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Three Dark Crowns #0.2
The Young Queens
In this must-read prequel to Kendare Blake’s New York Times bestselling Three Dark Crowns, the queens’ origin story is revealed. It’s a pre-crown lowdown of Fennbirn’s ruling class.
Mirabella, Arsinoe, and Katharine weren't always scheming to murder each other. They weren't always surrounded by rival foster families, each swearing to have their best interests at heart. And they weren't always afraid of being unexpectedly attacked—by one of their own sisters, no less—in a way that could cost them their last breath.
They used to be together. Just three sisters. Alone in a glen.
This is the story of the three queens—after they were born, before they were separated, during the time when they all lived together, loved each other, and protected each other. It’s also the story of the day they were torn apart, and the several years that follow.
From birth to eleven years old, this is a rare glimpse of the queens' lives…before they were at stake.
Mirabella, Arsinoe, and Katharine weren't always scheming to murder each other. They weren't always surrounded by rival foster families, each swearing to have their best interests at heart. And they weren't always afraid of being unexpectedly attacked—by one of their own sisters, no less—in a way that could cost them their last breath.
They used to be together. Just three sisters. Alone in a glen.
This is the story of the three queens—after they were born, before they were separated, during the time when they all lived together, loved each other, and protected each other. It’s also the story of the day they were torn apart, and the several years that follow.
From birth to eleven years old, this is a rare glimpse of the queens' lives…before they were at stake.
Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2017
235 people are currently reading
16265 people want to read
About the author
Kendare Blake
47 books55.3k followersSo, I write books. The Anna Dressed in Blood duo is horror, The Goddess War trilogy is mythology, and Three Dark Crowns is fantasy, because the world don't move to the beat of just one drum. What might be right for you, may not be right for some. Love to read, too. Fiction, philosophy, good books, bad books, because you take the good you take the bad you take them both and there you have a stack of books and stuff. I mean, you've got to be adventurous. There's more to life that what you're living, so take a chance and face the wind.
There's more coming soon like ALL THESE BODIES and a new fantasy series, so don't waste another minute on your cryin. We're nowhere near the end.
My likes include animals, food, and nostalgia. I mean, whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, the evening TV? Used to be everywhere you look, there's a heart, a hand to hold on to.
Anyway, I love to hear from readers so drop me a line here or at my website and we'll talk about friends to know, and ways to grow, and how if you threw a party you would see that the biggest gift would be from me and the card attached would say, thank you for being a friend.
We can also talk about all the sitcom theme songs in this bio. Sha la la la.
There's more coming soon like ALL THESE BODIES and a new fantasy series, so don't waste another minute on your cryin. We're nowhere near the end.
My likes include animals, food, and nostalgia. I mean, whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, the evening TV? Used to be everywhere you look, there's a heart, a hand to hold on to.
Anyway, I love to hear from readers so drop me a line here or at my website and we'll talk about friends to know, and ways to grow, and how if you threw a party you would see that the biggest gift would be from me and the card attached would say, thank you for being a friend.
We can also talk about all the sitcom theme songs in this bio. Sha la la la.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 510 reviews
November 6, 2022
4 "oreos and milk" stars !!
Ms. Kendare Blake I am convinced. This is the third book of yours that I have read this year. These books are not meant for me. They are for YA readers prolly around 14 to 16 year old girls. But I enjoy these books a great deal and I will continue to read them and savor them and wear my metaphorical crown as I read them.
This is about the birth and young years of the three young queens. A prequel if you may for Three Dark Crowns. This excellent little novella gives additional context to the story and helps you understand the history of Fenniburn all the more.
Ms. Blake writes consistently and well. There is intrigue and soft romance and magic and a whole lot of dark delicious fun !!
Look forward to pouring myself a glass of milk, eating a row of double stuff oreos and reading onwards....
Ms. Kendare Blake I am convinced. This is the third book of yours that I have read this year. These books are not meant for me. They are for YA readers prolly around 14 to 16 year old girls. But I enjoy these books a great deal and I will continue to read them and savor them and wear my metaphorical crown as I read them.
This is about the birth and young years of the three young queens. A prequel if you may for Three Dark Crowns. This excellent little novella gives additional context to the story and helps you understand the history of Fenniburn all the more.
Ms. Blake writes consistently and well. There is intrigue and soft romance and magic and a whole lot of dark delicious fun !!
