| Title | : | Two Dark Reigns (Three Dark Crowns, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0062686143 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780062686145 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 464 |
| Publication | : | First published September 4, 2018 |
Mirabella and Arsinoe are alive, but in hiding on the mainland and dealing with a nightmare of their own: being visited repeatedly by a specter they think might be the fabled Blue Queen. Though she says nothing, her rotting, bony finger pointing out to sea is clear enough: return to Fennbirn.
Jules, too, is in a strange place—in disguise. And her only confidants, a war-gifted girl named Emilia and her oracle friend Mathilde, are urging her to take on a role she can’t imagine filling: a legion-cursed queen who will lead a rebel army to Katharine’s doorstep.
This is an uprising that the mysterious Blue Queen may have more to do with than anyone could have guessed—or expected.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake returns with the highly anticipated third book in the Three Dark Crowns series! And while Arsinoe, Mirabella, and Katharine all have their own scores to settle, they aren’t the only queens stirring things up on Fennbirn Island.
Two Dark Reigns (Three Dark Crowns, #3) Reviews
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I THOUGHT IT WAS A DUOLOGY BUT NOW THERES FOUR BOOKS WE HAVE ALL BEEN BLESSED
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OMG...the madness
Like it's predecessors, I consumed this book.
Just to change it up, I'll do character rankings rather than just sister rankings.
Character Rankings:
Katharine ≈ Arsinoe > Billy ≈ Mirabella ≈ Pietyr > Jules >>> Emilia
First off, congratulations to Mirabella and Jules for stepping out of the role of my least favorite character(s). But it's not much of a surprise when Emilia Vatros is literally one of the most annoying, over-bearing characters of this entire series.
She acts as though she knows what is best for Jules and constantly, not so subtlely, insisting that she lead the rebellion against the queen line because it is her destiny, and she should just accept that it's her job to lead these efforts she literally had no idea about until now. And she also seems to dislike Jules' close relationship with Arsinoe, to which I say: BACK THE F*** UP!
Relationships:
Billy & Arsione
"I can't believe you almost let me go with Jules and Mira. Why didn't you ask me to stay?"
"I didn't think of it. And I figured you were still angry?"
"Is that it? Or are you just trying to politely get rid of me? You keep trying to leave me behind; should I be taking the hint?"
"No, I-"
"Because I don't want to keep on where I'm not wanted."
"Of course, I-" She growls in frustration, and they are both suddenly very aware she is still holding the knife that Jules gave her.
"What are you going to do?" he asks. "Gut me?"
"Of course not. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what lies at the top of that mountain. But I do know that it's all for the hope of something else. A future somewhere, with you. And I'm sorry I can't say that when I'm not holding you at knifepoint. All right?"
"All right," he says, and grins.
Billy and Arsinoe's relationship does hit a quite a few bumps in the road throughout this book. One major one being Billy's mother and her relentless efforts to marry him off to a traditional mainland girl. Others being Arsinoe's intrinsic habit of keeping secrets and each of them feeling somewhat out of place in the other's world. But despite it all, they continue to hold on and fight for each other. Never truly letting anything come between them.
Pietyr & Katharine
"Do you trust me, Kat?"
She looks up at him in surprise. "Of course I do."
"Even after..." he says, and looks down in shame.
"Even after," she says, and smiles.
It's odd really. Katharine and Pietyr are both people who most others would've surely walked away from. What with Pietyr pushing the girl he claimed to love down a horrid abyss, a Katharine being possessed by murderous queens that force her into killing against her will. Most girls would never forgive Pietyr, let alone trust him. But Katharine does. And most boys would've taken running for the hills to escape the trail of bodies Katharine seems to leave in her wake. But Pietyr doesn't.
Arsinoe & Mirabella
No longer twisted by the demands of the crown and those around them, these two have returned to their roots. Two sisters just trying to find their place in a world in which they can never truly belong. Mirabella steps right back into her role as a big sister. Looking after Arsinoe and making sure no one, not even Billy, ever has the chance to hurt her. But despite all her efforts Mirabella is not able to keep Arsinoe, or herself, from returning to the island.
Billy & Mirabella
These two have become quite the pair of friends. There is clearly a mutual understanding and respect between them now, and the pair constantly work together in an attempt to care for and protect Arsinoe.
Arsinoe & Jules
No matter what has come to past, these two are still best friends. Ride-or-die. So when Arsinoe returns to the island and finds out Jules has taken on the title of Legion Queen. She does not question it. She stands by her friend and supports her, just as Jules has always done for her.
Mirabella & Jules
Previously, rivals at best and enemies at worst, these two have found common ground. That being their love and devotion to Arsinoe. They've set aside their differences and are both working for the greater. But by books end, their paths have yet again diverged and only time with tell what becomes of their tenuous ceasefire.
