The Young Queens

For some reason, I debated about what to rate this novella. Then after a couple minutes, it dawned on me, that I found nothing wrong with this novella and giving it less then 5 (five) stars seemed silly. This won't be much of a review because after all, this is a novella. But I must say I am so glad I read it. I had a lot of questions from the two books and this novella answered a lot of them. I won't say what my questions are because spoilers and I'm not about that spoiling life. You may remember from my reviews of the first two books (found here and here ) that I didn't like Arsinoe or Mirabella. However, after reading this, I developed a respect for them. Especially for Mirabella and what she went through in the beginning. Katharine still reigns supreme in my heart as favorite Queen but I no longer dislike the other two sisters. I'm just going to end this review by saying pick this up if you love Three Dark Crowns or One Dark Throne and you had a lot of questions while reading the books.

3,5 stars Really looking forward to starting TDC this weekend

This is a GREAT prequel. The story fits seamlessly with the existing books, filling in the blanks in many spots where most readers probably wondered “what happened there?” and craved more details and more background. None of it is of vital importance to understand the plots of Three Dark Crowns and One Dark Throne, and these details would have very little significance to anyone not familiar with the books — in fact, they would likely find this book tedious — so I wouldn’t recommend anyone read it before, even if it is a prequel. But fans of the series will probably love these details that give more dimension to the main players in the books — if you’re a fan, definitely read this! And if you had mixed feelings because you felt you were missing pieces of the story, you might want to check it out as well.

Provides some background to book one and the queens' childhoods

I love learning about the queens when they were young! This series is so dark and so much fun and I love it so much so any extra content is welcome here hahah

See my FULL review of this book on my blog along with others at: shesgoingbookcrazy.com Out today! This prequel to the Three Dark Crowns series serves mainly as a detail-gap filler. While there are some moments of enlightenment as we peek into the past, there isn't really any big reveal.  Despite that fact, I simply enjoyed being back on the island of Fennbirn whilst waiting for The Oracle Queen and the third book in the series to come out in 2018.  I loved how the point-of-view followed the same rhythm of the other books in this series. It switches between multiple (different) characters' perspectives, to give an even further glimpse into the events that took place when the queens were young. I really liked this tactic  "I am doing it." Camille lay her hand on her Midwife's shoulder. "I know that I took my crown off and threw it at you. But I am still the queen. If there is one thing that would be considered the big reveal, is that we find out how Arsinoe and Katharine are switched. The story opens in Queen Camille's perspective, telling about the birth of the three young queens Maribella, Arsinoe and Katherine, and her leaving them at the black cottage. While it's a sad part of the tale, the reader starts to see some of the injustices of the poisoner group being in power for such a long time.  Three dark queens are born in a glen. But only one will rule. Jules knows the thyme by heart. But in her young mind it is only a rhyme. Jules is no stranger to the spotlight in this series. You could say it's a must that her story is told as well. The reader meets Jules at a young age and sees how she and Arsinoe become acquainted, as well as when she discovered her familiar Camden. "Have this, your last day as sweet girls," she whispers. "For when you next meet, you will remember none of it."   I've always wondered about the woman that raised the three queens until the time they left the black cottage and what she thought about their future doom. Willa's story brings to light that several people recognize the injustice the girls must face.  There's more, but I don't want to reveal too much. Overall, I enjoyed this short read. It wasn't anything ground-shaking, however, it helped to clear up some details that I had questions about. It's worth taking the time to read if you are a fan of this series! Vulgarity: None. Sexual content: A brief and non-descriptive scene between Jules' aunt and her love interest. Violence: Naturally, this series features some violence between the sisters and different groups - especially when it comes to the poisoners.  My Rating: ★★★★ My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Facebook

I have heard mixed things regarding the Three Dark Crowns series by Kendare Blake. And because I found Anna Dressed in Blood to be an ok read, I was very hesitant about picking this series up. I liked reading Young Queens, and found it to be a good read. It was enjoyable and a very quick read, which was good because I also found it to be slow. I'm still hesitant about reading the series, because I'm not a fan of slow books, but Young Queens has definitely piqued my interest in this series, and I am more likely to pick this series up now. I enjoyed all three of the queens, and I found their characterizations to be completely unique and distinct from one another, and I hope that remains the same in Three Dark Crowns. Although I did read this book first, if you are not a fan of spoilers, I would definitely recommend holding off on this book until much later in the series.

I really love the Three Dark Crowns series. I think the world and story is so interesting. I loved reading about some of the childhood of Mirabella, Katharine and Arsinoe. I'd love to read more about how they were raised, or about the Queens that came before them. I'm very excited for the next book in the series and the next novella that's coming out on the 3rd.

I really enjoyed these background stories. It helps us understand the Queens more! Full review to come: thebookdutchesses.wordpress.com

It was alright. Thought they could have done more with it

"Three black witches, the mainland would say. Born to a descending queen. One would rise to become queen in her place. Perhaps the strongest of the three. Perhaps the cleverest. Or perhaps it would be the girl born under the best shield of luck." Okay... *deep breath* Public Service Announcement: There were a lot of confirmations in this novella. This is something you need to read before you read book three and after you read book two. Novellas these days are actually starting to be necessary to a series. They aren't just fillers or side stories you don't need to worry about; they are actually short stories that are dire to the story as a whole. This is one of those instances. Do not read this book before you read book one or after you read book three. The first story in this, you meet the Triplet Queen's mother Camille and their father Philippe. It was so heartbreaking to see how these parents weren't even allowed to hold their own children. And the fact that the triplets were torn away from them and taken to another room before the parents leave to go to the main land. "Philippe was a strong consort, but he was too softhearted for this. If he saw the triplet queens, he might want to hold them. And if he held them, he might start to feel that they were his instead of Fennbirn’s." I just don't understand why the parents can't raise their own children. And the Queen reigns for like five years basically until she gives birth to the kids and then leaves and then there is no one ruling for a long time besides the counsels... It's all kind of heartbreaking and confusing, but mostly heartbreaking. One of the last thoughts we get is the mother wishing that she could save her daughters from the pain and the hurt she went through with her own sisters. "But when Camille looked at the babies, for just a moment she wished she had jaws like her beloved snakes, so she could unhinge them and swallow the girls back down under her heart forever." We see the girls grow up with one another until they are taken to the separate corners of the island. The girls did not want to leave one another, and they didn't go quietly. The whole concept of this book is really heartbreaking, and reading about it happening instead of being told it happened is completely different. You see what is expected of the girls, you see why they are at the places they are in the beginning of the book, and you also learn more about Jules and Joseph's back story with Arsinoe as well. Honestly, Arsinoe got the best deal out of all three of the girls. The one who got the worse is Katharine. I mean, can you imagine your poisoner gift not appearing and the people in charge of you forcing you to continually put poison in your body that you aren't ready for? The things that can do to your skin, hair, your insides, your internal clock, your brain.... I just feel for Katharine the most and where she left off at the end of book two makes me so worried for her... I can't wait for the next novella, but I really can't wait until the third book. Can I get at least a title reveal please?! - - - I could not have been happier with this book. RTC. - - - I’m literally jumping up and down. I know it’s just a novella, but I love this world so much I’m so excited. AHHHHHHHHH!