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Three Dark Crowns #0.1-0.2
The Queens of Fennbirn
Uncover the sisters’ origins, dive deep into the catastrophic reign of the Oracle Queen, and reveal layers of Fennbirn’s past, hidden until now.
The Young Queens
Get a glimpse of triplet queens Mirabella, Arsinoe, and Katharine during a short period of time when they protected and loved one another. From birth until their claiming ceremonies, this is the story of the three sisters’ lives…before they were at stake.
The Oracle Queen
Everyone knows the legend of Elsabet, the Oracle Queen. The one who went mad. The one who orchestrated a senseless, horrific slaying of three entire houses. But what really happened? Discover the true story behind the queen who could foresee the future…just not her own downfall.
The Young Queens
Get a glimpse of triplet queens Mirabella, Arsinoe, and Katharine during a short period of time when they protected and loved one another. From birth until their claiming ceremonies, this is the story of the three sisters’ lives…before they were at stake.
The Oracle Queen
Everyone knows the legend of Elsabet, the Oracle Queen. The one who went mad. The one who orchestrated a senseless, horrific slaying of three entire houses. But what really happened? Discover the true story behind the queen who could foresee the future…just not her own downfall.
232 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2018
151 people are currently reading
16477 people want to read
About the author
Kendare Blake
43 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 1,071 reviews
September 18, 2018
4 stars
Queens of Fennbirn took me by surprise. I usually don't read novellas that often. The last one I've read was the two prequel novellas from the Red Queen series and I thought they were both crap since they didn't really offer much and the stories were not that interesting. But with Queens of Fennbirn, I went into it with a decent amount of expectation since I do like the series. And I liked the two stories I was presented with.
The book is split between two short stories. The Young Queens telling the story of the queens when they were young. And The Oracle Queen telling the story of the mad oracle queen who was responsible for killing three houses.
The Young Queens offered the backstory we've wanted about the queens when they were living together and when they got separated. The story was intriguing and sad because of how the sisters didn't want to leave each other and how they had to adapt to the new changes. Not to mention dealing with the idea that they will have to kill each other one day.
Mirabella is still my favorite queen because, in this story, we get to really see how sad she was about the separation. The other queens and even Jules were great, but Mirabella is still my all-time favorite.
The Oracle Queen tells us the story of Elsabet, the oracle queen, who was said to have gone mad from her gift and killed three houses. At least that's what we believe really happened. I was excited to get to read this story because when I heard of Elsabet in the main novels, I wanted to get to know her more and I did. The Oracle Queen not only showed us what happened 500 years ago, but it also showed us a side to Elsabet we didn't know.
Both of these stories made me love the series all the more. I love the world in this series and these two novellas added more to the story as well as the characters. They weren't perfect by any means, but I still enjoyed them.
Verdict
Queens of Fennbirn is a pretty good bind-up of two good novellas. While they aren't required reading since they are short story prequels, they are good stories.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar
Queens of Fennbirn took me by surprise. I usually don't read novellas that often. The last one I've read was the two prequel novellas from the Red Queen series and I thought they were both crap since they didn't really offer much and the stories were not that interesting. But with Queens of Fennbirn, I went into it with a decent amount of expectation since I do like the series. And I liked the two stories I was presented with.
The book is split between two short stories. The Young Queens telling the story of the queens when they were young. And The Oracle Queen telling the story of the mad oracle queen who was responsible for killing three houses.
The Young Queens offered the backstory we've wanted about the queens when they were living together and when they got separated. The story was intriguing and sad because of how the sisters didn't want to leave each other and how they had to adapt to the new changes. Not to mention dealing with the idea that they will have to kill each other one day.
Mirabella is still my favorite queen because, in this story, we get to really see how sad she was about the separation. The other queens and even Jules were great, but Mirabella is still my all-time favorite.
The Oracle Queen tells us the story of Elsabet, the oracle queen, who was said to have gone mad from her gift and killed three houses. At least that's what we believe really happened. I was excited to get to read this story because when I heard of Elsabet in the main novels, I wanted to get to know her more and I did. The Oracle Queen not only showed us what happened 500 years ago, but it also showed us a side to Elsabet we didn't know.
Both of these stories made me love the series all the more. I love the world in this series and these two novellas added more to the story as well as the characters. They weren't perfect by any means, but I still enjoyed them.