How I felt about how things ended for the trio by books end:
Arsinoe:
Mirabella:
Katharine:
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REVIEW TO COME
Side Note: Do you think Kendare Blake named the books to confuse us?
01: Three Dark Crowns
02: One Dark Throne
03: Two Dark Reigns
Makes me curious to what the fourth book is going to be called LOL
- - -
I don't think anyone understands how excited I am for this book. This series is the first book I see when I walk into my apartment, I literally have dreamed the story-line multiple times because I just theorize what is going to happen in my off-time, and I am pretty sure I am obsessed-passed the health-phase. THIS SERIES IS SO GOOD HOW CAN PEOPLE NOT BE CRAZY OBSESSED OVER IT?
But I just can't help how EXCITED I AM!
I low-key am crazed with needing this BOOK like YESTERDAY. The novella comes out in April, so that should be a good fix!
Buddy Reading this with
Melanie! -
The devil works hard but Kendare blake works harder.
bECAUSE THAT ENDING. BYE. I CANT LIVE LIKE THIS
I WAS PLANNING TO DO A REVIEW BUT I CANT. NOPE BYE -
3.5 stars
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This review and other non-spoilery reviews can be found
@The Book Prescription
“Some people leave too much space behind when they are gone.”
🌟 To be honest, book extensions usually suck and I was skeptical when I went into this one. I was afraid that it will be slow and nothing much will happen in it… Turned out I was right!!
🌟 The series was going in the right direction in book 2, it was a good improvement on book 1 but this once again, felt like a debut to me! This series was supposedly a duology but has been extended into a 4 books series, a fact that is obvious when you read this one.
🌟 Not that the story has changed very much due to the extension, because there are some things that have been planned since book 1, but this didn’t add much to the story. I believe Books 2 & 3 could have been better as a single book without all the unnecessary details.
🌟 There are certainly new characters development in this series, there aren’t many new characters, we have the previous cast. Still, this development didn’t blow my mind :/
🌟 The plot was very expected for me since book 2 and I thought we will have something grand and shocking but this didn’t deliver it. I just thought that it became kind of repetitive and slow that made it less interesting for sure.
🌟 The writing style is not bad, but I liked the previous balanced fast pacing that I felt missing in this one. I just wish it hadn’t been extended.
🌟 Summary: Although I didn’t LOVE this one, I didn’t HATE it. I just thought it was average or a little bit below average. I expected something more but never got it. I just hope that it gets better again. -
~ 2.25 stars ~
Buddy read with
human, three books down, one left to go! :)
I don’t understand how the first two books are considered better than this one. Because first off, not only did stuff actually happen here, but there also was worldbuilding which is literally all I’ve ever wanted from this book. No, actually, there are a lot of things I want, but I’ll just settle for this one improvement.
But of course, it still wasn’t that great. Still an unfathomable amount of plot holes that drive me crazy, characters I want to sock in the face, romances that I simply refuse to acknowledge, and of course, there is the problem, which is, at this point, I do not care. I feel disconnected from the story, because even when things are happening, I. do. not. care.
It’s a bit late to get me invested. Sure I’m interested in whatever may happen next, but if I don’t find out, it won’t be the bane of my existence or anything. It’s not worth it. Sitting through those two books for something of substance to occur.
Not to mention that for some reason Jules just keeps on getting more special as time goes on, for reasons I cannot fathom. Her whole storyline is just one big convenience, and it’s annoying. Why is she literally more important than Mirabella? Please explain. I don’t understand. I cannot comprehend. I don’t even like her.
Another thing I cannot understand is how this series was initially supposed to be a duology. That makes absolutely no sense at all! With the way the last book ended? No, I don’t think so. This series is like a quickwrite.
It also ended, once again in such an aggravating way. Me and these endings do not mesh well together. Because I always feel as if there should have been more.
And finally there is the problem, which quite frankly, I think is the biggest problem, is that Joseph was mentioned every couple of pages. Leave that negative energy in the past. He’s underground, rotting, and probably being eaten by insects, leave him be. Don’t give him respect that he, a human piece of garbage, does not deserve. I do not want to be told how good looking he is an exponential amount of times.
