Segui l&#x27;autore

“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”

You can't even imagine how happy I am to finally be able to write this review.

I've been wanting to read this series since I got involved in the bookstagram community, which means it's been almost five months. The cover immediately attracted me and the synopsis seemed very intriguing, but for one reason or another, I've never got my hands on Three Dark Crowns until 10 days ago.
You may have noticed my weird rating. 4.75 is very, very close to 5, so you're probably wondering what led me to not give this book the best rating.
First thing first, this book was amazing. I loved every second of my reading experience and I can't wait to have the sequel in my hands. The writing style is perfect for my tastes, it flows like a dream and it's never excessive. There aren't unnecessary, long descriptions, but at the same time the world building is top notch: while reading, I really felt like I was able to perfectly portray Fennbirn and the different places of the story in my mind. It was like I already knew them, like I've been there myself - yes Claudia, you wish.

But what really blew my mind is... the characters.
Imagine being able to write a very good book, with a strong world building, a strong plot and an even stronger main character. Sounds awesome right? It isn't something achievable by anyone. Many of the super hyped books out there don't have a good MC.
Do you agree that it is pretty impressive? Perfect.
Now, imagine being able to write a very good book, with a strong world-building, a strong plot and three even stronger main characters. Imagine being so good at it, to be able to not only portray not one, not two, THREE perfect MCs, but to always portray complex and three-dimensional background characters that almost feel like MC themselves.
This is the true strength of this book. Its characters.
They're perfectly described, beautifully complex, so faceted and real. Empathizing with each and every one of them is almost too easy, at the point where you quickly get affectionate to the three girls and struggle to root just for one of them.
Every character has a well-built background, they have history and it's tangible. It's easy to understand them, the way they think, the reason why the act like that.
I loved how the writer was able to make the sisters so different, yet with some similarities in their own, unique stories.
And don't let me start on the ending!
If you thought that The Wicked King's ending was a major plot twist - I didn't, but whatever - then you're not prepared for this one. This book has a REAL plot twist, one of those you would never think about because the writer is able to lead your thoughts toward different roads.

So, again, why am I giving it only 4.75?
Well, even though I loved this book, I must say it lacks a little bit of action.
I'm not saying it needs more action because it doesn't. I'm just saying that, being the first book of a series, it is obviously a bit more chill: it's the book you need to get to know the characters, their lives, their pasts, it's the book where the story slowly starts to take form, but it's only the base point for what will be the sequel.
Again, I loved it. I loved getting to know the queens, their friends, their lovers, their people, their gifts. I loved getting to know about Fennbirn, discovering hidden places, learning about its culture and traditions.
This book felt like the beginning of a beautiful trip: those first moments when you arrive in a new country, somewhere you've only heard of but don't really know anything about and you're pretty excited to get in touch with the locals, to learn their ways and their habits. It's the first part of the trip, when you're still trying to navigate this new, intriguing place, when you're not completely confident yet, you're still trying to make some friends and to find your place. But when this first part is over, that is when the fun really starts.
And I'm pretty sure One Dark Reign is going to be lots of fun.

SPOILER ALERT: Now, let's move on with something more spoilery. If you haven't read the book yet, feel free to stop reading.

First of all, I want to highlight the romances in this story. I loved how the writer was able to portray a romance for each of the queens, all of them forbidden but, at the same time, very different from each other.
What I'm trying to say is that even though it could sound a bit repetitive at first, all three romances were so unique and heart-wrenching and I loved everything about them.

Except for when Pyetir decided to throw Katherine in the Breccia Domain. That boy needs to give me some explanations!
And how the heck did she survive?! I mean, I don't really care for it.
She wants revenge, I want it too. I felt personally attacked when Pyetir betrayed her, I don't know exactly why, but I know I want to kill him almost as much as her. GO KATHERINE!
Also, I would like to start a petition to reach Fennbirn and give Joseph lots of punches on the nose. I get it, Arsinoe screwed up by throwing the magical vodoo thing in the fire and that's why now he's obsessed with Mirabella, but was kissing her in front of the entire population of Fennbirn - with the girl you always loved among them - really necessary?
The final plot twist. OMG. OMG OMG OMG. DID THEY MADE A MISTAKE WHEN THEY SEPARATED THE QUEENS? ARE THEY ALL SUPER POWERFUL AND FIERCE AND STRONG?
I guess I'll find out soon. Hopefully this review was helpful!

Una persona l'ha trovato utile

Marianne - NovemberWords blog

A solid first book

Recensito in Italia il 8 marzo 2017

Three Dark Crowns is a solid first book based on awesome concept. It has it's flaws, it has a slow pacing throughout all the book (I personally liked it all the more), but it's a fast read nonetheless.
Obviously the centre of the story revolves around the three sisters, Katharine, Arsinoe and Mirabella. There are also other PoVs from minor characters that really help the reader to further enter into the story.
Another thing I so, so much appreciated: the female friendships. Finally we're getting to see more and more of them in books and I'm so happy about it!
I wasn't a big fan of the writing style, I mean it's good and enjoyable, the story unfolds pretty neatly, it's just that I found it very simple. But this is just my taste.
Overall I give this book 4 solid stars for the story itself, and a plus of 0.20 for the awesome concept on which it's based!
Oh, and do yourself a favour, if you'd like to read it: buy the hardcover ed., it's so beautiful!

Recensito in Italia il 27 maggio 2021

Romanzo fantasy molto affascinante.
Tre sorelle in lotta per un trono.
Consigliato.

Una persona l'ha trovato utile

Alice

A gem.

