Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

     This is the first book I read for my reading challenge. I really wanted to just read a stand alone and I didn't do my research before I read this book. So when I finished this book, I nearly chucked it across the room. I almost threw a temper tantrum! This book was so good! But then, it ends. It ends on a massive cliffhanger. And I was like, no! I didn't want to start another series. The next book doesn't come out till the end of 2017, so now, I have to wait for a whole year until the next one comes out. Argh!

    This book was not extremely interesting until around half way through. I came very close to putting this book down and not picking it up again but I stuck with it. And I am so glad that I stuck with it. The last half of the book got exciting. Before I get to the book talk, I'll give a brief description. 

Three dark queens

are born in a glen 

sweet little triplets will never

be friends.

Three dark sisters 

all fair to be seen

two to devour

and one to be Queen 

   

     This book is about three sisters, one has the power to eat the deadliest poison without as much as a stomach ache, she is named Katherine, one has the power to control the fiercest wolf and bloom the most gorgeous flowers, she is named Arsinoe and the third one, can control fire and bring the most vicious storms, she is named Mirabella.  Over the course of this book, the three girls are preparing for the quickening. The quickening is when the girls show off their skills. And after quickening, the Accension starts. The Accension is a year where the girls are allowed to kill each other and last standing becomes queen. 

SPOILERS

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DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS BOOK

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GO BUY THIS BOOK AND READ IT BEFORE YOU READ ANYTHING MORE

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SPOILERS

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     So welcome to the book discussion portion of this review. In this section, I will be going over the book in a little more detail. Picking out the good things and the bad things. If you are reading this, I'm hoping to have already read the book. So leave comments as to if you agree or disagree with my thoughts. 

     Let me start out with the style of writing. This book has so many characters, that at the beginning it was difficult to understand what was happening. The chapters are also labeled strangely. They are labeled by places. For example, where Katherine lives it is called Greavesdrake Manor. And for every chapter that's about her, the chapter is labeled Greavesdrake Manor. The name of the chapter also follows the character no matter where she goes. For example, when Mirabella ran away, the title of the chapter was 'The Western Coast', because that's where she was. 

     The author (Kendare Blake) decided to do this book in third person. I think this fits because we follow so many different characters in this story, it would just get confusing with all the point of view switches. 

    Now, on to the story. The story line for this book is a good idea. I found that the plot was well rounded and I can only hope that in the next novel it will tie up the loose ends. It seems like Kendare Blake thought out the plot and the characters. The fact that Arsinoe and Katherine were gift less and Mirabella was this awesome powerful girl, kinda throws me off but I see where the author is going with it.
     One of my favorite moments from before the Beltane Festival is when Mirabella holds out her hand to Arsinoe. I really like this moment because Mirabella is trying to be kind. Mirabella remembers what happened a the cottage. I wish the other girls did too because I want them to be more reluctant to kill each other. But it makes for a good story. 

      One of my favorite moments during Beltane was when Arsinoe came back and Mirabella called the huge storm. It really shows how much Mirabella cares about her sisters. Ok, let's be fair, Mirabella is probably the most kind sister and probably my favourite character. 

     And then there's the ending. Julia eats a piece of candy that was poisoned and becomes really sick. But it turns out that Arsinoe had already ate some of these candies when she first got them. And that's when it dawns on her, she's not gift less, she's a poisoner. Then, it ends! Argh! I loved the book but that fact that I have to wait a full year to know what happens next just kills me! Can't wait for the end of 2017 just because I want this book.

     The first book in this series is overall pretty good. The plot, the idea, the story line and the characters are all thought out and well rounded. Although, the first half of the book is boring, if you stick with it, you will definitely not regret it.

    See you next week!

~ Tea-Riffic