Verdict
Queens of Fennbirn is a pretty good bind-up of two good novellas. While they aren't required reading since they are short story prequels, they are good stories.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar
October 12, 2019
*.) Queens of Fennbirn ★★★★
1.) Three Dark Crowns ★★★★
2.) One Dark Throne ★★★★
3.) Two Dark Reigns ★★★.5
-----------------------------------------------
T H E Y O U N G Q U E E N S
★★★.5
T H E O R A C L E Q U E E N
★★★★★
trigger warnings: childbirth, bleeding, sex with a minor (he's 17, she's 22), forced family separation, poisoning, gore, death, murder, cheating.
1.) Three Dark Crowns ★★★★
2.) One Dark Throne ★★★★
3.) Two Dark Reigns ★★★.5
-----------------------------------------------
T H E Y O U N G Q U E E N S
★★★.5
T H E O R A C L E Q U E E N
★★★★★
trigger warnings: childbirth, bleeding, sex with a minor (he's 17, she's 22), forced family separation, poisoning, gore, death, murder, cheating.
April 20, 2018
This is the first book I've read where it's a compilation of novellas, and I absolutely loved it! THE ORACLE QUEEN was my fav, but I also liked all the backstory of the three queens as children too. Can't wait until Kendare's third book drops! Gimme!
February 11, 2022
*patiently waits*
You know, I’m really not good at this.
You know, I’m really not good at this.
May 19, 2019
some novellas add nothing to the entire story, but these two? they added so much. in the first one we get to know more about Arsinoe, Mirabella and Katharine. we learn about their childhood, what happened once they were taken away from each other. it adds so much background story. and in the second novella we learn about a queen who lived 500 years prior the story, and at first you don't think it'll be that important to the story, but to me it was. it highlights how much the queens are being played, how little power they truly have. i loved learning about queen Elsabet, the oracle queen. her story broke my heart. i really really recommend these two novellas, they were amazing in their own way. (4.5)
April 10, 2018
Three Young Queens
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 prisoners.
My Rating: ★★★★
-------------------------------
The Oracle Queen
“Was it not also me who warned you that a queen is only as good as her advisers?” “Yes.” She crooked her mouth at him. “But you were wrong. That may be true of other queens, but an oracle queen is only as good as her gift.”
I've been anticipating this novella for quite. The Oracle Queen, mentioned several times throughout the Three Dark Crowns series, has remained an aloof point of intrigue. So, I dove into this story, devouring each page, and looking for...something more than I found.
Politics have always played a big role in this series--and the politics are often muddied with deceit and corruption. 500 years earlier...nothing has changed. While there are five abilities represented instead of the three prominent abilities between Mirabella, Arsinoe, and Katherine, there is all-the-more treachery at work between the groups. While I expected this aspect to play a role in this story as well, I was also hoping for more of a fantasy element to be at work as well. Honestly, I felt a bit let down with the way everything panned out, and the truth is revealed behind Queen Elsabet's story.
Despite that fact, the interworkings between the different groups were interesting to see. There was a lot more openness between the groups in terms of friendships and working together. Elsabet, a Sight-gifted queen was close friends with the War-gifted Rosemund. Whereas, 500 years later, friendships between people of different gifts was taboo.
Handsome, they called her. She was a queen of presence, they said. She hoped it was true. With such a homely face, it was all she could aspire to.
Queen Elsabet wasn't what I was expecting. Although, I'm not really sure what I was expecting. While she was a queen, and a young one at that, she was constantly worried about her vanity--to the point of paranoia. This was her weakest quality that guided her to not always make the best decisions.
While this was a decent short story, I was just hoping for it to have more to it. The way everything happened was much more predictable than I had expected.
Vulgarity: None.
Sexual content: There are references, but nothing in detail.
Violence: Minimal.
My Rating: ★★★
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April 10, 2019
Fan-freaking-tastic!! 5 deadly stars!
After weeks of not finishing books, I think this has pulled me from my reading slump.
The first story was a good read, a good insight into the queens as girls. The second story was amazing! I'm devastated, I was NOT expecting that ending at all! I can;t believe what they did to their queen, it's not right!!