Look forward to pouring myself a glass of milk, eating a row of double stuff oreos and reading onwards....
August 12, 2024
👑 buddy read with Tiff
February 28, 2018
Generally speaking, I'm just not really a fan of this trend where seemingly every second series is complemented by one or more novellas. I'd much rather this information were integrated into the actual book(s) than published as a separate work.
While this is still my opinion, I do, however, see that it would probably not have been easy to integrate all of these stories into thetrilogy series*. Through these additional stories, we learn things about the queens that the author could not have shown us equally well within the books, where these parts would have had to be shortened.
So, all in all, I still really like this world and story, and I enjoy Kendare Blake's writing, so I liked this. We learn some background information about the queens, their personalities, and their upbringing, which makes the story a lot richer overall. It still wasn't very satisfying to me, though, and mostly makes me eager for book 3 in the series.
*Edit 28.02.2018: Just learned that this series is going to have more books after all, so I'm kind of even less happy about all those novellas popping up.
While this is still my opinion, I do, however, see that it would probably not have been easy to integrate all of these stories into the
So, all in all, I still really like this world and story, and I enjoy Kendare Blake's writing, so I liked this. We learn some background information about the queens, their personalities, and their upbringing, which makes the story a lot richer overall. It still wasn't very satisfying to me, though, and mostly makes me eager for book 3 in the series.
*Edit 28.02.2018: Just learned that this series is going to have more books after all, so I'm kind of even less happy about all those novellas popping up.
![Profile Image for Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1746468325i%2F66224803._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 10, 2018
Actual rating: 4,2⭐️
„How relieved he would be to return to the world.
His world, where men ruled.”
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In the prologue we get to meet Queen Camille 👑 and king-consort Philippe - Arsinoes, Mirabella and Katherine’s parents.
That was by far my favorite part of this short book.
👩🏻👩🏻👩🏻
Also we see how the triplets treated each other like real sisters before being separated and what their childhood was like in the different parts of the island with their new families.
The book had a lot of background stories, like when Mirabella nearly destroyed everything with her rage and how Arsione, Jules and Joseph got punished for trying to escape.
It was entertaining, but it was only an addition to the main story.
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Queen Camille 👑 seems like a really smart person and a really good Queen. I think she would’ve ruled brilliantly if she had the possibility. But the Arrons had a strong grip on the reign.
“I now that I took my crown of and threw it at you. But I am still queen.”
The queens and other characters in the main books had all a little role in this book. Every character had a tiny part were we get to know them a little better.
World ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Fennbirn every generation the queen bears triplets.
👑👑👑
Three sisters,
three queens,
but only one will rule.
Each of the queens posses a gift.
She can be a Naturalist, an Elemental or a Poisoner.
Relationships ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What I really really liked was Mirabellas love for her sisters. That she remembered them and her feelings toward her sisters even though she shouldn’t.
That she didn’t learn to hate them and that she fought as long as she could for her family.
It was also nice to see what feelings and thoughts the queen Camille 👑 and Willa, the woman who raised the queens, had toward the triplets.
Writing style ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really like Kendare Blake’s writing and I enjoyed reading this book, even though it was so super short (ca. 90 pages).
September 17, 2020
"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!
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!
February 13, 2018
yeah, ok. sure. whatever.
i read this book as kind of a test to see whether i want to read the second book in the series, and - astoundingly - i do!!! maybe i will even enjoy it!!!
but also the level of confusion i had while i was reading this made me realize i'm going to have to reread the first one before continuing. and that is just about the worst news in the entire goddamn world.
but yes, as i remembered, this world is kind of dry and interesting, katharine is cool, and everyone else sucks times infinity.
woohoo.
bottom line: this was exactly fine. novellas are the weirdest.
i read this book as kind of a test to see whether i want to read the second book in the series, and - astoundingly - i do!!! maybe i will even enjoy it!!!
but also the level of confusion i had while i was reading this made me realize i'm going to have to reread the first one before continuing. and that is just about the worst news in the entire goddamn world.
but yes, as i remembered, this world is kind of dry and interesting, katharine is cool, and everyone else sucks times infinity.
woohoo.
bottom line: this was exactly fine. novellas are the weirdest.
October 12, 2019
I've said it before and I will continue to say it (unless it's the princess diaries series!): I FREAKING LOVE NOVELLAS!!<3<3<3
I just wish this novella came out BEFORE I read all of the previous books BECAUSE now I want to reread all of them AGAIN. Which I'm not complaining at all because I loved the books before so I wouldn't mind rereading them but I need to read new books, series, and authors! DAMN YOU KENDARE BLAKE!