Finally, to wrap up this review I would like to make a parallel. It reminds me of one of the short stories I wrote for a creative writing class, and overall this class was fun I suppose. And that short story was the last final of the year. I had a faint idea of what I wanted to do, and I was already burnt out from being forced to write poetry about a paint chip, and I took that idea from a dream I had like 2 years before. I had like 2 weeks to write it. That dream was a nightmare and it was supposed to be scary and intense, because I can’t remember any of my pleasant dreams for the life of me. And while the idea may have been cool, my execution of it was underwhelming as can be, and when I realized that I had written too many pages or nonsense, because I’m one of those people that will write a 10 page essay when only 5 is required, I ended the story in the quickest way possible. All the characters that were supposed to be likable, I would quite frankly hate in real life and were underdeveloped, reliant on others, annoying, and unrealistic, and the villain as pathetic as you can imagine. But I think in the end, the nonsensical rambling was to my advantage because you just forget what you are reading, what the story is about, but by the end, you're like “oh, this wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be'' and for that reason, I am proud that I did as well in that class as I did, which was unwarranted. There are a multitude of stories that I wrote for school when I was younger, that would be considered a crime against humanity, so it could have been worse.
(For the record, this comparison isn’t about the actual quality of the book/series, but rather my personal experiences reading it and in general. No offense meant.)
Overall, it was an improvement. I always like acknowledging that. But I still have a lot of critiques. The potential of this concept should have been great, but I am let down, and just disconnected to the story.
Audiobook Review: I will confirm that the audiobook's way of pronouncing names, is indeed as bad as I warned it would be. But I needed a break from ebooks so I checked out the audiobook instead. Otherwise the narration was decent. After a while my brain had become conditioned to the names, so I didn't mind. -
*.) Queens of Fennbirn ★★★★
1.) Three Dark Crowns ★★★★
2.) One Dark Throne ★★★★
3.) Two Dark Reigns ★★★.5
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Definitely my least favourite in the series so far. Nothing really happened in this one until the very end and the rest of the book was pretty slow. I can't wait to see how the story wraps up in the final book though! I really don't know how they're going to get out of this with a happy ending! -
4 stars
Before reading Two Dark Reigns, the previous two books in this series were decent. I liked them enough but I didn't love them. I liked the world the series takes place in as well as the magic and lore behind it. The character themselves were also complex and interesting given the circumstances they were in. However, I felt like there was something missing from them. I hoped that Two Dark Reigns would rectify the problems I had.
And it did in the best way possible.
Two Dark Reigns is an improvement from the previous two books and I really enjoyed my time reading it. It felt like all the previous complaints I had were fixed here and my enjoyment skyrocketed big time. I was pleasantly surprised by how Kendare Blake managed to not only expand the world but to also give us more backstory on Jules and the lore of the island.
Two Dark Reigns picks up where we last saw the sisters. Mirabella and Arsinoe on the mainland and Katharine on Fennbirn as the Queen. Jules herself is back on the island and is tugged along with two other girls who believe she is the key to ending the reign of Katharine and finally putting a stop to the long reign of Queens. But something or someone wants Mirabella and Arsinoe back on the island. And dead bodies are starting to appear. Something bad is happening in Fennbirn.
First off, I liked how Kendare wanted to expand the world with new locations and a bigger map (I love maps in fantasy novels) as well as going more into detail about the lore surrounding Fennbirn and the Blue Queen. When books, particularly fantasy and sci-fi books start to expand in their worldbuilding, I get so excited to see many new things. It's part of why I liked Two Dark Reigns more.
The characters themselves were just as good. I mentioned this before in my reviews of the previous two books and I'll say it again: Mirabella is hands-down my favorite sister out of all of them. She is the more mature and kind sister that genuinely wants the best for them. She's kind to a fault, and that's what I love about her. Arsinoe and Katharine are also great characters as well. Arsinoe finally has a purpose in this book and she really steps up in parts of the book. My complaint I had with Arsinoe was that I never really understood her relevancy to the plot and was mainly used for Jules' growth. But finally, she has a purpose while also breaking the status quo and gender norms when she is on the mainland.
Jules and Katharine are next and I was surprised by their growth. Jules was always an enigma to me because like Arsinoe, I didn't really understand how relevant she was going to be for the plot. In this story, she has growth and a purpose. Her story is one of the many shining aspects of Two Dark Reigns.
Katharine... she's scary. After the second book, she's become fiercer than ever while fighting literal darkness inside of her. You want to not like her because of who she has become but you still like her because she is a different person who strikes fear in the eyes of the people.
Plot-wise, I really liked it a lot. It's hard for me to describe how much I loved it without giving away too many spoilers, but I do like the progression on the characters, the rebellion, and the genuine curiosity I get from reading more about the lore. There's something about this series that I love and it would have to be the overall mystery of the island and the lore. I find it so fascinating.
One negative thing I will have to say is that while I liked the world building, I wished there was more to it. Specifically, the Mainlands. I know Fennbirn is the major setting for the series, but we are given the opportunity to see outside of Fennbirn. There was some backstory regarding one country, but not enough.
