3.5 stars. This book felt like it dragged more than the first two, and the ending bothered me because earlier in the book Madrigal specifically says that Jules' curse will not unbind if she dies. It would only be unbound when Jules chose to do it. Yet at the end, it is unbound when Madrigal is killed. Hopefully that's explained better in the fourth book.

Bit slow. I think it could have been a 3 book series

** spoiler alert ** Kendare Blake returns with the highly anticipated third book in the Three Dark Crowns series And while Arsinoe, Mirabella, and Katharine all have their own scores to settle, there is another queen stirring things up on Fennbirn Island. Queen Katharine has waited her entire life to wear the crown. But now that she finally has it, the murmurs of dissent grow louder by the day. There's also the alarming issue of whether her sisters are actually dead, or if they're waiting in the wings to usurp the throne. Mirabella and Arsinoe are alive, but in hiding on the mainland and dealing with a nightmare of their own: being visited repeatedly by a specter they think might be the fabled Blue Queen. Though she says nothing, her rotting, bony finger pointing out to sea is clear enough: return to Fennbirn. Jules, too, is in a strange place: in disguise. And her only confidants, a war-gifted girl named Emilia and her oracle friend Mathilde, are urging her to take on a role she can't imagine filling: a legion-cursed queen who will lead a rebel army to Katharine's doorstep. Content warning for gore, war, sexual assault and child death. This book was strong, just not as strong as the previous two books. I liked the Blue Queen storyline, I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I could have. This book made me realize I love all the triplet queens equally, even if Katharine is my favorite. For a long book, the pages and events seem to just pass right by. This is great because it wasn't too heavy on strategizing and politics. It focuses more on the new dilemmas that our characters are facing and their actions are now driven plot-wise rather than character-wise. There really isn't anything I disliked about this book. The pacing was alright. It wasn't too fast-paced that could make you finish the book in a day but it wasn't also slow where you'd have a reading slump while reading through it. It was interesting seeing the characters on the main land but I wasn’t as interested in that storyline as I was with the Fennbirn Island political landscape. There are lots of characters who meet their untimely demise in this third book of the series, but those who have been with the queens since the beginning will love the continuation of this story.

This book fell into the same trap as the first one--too much build up with little payoff. Still enjoyable and I'm hooked in, but it was a little disappointing after One Dark Throne's action packed, high-stakes, drama filled extravaganza.

a special thank you goes to lacy duckie for sending me this book. i am truly blessed to have your friendship! I honestly don't even know how to start this review. How do I even begin to describe my feelings about this book, the world, everything? I only wrote down 4 (four) notes while reading this so I think what I'll do is just expand on the notes. Because I am at such a loss on what to do. I appreciate the cast of characters in the beginning. It definitely helps since there are so many characters. This addition truly helped because often I would get confused on who belong to what family. No longer the case thanks to this handy guide. I am just so fascinated by all the different types of gifts. This has always been one of the reasons why I loved this series. All the gifts, especially the poisoner gift, has been so interesting to study and learn about. Very slow burn; lots of buildup, very political.? This book is 447 pages but it reads like a 500 to 600 page book. That isn't a bad thing, in this case. We learn a lot more about the world of Fennbirn and how crazy things can truly get. There was so much politics surrounding the kingdom along with scheming; I liked everything minute of it. My Katharine has grown! No longer meek but strong and confident. I love her even more. Even though Mira and Arsinoe have my respect (thanks to the novellas), Katharine holds my heart. Despite everything she has done in this book, I still adore her. She truly grew to be the Queen I knew she could be. Overall, I am more enthralled then ever. This series is fantastic. It's deep and dark. It's twister. The amount of work Kendare has put into this world is astounding. I can't wait to see what the last book has in store.

I really liked this book! It was a big change from the first two and a welcomed change! I love the cliff hanger ending!

I'm losing steam with this series... I loved the first book and they have continually been less good as we get in further...

Had a slow start but still a really good book.

