what I needed and even more so, what I craved. 

Three Dark Crowns did not disappoint. Unique, beautifully dark, and naturally calling for a thirst of blood, it was hard not to fall in love with these three sisters, all raised in different environments and surroundings, but all raised for murder.

They are each different and unique but each one slowly stole my heart and made me not only like them, but feel for them. 

I loved the twists, the deceit, the hidden love and violence, and of course the very unique storyline. 

I couldn't get enough and was so disappointed when I came to the end, I did not want it to be over yet and I wanted book two in my hands right away.  It will be a long wait until the next book and with the twists that I didn't see coming, and the reveals I never thought imaginable, I can't wait for it. 







*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

47 comments:

  1. I have never read anything by Kendare Blake but like the idea of dark and morbid writing. Glad this one worked for you and hope book two will be just as good!! Great review!!

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    1. I know it didn't work for everyone but I seriously liked it. ;)

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  2. Oh yay b/c I have a copy of this one!! xo

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  3. AH YAY!!! I'm so excited for this one Ali, I'm thrilled to see you loved it. Kendare Blake always delivers on the unique front:)

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    1. She really does and I love that about her work Jenny.

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  4. YAY! I was also all in when I heard about the premise. Can't wait to read this one!

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  5. I have this one on my tbr and I cannot wait to get to it!

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  6. Wow, sounds like a good read! I know I was intrigued by the summary but I'm even more curious now.

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    1. Glad I could make you more interested in it, it really was fun and different.

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  7. Ooh what a description "beautifully dark and calling for a thirst of blood" this sounds fantastic! Thanks

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  8. I had this on my wish list. I did't know the ARCS were out. I will see if I can still grab it. So glad it was a win for you.

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    1. It' still on there so hopefully you can grab a copy.

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  9. I need to get started on Kendare's novel. Always meaning to but keep forgetting. Add to my buy list. This book sounds right up my alley. Have you read or plan to read Nevernight by Jay Kristoff? I got my copy in the mail this week and the UK hardcover is so beautiful. Plus it is also a dark story.

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  10. I have to binge read her for sure. I love me some dark reads!

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  11. It's always so great when you have twists like that! I want to try this author!

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  12. I have been curious about this, I have her Anna Books but never read them :(

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    1. I admit I didn't read the second one but I loved the first Kim.

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  13. That does sound like an interesting book.

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  14. I didn't like this one and had to DNF it, but I'm so glad that you enjoyed it!!! Great review. :D

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    1. I know you did, I can totally see how it wouldn't be for everyone, especially if they were expecting something way darker.

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  15. I absolutely adored this book. Like you, I was so sad when it ended and I can't WAIT for more!!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. Yay *high fives you* That makes me happy especially since the reviews and ratings for this were all over the place.

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  16. There have been some seriously mixed reviews for this one, and I was just thinking about putting it off, but I'm really excited I read your review. If you enjoyed it so much, I'll probably enjoy it too since our interests in books align. :)
    Can't wait to experience all the darkness, Ali! :)

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    1. There have been and I don't think it is a read for everyone but for whatever reason, I really liked it. But I went in not expecting a whole lot because of all the negative reviews I saw for it and I think that helped.

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  17. This sounds fascinating. But it also sounds like one that I need all the books to be out in order to enjoy! Great review Ali!

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  18. I do like darker stories. I'll have to give this one a try one day. Great review.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. Thanks Melanie and I hope if you do decide to try it you end up liking it as well.

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  19. I wasn't a fan of Anna Dressed in Blood. I finished both books though. But even though I didn't like that much, I'm really willing to give Kendare Blake another go just because this books sounds so interesting and good!! Great review! :)

    czai @ the Blacksheep Project

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    1. I hope you end up liking this one better then. ;)

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  20. This is somewhere towards the top of my tbr, so I definitely plan to read it this year. I've read a lot of great reviews for it already.

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  21. Great review! I haven't read anything by this author but this one sounds great! ♥

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    1. I now not everyone liked it but I thought it was so good and different from the norm.

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  22. I'm glad to see you enjoyed this. I could not get into Anna dressed in blood, so have reading reviews to see whether this is worthwhile! It sounds really good.
    Tori @ In Tori Lex

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    1. People seem to either love or hate this so you never know until you try.

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  23. I can't wait to read Three Dark Crowns! I love the sound of the sisters and its premise. So happy you enjoyed this, Ali :)

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  24. So happy you liked this one more than me. I just couldn't get into it.

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    1. I know a lot of people felt that way Jennifer. ;)

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