Also, there are way too many damn characters to keep track of. It's like one of those plays or stories your literature teachers forced to read in high school and college where there are a lot of characters and you lose track of who was who. There is a glossary at the beginning, but there was still too many characters.
Verdict
Two Dark Reigns is probably my favorite book in this series so far. That might change when the last book is released, but Two Dark Reigns is a really good book.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar -
Pre-review:OMG I can't wait!
Secondly, allow me to pimp my Three Dark Crowns fanart:
(link:
https://www.deviantart.com/vampirekik...) -
Woah, it took me forever to get through this book. Don't ask why... I guess life just got in the way, then I lost my reading motivation a bit, then I had to slip in one of my favourites because...well, reasons...I really don't know. LE SIGH.
Anyway. This one couldn't grip me as much as the first two did but I think that also was due to my "kind of slump" half way through. So, I'm giving it a solid 3 stars and am definitely looking forward to reading the conclusion of this series.
*****
I just realised this comes out NEXT WEEK!!! I haven't been this excited for a book in a while now, I seriously can't wait for this!!!
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19 Apr. '19
My other reviews for:
Three Dark Crowns |
One Dark Throne |
Five Dark Fates
In response to my pre-read review (included at the end of this review for posterity): Yes, the tagline was indeed referring to Katharine and Jules.
Before we get into the meat of my review, I just want to make clear that I do recommend this series, particularly for teen readers who love fantasy.
I'm purely reviewing this from my perspective as an adult reader who still generally enjoys the coming-of-age and self-discovery themes that are often found in YA Fantasy. This book being a HarperTeen publication, which does target the more younger readership, I realise some of my criticism would not be fair or relevant - unless, of course, you are also an adult reader who are looking for more mature, complex, and deep settings in YA themes.
An extra star goes into my rating purely for the fact that I actually liked the Blue Queen side-plot. It kept me turning the pages despite all the critique mounting up. It was written well; sufficiently creepy and intriguing in the right amounts. Honestly, when it comes to horror, Kendare Blake does know how to pull it off.
But beside that, I really don't care about any of the characters or their world. Not when , not when , and certainly not when it comes to who ends up on theironthrone or what becomes of the entire island. I simply DGAF, and if I read the next book, it's simply because I've already gone so far.
What kept me from fully enjoying this book - indeed the series - or from being invested in it, is how nothing ever really scratches the surface level of things. From characters, their relationships, to the entire society in the way they react or interact with the world; I never really connected to any deeper driving force or consistent sociopolitical structure.
It's difficult to explain, so I'll provide an example. Several, in fact. There will be minor, unmarked spoilers, so be warned.
First, and just off the top of my head: The complete disrespect with which Bree - newly appointed to the Black Council - openly treated Katharine.
I understand she's a staunch supporter and friend to Mirabella, but considering how the previous books homed in on us how the Queen is supposedly the embodiment of the Goddess on earth, and considering how no one must ever question the queen ... the way Bree behaved was completely counter to how we would expect anyone bar emotionally unstable teens to behave in court. Icing on the cake? She gets away with it, despite Katharine's internal bravado that Bree makes her insides "(...) boil so high (...) that she can almost taste their rotten flesh on the back of her tongue." and pretty much promising us readers that "To kill a member of the council ... Well, she must truly earn such a punishment."
But, like every other plot point, political structure, social construction in this book ... it was all talk.
And if the above were not bad enough, Bree was initially introduced as a (newly appointed) member of the Black Council who would "... always hate and resent us [Katharine]." Her every word, movement, gestures toward Katharine only further emphasised that. And yet, towards the end ... she was suddenly a supporter of Katharine. And nowhere between these two flip-flops did we see a gradual and strengthening relationship between them.
She went from "I doubt if I will ever trust this council enough to eat anything that is in this room." to "We have spoken with the queen, and we too believe she is true." at the author's whim.
Sure, they were able to exchange a few cordial words between the chapters; but that does not come anywhere close to bridging the gap between intense hatred to sudden loyalty. This loyalty, by the way, goes so far to the extent of Bree helping convince Mirabella to join Katharine - instead of doing what would be internally consistent; which would be for her to switch sides and join Mirabella.
I might have been able to chalk that as: Bree is loyal to the throne, considering their religious belief of how the Queen is the embodiment of the Goddess, and everything she has been taught since she was a child was that to be a priestess was to be loyal to the throne.
Were it not for (1) the inconsistencies (refer to first and third example) in which they treat the sanctity of the throne and the rules of the temple; and (2) Bree's flip-floppy, often rule-breaking behaviour since Book One. At no point did she ever come across as someone who follows rules and religious beliefs obediently.
A second example that speaks to the surface-level execution of this book is the entire plot-point revolving around the rebellion. It was so poorly thought out and implemented.