Ooohh wraths. Holy friggin’ killer fog. Ok, I kind of have NO WORDS. No words that will make any sense, at least. My mind is just a series of images and exclamations of surprise, dismay, and general anxiety. This book was SO worth the wait. So much is happening, in everyone’s life. And there are new forces to be reckoned, which are scary and mysterious and horrifying... and overall, the story continues, just as intriguing and amazing as always. I still cannot pick a favorite, because even when they are crazy or even mean, I love them all. I love these characters so much. They are so realistic, distinguished, interesting and three-dimensional; and throughout the story, they stay true to character but never, ever become predictable. They also get better as the story progresses, so this book’s Kat is way more multi-faceted than she was in TDC! Kendare Blake weaves a tale so twisted, so complex in ways, but also old as time and classic in others. There are elements of classic epic fantasy, and elements of grimdark; and yes, it is another tale about queens and a throne, and yet it is completely original and unique, as are its characters and the world she has created. Fennbirn manages to be nightmarish and fascinating; a place to escape and a place that feels like home; something to fight, and something to fight for. It takes a premise that sounds like many others and runs with it in a completely new, unexpected, charming and yet surprisingly dark direction, and I LOVE IT. This is, to me, one of the best series I have read to date. Now I just have to wait one more year for its completion. And I have no doubt that once again, it will be worth the wait. 4 1/2 STARS

Wow this book takes you on a journey and you better hold on. This is the third book to the series and does it just keep getting better and better. There’s no other way to describe how I feel. I have a love for all of the characters and have mourned with them. There’s so many unexpected turns and surprises they don’t stop. If I could have sat down in one spot for a day or two to read nonstop I would have. Some series get worst as they go on, but this one keeps getting better.

3 stars I am so confused right now. I took this book off my bookshelf since I recently acquired Five Dark Fates, and I found out I put a bookmark literally 20 pages before the book ended. Then, I remembered I did read a part of this book MONTHS ago, and the story was still fresh in my mind. So, I quickly finished it and I remembered why I stopped. The plot was all over the place. One minute they are doing something, the next it's entirely different. It was all jumbled, that it was hard to make sense what was going on. I will read Five Dark Fates soon so I can officially put this series to a close, but so far this is the worst book yet.

3.5 stars! not my favorite book in the series but still an interesting read. the fourth book is going to be so intense. if it’s not called four dark queens i’m calling 911

3.5

Not. A. Fan. We went back to slow with book three. The only reason I'm going to continue to read the last book is so I can find out who wins. I honestly have no emotional ties to any of thr characters and at this point I'd love to see all three Queens dead in the end.

This series is probably the most well crafted series I will ever be blessed enough to read. I have so many theories and so much stress and love for these characters. The road waiting for the next and FINAL installment is going to be brutal and long. I just. Everything needs to work out?? But what does that even mean at this point?? Also my heart will never get over Joseph. Because I love Jules and Arsinoe so freaking much. I don’t think I’ve loved so many characters so deeply before and it is a hurtful experience! AND I HAVE A BONE TO PICK WITH YOU KENDARE YOU CANT JUST END A BOOK LIKE THAT!! I mean you did. And I loved it. But YOU CANT!!!! In summation, I am broken and I love literally everyone in this book except Genevieve, as always, she can choke. Thank you.

3 1/2 stars. Not a bad book. I just feel like not much actually happened. Everyone had dreams and made plans and talked about doing things and only in the last 50 pages actually did them.

This has only gotten three stars as opposed to two is because of the ending, but other than that I didn’t really enjoy this book. I don’t like Jules at all, so having to read an entire book pretty much centred around her was rather annoying. However, I will be picking up the final book as I’d like to see how the series is going to end.

Wow, this book was amazing! So not what I was expecting, but SO good!! I need the next book now. My full review will be posted on thebookdutchesses.com tomorrow.

I really did enjoy this read a lot. I thought it was such a solid third book in this series. I liked how this book had three very different stories that at the end did come to one explosive conclusion. I really also did like the focus on Jules in this book and also how all the characters had to find ways to work together but still had some much tension. I also really liked how the past how a larger role in this book. I also the end was fast pace but still explained and I am so excited for the last book in this series.

OH MY GOD I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE LAST ONE AND THEN KENDARE BLAKE HITS ME WITH A "WELP THERES THE 3RD ONE,ONLY ONE LEFT" AND IM LIKE UGHHHHHH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!