Oh, uh.. spoilers below? beware? don't read? idk?
Okay, so The Young Queens brings in their mother and father, Camille and Philippe.
Overall, a great novella and addition to this already awesome and amazing series. I can't wait for the next book to come out because I just know that I will devour it.
February 25, 2018
This little story is essential for all three dark crowns readers. It tells us what really happened back in the black cottage, , and who Katharine really is.
I JUST CANT WAIT FOR THE THIRD BOOK IM SDKJNFDGJN
I JUST CANT WAIT FOR THE THIRD BOOK IM SDKJNFDGJN
April 18, 2024
Natalia ily
finally the pacing was right
finally the pacing was right
April 4, 2018
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
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.
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.
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: ★★★★
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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
January 10, 2018
This was so much fun, I'm so glad I decided to pick it up! I love this world SO much. This novella definitely added some more dimensions to it, and I'm so happy about that! This was great!
Do I think this is a necessary read for the series? At this point, no. I think it's a fun added bonus if you're someone who's really invested into this series and these characters, but there isn't any huge chunk of information or giant twist you HAVE to know to read these books. (As of now, it could change when books 3 and 4 come out). There a few things that you can infer from the original books that are confirmed, as well as some useful tidbits of information. So, while I don't think it's necessary at this point, it has some great information about the world, characters, etc.
What order do I read the series + novellas in?
DO NOT READ THIS BEFORE READING THREE DARK CROWNS. Yeah, people who like to read things in chronological order, I'm looking at you. It spoils some of the first book's major twists within the first chapter or so, and it's just so much more fun to read Three Dark Crowns first without knowing any of the twists beforehand. Right now, my recommendation is publication order, so Three Dark Crowns, One Dark Throne, then this, but if you're one of those people who does not do publication order, than at least after Three Dark Crowns.
My favorite PoV in this was definitely Caragh's, a character we don't get a viewpoint from in the main books as of now. I loved getting to know her character and seeing the events that led up to her current situation.
Following the queens as kids was so much fun, and definitely provided valuable insight into their characters and motives. I loved it!
While this novella really has no over-arcing plot, I really liked how it was in tidbits throughout the years, and think that that was definitely a good stylistic call for Kendare to make.
Kendare is just SUCH a great writer!!! Her world is just so atmospheric and dark, and all of her characters (and there are about a thousand of them so this is quite an accomplishment) are so well developed and fleshed-out. Whenever I read these books, I am just transported to Fennbirn Island and am there alongside her characters, and I love it SO much.
I absolutely cannot wait for the Oracle Queen and the third book to come out, because after the second book, I actually have no idea where the plot is going to go.
So, if you love this series or just want some more insight into the various characters, definitely give this a go, it'll be worth your time for sure!
Do I think this is a necessary read for the series? At this point, no. I think it's a fun added bonus if you're someone who's really invested into this series and these characters, but there isn't any huge chunk of information or giant twist you HAVE to know to read these books. (As of now, it could change when books 3 and 4 come out). There a few things that you can infer from the original books that are confirmed, as well as some useful tidbits of information. So, while I don't think it's necessary at this point, it has some great information about the world, characters, etc.
What order do I read the series + novellas in?
DO NOT READ THIS BEFORE READING THREE DARK CROWNS. Yeah, people who like to read things in chronological order, I'm looking at you. It spoils some of the first book's major twists within the first chapter or so, and it's just so much more fun to read Three Dark Crowns first without knowing any of the twists beforehand. Right now, my recommendation is publication order, so Three Dark Crowns, One Dark Throne, then this, but if you're one of those people who does not do publication order, than at least after Three Dark Crowns.
My favorite PoV in this was definitely Caragh's, a character we don't get a viewpoint from in the main books as of now. I loved getting to know her character and seeing the events that led up to her current situation.
Following the queens as kids was so much fun, and definitely provided valuable insight into their characters and motives. I loved it!
While this novella really has no over-arcing plot, I really liked how it was in tidbits throughout the years, and think that that was definitely a good stylistic call for Kendare to make.
Kendare is just SUCH a great writer!!! Her world is just so atmospheric and dark, and all of her characters (and there are about a thousand of them so this is quite an accomplishment) are so well developed and fleshed-out. Whenever I read these books, I am just transported to Fennbirn Island and am there alongside her characters, and I love it SO much.