Going from village to village, speaking at taverns, "secret" meeting places, to introduce people to Jules, the supposed "Legion Queen"; further stoking their hatred of Queen Katharine ... and all hoping to recruit more people to war against her?
It was all just so stupid; a plan so impossible to believe to come out of any war-general worth his or her salt.
My third and final example highlights my annoyance at the sudden changes to structural rules. In the previous books, it was stressed upon how crucial it was for anyone joining the temple that they relinquish their ties to any gifts or familiars they had.
Yet suddenly, it is now completely all right for Elizabeth to keep her familiar, Pepper. Suddenly priestesses / members of the black council were parading their gifts around and, indeed, some were even chosen due to their gift.
This breech of custom was completely brushed aside, again at the author's whim.
It's things like these that really diminishes any weight the world building might have otherwise had; and these inconsistencies has been happening since Book One. The result is my not being able to take anything seriously. There is no sense of urgency or danger or even suspense, as anything can change at a whim.
I might have been able to forgive the juvenility of the rebel plot; Katharine's complete lack of able advisers that allowed her to basically ride into a trap; and pretty much every other dumbing-down or surface-level execution of plot points, but this last critique broke the last straw.
Internal consistency and age of the target audience does not need to have a linear relationship: The younger the target age, the less internal consistencies matter. No, internal consistency makes for a good book no matter what age the readers are.
02 Mar. '18
Three Dark Crowns |
One Dark Throne
1. Three Dark Crowns
2. One Dark Thrown
3. Two Dark Reigns
4. ??? Four Dark Queens? Five Dark Gifts? Six Dark Days If You Extend This Series Again? I can go on forever...
But. Beauuuuutiful cover, as usual.
The tagline, though. "One queen rules" = Katharine, surely.
"Another queen rises" = Jules, surely. SURELY?! -
Not a big fan of this one unfortunately :(
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SO GOOD!!
WARNING: This review contains spoilers for the previous two books of the series.
This series honestly just keeps getting better. It's so dark and twisted now! I was not expecting such fantastically macabre things from a ya fantasy about competitive queens.
So the third book opens with a mini history lesson, which was fun. I love when we get dark pasts that affect the present. That historical thread was probably one of my favourite aspects of this novel. It made the whole story level up and created a new, intriguing dynamic. I was so frustrated for Arsinoe that it took so long to convince people she wasn't just dreaming. It should just be common knowledge that if you dream something more than once you need to accept it as the message it inevitably is.
At the end of the second book, here's where we stand:
-Mirabella, Arsinoe and Billy are on the mainland
-Jules is with the war-gifted
-Katherine is queen and possessed by innumerable dead queen spirits
-Pietryr still has the worst name in the whole book and I'll never remember how to spell it. Oh, and he's still Kat's right-hand man. Even though it's his fault she's possessed. I don't get that. *shrugs*
Arsinoe on the mainland is hilarious. She's definitely my favourite queen because she grumbles about everything, hates wearing dresses, and refuses to show affection. She's basically me. Billy is devoted to her no matter what, and it's interesting to see the interaction between his family and the exiled queens but it doesn't pack much of a punch. It's mostly just filler - a diversion before we get to the good stuff. I thoroughly enjoyed imagining the tea parties, though.
I've always loved Mira's feisty-ness but it seems paled a little here. Possibly because, on the mainland, her powers are somewhat muted. It's like she's lost a little piece of herself, and I liked how that was reflected in her behaviour. It made me a little sad, though.
Katherine is becoming more and more badass and I love it but I wish she'd embrace it more. She's still trying to Do The Right Thing but she's got these evil queens circling around inside her so things keep going awry. I kinda wish she'd just accept it and go total Evil Queen. I guess it's good that there's hope for redemption, though. *sigh*
Jules is being recruited to lead a rebellion which is a fun surprise! She's pretty tough so it's interesting to see how she approaches the suggestion and still maintains her integrity. Sort of. Camden is kinda my favourite part of Jules, though. I'm just so jealous because I want my own mountain cat to be my bff and claw my enemies to shreds when they deserve it. I love the animals in this book. I want an exotic pet.
Peitiryr of the Terrible Name is still an annoying little brown-noser who is more of a lapdog than an equal. I honestly don't know what Kat sees in him. Also if I, as a reader, am supposed to be enamoured with this guy? Honestly the only fella I'm digging in this series is Billy, and even he doesn't have quite enough pull to make me swoon. Piet- you know what, I'm just gonna call him P-Diddy- P-Diddy spends most of this book running around telling Kat what to do but backing down meekly when she objects. I just do not like that guy. Not one bit.