This is a definite read for fans of the series. It was great to be back in Fennbirn and I'm really looking forward to reading book 3.
After weeks of not finishing books, I think this has pulled me from my reading slump.
The first story was a good read, a good insight into the queens as girls. The second story was amazing! I'm devastated, I was NOT expecting that ending at all! I can;t believe what they did to their queen, it's not right!!
This is a definite read for fans of the series. It was great to be back in Fennbirn and I'm really looking forward to reading book 3.
September 8, 2021
Wow, this was tragic.
But like this is the only type of novella I enjoy. Backstory and history.
It made me really angry and I want to know more. So glad I read it.
But like this is the only type of novella I enjoy. Backstory and history.
It made me really angry and I want to know more. So glad I read it.
April 13, 2021
Am citit doar prima nuvelă, deoarece aceea m-a interesat.🥰
A doua mă plictisea destul de mult și am abandonat-o.
A doua mă plictisea destul de mult și am abandonat-o.
April 14, 2018
I have just finished this glorious morsel of darkness, and I’m so many things: horrified, enthralled, enchanted and a little heartbroken.
These novellas are INCREDIBLE. They may be short, but the way they enrich the story and our connection with the characters is just... so unexpected.
I don’t know how Kendare Blake manages to evoke such complete, vivid scenes in so few words, how she reveals terrible truths without spelling them out, how she conveys images so clearly without getting over-descriptive; but she does, and it’s some kind of magic. Dark magic, to be sure — because this is a cruel world filled with horrible people and even more horrible traditions, but it’s fascinating and wonderful at the same time, because it comes alive so beautifully, and because from it emerge, unfailingly, such strong, stubborn women.
That’s another thing I love — how real, how beautifully imperfect and yet inspiring her main characters are, starting with the fact that they survive unfailingly shitty circumstances — this place is really nightmarish, guys. I would be scared shitless to live there. I cannot even imagine being a main character.
But I digress.
So let me just say this: I LOVED these two novellas, the way they answered questions I didn’t even know I had, the way they explain things without dumbing them down, they way they throw us right back into this world, on Fennbirn, where the story unfolds.
The second novella started out in a bit of a hurry and there were too many names and characters to keep track of at once, and I was confused there for a while; so I’m taking off half a star. But the rest is pure gold. Or a black diamond, since this isn’t a glittering, sparkly story but a dark one, through and through.
So I’m giving it 4 1/2 STARS.
Can’t wait for Two Dark Reigns to come out!!
These novellas are INCREDIBLE. They may be short, but the way they enrich the story and our connection with the characters is just... so unexpected.
I don’t know how Kendare Blake manages to evoke such complete, vivid scenes in so few words, how she reveals terrible truths without spelling them out, how she conveys images so clearly without getting over-descriptive; but she does, and it’s some kind of magic. Dark magic, to be sure — because this is a cruel world filled with horrible people and even more horrible traditions, but it’s fascinating and wonderful at the same time, because it comes alive so beautifully, and because from it emerge, unfailingly, such strong, stubborn women.
That’s another thing I love — how real, how beautifully imperfect and yet inspiring her main characters are, starting with the fact that they survive unfailingly shitty circumstances — this place is really nightmarish, guys. I would be scared shitless to live there. I cannot even imagine being a main character.
But I digress.
So let me just say this: I LOVED these two novellas, the way they answered questions I didn’t even know I had, the way they explain things without dumbing them down, they way they throw us right back into this world, on Fennbirn, where the story unfolds.
The second novella started out in a bit of a hurry and there were too many names and characters to keep track of at once, and I was confused there for a while; so I’m taking off half a star. But the rest is pure gold. Or a black diamond, since this isn’t a glittering, sparkly story but a dark one, through and through.
So I’m giving it 4 1/2 STARS.
Can’t wait for Two Dark Reigns to come out!!
April 11, 2018
The Young Queens: 3.5 Stars
Honestly I don't remember anything significant from this. I enjoyed it and it was nice seeing the queens' childhoods. Although, I was hoping that this was going to be about the queens together at the cottage and I'm kind of disappointed that it wasn't. It was still good nonetheless.