I absolutely cannot wait for the Oracle Queen and the third book to come out, because after the second book, I actually have no idea where the plot is going to go.
So, if you love this series or just want some more insight into the various characters, definitely give this a go, it'll be worth your time for sure!
February 9, 2019
https://snowyy13.wordpress.com/2019/0...
Das ist wirklich so gemein, dass man wieder in diese Welt entführt wird und es nach knappen 120 vorbei ist! Es war total interessant zuzusehen, was vor der Haupthandlung geschehen ist und wie die drei Mädchen als Kinder waren und wie es auch für sie gemeinsam & getrennt war.
Mein Herz hat mir an manchen Stellen wirklich weh getan, besonders als die drei auseinander gerissen wurden und sich dagegen gewehrt hatten. Wie die Natur der süßen Kat so ein starker Kontrast zu ihrer „Gabe“ ist und wie Natalia sie in Schutz nimmt, damit nicht noch ihr Charakter unterdrückt und verpfuscht wird. Wie generell alles gehandhabt wurde, da die Giftmischer natürlich eine weitere Königin in ihrer Dynastie wollten, aber dafür ist Katherine zu schwach. Das ganze Training, zuzusehen wie die Erinnerungen an ihre geliebten Geschwister schwinden und zu ihr ein brutales Mädchen heranwächst.
Am liebsten begleite ich Arsinoe, da sie so wild und ungestüm ist und ich natürlich ihre Begleiter auch gerne habe. Von ihr bekommt man ebenfalls noch mit wie sie ihre Flucht damals gewagt hat und vieles mehr. Dann gab es noch die arme Mirabella, die schon von Anfang an als die „auserwählte“ Königin betitelt wird und dann noch als Kind weggesperrt wird, weil ihre Kräfte und die Sehnsucht zu ihren Schwestern zu groß ist, obwohl sie die eigentlich schon längst vergessen sollte.
Nachdem ich diese Short-Story gelesen habe, bin ich noch mehr angefixt und gehyped auf den bald erscheinenden dritten Band. Ich kann es kaum erwarten wie es dort weiter geht. Und auf die nächste Short-Story freue ich mich auch! Die Welt fasziniert mich so unglaublich sehr, dass ich alles davon mitnehmen möchte was möglich ist.
Fazit:
Diese Short-Story zeigt einem so viel aus der Welt und zu der Vorgeschichte der drei Mädchen! Da ich sowieso ein großer Fan der Reihe bin, möchte ich alles lesen, was aus dieser Welt entstammt. Es fixt mich so sehr auf Band drei an, aber zum Glück ist es nicht mehr solange dazu hin. Aber ich muss zugeben, dass ich jetzt schon etwas Angst habe, weil alle drei Mädchen mir ans Herz gewachsen sind und ich nicht möchte, dass ihnen etwas zustößt.
5 von 5 Sternen
Das ist wirklich so gemein, dass man wieder in diese Welt entführt wird und es nach knappen 120 vorbei ist! Es war total interessant zuzusehen, was vor der Haupthandlung geschehen ist und wie die drei Mädchen als Kinder waren und wie es auch für sie gemeinsam & getrennt war.
Mein Herz hat mir an manchen Stellen wirklich weh getan, besonders als die drei auseinander gerissen wurden und sich dagegen gewehrt hatten. Wie die Natur der süßen Kat so ein starker Kontrast zu ihrer „Gabe“ ist und wie Natalia sie in Schutz nimmt, damit nicht noch ihr Charakter unterdrückt und verpfuscht wird. Wie generell alles gehandhabt wurde, da die Giftmischer natürlich eine weitere Königin in ihrer Dynastie wollten, aber dafür ist Katherine zu schwach. Das ganze Training, zuzusehen wie die Erinnerungen an ihre geliebten Geschwister schwinden und zu ihr ein brutales Mädchen heranwächst.
Am liebsten begleite ich Arsinoe, da sie so wild und ungestüm ist und ich natürlich ihre Begleiter auch gerne habe. Von ihr bekommt man ebenfalls noch mit wie sie ihre Flucht damals gewagt hat und vieles mehr. Dann gab es noch die arme Mirabella, die schon von Anfang an als die „auserwählte“ Königin betitelt wird und dann noch als Kind weggesperrt wird, weil ihre Kräfte und die Sehnsucht zu ihren Schwestern zu groß ist, obwohl sie die eigentlich schon längst vergessen sollte.
