Parents' Guide to

Two Dark Reigns: Three Dark Crowns, Book 3

By Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Characters lack drive in third volume of triplet queen tale.

Book Kendare Blake Fantasy 2018
Two Dark Reigns: Three Dark Crowns, Book 3 Poster Image

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What's the Story?

In TWO DARK REIGNS, Arsinoe and Mirabella are feeling anything but settled on the mainland. They live with Billy and his mother and sister for now, but Billy's mother is anxious for them to leave. Billy is expected to marry a rich society girl, not Arsinoe. She may have been a queen on Fennbirn, but on the mainland, she's nothing but a girl who won't wear a proper dress. And a girl who repeatedly wakes the house screaming after dreams of home. Could the island be calling her back? Would she even go? On Fennbirn, Katharine begins her rule. Just when she thinks the people will finally agree that she's the true chosen queen, the island's protective mist that hides it from the mainland rises up, washing bodies ashore. What is the island's magic trying to tell her? She worries it will choose Jules Milone over her, Arisinoe's friend with a warrior talent. Seers on the island claim that Jules was once a queen and could become one again. Katharine also worries that the dead queens residing in her have provoked the island. The strength she borrows from them could be what ultimately usurps her power.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (3):

The third of four books in the triplet queen series adds intriguing sentient-island lore, but fails to keep up its momentum and deliciously dark vibe. At the thrilling end to One Dark Throne, it was hard to imagine what was next for two of the queens. And even after we're well into Two Dark Reigns, Arsinoe and Mirabella still don't seem to know. Arsinoe is clearly being called back to the island, but doesn't want to go. Mirabella doesn't seem to care either way. No one knows what to do or is driven by what they want, except to protect the others. Both queens lose their magic on the mainland and so does the story.

On the island, there's about the same amount of indecision. Katharine does and doesn't want to be possessed by dead queens. Jules doesn't really want to be a rebel leader, but she's going along with it. The only thing that seems very decided is the mist. Its origin story is the best part of the book, but shouldn't be. Let's hope the finale draws us back into the queens' struggles and delivers a much more satisfying ending.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Jules in Two Dark Reigns. How does the support for her claim to the throne grow? Have you read about similar uprisings in real history books?

  • What makes this series darker than other fantasies? Is it the style of violence? The kind of magic? The undead vibe?

  • Do you think the series will end in the same dark way it began? Are you anxious to read the next and final installment?

Book Details

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