The Oracle Queen: 5 stars
Oh my GOD. This made me SOOOO angry. I wanted to fight EVERYBODY that fucked with Elsabet. She didn't deserve any of it!!! The Arrons are TRASH. William and Joseph can rot together in their trashy gross boys club. I loved this story. It invoked so much emotion from me. So much ANGER. I couldn't put it down and it felt so much longer than it actually was. It was amazing. I am wondering how this information will tie in with the rest of the series or if it will at all. Who knows? Kendare LOVES to play with our emotions.
Honestly I don't remember anything significant from this. I enjoyed it and it was nice seeing the queens' childhoods. Although, I was hoping that this was going to be about the queens together at the cottage and I'm kind of disappointed that it wasn't. It was still good nonetheless.
The Oracle Queen: 5 stars
Oh my GOD. This made me SOOOO angry. I wanted to fight EVERYBODY that fucked with Elsabet. She didn't deserve any of it!!! The Arrons are TRASH. William and Joseph can rot together in their trashy gross boys club. I loved this story. It invoked so much emotion from me. So much ANGER. I couldn't put it down and it felt so much longer than it actually was. It was amazing. I am wondering how this information will tie in with the rest of the series or if it will at all. Who knows? Kendare LOVES to play with our emotions.
July 9, 2018
I cannot express...how pissed off I was at the ending of this...
February 26, 2021
Reread: 25-26 February 2021. I have changed my rating to 3.5 stars
This was really good! I certainly felt sorrow for ally’s characters, especially Elizabet.
I certainly recommend this series, it really is very good!!
Happy reading!
Hannah xoxo
This was really good! I certainly felt sorrow for ally’s characters, especially Elizabet.
I certainly recommend this series, it really is very good!!
Happy reading!
Hannah xoxo
November 16, 2018
Note: I'll be discussing some general plot points, but no spoilers for books 1 or 2 (or 3, which I haven't read yet) that aren't enclosed in a spoiler tag.
My favorite currently running fantasy series is Kendare Blake's Fennbirn books and it's sheer joy to return, even though double-crossings and assassinations occur there on the daily.
This paperback collects two prequel novellas that were previously only available in epub format. And cheers to you Harper Teen, because try as I might, I still hate e-books.
Book 1: The Young Queens
If you've ever wondered what Katherine, Arsinoe, and Mirabella's lives were like before we met them near their Ascension Year, this story gives you a delicious glimpse. It also provides a little background on why their mother, Queen Camille, It covers up thru their birth and separation, then some key moments from their first few years with their foster families. The novella concludes with Arsinoe's attempt to escape from the island, the aftermath, and Jules' mother Madrigal being banished to the Black Cottage.
My favorite part of this was when Arsinoe met Jules (truly a beautiful friendship), followed by Mirabella proving early on she was going to buck the accession system. Seriously, Mirabella is a badass.
The Arrons show up to prove once again they are the supervillains of this series. But as bad as they are here, just wait.
Book 2: The Oracle Queen
Ever since the last Oracle Queen, Elsabet, went mad with paranoid delusions and murdered half of her court, queens with the Oracle gift are killed at birth--this matriarchy is no utopia--but was it really that simple?
(Hint: no.)
This story, set 500 years before the current series, tells the story of the sad last days of Queen Elsabet. For such a short story with characters we've never met (although some family names will ring familiar), this packed a lot of punch and the ending choked me up a little.
In Summary
These stories aren't absolutely essential if you want to just stick to the main books, but they are fun, engrossing backstory and don't feel like cash grabs. If you are at all curious about details that are only mentioned in retrospect in the novels, you'll definitely want to read these to fill in some blanks. I love how this world is so fully realized that Kendare Blake had all this backstory more or less just chilling in her head. It's how the best fantasy works.
Get on this series if you haven't already. It's fantastic, no pun intended.
My favorite currently running fantasy series is Kendare Blake's Fennbirn books and it's sheer joy to return, even though double-crossings and assassinations occur there on the daily.
This paperback collects two prequel novellas that were previously only available in epub format. And cheers to you Harper Teen, because try as I might, I still hate e-books.
Book 1: The Young Queens
If you've ever wondered what Katherine, Arsinoe, and Mirabella's lives were like before we met them near their Ascension Year, this story gives you a delicious glimpse. It also provides a little background on why their mother, Queen Camille, It covers up thru their birth and separation, then some key moments from their first few years with their foster families. The novella concludes with Arsinoe's attempt to escape from the island, the aftermath, and Jules' mother Madrigal being banished to the Black Cottage.