Nachdem ich diese Short-Story gelesen habe, bin ich noch mehr angefixt und gehyped auf den bald erscheinenden dritten Band. Ich kann es kaum erwarten wie es dort weiter geht. Und auf die nächste Short-Story freue ich mich auch! Die Welt fasziniert mich so unglaublich sehr, dass ich alles davon mitnehmen möchte was möglich ist.
Fazit:
Diese Short-Story zeigt einem so viel aus der Welt und zu der Vorgeschichte der drei Mädchen! Da ich sowieso ein großer Fan der Reihe bin, möchte ich alles lesen, was aus dieser Welt entstammt. Es fixt mich so sehr auf Band drei an, aber zum Glück ist es nicht mehr solange dazu hin. Aber ich muss zugeben, dass ich jetzt schon etwas Angst habe, weil alle drei Mädchen mir ans Herz gewachsen sind und ich nicht möchte, dass ihnen etwas zustößt.
5 von 5 Sternen
May 13, 2018
i enjoyed reading this short novella from Three Dark Crowns. the queens when they were little were really cute and this book explained some things that i was confused about with the worldbuilding and stuff. although it felt like everything was kinda rushed and nothing was really emphasized. something would happen in this book that is a thing in Three Dark Crowns (giving an example because my explanation of it is trash: Madrigal coming back from the mainland; Jules bonding with Cam; etc) and Blake would spend a couple pages on it and then immediately jump to another important detail. everything just happened and it didn’t feel as if there was a transition between anything.
Buddy Read with 💕
Buddy Read with 💕
August 18, 2019
I love this world
I honestly can’t get enough of this world, this novella was perfect just what we need to get a glimpse into what the young queens went through before we were introduced to them in the first book.
I honestly can’t get enough of this world, this novella was perfect just what we need to get a glimpse into what the young queens went through before we were introduced to them in the first book.
December 29, 2017
Rating: 3.5/5
Review to come!
Review to come!
October 25, 2018
I really enjoyed and needed to read this prequel novella, it explained a lot about the young queens upbringing, and issues with separation.It also gives you insight on why 2 of the young queens are showing no signs of their gifts.
It gives you a closeup look at the building of friendships, and coping with the loss of their sisters.
Also introducing the characters that are in the background , so to speak. You meet the families that raise the queens, and a priestess. It also reveals harsh punishments brought down on the people by The Black Council. So I enjoyed it because it filled in a lot of blanks , answering questions in my mind.
It gives you a closeup look at the building of friendships, and coping with the loss of their sisters.
Also introducing the characters that are in the background , so to speak. You meet the families that raise the queens, and a priestess. It also reveals harsh punishments brought down on the people by The Black Council. So I enjoyed it because it filled in a lot of blanks , answering questions in my mind.
September 30, 2021
I liked this! It can be read at any point in the series with no spoilers but isn't necessary for the main text
A cute but dark and kind of sad prequel story about the queens as children. Mirabella's was the biggest surprise to me, it shined a whole new light on Luca and her necessary involvement in the queen's upbringing
Definitely a must read for those wanting more background to the three dark crowns series!
A cute but dark and kind of sad prequel story about the queens as children. Mirabella's was the biggest surprise to me, it shined a whole new light on Luca and her necessary involvement in the queen's upbringing
Definitely a must read for those wanting more background to the three dark crowns series!
May 1, 2019
Hier habe ich die Auffrischung vor dem 3. Band und die interessante Hintergrund-Story bekommen, die ich mir von der Orakelkönigin auch schon gewünscht hatte :D. Tolle Kurzgeschichte über die Kindheit der Protagonistinnen aus "Der schwarze Thron". Ich fühle mich bereit für Band 3. Von mir gibt es 4,5 Sterne ^^
December 27, 2017
SO. This book is set before the start of Three Dark Crowns, my favorite YA book that I read in 2017, and I demolished it in like an hour. I would recommend reading it if you, like me, CANNOT WAIT to get back to Fennbirn, but otherwise nothing really *happens* and we don't learn anything that isn't at least alluded to in the first two books, so you can skip it.
I thought it was really crazy that Mirabella and that Queen Camille , like she KNEW the Arrons were terrible and she did it anyway. Ugh.