Did I mention the series is getting darker? I mean, there are some gruesome things, and people die and stuff. It can get messy. I LOVE that. I'm such a psycho. But I love that this is so dark and twisted and nothing is safe and I have absolutely no idea how this is going to end. Not a clue. There was less magic in this one but I feel like that aspect was just the calm before the storm, and I sense the final book is going to be one epic finale. I'm so excited for magical showdowns.
I love the way this series is written. It always takes me a few pages to get into the present tense, but once I'm there it's such an easy read. There's always something happening.
This series isn't slowing down and I'll be anxiously awaiting the fourth book! In the meantime I'll have to track down the short stories.
With massive thanks to Pan MacMillan Australia for my advanced copy! -
What I want from this book: for Madrigal to die please :)
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It took me a week to finish this book, because it couldn’t keep me interested. 😁 It was ok, but the action was a little bit confusing. I’m really curious how the fourth book is gonna be. Because the title of the fourth book gives nothing. I mean... so far, I understood why there was a pattern: 1st book - 3 queens fighting for the crown; 2nd book - 1 crowned queen; 3rd book 2 queens fighting but the last book has a 5 in its title. 5 queens? Impossible... 4 yeah... considering that Jules is now considered a queen. But the 5th?! I really want to know what’s happening in this one. 🤔
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Reread 20.10.2019
I did not remember that this ended like this. I’m so glad I have the final book waiting for me on my bookshelf. I’m loving this series so much that I really hope the ending is satisfying.
First read 12.9.2018
Um excuse me how dare you end it like that? Me probably gonna die here slowly while I’m waiting for the last book to come out. -
4,5 Sterne
Holy Guacamoly war das gut!
Ich war schon irritiert wie gut ich wieder in die Geschichte reinkam, nachdem es roundabout 5 Jahre her ist, dass ich Band 2 gelesen habe. Ja 5, in Worten FÜNF Jahre :O
Und das obwohl ich mich damals so über den Cliffhanger geärgert habe mit dem die Reihe eigentlich als abgeschlossen gelten sollte. Scheinbar ist mir diese Reihe aber auch an sich sehr gut im Kopf geblieben, denn ich wusste noch genau wer wer ist und sogar grob was in Band 1 und 2 passierte.
Daran schließt Band 3 hier nahtlos an. Wir haben 3 Erzählstränge, die sich um unterschiedliche Personen drehen und auch an verschiedenen Orten spielen. Am Ende laufen dann alle 3 zusammen, sowas liebe ich bei Fantasy Romanen immer ganz besonders. Ich könnte nicht mal sagen wessen Anteil an der Geschichte mir am besten gefallen hat. Mirabelle, Arsinoe und Billy habe ich gern übers Festland begleitet und vor allem die Träume, welche Arsinoe verfolgen, haben es super spannend gemacht. Auch Katharine mag ich auf ihre Art nach wie vor irgendwie leiden. Morally Grey Characters are the best! Und last but not least der Teil rund um Jules und ihre Gaben. Hier fand ich vor allem die Weissagungen spannend.
Apropos spannend: ich fand das Buch wirklich von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite super spannend und gut erzählt! Absoluter Pageturner. Wirklich schon lange keinen Fantasy Roman mehr gelesen, in dem ich so sehr versunken bin. Das einzige was mir (genau wie damals bei Band 1 und 2 schon) ein wenig auf der Strecke bleibt sind die Emotionen oder vielleicht auch mal eine etwas fesselndere Lovestory. Dennoch werde ich vermutlich direkt Band 4 hinterherschieben :) -
I really enjoyed this one! I was annoyed with the last one, but the ending sucked me in, so I've had Two Dark Reigns on my TBR pile forever, but I think this was my favorite one! I felt like it was easier to read and keep track of everyone? Anyway, excited to real the final book!
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Long live Queen Katherine and welcome a new queen into the mix of madness.
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So much happened, definitely much better than the second book.
review to come. -
Well, that was disappointing. I feel like I'm pushing at this 3 stars cause I didn't hate it but it also didn't really do much for me...
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That was a bit crazy of an ending that leads up to the next book. I feel like this one moved a bit slower than the previous books. The blue queen and the mist aspects added a lot to the series because they add more mystery and is just intriguing. So Katharine is becoming more aggressive in her reign than the previous two books because of the dead sisters/queens. Arsinoe has a lot going on with her dreams in this one that is way more interesting than in previous books, but she frustrated me in this one with some of her antics and decisions. Jules situation just keeps getter stranger by each book. Now she has a following that you think is great until you see how invested they are in her potential future reign. Regardless of the strained relationship between Jules and her mother, she makes a very selfless move for her mother. I am so excited for the next book to hurry and come out so we can see how this crazy world finishes. I feel since readers have become so invested in Jules & the three queens that there will not be a happy ending, because in the premise of this world there really does not leave room for happy endings for all. That might not makes sense, but I just do not know how to put it in words without spoilers/potential spoilers.