My favorite part of this was when Arsinoe met Jules (truly a beautiful friendship), followed by Mirabella proving early on she was going to buck the accession system. Seriously, Mirabella is a badass.
The Arrons show up to prove once again they are the supervillains of this series. But as bad as they are here, just wait.
Book 2: The Oracle Queen
Ever since the last Oracle Queen, Elsabet, went mad with paranoid delusions and murdered half of her court, queens with the Oracle gift are killed at birth--this matriarchy is no utopia--but was it really that simple?
(Hint: no.)
This story, set 500 years before the current series, tells the story of the sad last days of Queen Elsabet. For such a short story with characters we've never met (although some family names will ring familiar), this packed a lot of punch and the ending choked me up a little.
In Summary
These stories aren't absolutely essential if you want to just stick to the main books, but they are fun, engrossing backstory and don't feel like cash grabs. If you are at all curious about details that are only mentioned in retrospect in the novels, you'll definitely want to read these to fill in some blanks. I love how this world is so fully realized that Kendare Blake had all this backstory more or less just chilling in her head. It's how the best fantasy works.
Get on this series if you haven't already. It's fantastic, no pun intended.
July 20, 2020
Queens of Fennbirn is a bind up of two short stories: The Young Queens and the Oracle Queen.
The Oracle Queen: I really enjoyed this short story. Throughout the series, there are mentions of Queen Elsabet, who went mad and had three families murdered based on a vision of the future. This story gives the reader a look at that Queen, and tells the story of what actually happened. The truth is a tale of politics, power and murder, showing how history is told by the winners. Though the story introduces completely new characters, it is easy to see the parallels between Elsabet's Fennbirn and the one in which Three Dark Crowns takes place.
The Young Queens: This was a short story about Mirabella, Arsinoe and Katharine as children. It follows their mother through her birth, and ends after Arsinoe's attempted escape, really setting the scene for what occurs in Three Dark Crowns. I enjoyed bits and pieces of this tale, but found that it was choppy, moving around through time way too much. I loved how it gave the reader an insight on Caragh that we don't get in the main series, and enjoyed the early bond between the three sisters.
The Oracle Queen: I really enjoyed this short story. Throughout the series, there are mentions of Queen Elsabet, who went mad and had three families murdered based on a vision of the future. This story gives the reader a look at that Queen, and tells the story of what actually happened. The truth is a tale of politics, power and murder, showing how history is told by the winners. Though the story introduces completely new characters, it is easy to see the parallels between Elsabet's Fennbirn and the one in which Three Dark Crowns takes place.
The Young Queens: This was a short story about Mirabella, Arsinoe and Katharine as children. It follows their mother through her birth, and ends after Arsinoe's attempted escape, really setting the scene for what occurs in Three Dark Crowns. I enjoyed bits and pieces of this tale, but found that it was choppy, moving around through time way too much. I loved how it gave the reader an insight on Caragh that we don't get in the main series, and enjoyed the early bond between the three sisters.
September 18, 2023
i knew you couldn't trust Arrons
September 22, 2018
Rating ~3.5
A pleasant little duo of novellas.
Of the two though, The Oracle Queen is definitely stronger as it certainly adds to mythology and the continuous amount of misunderstandings and misrepresentations of queens long past. And now we know two things, being an Oracle Queen does not drive one to madness. And two, the Arron’s will truly stop at nothing to claim and hold onto power. Vicious snakes.
A pleasant little duo of novellas.
Of the two though, The Oracle Queen is definitely stronger as it certainly adds to mythology and the continuous amount of misunderstandings and misrepresentations of queens long past. And now we know two things, being an Oracle Queen does not drive one to madness. And two, the Arron’s will truly stop at nothing to claim and hold onto power. Vicious snakes.
June 16, 2018
I would definitely at least read Three Dark Crowns before the novellas, as there are a couple of spoilers in the first novella.
The Young Queens- 4.5 stars.
I loved this one, seeing the queens as sisters and friends, before they were separated due to their destiny. They were really sweet as children and it also describes their birth and a certain something that happens at the time. Reading through the scene where their guardians collected them was so heart-breaking and the aftermath of it for each queen was so different, but I suppose it came down to the families looking after them.
