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.
One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake Series: Three Dark Crowns #2
Published by HarperTeen on September 19, 2017
Pages: 464
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
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The battle for the crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail?
With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favor without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, the elemental sister once thought to be the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before—ones that put those around her in danger she can’t seem to prevent.
Fennbirn’s deadliest queens must confront the one thing standing in their way of the crown: each other.
Three Dark Crowns (book one in this series) was one of my favorite books in 2016. It was dark and delicious, and helped get me (temporarily) get out of a reading slump. While I still enjoyed One Dark Throne (as evidenced by the 4-star rating), it wasn’t as epic as Three Dark Crowns, and I was just a bit disappointed with how certain things ended.
First of all, apparently this is now a 4-book series? When originally it was a duology? I mean… I LOVED book one, but this doesn’t need to be a 4-book series. One Dark Throne was way too long and started to feel dragged out around page 300. After 300 pages, I was restless and bored, and just wanted to see how the story would end. But lo and behold, at the end of 464 pages, I still didn’t know how the story ended because it’s NOT ENDING YET. I have to get through two more books for that. Maybe I can chalk this up to “Second Book Syndrome,” since it’s now technically the second book. I’m still excited for book three, and can’t wait to see what happens next; however, I really wish this could be wrapped up in book three – I really don’t think it needs two more whole books to wrap up…
…Yet, at the same time? All I’ve thought about for the last week is being back in this world. I keep thinking “Gee, I want to go home and read Three Dark Crowns/One Dark Throne” – and then I realize I can’t because I finished them. So… Clearly I’m obsessed with these books and this world.
In Three Dark Crowns, Katharine was my favorite of the sisters. In One Dark Throne, Katharine was wicked and a little bit scary. I was very intrigued by what happened to her, and I was dying to see what would come of it. I’m a little surprised by the way her story ended, though, and I’m upset there wasn’t more resolution (due to the 4-book series thing). As intrigued as I was, though, Katharine wasn’t my favorite in this book…
…Mirabella was! I found her chapters the most compelling, and I found the elemental power most intriguing of the three. I really loved her character development and the way her story ended, and I can’t wait to see what happens next for her.
And, as was the case with the first book, Arsinoe was my least favorite. I’m intrigued by the revelation from book one, and it was interesting to see how that played out in this book. But I just wasn’t interested in her as a character at all. The only good thing about her chapters was Jules and Camden. Jules is still my absolute favorite character, and I really really REALLY want her to get her own book!
Despite the book lagging around page 300, the ending was epic and incredible and suspenseful and things happened that I didn’t see coming. Again, I’m still VERY excited for book three, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. If I’m right about this book having “second book syndrome,” then I have a feeling book three will be a wild ride!
I definitely still recommend this book to those who loved the first book, and those who are Kendare Blake fans. It wasn’t as epic as Three Dark Crowns, but it was still a fun read.