Three Dark Crowns

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake is the first book of the series of the same name.

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.

The Breakdown:
1.  I very much enjoyed Blake's book. An island where sisters are expected to kill each other to gain the crown. Each is raised by a foster family that has the same gifts as them, and the year they turn sixteen begins their battle to be the last queen standing. This book is mostly setting up the characters and the things that happen leading to the Beltane which is the start of game for the crown.

2. Loved that Blake spent time with each sister so that I could get to know them and the people they loved.  She showed how each was preparing for the battle for the crown, and how those around them were scheming for them to win. From Natalia and Peityr who want to make Katherine charm all the suitors and keep the Poisoners in power. Jules who loved Arsinoe like a sister and would do anything to save her.  Luca, the priestess, who is desperate to have Mirabella come to power.

3. Blake did an excellent job of making the sisters unique.  Katherine is sweet and kind despite being raised by poisoners who were not always kind to her. Mirabella is strong and loyal.  She has fears that she will not be able to kill her sisters.  Arsinoe, who was probably my favorite, is wild and funny.   Of the sisters, only Mirabella appears to have come into her powers.  Both Katherine and Arsinoe seem to be powerless, which makes for an interesting Beltane festival.

4.  At the Quickening, where the queens are presented at Beltane, everything gets a little crazy, and it was impossible to put down the book from that point. Oh, and Blake throws an amazing curve ball at the end that I sure did not see coming.  I cannot wait for the next book.

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