Comprehensive Evaluation of the Three Dark Crowns Series
In a recent reading escapade, I devoured Kendare Blake's Three Dark Crowns series! This gripping tale set on the mystical island of Fennbirn, ruled by Queens descended from its Goddess, was a wild ride!
The Queens on Fennbirn possess one of five extraordinary gifts: poisoner, naturalist, elemental, war, and sight. Poisoners have a knack for survival, as they can ingest and touch any poison with impunity. Naturalists have control over nature's bounty, making plants grow and commanding animals at will. Elementals are the masters of the elements, feeling neither heat nor cold. War-gifted Queens can control objects without touching them and have stunning precision. Those with the sight can peer into the future.
When a Queen's reign comes to an end, she bears triplets with unique gifts, who are the heirs to the throne. The three Queens are raised together until they turn six, then split and taken to rule prominent families within each gifted society. When they reach 16, the Year of Ascension begins, and the last Queen left alive becomes Queen Crowned.
The narrative follows Queen Katharine, the weakest poisoner queen in years, Queen Arsinoe, whose late-blooming naturalist gift leads her to low-magic, and powerful Elementalist Queen Mirabella, the Goddess' favored Queen, as they navigate a Hunger Games-esque battle to claim the crown.
Blake's concept is engrossing and addictive. I loved that the series unveiled each Queen's vulnerabilities, making readers question whether any one of them could lose the crown and perish. Blake deftly humanizes the characters, making them relatable and sympathetic. The way I felt about each Queen drastically changed as their characters evolved, delighting me with each new book.
The power systems in these books are innovative and captivating. Eating a poisoners' feast made solely of poisonous plants and animals was terrifying, while watching naturalists summon an entire harvest and command the forest's animals was enchanting. The elementalists' ability to harness the raw power of fire, water, wind, and earth was captivating.
The plot twists in these books are unexpected and delightful. They never seemed out of place, blindsiding me in the best possible way. Blake excels at increasing the stakes with each twist. My favorite one in the entire series is at the end of book one! I practically jumped out of my seat when it happened!
Though the idea was flawless, and the first book was fantastic, the execution of the idea in later books was less impressive.
After completing Three Dark Crowns, I was on the edge of my seat, eager for more. However, One Dark Throne left me feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. The only reason I continued with Two Dark Reigns was out of curiosity to see if the series improved. It did, but only slightly.
Despite being weaker than the first book, Two Dark Reigns did expand the world of Fennbirn's history, something I had been eagerly waiting for. The twists in this book also heightened the stakes, leaving me anxiously awaiting the next book. I approached the final book, Five Dark Fates, with high expectations and was ultimately let down. The action was intense, but the climax felt weak and unsatisfying.
All in all, I recommend only reading the first book. It's a thrilling adventure packed with suspense and action. For the rest of the series, a summary would suffice if you're interested.
Three Dark Crowns, Book 1
Rating: 10/10, highly recommended!
Caution:Violence: Moderate – if blood, animal attacks, and the effects of poisoning make you squeamish, you might want to avoid this one.
Romance: Moderate – Nothing overtly explicit, but it's there.
Language: Slight – So, you might hear a curse word or two.
One Dark Throne, Book 2
Rating: 3/10
Caution:Violence: Moderate – if blood, animal attacks, and the effects of poisoning aren't your thing, consider passing this one up.
Romance: Moderate – Once again, nothing graphic, but it's present.
Language: Slight – Just a few curse words scattered throughout.
Two Dark Reigns, Book 3
Rating: 7/10
Caution:Violence: High – if bodily dismemberment, the gore of war, and decomposing bodies aren't your thing, you might want to skip this one.
Romance: Slight – A minor lesbian subplot is introduced but not fully explored.
Language: Slight – A few curse words here and there.
Five Dark Fates, Book 4
Rating: 3/10
Caution:Violence: High – if blood, bodily dismemberment, the gruesomeness of war, and decaying bodies turn your stomach, you may want to avoid this one.
Romance: Mild – Romance is present, but doesn't play a significant role in the narrative.
Language: Slight – Just a few curse words sprinkled throughout.
Series Overall Rating: 6/10
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- These books, with their captivating mix of fantasy and entertainment, make for a remarkable collection that explores the lives of three Queenly sisters with extraordinary powers, each facing a Hunger Games-esque battle for the throne.
- The spellbinding world of Fennbirn, consisting of five extraordinary gifts, serves as the backdrop for the gripping tale of survival, power, and deception. This series transports readers to a mystical island ruled by an ancient Goddess, through the realistic and captivating storytelling of Kendare Blake.