It was also nice to have some of the gaps filled in from big past events from the first book. The end scene with Jules finding Camden as her familiar was adorable and the time frames between things also helped. I also enjoyed what, to me, felt like tiny bits of foreshadowing for the third book of the series.
Of course, it would be nice if they could have stayed the kind of triplets who have each other's backs for life, but then, they'd be no story.
The Oracle Queen- 3.75 stars.
While I did think it got off to a slightly slow start, I loved finding out the real story behind the last ever oracle queen- because of course, legends are always just that. But Elsabet's true story is so tragic and I just wanted to take her out of the story and protect her.
It didn't come as a surprise that a certain main family line has always been crooked and out for their own ends, even all the way back in Elsabet's time.
It was really great to see how different Fennbirn was from this time into the Fennbirn we know from the island that Mirabella. Arsinoe and Katharine live in.
Overall rating for both novellas- 4 stars.
These novellas were a nice addition to the main series and I enjoyed finding out more about the world of Fennbirn. It was also nice to be back in the world, even for a short time because I'm really excited for Two Dark Reigns when it's released. :)
The Young Queens- 4.5 stars.
I loved this one, seeing the queens as sisters and friends, before they were separated due to their destiny. They were really sweet as children and it also describes their birth and a certain something that happens at the time. Reading through the scene where their guardians collected them was so heart-breaking and the aftermath of it for each queen was so different, but I suppose it came down to the families looking after them.
It was also nice to have some of the gaps filled in from big past events from the first book. The end scene with Jules finding Camden as her familiar was adorable and the time frames between things also helped. I also enjoyed what, to me, felt like tiny bits of foreshadowing for the third book of the series.
Of course, it would be nice if they could have stayed the kind of triplets who have each other's backs for life, but then, they'd be no story.
The Oracle Queen- 3.75 stars.
While I did think it got off to a slightly slow start, I loved finding out the real story behind the last ever oracle queen- because of course, legends are always just that. But Elsabet's true story is so tragic and I just wanted to take her out of the story and protect her.
It didn't come as a surprise that a certain main family line has always been crooked and out for their own ends, even all the way back in Elsabet's time.
It was really great to see how different Fennbirn was from this time into the Fennbirn we know from the island that Mirabella. Arsinoe and Katharine live in.
Overall rating for both novellas- 4 stars.
These novellas were a nice addition to the main series and I enjoyed finding out more about the world of Fennbirn. It was also nice to be back in the world, even for a short time because I'm really excited for Two Dark Reigns when it's released. :)
November 19, 2019
I really enjoyed this novella collection. It packed the same intense punch that the novels do, except in a shorter story form. Both of the Novellas were really enjoyable. Do you need to read these? Will you be missing something from the series as a whole if you don't? Maybe not, but, if you're already a fan of the series, reading this is just a way to get a little more of it. I would recommend reading these two novellas (or this collection) after reading the first two books in the series, because you could spoil yourself if you try to read them before. I've only read the first two books in the series so far, so what do I know really? It could maybe spoil something for later books and I just wouldn't know. When looking in the front of this novella collection, I think it came out before the third book did, so that's why I think you could be safe by reading just the first two books like I did, and then jumping into this collection.
The Young Queens -- 4/5 -- I definitely enjoyed this novella. I liked getting this little glimpse of the past. Kendare Blake can just pull me into a story so fast. This Novella is about the events before the first book. It shows the birth of the queens, their separation, and some past events mentioned in Three Dark Crowns.
The Oracle Queen -- 4/5 -- Another good one. It was very political. It kind of had a slow start, but the end was pretty WHAM BAM! I liked getting the history of The Oracle Queen. What a tragedy. What a cast of no good, awful people too.
I'm excited to continue on with this series. It's really fun, really brutal, and I'm excited to see what happens in the third and fourth books. I'm also going to have to read more from Kendare Blake.
BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5
Brava, Brava!
February 26, 2021
کتاب "ملکههای فنبرن" جلد فرعی از مجموعهی سه تاج شوم، شامل دو داستان متفاوت از دنیای فنبرن و ملکههاش محسوب میشه.