My quick and simple overall: I have enjoyed the first three books immensely and am even more invested in the characters and plot leading into the fourth and final book. -
Three Dark Crowns -
★★★★★
One Dark Throne -
★★★★★
Here I am, at the end of this book, and I have even more questions than I started with. This author does an incredible job of giving answers and creating situations that warrant more. Characters I couldn't care less about have now become people I'm rooting for. How the heck does that happen??? And why do I always cheer on the 'bad guys'??? And will there be a way to defeat the Mist without sacrificing my beloved??? The first half of the story was slow and boring, but it definitely picked up and had me questioning EVERYTHING!!
Mirabella, the elemental 💎
She's always loved her sisters and had the hardest time coming to grips with the fact that she'd have to kill them in order to claim the throne. With her ship officially over (RIP Joseph), she's focused on protecting her sister, Arsinoe, while they try to make a life on the mainland. I've been Team Mira since book one and this book only made me more of a fan. I know most people love Arsinoe or Katharine more, but I've always liked the fact that Mira was always an elemental. She was always powerful and warm and kind and nothing's changed. She's awesome! I want to watch her call the lightning and storms and dance with the flames. I was a little irritated with her for not speaking up when it was absolutely necessary, like calling out Jules for EVER thinking she could be a queen. But I'm looking forward to how (if) she'll be able to fight for the cause, for peace, within the poisoner faction.
Arsinoe, the true poisoner 🐍
This chick drove me nuts. I've been an Arsinoe supporter from the beginnning. Who wouldn't love the princess who couldn't care less about the crown? Who couldn't care less about decorum or propreity? Who would rather wear trousers and fish and run with bears than wear dresses and drink tea? Of course I loved her. But her idea of loyalty led her down a dumb road and I wanted to knock some sense into her. How dare she back Jules as a queen? She's no freaking queen. And then to bully Billy and Mira into it was foul. However, with the dreams and the premonition forcing her to choose her fate, I loved how steadfast she was in her love and loyalty for her sister. Find another way, babe!
Katharine, the mad one 👻
Possessed by the dead queens who didn't get the crown, she now wears it. But her kingdom is suffering. Not only did Katharine NOT earn her crown, but in her pursuit of it, she's caused unrest. The mist has come to the island, leaving dismembered bodies at her steps. And with a rebellion on the rise, her hold on the crown isn't guaranteed. With Natalia gone, it's almost like Katharine has lost some direction. She tries to befriend Mira's besties, looks to Luca for guidance, and doesn't stop to just think! I get that the spirits are basically driving the train, but c'mon. I'm loving the whole 'possessed' feature of Katharine's plot, however, I'm wondering if she'd be alive if the queens left. Is she just a husk, broken apart, and only held together by spirits? Poor Pietyr, having to deal with only a piece of the girl he loves. And that ending... 😲🤯😲
Jules Milone
See, I used to like this chick. Seriously. She defended Arsinoe at every turn and I was impressed with her naturalist skills. But you see, now she thinks she deserves to wear a crown. Being legion cursed, she may be the most powerful person on the island. But she's no queen. How do you grow up with a queen, love a queen, understand the tradition, and still covet the crown? I get not wanting the poisoners to rule, but there are other ways. I was encouraging her when she kept being skeptical of Emilia's plan. However, while I continued to be skeptical, she jumped on the crazy train. I'm not down with that so I'm against the rebellion. It's funny because I've been dreaming of a revolt since book one, but not with Jules in the lead. I always envisioned it with Mira and Arsinoe leading the charge and with Katharine eventually seeing the light and joining in. Jules frustrates me and I don't even want anyone to find a cure for her madness. And am I nuts for thinking that something is building between her and Emilia? I wonder if they're being shipped by people? Does this idea have stans?
Then there's Billy... I've loved him for quite some time, but there was a point in this story where he had me so aggravated. I thought his love for Arsinoe would get him through anything, but life on the mainland made him soft. I'm just so grateful he found his way back to Fennbirn with the sisters. I think he left his balls there and I'm hoping he can now find them. I also hope he doesn't die. He's the last romantic interest left and I've shipped him and Arsinoe from the start. Don't kill the last ship left!!
The character that surprised me the most was Madrigal. When she was locked away in the dungeon, I enjoyed her spunk and her defiance. I also congratulated her on finally finding some love and loyalty for her daughter and coming to terms with her sister, Caragh (who I hope has a larger role in book four). Better late than never, right? I could do without Emilia and Mathilde. I want more of Pietyr (RIP?) and the sisters, and I'm hoping the last book of the series,
Five Dark Fates, gives me all the answers I'm looking for.
