#1 New York Times bestseller!In this enthralling sequel to Kendare Blake’s New York Times bestselling Three Dark Crowns, Fennbirn’s deadliest queens must face the one thing standing in their way of the crown: each other.The battle for the crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail? With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all … unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off.
Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favor without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, once thought to be the strongest sister of all and the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before—ones that put those around her in danger she can’t seem to prevent.
Don’t miss Five Dark Fates, the thrilling conclusion to the series, coming in September!
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Okay, aside from wanting to fangirl all over Kendare Blake, I’ve got to write a review detailing how much I loved this book too! That’s already two 5-star reads and I’m hoping the next one makes it three. One dark queen, evil as can be… one light queen, with a soul so sweet… and then there’s Arsinoe, fierce in the face of defeat. One Dark Throne gave me even more secrets, political maneuvers, betrayals, deaths, new alliances, and again, so much love. I’m just so happy to have Two Dark Reigns sitting on my bookshelf.
Ever since Katharine emerged from the Breccia Pit, something’s been off. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but she was different. Before the Ascension, Katharine was weak and unfavorable. It was hard to imagine her pulling off any type of triumph. The same can’t be said for the Katharine of now. She’s drinking and eating poison like never before, her ambitions know no bounds, and her willingness and determination to kill her sisters makes her quite bloodthirsty. I knew she wasn’t someone to underestimate and she kept showing me how right I was.
Arsinoe and Mirabella have been trying to fight the good fight, but unfortunately they’re trying to fight fair. And we all know that Katharine and the Arrons know nothing about fairness. Even Mirabella’s supposed allies know nothing of honor. It all comes down to the two sisters who remember what it is to be family and their fight for justice. Or is it vengeance? Who even cares… it all becomes more fodder for the excitement that their story breeds. As for Jules, I’m probably the only one who doesn’t want to see her anymore. While I’m interested in the legion curse and how it will play out in the rest of the story, I don’t care about Jules. I’m unsure what all the hype about her is about. However, I do love how closely entwined her story is with Arsinoe’s and Mirabella’s and how these three fiery and brave women work together in spite of evil queen Katharine.
An arrow in the back… a duel… unforeseen powers… unexpected deaths… predictable betrayals… my most wished for alliance… after all this (and more) I can’t even begin to imagine what will happen next. But I’m super excited to find out!
This book was very addictive and I just don’t even know why I devour it the way I do. The story is so captivating that I always need to know what will happen next. I can’t really pinpoint why reading this series is so addictive and hard to put down. But it is and I am not ashamed.
I think one reason I’m so addicted is because I’m always waiting to see what these sisters will do next. I’m always anticipating them to do something remarkable that makes them look all powerful and fearsome. It of course doesn’t happen, but I’m holding out hope. What really has me on the edge of my seat is all the twists that surprises that pop up in this book. Lots of things are revealed in this book that I would not have expected and I loved them all. I like when a book keeps me on my toes and Kendare Blake does that.
So yes, this series is addictive, but it still has plenty of flaws. I was expecting this series to be ruthless and almost savage and dark. I expect each sister to be brutal and display remarkable abilities, but its one thing that is very lacking. Mirabella seems to be the strongest of the sisters, but she never really uses her Elemental magic at all in this book. Except towards the end I should say. Arsinoe seems to be completely useless if it wasn’t for the help of Jewel and Joseph. I always expected more from her since she grew up around the earth with forests nearby, but she’s not. Katharine is the most vicious of them all, but even that seems to be watered down a bit. I wanted more from these sisters.
Regardless, I can’t wait for the next book to see what will happen next.
This book was a great sequel to Three Dark Crowns. It was even more packed with action, intensity, relationships were strained and strengthened, and more twists and turns. This book keeps you interested in the story and what is going on with all three of the sisters.
With Mirabella out for blood, Kathrine back from the dead, and Arsinoe discovering something in her that is destined to be a major game changer in who wins the throne, you just can’t put it down until you find out what is going to happen.
After what happened at Beltane, all of the sisters are not the same as they were, and they are not so blind to what is going on around them as they were before either.
In the first book I was all for rooting for Arinsoe and Kathrine, whereas in this book, I find it really hard to just pick one side. I have a soft spot for all of them. Mirabella’s soft, protective heart, Arsinoe’s adventurous soul, and Kathrine who is still that sweet girl inside who just wants to belong.
So incredibly good!
In this enthralling sequel to Kendare Blake’s New York Times bestselling THREE DARK CROWNS, Fennbirn’s deadliest queens must face the one thing standing in their way of the crown: each other. Stunning!
ONE DARK THRONE is the second book in the “Three Dark Crowns” series by Kendare Blake. This story really showcases the world building set up in Book One, giving us a jump start right into the action that we ended on there.
“Once, I was a mouse . . . But I am not anymore.”
As in Book One, we are taken in each distinct chapter to the life of each one of the three Queens. There, the author gets us to understand them individually by showing us their actions and thoughts. Despite the varying natures and instincts in each, I found that I cared for ALL of them. The circumstances since their separation helped shape their expectations, so it was hardly shocking to learn that the Poisoner Queen was expected to poison the others–just as the Elemental and Naturalist were expected to wield their own powers against each other.
