Review: Three Dark Crowns, Kendare Blake

We review Kendare Blake’s latest, Three Dark Crowns.

To be frank, I’ve tried starting this review five or six different ways. This is not to say that I disliked Three Dark Crowns — far from it. It may be one of the best YA books I’ve read all year.

Here’s how things work in this world. On the island of Fennbirn, three triplet queens are born every generation. Each has a specific gift of magic. Yet only one queen can rule, and she must claim her crown by blood —and maybe fire, if she’s an elemental.

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This generation includes Mirabella, an elemental; Arsinoe, a naturalist with skills with animals; and Katharine, a poisoner. Mirabella happens to be the strongest of the three. As a result, she stands as the clear favorite once the girls get the green light at Beltane to start killing each other.

It also happens to be somewhat strange in terms of what YA cliches it takes on and its pacing, but still somehow not bad. I remember the other book I’ve read of Kendare Blake’s, Anna Dressed in Blood, also being strangely good, so that’s not much of a surprise. In short, I will happily recommend Three Dark Crowns, but with the caveat that some readers may find it not as appealing as others do.

The Good

When you begin the book, Blake throws you straight into the thick of things, apparently expecting readers to figure things out as they go. As a world, I find it completely fascinating in terms of how Fennbirn came to be this way and its traditions. Three Dark Crowns does not answer all of my questions about the world, but I understand this is the first of a new series. You have to leave some mysteries for the sequel, right?

As for the characters themselves, I found them fascinating, albeit not necessarily likable. A few times, I had difficulty remembering just who is related to whom and in what way, particularly without a helpful chart, but as I kept reading, it became easier to keep things straight.

In terms of pacing, the easiest comparison may in fact be A Song of Ice and Fire.

In terms of pacing, the easiest comparison may in fact be A Song of Ice and Fire, thanks in part to the aforementioned getting thrown into things as well as the rotating perspectives. Each queen and her surrounding allies get chapters in a recognizable pattern: Katharine, Arsinoe, and Mirabella.

Not only are you expected to figure things out as you go, Blake goes for a very slow burn in terms of plotting. Things certainly happen, but with every character mentioning the approaching Quickening, which will start the year of queenly sororicide, you know that things will explode. And explode they do.

As this is still a YA novel, romance is included, but doesn’t take over as it often can in this genre. I never saw any female main characters waffling about their feelings.

The Not-So-Good

At this point, the YA love triangle has become a cliche. Three Dark Crowns does not avoid this. If you dislike any and all love triangles, this book may not be for you. However, I did appreciate the fact that it reversed the normal state of affairs. That is, one boy is the object of two girls’ affection.

The same slow burn may also be a major factor in having readers set this book aside. The book does not really pick up until halfway through or perhaps even two-thirds of the way through. If you have time to sit and savor, then it works, but if you read in smaller chunks, it may end up more frustrating than rewarding.

Because the world is indeed so different and complex, some dialogue and narration does feel awkward at points. This comes despite the insertion of characters like Billy, who has come from the mainland to be one of the suitors to the triplet queens. Particularly when the idea of a White-Handed Queen came up, I caught a few instances of explanation in dialogue to characters who should know better. Thankfully, that soon abated.

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In conclusion, Blake’s latest shines in terms of its worldbuilding and characters. The pacing in particular may be difficult for some readers. For those willing to plow through, however, the ending leaves you ready for more.

You can find Three Dark Crowns wherever books, electronic or physical, are sold.