This was a buddy-read with
Jessica & Misha! -
Tohle byl bohužel trochu výplňkový díl, ale na YA poměry byl poměrně nadstandardní...
Tahle kniha má:
♥ Skvělé postavy, které se rozvíjí.
♥ Unikátní svět, který objevujeme dál a dál.
♥ Šokující zvraty (ano, autorka mě pořád dál a dál překvapuje).
♥ Více perspektiv a různé úhly pohledu, které jsme předtím neviděli.
♥ A spoustu dalšího, prostě si to přečtěte ;)
4/5* -
Esta trilogia não poderia ficar melhor. Este livro foi incrível e só me deixou mais ansiosa pelo próximo. Esta série fica melhor a cada livro.
Neste livro observamos uma mudança radical. A tradição das rainhas está prestes a tomar um rumo imprevisto. O povo está revoltado. Muitos querem e acreditam noutra opção.
Jules vai ter um papel destaque nesta mudança. Muitos acreditam e seguem o poder de Jules. Querem que ela tenha um papel destaque na história. Será que Jules seguirá esse caminho?
A rainha Katharine que sempre teve o objetivo da coroa começa a ficar desesperada com múltiplos eventos que vão acontecendo na ilha, como o aparecimento inesperado de um nevoeiro.
O nevoeiro que ninguém sabe o que é, torna-se mortal. Corpos vão aparecendo. O povo começa a entrar em pânico. Até a rainha Katherine sente-se ameaça e começa a entrar em pânico.
Ao mesmo tempo que os acontecimentos vão tendo o seu rumo na ilha, Arsinoe começa a ter sonhos muito estranhos que parecem reais, parecem memórias.
Algo lhe diz que tem de voltar à ilha, que tem de descobrir a verdade sobre as visões que anda a ter. E, especialmente, percebeu o que de facto aconteceu com a Rainha Azul e porque que é ela que está a ter aquelas visões.
Este livro é imperdível depois dos outros da série, e ainda levanta mais curiosidade sobre como tudo irá acabar. Será que a lenda das rainhas irá prevalecer? Ou será que irá começar a haver novas regras que irão mudar tudo? -
I enjoyed this book BUT I will say I find this series kind of dragging on? I don't think it needed to be 4 books, but that is just my opinion.
Sister Ranking:
Katherine> Mirabella = Arisnoe
If you've read my other reviews of this series you know I've been a Katherine die-hard from the beginning which is why she is ranked #1, but I will say I almost put Mirabella there. All the sisters are levelling up to each other in my eyes, which is a good thing for the series.
some spoilers below
Katherine is trying so hard to be a good queen but everyone hates her and then those demons give them even more reason to. I enjoyed seeing her old enemies come to her side and Katherine befriending them, showing them that she's not completely the ruthless, un-caring Queen they thought she was.
Mirabella has really done a lot for me in this book and is a great person. She doesn't want to be queen, she wants to be happy, but she sacrifices her need to be happy to protect Arisnoe with unrequited love. I am excited to see Mirabella and Katherine potentially team up in the next book. I do not want Mirabella to die and if she does, that's just *pardon my french* fucking sad. She has lived her whole life a pawn of the temple, believing she would be queen. She turned against the temple for her sisters, for love and fled the only country she has ever known. On the mainland, she was able to assimilate more so than Arisnoe and might have been able to enjoy it, but she spends her entire time caring and worrying for Arisnoe. She follows Arisnoe back to their home country on a promise she knows Arisnoe will not be able to keep. She does this for love! She is CONSTANTLY putting aside what she wants for other people, which yes makes her the perfect person to sacrifice herself BUT it's also (I am going to sound like a whiny 11-year-old here -) just not fair. It's not fair :(
Arisnoe, I really like where her storyline has taken her. I really enjoyed more background on the last Blue Queen and that plot arc of the dreams. I really like her and Billy's relationship. I am writing this review a little later then I hoped so I am forgetting some things that I wanted to say when I remember I will squeeze them in here.
Overall, I enjoyed it and I am excited to see how the story ends :) What were your thoughts and what are your current sister rankings? -
SO CLOSE!
I’m happy. -
While some of the plot points felt a bit inconsequential and unnecessary to me in the long run, this was such a nice next installment to the series and featured a lot of beloved characters, mystery the mythological aspects I've come to love from these books. Also I'm patting my own shoulder for holding back on reading this once because I now only have to wait six more months for the conclusion.
* * *
And next on "Let's pray I haven't forgotten too many of the happenings of the previous books because I really love this series and want to enjoy the next installment": -
GUYS THE COVER!!! It fits in so well wit the others in the series and it looks so dark and mysterious. I can't wait to read it!
