Three Dark Crowns, Book 1

Book review by Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media
Three Dark Crowns, Book 1 Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Thrilling but very dark tale of murderous triplet queens.

Kendare Blake Fantasy 2016
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 14 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Three Dark Crowns is the first in a fantasy series by the author of the acclaimed horror novel Anna Dressed in Blood. With the plot centering on 16-year-old triplet queens destined to murder each other in an attempt to rule, this dark gem is best for high school readers and up. The fractured way the story builds at the beginning also will make it harder for less practiced fantasy readers to follow. One queen is supposed to have the gift of poisoning and is sick often as she's trained to withstand poisonings. A boy prisoner is poisoned, and there's plenty of talk of other victims: past queens, assassinations, and even animals. A description of one bear-mauling death includes "loops of entrails." A hand is cut off as punishment; another hand is stabbed through the middle and stuck in a tree as part of a ritual; and there's a push off a cliff, talk of beheadings and arms chopped off, a near drowning, and a willing human sacrifice (we're spared much description). Teens drink wine and spirits, are sometimes poisoned on purpose, and have sex (with little described besides kissing). A teen boy is charged with teaching one of the queens to kiss and be alluring to future suitors. These queens are caught up in a play for power with very little control over their magical gifts or their destinies. They find different ways to manage the pressure, some healthy, some destructive. One queen even has the dangerous audacity to want to show mercy to her sisters.

Community Reviews

Julie P.
Julie P. Adult
May 6, 2020
age 13+

Loved It!

This book is amazing! For parents, there is no swearing (win win!) but some violence. If your child can handle stabbing, severing hands, light talk of violence etc. then they should be fine. I read this book before I gave it to my 13 year old daughter, well aware of the reviews here, but I thought I'd try because the story line seemed so interesting. The sex is normal for any book. I have noticed though, that the reviews on CSM are true, but it does make books sound worse then they are. Especially with violence, when it is not described into detail and is basically in every book you read. If you are weary of letting your child read this, read it first then decide for yourself. Please keep in mind that tweens know about mature content and words already, it just matters on how much they, personally, have read and what they can handle.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex
Beclee101
Beclee101 Adult
November 24, 2018
age 15+

Very good story line and engrossing

I felt this book was very good and engrossing. That being said I am not completely sure I will read the sequel, except when I have a lull in time. The storyline is very fresh and innovative and keeps your attention. The characters are very strong and you can emphasize with their plight. The sex scenes are descriptive for a young adult novel. Although I cannot say it detracts from the storyline and in some cases, i do feel a romance scene is warranted to show the intimate relationships that will have to stand a very strong test. There is violence that is premeditated and definiate. It often seems brutal, but also in the context of the story it seems to flow with it. If you have a child who doesn’t like violence against other humans, this is not the book for them. Overall, for an older teen or mature reader is is well written and even after reading the book has given me cause for thought.

This title has:

Educational value
Too much violence
Too much sex
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THREE DARK CROWNS, three queens -- triplets Katharine, Arsinoe, and Mirabella -- are busy preparing for their 16th birthday. There'll be the usual three parties, because they were separated when they were six years old. Katharine, who lives with those gifted in their immunity to poisons, will feast on a poison banquet to show her strength -- a strength she has yet to acquire. Arsinoe, who lives in a community of naturalists, will show off her familiar, an animal she desperately hopes arrives to claim her in time to show her strength. And Mirabella will dazzle her town of elementals by summoning the weather to do her bidding. Mirabella is the strongest and most likely to impress a crowd. The priestesses in the temple want to declare her the next true queen. But to claim the throne, tradition dictates Mirabella must kill both her sisters within the year -- before they kill her.

Is It Any Good?

With triplet queens out to kill each other, this may not be a book to share with sisters, but if you're into dark, complex, nail-biting fantasy, you'll definitely share it with your friends. Three Dark Crowns will take an effort for some readers to piece together, as each queen's story is told separately. We meet Katharine first in a house full of Poisoners who regularly indulge in tainted banquets. Sickly from the lack of the immunity her gift should provide but still desperate to please, she gives off the creepiest vibe. Arsinoe takes longer to reach the same dark place; the desperate queen is slowly coerced into some shady magic practices to compensate for her weak gift. As for Mirabella, it's the bloodthirsty, cunning priestesses who add a delicious level of dark.

Each of the rites and rituals the queens endure -- the birthday parties, the festival of Beltane, the selection of the suitors, the Quickening -- are expertly woven into the story. Readers get the slow reveal of just what these doomed queens are up against. Will you root for the survival of one queen the way the towns do? For the small chance in this macabre world that mercy will rule out in the end? Even a reader's allegiance may shift with the cliffhanger at the end.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the jarring premise of Three Dark Crowns. Is it hard to watch sisters potentially turn on each other that severely? Do you expect them to ever trust each other when tradition dictates hate and mistrust?

  • Each queen finds a way to cope in a situation full of expectations none of them fully wants to fulfill. What are their ways to cope? Whom do you think handles the pressure best?

  • For those not used to reading darker fantasies, will you keep reading this series? Why, or why not?

Book Details

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