One question that is still unanswered, unlike how the island is governed in the gaps between queens which , is why they raise the queens together for their first six years and then just expect them to forget each other. Like, why even give them the chance to bond at the Black Cottage when you could just send them straight to their host families? Expecting six-year-old girls to just forget everything from their early formative years especially when is just not a good strategy when you could be raising them to hate the other queens from the start.
ANYWAY, I can't wait for the next book in the series and am glad I read this, even if just to see how Jules and Camden found each other.
I thought it was really crazy that Mirabella and that Queen Camille , like she KNEW the Arrons were terrible and she did it anyway. Ugh.
One question that is still unanswered, unlike how the island is governed in the gaps between queens which , is why they raise the queens together for their first six years and then just expect them to forget each other. Like, why even give them the chance to bond at the Black Cottage when you could just send them straight to their host families? Expecting six-year-old girls to just forget everything from their early formative years especially when is just not a good strategy when you could be raising them to hate the other queens from the start.
ANYWAY, I can't wait for the next book in the series and am glad I read this, even if just to see how Jules and Camden found each other.
January 6, 2018
I really enjoyed this prequel! I might've enjoyed it even more than the books themselves.
The mood really contrasts with that of Three Dark Crowns and One Dark Throne. It is almost sweet and adoring and you really feel for the sisters. The scene where the 3 queens were split up honestly broke my heart :'( I love how protective they were of one another and I'm glad they all had a heart at one point.
I'm not sure if this is possible but I grew to love Caragh and Jules even more. I feel so bad for Caragh. She really was a mother to Jules but Madrigal came back and reasserted her place. Caragh is such a good soul and it seems like all this bad stuff is just thrown her way (ahem Madrigal and Matthew). Gosh darn it, the Sandrin boys need to keep it in their pants. The fact that Caragh decided to take Jules's spot and Madrigal didn't do anything says a lot about their characters.
I'm so happy we got to read about Jules meeting her familiar, Camden! LOVE LOVE LOVE. This prequel was a big bundle of love and was much needed after all the dark stuff that went down in One Dark Throne.
The mood really contrasts with that of Three Dark Crowns and One Dark Throne. It is almost sweet and adoring and you really feel for the sisters. The scene where the 3 queens were split up honestly broke my heart :'( I love how protective they were of one another and I'm glad they all had a heart at one point.
I'm not sure if this is possible but I grew to love Caragh and Jules even more. I feel so bad for Caragh. She really was a mother to Jules but Madrigal came back and reasserted her place. Caragh is such a good soul and it seems like all this bad stuff is just thrown her way (ahem Madrigal and Matthew). Gosh darn it, the Sandrin boys need to keep it in their pants. The fact that Caragh decided to take Jules's spot and Madrigal didn't do anything says a lot about their characters.
I'm so happy we got to read about Jules meeting her familiar, Camden! LOVE LOVE LOVE. This prequel was a big bundle of love and was much needed after all the dark stuff that went down in One Dark Throne.
May 23, 2018
The young queens este practic o completare a primului volum al seriei, de numai 100 de pagini. Este o întoarcere destul de mare în timp, care însă nu are la fel de mult farmec după ce ai citit deja primul volum al seriei, știi deja povestea și intriga, ți-ai ales tabăra preferată și aștepți bătălia finală.
Cele o sută de pagini puteau fi (și ar fi trebuit) încadrate în primul volum, nu avea niciun rost această separare, pentru că nu a adus foarte multe informații noi. Nu poate fi considerat un roman de sine stătător. Mă așteptam să aflu mai multe despre timpul petrecut împreună de fete, despre relațiile dintre ele și sentimentele lor, pentru că au fost puternic influențate de ele la maturitate. Îmi pare rău că regina Camilla a fost inclusă atât de puțin (din nou) în poveste, căci mi se pare un personaj interesant și chiar aș fi vrut să o cunosc mai bine și să aflu mai multe despre relația ei cu Philip. Am aflat totuși începuturile prieteniei dintre Arsinoe și Jules și acum mi-e mai clar faptul că Jules e foarte specială și va avea un rol decisiv de jucat.