“. . . A curse is a force sent into the world. And once you set it loose, you can’t call it back . . . ”
The more I learned about the towns and the laws that governed their people, the more I felt the injustice of what these Queens were born into, never having a choice of their own in the life they were given.
“We are a curse on the ones we love . . . ”
The action is much faster and more consistent than in the previous novel, since we already have the basic knowledge of who the Queens are, and what is expected of them. What I loved the most was that although each one had a distinct personality and view of their own fate, they each solicited my empathy–as I could sense the little girls they once were before becoming women who must fight for a throne.
“. . . grew up believing that she would die. She just didn’t count on having so much to live for . . .”
Their friendships really made this book, in my opinion. The loyalties they inspired, and the love for the families that fostered them, makes you wish you could control the fates that await them.
But where would the fun be in that?
“Do you know what they do with their dead queens . . . ?”
Kendare Blake has a style that I instantly fell into. Smooth and yet steady enough that once you begin, you never want to stop. In this world she’s created, I couldn’t wait to see what further action and surprises she had in store. Naturally, the only thing you can expect in a story like this, is the unexpected.
“. . . You can not kill what is already dead.”
Overall, I loved ONE DARK THRONE every bit as much as its predecessor, THREE DARK CROWNS. We learn–and grow more attached–to some of the characters, while learning to hate aspects of the society in general. A lot of new information was brought up, which served to heighten my excitement for the next book in the series.
“. . . what a monster they have made of you . . . scars or no scars.”
Highly recommended, to be read following THREE DARK CROWNS.
In this book, queen Katharine is the villain, since she came back completely changed after Pietyr treason.
Arsinoe and Mirabella can’t trust in each other and they are unwilling to kill the other queens, but they’ll be forced to do anything they can in order to stay alive.
Arsinoe is trying to be better with her new power and Jules is powerful than ever.
In this you’ll find action, friendship some romance and a magic world.
An undead queen, a bear queen and the chosen queen walk into a bar…
One Dark Throne is the second installment to the Three Dark Crowns series. It has proven to be the rising action of the series as it was action-packed and really gets the characters in there. This is definitely something compared to the first book, which was revolving more on the relationships of the characters to one another.
The events and revelations that were told in this book are the integral points which would put the characters in their certain positions.
Even if I absolutely loved where the book was headed, I only gave it 4 stars because I think the events and circumstances surrounding Arsinoe and Mirabella were just a bit over the top, I almost got bored when reading their scenes. But, I do enjoy Katherine’s narrative the most.
This book! Oh my God this book had me going insane to turn the page! Leaving off with the revelations of the last book and how the whole game has changed. This was action packed. Stakes were so high! And the revelations in this book were so downright unexpected!
I really can’t wait to get to the next book. I can’t imagine how this will work out. I don’t see if this can end in an actual happy ending. Wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t.
The sequel to Three Dark Crowns, and I liked it even more than the first book! The pace picked up from book one and the stakes were raised to whole new heights, making this reading experience so tense. I kept reading because I wanted to know what would happen but the whole time I was dreading what would come next! It took many twists and turns that I was not expecting and broke my heart several times. Also, I love how basically all the major characters are women, and in this world women are allowed to be angry and evil and complex and powerful. The male characters are basically just there to be love interests. That feels good.
This series is so dark and complicated, and I still have no idea how it can possibly resolve itself to some sort of happy ending. I definitely need to read the next book very soon.
The author has good twists to the plot.
This is a really great series so far. I was not expecting anything that happened. It was shocking but great, and i’m looking forward to reading the third book.
One Dark Throne
A novel by Kendare Blake
On The Mystical Isle of Fennbirn, the melee known as the Ascension Year has begun. The sisters, Arsinoe of the Naturalists, Mirabella of the Elementalists and Katharine of the Poisoners, are set to fight to the death for the right to be the Crowned Queen of the island. To win one of them must kill the other two. At least that is what has happened for ages long past. But who will be victorious is in doubt, now more than ever. Mirabella, long thought to be the strongest and most likely to win now faces Arsinoe and her familiar an immense brown bear named Braddock. In the Poisoner camp, the weakling Katharine has survived an attempt on her life; emerging both stronger and more determined to win. Nor are the sisters the only players on the board. Each group of the gifted, Naturalists, Elementalists and Poisoners, along with Black Council, the Suitors and the Temple, with its High Priestess, scheme, connive and maneuver to gain advantage for one sister, or the other. All have much to win, or lose, and position themselves accordingly.
“One Dark Throne” is an elaborate and well-written fantasy. The characters are sharp, the dialog and scenes are realistic and vivid. And if you can tell what is going to happen next, keep it to yourself, because I am looking forward to the third book in the series which should be out next year. If you like good storytelling, magic, skullduggery and a bit of mystery, as I do, you will enjoy this series as much as I did. If not, well . . .
Since this is the second book in this fantasy trilogy, you may be tempted to jump right in and read “One Dark Throne” without reading “Three Dark Crowns,” the first book. Don’t do it; you need that extra world-building to set up what comes next.
Highly recommended.