I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Series: Three Dark Crowns #1
Published by HarperTeen on September 20, 2016
Pages: 416
Source: the publisher
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Fans of acclaimed author Kendare Blake’s Anna Dressed in Blood will devour her latest novel, a dark and inventive fantasy about three sisters who must fight to the death to become queen.

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.

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Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake (September 20, 2016 – HarperTeen) This book was an incredibly twisted, epic read that got me out of my months-long reading slump, so I’m really excited to be a part of this blog tour! I hope you enjoy my review!

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I ABSOLUTELY EFFING LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!

It’s the best book I’ve read in a LONG time and it, more than anything else, has truly gotten me out of my reading slump. It was deliciously dark, intriguing and wonderful in every aspect and every way – the writing, the plot and the characters.

Katharine was my favorite of the three queens. She was said to be the smallest and ‘weakest’ of the three, but she was still fierce and strong-willed. There was something about her that made me want to root for her. For being small and weak, she’s definitely the most vicious of the three! And then the way her story ended… HOLY HELL!!!!! I can’t. My heart was in my throat!!! And then the final outcome? !!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to see what happens in book two!!!

Mirabella was a great, likable character. The elemental gift was the most intriguing to learn about, though the poisoner gift came at a close second. It was also intriguing the way she cared the most – though I can’t go into details without spoilers! I felt SO bad for her at the end, though! I’m curious to see how what happened changes her personality/attitude/etc in book two.

Arsinoe, on the other hand, was my least favorite character. I’m not sure exactly why, but I just wasn’t interested in learning more about her or her gift. Though I must say, that ending has me truly intrigued! I’m interested to see where it takes her in book two and what it means for another character, who I suspect will also be effected by this revelation…

There was one good thing about Arsinoe’s chapters, though: they brought with them Jules and Camden and I LOVED THEM – They should get their own book! Although my heart was in my throat for them near the end… I also really loved Elizabeth – poor Elizabeth!! She didn’t deserve what happened to her. On the flip-side, I DESPISED Genevieve – she was such a bully! – and Rho, who was a horrible, nasty person.

Overall, this book was seriously dark and twisted and epic in so many ways! The writing and world-building were so incredible, I don’t think I can put it into words. This is my first Kendare Blake book, despite owning several others by her, and I’m already obsessed with her skills. Definitely a new favorite author! I need to read more of her books ASAP!

If you’re looking for an epic, intense book to read, this is the one you should pick up! And if you’re already a fan of Kendare, this may end up being your favorite book she’s ever written (which is weird for me to say, since I haven’t read her others to know. But I’m 98% sure I’m right…)! So yes, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend you read this ASAP, either way!!!

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And now for the giveaway! Thanks to the publisher and tour host, we have 3 finished copies of THREE DARK CROWNS (US Only). To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author:
 
Kendare Blake is the author of several novels and short stories, most of which you can find information about via the links above. Her work is sort of dark, always violent, and features passages describing food from when she writes while hungry. She was born in July (for those of you doing book reports) in Seoul, South Korea, but doesn’t speak a lick of Korean, as she was packed off at a very early age to her adoptive parents in the United States. That might be just an excuse, though, as she is pretty bad at learning foreign languages. She enjoys the work of Milan Kundera, Caitlin R Kiernan, Bret Easton Ellis, Richard Linklater, and the late, great Michael Jackson, I mean, come on, he gave us Thriller.

She lives and writes in Kent, Washington, with her husband, their two cat sons (Tybalt and Tyrion Cattister) and their red Doberman dog son, Obi Dog Kenobi.

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