Recensito in Italia il 22 luglio 2019

I have read this book in 3 days while working an eight hours job and caring for a six years old sister. I think that says it all.

Una persona l'ha trovato utile

Annafrancesca Montone

Ottimo

Recensito in Italia il 20 settembre 2019

Arrivato tutto nei tempi previsti , il libro sembrava un po sporco ma nel complesso tutto bene. Spedizione veloce con prime

Recensito in Italia il 21 marzo 2017

Libro davvero bello esteticamente e con una trama intrigante! Appena finito mi è subito venuta voglia di rileggerlo! Super consigliato

Una persona l'ha trovato utile

Stefy_

All romance, no battle

Recensito in Italia il 7 marzo 2017

"These three sisters must fight to the death for the throne, and on the night they turn sixteen the battle begins."

What an amazing blurb, don't you think? It's supposed to anticipate a fast-pacing book with a lot of action, blood, plot twists and so on, isn't it?
It would be such a shame if at the end there was no death, no battle, no nothing! To make up for it there was a huge quantity of romance that I didn't even want since I was looking for some nice splatter. But no, I had to witness to all the kisses and betrayals and quarrels between lovers. What a nice way of spending time.

My reactions could be summarized in a simple scheme:
- chapter one: this is going to be AMAZING!
- end of the first third of the book: ehm... maybe the interesting things are just getting prepared?
- end of the first half: woah, the most "exciting" event so far was a love betrayal. Someone can tell me when the fun begins, please?
- end of the second third: I... can't... give... up... there's still hope!
- end: ...what the hell was that?

Yes, because it is probably the ending to be the most absurd of all the parts. It seems that the final "plot twist" was put there just as an attempt to create some kind of cliffhanger and without following all the things said before in the book, but in my case it just made me snicker because it really doesn't make sense to me. I mean, it's impossible that a vital thing like that hadn't been descovered long ago. (Maybe thing will get explained in the second book, but in any case the ending felt really forced).

Last but not least, the characters. I've already mentioned all the unending liaisons between this and that, but this is not the most pressing matter. I'm still wondering how three princesses brought up separated since 6 years old knowing that one day they will have to kill their sisters can be so warm-hearted, kind and merciful. It is impossible that a 10-year brainwashing had no effects upon them. The funny thing is that in the last three chapters things change completely and all Mirabella, Arsinoe and Katharine want is killing the others to have the crown. Revenge, revenge, revenge. For what?
This is what I call " character quickvelopment".
Secondly, I can't fathom how three soon-to-be queens can just wander about almost with no escort and often do not so queenly activities. Most of the times they don't even remind me of future queens.
I don't have much to say about the other characters since almost all of them spend all their flirting, even though I must say that I rather pity Bill for having to put up with all the Arsinoe and princessed related mess, and that Pietyr left me pleasantly surprised even though all his efforts were vain, since who was meant to die reappeared "magically" as if nothing had happened.

2 persone l'hanno trovato utile

Traduci tutte le recensioni in Italiano

Le recensioni migliori da altri paesi

Monika

Dark but good

Recensito in Germania il 19 aprile 2023

A bit darker side of young adult fantacy. Love how the characters are complex and not everything is what it is supposed to be.

Juan M.C

Ok

Recensito in Spagna il 9 aprile 2022

Precioso libro

Cliente de Amazon

El libro está muy maltratado

Recensito in Messico il 31 dicembre 2017

Le pongo cinco estrellas porque el contenido es bueno y no quisiera dañar a la autora por el mal manejo de Amazon, pero por fuera está en terribles condiciones.

Me llegó sin plástico protector, con la portada con polvo y manchas como de grasa, y todas las páginas están mal cortadas o rasgadas. Pedí un reemplazo y, no me quejo, me lo cambiaron sin contratiempos y al día siguiente, pero me encuentro con la sorpresa de que el reemplazo tiene los mismos defectos sólo que en cantidades ligeramente menores.

Recomiendo comprar el libro, pero no de Amazon, si es posible de una tienda física en la que puedan estar seguros de que está en buenas condiciones.

2 persone l'hanno trovato utile

Lotta

Bonne surprise

Recensito in Francia il 21 gennaio 2019

Pas une 1 protagoniste mais plusieurs, au début les introductions me paraissaient un peu longue, tout s'accélère avec le rencontre des sœurs, des rebondissements, une fin très rapide, qui donne envie de lire la suite...

Una persona l'ha trovato utile

CUTEsatarupa

Awesome YA fantasy series! One of the best!

Recensito in India il 3 settembre 2018

I don't have words to describe just how much I enjoyed this book. It's been ages since I read such an awesome YA fantasy book. I had lost all faith and interest in YA fantasy early this year because whichever book I picked up it was similar to the previous one I read and that frustrated me to no end.
The synopsis of this book hooked me right from the start and I finished this book in 2 days only!

Loved the characters but mostly I loved Katherine through out the story but the end made me love Arsinoe much more (those of you readers who read this till the end know what I mean!). To be brutally honest I didn't like Mirabella much. On the other hand I loved Natalia's character a lot too and Jules as well.

Loved the plot and the shocking ending sealed the deal for me. The pacing was great though at places I thought the story would loose my interest but this awesome story line just kept gut punching me.

The romance is subtle and does not takeover the whole plot and we get to see how the lives of these three queens change once they turn 16. The story reminded me a lot of the hunger games and the way people enjoyed the fight between the contenders, it was the same here as the common folks rooted for the most powerful queen.

So excited to see what happens in the next installment. Hope this series never end.