Book Review: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake (SPOILERS + RANT)

So look who’s back with a review of Kendare Blake’s THREE DARK CROWNS! Yup, it’s me. Before you read on, please note: watch out, guys, this book review-slash-spoiler-slash-rant is about to get out of control soon. Also, if you feel offended by my opinions, never fear, my opinions are my own, not everyone hates this book. Anyways, long rant up ahead, I warned you!

Blurb:

When kingdom come, there will be one.

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 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.

Amazon Book Depository Goodreads

My Review:

When I picked this book up from the bookstore, I was too excited, and nervous as well. This book had this dark aura (I blame it on the cover haha) with its summary at the back.

I think this book is great, but it’s not one for me. The first 50% of the back bored me to death. It has an excruciatingly low pacing that I just do not like. The world-building is amazing though.

The plot is very interesting. I’ve read “kill for the throne” type of books before but rarely have I seen affection among characters, so this one is quite…well, humane. I like it that way.

I don’t like the writing that much, though. The POV is set in third person, whch I’m grateful for because: There are three main point of views, for the three queens. But I do not like how the point of views sometimes stretch farther from them. So there are not only three POVs, but more. Especially on Arsinoe’s side, wherein she shares around half the POV with Jules.

Speaking of Jules, I don’t like the book characters that much. Mirabella especially. Why? *takes deep breath*

SPOILERS

Mirabella knew that Joseph belonged with another girl. She knew that Joseph is close with her sister. She frickin SAW how Joseph embraced Jules, she SAW it with her own eyes! She even concluded that Jules was the girl that Joseph was in love with. And yet…she still couldn’t hold herself back. She ruins relationships. And she doesn’t even feel sorry for it. She’s only thinking about herself all the time. She only thinks about how sad she is when Joseph is away, how she longs for his love…blah blah blah. Did she even think about how she might have possibly ruined the relationship between Arsinoe, Joseph, and Jules? NO! She only cares about her frickin self! During the Quickening, she happily paraded in front of Joseph, right when she knew Arsinoe and Jules were watching. When both girls ‘accidentally’ sent a great brown bear after Mirabella (out of their anger, of course, I mean how else would you feel), and Joseph stepped up to protect Mirabella, she told him, and I quote, “She [Arsinoe] sent that bear for me, after everything I did to save her. She would have let it tear me apart if not for you.” Umm Mira, dear, you saved her once, and sure, you saved her life, but that does not entitle you to steal other women’s boyfriends. You must have forgotten the fact that you’re snuggling close to her best friend, who happens to be the boyfriend of her other best friend. GURL, do you ever feel any guilt for your mistakes? Do you even recognize those mistakes? Sure, it’s okay, go have a secret affair, bUT DON’T BLAME ARSINOE OR JULES IF THEY TRY TO KILL YOU, YOU’RE LITERALLY ASKED FOR IT. I don’t pity you, Mirabella. All you do is annoy me to death. I roll mine eyes every time I see thee.

Oh, and dear Joseph, I’m not done yet. WHAT THE HECK, DUDE?! Jules waited YEARS for you to come home, and when you did, you frickin vowed your love for each other. Then you go around making love with another woman, specifically THE POWERFUL QUEEN? NOT JUST ONCE, NOT EVEN TWICE! Then you stumble upon Mirabella during the Hunt. You were in the middle of LOOKING FOr jULEs, and then *sees Mirabella* you kiss her like the pig you are! Choose your side, Joseph, you’ve broken Jules enough. Don’t put her up for nothing. The poor girl has always been faithful to you, has always looked at you like you’re the treasure of her life. And yet? You forget her at the mere sight of a powerful queen. You’re no good for Jules, Joseph Sandrin.

*deep exhale* So far, these two people are the only ones I hate in the book. The rest of the characters may be evil and cunning, but atleast they’re not annoying haha. These two get on my nerves too often.

END OF SPOILERS

This wasn’t the perfect book for me. But just because I’m giving it a low rating doesn’t mean I don’t want to read the sequel, One Dark Throne. I’m hoping to read it soon, preferably before I forget the whole story and have to start reading book one again LOL. Also, just because the story isn’t what I like doesn’t mean you guys shouldn’t read it! As I always say, everyone has different tastes. So don’t be afraid to try!

If you have read this book already, please let me know your thoughts on this book in the comments below! I’d love to know about your opinions and discuss bookish stuff!