Disclaimer: I bought this book on my own! Book Series: Three Dark Crowns 3 Rating: 4.5/5 Publication Date: September 4, 2018 Genre: YA Fantasy Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, death, sex, revenge, plotting your sisters deaths #justgirlythings) Publisher: HarperTeen Pages: 464 Amazon Link Synopsis: Queen Katharine has waited her entire life to wear the crown. But now that she finally has it, the murmurs of dissent grow louder by the day. There’s also the alarming issue of whether or not her sisters are actually dead—or if they’re waiting in the wings to usurp the throne. Mirabella and Arsinoe are alive, but in hiding on the mainland and dealing with a nightmare of their own: being visited repeatedly by a specter they think might be the fabled Blue Queen. Though she says nothing, her rotting, bony finger pointing out to sea is clear enough: return to Fennbirn. Jules, too, is in a strange place—in disguise. And her only confidants, a war-gifted girl named Emilia and her oracle friend Mathilde, are urging her to take on a role she can’t imagine filling: a legion-cursed queen who will lead a rebel army to Katharine’s doorstep. This is an uprising that the mysterious Blue Queen may have more to do with than anyone could have guessed—or expected. Review: Holy crap this book was INTENSE! I felt like I was on a roller coaster the whole time! I loved every moment of this book and I’m definitely rooting for all of the girls for different reasons. I felt that the world building continued to be amazing, the writing was as satisfying as always, and the character development was amazing. I’m anxious for the last book in this series! However, I did feel that the pacing was, again, a little slow for me but it was greatly improved from the last book! Verdict: Definitely recommend this series!

How will it end?

Warning: Spoilers for the first two books and mild spoilers for this one. I binge-read the first two books in one day last May and have felt the intense need for the third one since. Unfortunately, it kind of disappointed me. Don’t get me wrong- I enjoyed it while I was reading, although it can certainly be a lot better. I’ll start with my gripes. Two Dark Reigns is a very Jules-centric book. I wouldn’t mind it so much if it was better explained why. Why is she special? Why does Emilia and the war-gifted want her to be queen? I don’t understand. The legion curse wasn’t well-explained either, like what is it and why is it bad? The Jules-centricness took a lot away from this dark story about sisters killing each other for power. I actually expected Jules to be revealed as a fourth sister (the Blue Queen) at some point and I was disappointed when she wasn’t. Her storyline felt kind of random and maybe more-than-a-little-bit out of place. However, I also want to point out that I like Jules as a character. She does have a good and compelling character arc involving a reluctant queen gathering an army against Queen Katherine. The circumstances surrounding said arc can be better, but her character itself was likable. It shows that she has a lot of doubts about becoming queen and wonders if she’s cut out for it. On the other hand, Emilia grates on my nerves. She pushes Jules to be queen, disregards her wishes, doesn’t explain things and practically treats her like a puppet. She also shows quite a bit of disregard for Jules existing ties to her family and to her friends, like Arsinoe. That was a big no-no for me. Katherine is still not my favorite character, although she does get better in this book. Her arc is darker than ever before and she also has to deal with being called “Katherine the Undead” now. Not only that, but the dead queens also pose a problem along with so many people blaming her for the island’s problems and the mist. After what happened at the end of the book, I’m pretty excited to see where her storyline goes. I don’t feel like Mirabella got a lot of time in the spotlight compared to her sisters and Jules, but I did feel like she exhibited a lot of growth. She’s no longer the powerful elemental queen who’s almost certainly going to be queen crowned. She’s not basically Arsinoe’s protector and just wants the best for herself and her sister in the mainland. However, I did like the scene where she contemplates her legacy, when she thinks of how she’ll be like a footnote in the island’s history. I felt like that scene was one of the strongest in the book, and one of Mira’s best. Arsinoe is always my fave and I liked how her storyline expands the lore and history of the island. We see the history of the Blue Queen and uncover one of the island’s secrets- I enjoyed learning about Daphne and Illian and how they were described as friends and sisters. At the same time, I also loved Arsinoe’s relationship with Billy and how she continues to flout gender norms-especially on the mainland. The plot changed from sisters fighting for a throne to overthrowing a queen I get that it’s somehow the logical course for this particular story but I wished that the book focused on the sisters more and maybe less on Jules. Still, it moves at an okay pace-although the mainland part did drag. The book overall feels like a set-up for the last one. It’s not bad if you like the series and you’re invested. I am. Overall, if you’re a fan of the first two, this comes highly recommended. Otherwise, the first two can stand alone. This review is also on The Bookworm Daydreamer

A solid 4 stars, took me a little bit longer to get into then the other ones, but still a REALLY great book. Can't wait to read the final one.