Cele o sută de pagini puteau fi (și ar fi trebuit) încadrate în primul volum, nu avea niciun rost această separare, pentru că nu a adus foarte multe informații noi. Nu poate fi considerat un roman de sine stătător. Mă așteptam să aflu mai multe despre timpul petrecut împreună de fete, despre relațiile dintre ele și sentimentele lor, pentru că au fost puternic influențate de ele la maturitate. Îmi pare rău că regina Camilla a fost inclusă atât de puțin (din nou) în poveste, căci mi se pare un personaj interesant și chiar aș fi vrut să o cunosc mai bine și să aflu mai multe despre relația ei cu Philip. Am aflat totuși începuturile prieteniei dintre Arsinoe și Jules și acum mi-e mai clar faptul că Jules e foarte specială și va avea un rol decisiv de jucat.
March 29, 2019
I actually really enjoyed this! I feel like I would've enjoyed the whole series more if I had read this first. We get some great background of our 3 queens and get to see how they were before they were separated and how difficult the separation was for them. Definitely not required reading for the series but I would recommend it, especially if you haven't started the series yet.
August 31, 2018
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The minute this novella came out, I had to read it immediately, and it did not disappoint. This little gem lets us experience some of those past events that the main books refer to—the birth of the queens, the switch of Katharine and Arsinoe, the separation of the girls when they were six, bits and pieces of their experiences growing up, Jules’s mother returning home, and Jules meeting Camden for the first time. We also got some unique perspectives: How did Natalia feel about Katharine when she was young? How did Caragh feel when Madrigal came traipsing back home? Why did Luca decide to support Mirabella? There are some answers given in this little novella (for instance, we know Katharine’s gift without a doubt now), but there are still plenty of mysteries to be solved in future books! I give the novella 4.5/5 Stars.
The minute this novella came out, I had to read it immediately, and it did not disappoint. This little gem lets us experience some of those past events that the main books refer to—the birth of the queens, the switch of Katharine and Arsinoe, the separation of the girls when they were six, bits and pieces of their experiences growing up, Jules’s mother returning home, and Jules meeting Camden for the first time. We also got some unique perspectives: How did Natalia feel about Katharine when she was young? How did Caragh feel when Madrigal came traipsing back home? Why did Luca decide to support Mirabella? There are some answers given in this little novella (for instance, we know Katharine’s gift without a doubt now), but there are still plenty of mysteries to be solved in future books! I give the novella 4.5/5 Stars.
November 26, 2018
Alright, this is another case of me being pissed off that I've waited so long to read this series because of reading multiple reviews that talked about the books being just...meh....
UGH WHY. That's honestly the only reason why I dislike GR at times. I have been EATING these up. I was halfway through the first book and decided that I needed to read the novellas first. Honestly that might have been a mistake because I learned something about sisters that I'm sure will come to have a big impact on ~things~ later down the line but #noragrets
Blake's writing is incredible and I am SO INTRIGUED by her world-building and how this monarchy is set up and the island of Fennbirn in general and ALL OF IT. Also, my heart hurts so much for these sisters. I have two sisters myself and the thought of us being ripped away from one another to eventually have to compete to the death for the throne is horrible. I am VERY interested to see how things pan out, especially after reading this and seeing how Mirabella held on to her memories of her sisters for so long........
UGH WHY. That's honestly the only reason why I dislike GR at times. I have been EATING these up. I was halfway through the first book and decided that I needed to read the novellas first. Honestly that might have been a mistake because I learned something about sisters that I'm sure will come to have a big impact on ~things~ later down the line but #noragrets
Blake's writing is incredible and I am SO INTRIGUED by her world-building and how this monarchy is set up and the island of Fennbirn in general and ALL OF IT. Also, my heart hurts so much for these sisters. I have two sisters myself and the thought of us being ripped away from one another to eventually have to compete to the death for the throne is horrible. I am VERY interested to see how things pan out, especially after reading this and seeing how Mirabella held on to her memories of her sisters for so long........
January 3, 2018
Amazing! THIS is what a novella should be. This book answered EVERY SINGLE question I had!
My highlights:
There is so much more packed into these (approx) 100pgs. These were only my personal faves!!
My highlights:
There is so much more packed into these (approx) 100pgs. These were only my personal faves!!
November 14, 2018
Being able to go back and read about when the queens were young answered so many questions. It was like I was peeking in on the private moments of my favorite characters that I had always wondered about! Part of me wished I had read this earlier, before the other books, and the rest of me loved revisiting it now before everything changed!
Want to read
November 28, 2017I love how people rated this book one star before it's actually released....
July 16, 2018
I'm not even reading these novellas in order but am I caring? Nope.
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