داستان اول برمیگرده به شانزده سال قبل از شروع کتاب اول یعنی زمانی که ملکه کَمیل برای بدنیا آوردن سهقلوهاش یعنی میرابلا، آرسینوئه و کاترین به کلبهی سیاه میره و یکسری از ماجراهایی که در طول مجموعهی اصلی ناگفته مونده بودن رو مشخص میکنه. بعد از اون تا حدود نُه سال بعد و ماجراهایی مختصر از زندگی کودکی سه خواهر گفته میشه و بازم خیلی از ماجراهایی که قبلا در جلدهای اصلی در مورد گذشتهی ملکهها خونده بودیم رو به طور کامل اینبار در این کتاب فرعی میخونیم....
ا��ا در داستان دوم میریم به پانصد سال پیش. قبل از اینکه مِه برای محافظت از جزیره پدید بیاد. زمانی که فنبرن هنوز بخشی از جهان بود و با کشورهای سرزمین اصلی مبادله داشت، زمان حکومت ملکه الیزابت، آخرین ملکهی پیشگو.
اگر مجموعه رو خونده باشید دیگه قطعا میدونید که در جایجای مختلف در مورد آخرین ملکهی پیشگو صحبت شده و اشاراتی شده بود که ملکه الیزابت به عنوان "ملکهی دیوانه" هم لقب گرفته بود و همین باعث شد دیگه هیچ ملکهای با موهبت پیشگویی وجود نداشته باشه. اما این تمام ماجرا نیست. در این داستان بخشی از زندگی پر فراز و نشیب ملکه الیزابت رو میخونیم. ملکهای که نمیتونه به هیچکدوم از اطرافیانش اعتماد کنه. دوست و دشمن رو نمیتونه تشخیص بده و کلا در دورانی متفاوت حکومت میکنه.
به نظرم بخش مربوط به این ملکه خودش به تنهایی پتانسیل داره که یک مجموعهی مستقل باشه و به طور کامل به وق��یع اون دوران پرداخته بشه. دورانی پر از توطئه، نفرت، جنگ، خیانت، دوستی، محبت و و و... ای کلش نویسنده بیاد و داستان کامل ملکهی پیشگو رو برامون بنویسه😍... نمیخوام وارد جزئیات بشم اما در این حد بگم که هرچیزی که به عنوان تاریخ جزیره از آخرین ملکهی پیشگو در طول مجموعهی اصلی خوندیم، اشتباهه و من به شخصه طرفدار این ملکه شدم 😭...
🛑این قسمت رو اگر خواستید بخونید چون نمیدونم براتون اسپویل محسوب میشه یا نه:
این جمله رو در مورد داستان ملکه الیزابت خیلی دوست داشتم: "نمیشه که ملکه در قصر خودش زندانی باشه، دوستانش کشته شده باشند و دشمنانش به راحتی به جای اون حکومت کنند."
داستان اول برمیگرده به شانزده سال قبل از شروع کتاب اول یعنی زمانی که ملکه کَمیل برای بدنیا آوردن سهقلوهاش یعنی میرابلا، آرسینوئه و کاترین به کلبهی سیاه میره و یکسری از ماجراهایی که در طول مجموعهی اصلی ناگفته مونده بودن رو مشخص میکنه. بعد از اون تا حدود نُه سال بعد و ماجراهایی مختصر از زندگی کودکی سه خواهر گفته میشه و بازم خیلی از ماجراهایی که قبلا در جلدهای اصلی در مورد گذشتهی ملکهها خونده بودیم رو به طور کامل اینبار در این کتاب فرعی میخونیم....
ا��ا در داستان دوم میریم به پانصد سال پیش. قبل از اینکه مِه برای محافظت از جزیره پدید بیاد. زمانی که فنبرن هنوز بخشی از جهان بود و با کشورهای سرزمین اصلی مبادله داشت، زمان حکومت ملکه الیزابت، آخرین ملکهی پیشگو.
اگر مجموعه رو خونده باشید دیگه قطعا میدونید که در جایجای مختلف در مورد آخرین ملکهی پیشگو صحبت شده و اشاراتی شده بود که ملکه الیزابت به عنوان "ملکهی دیوانه" هم لقب گرفته بود و همین باعث شد دیگه هیچ ملکهای با موهبت پیشگویی وجود نداشته باشه. اما این تمام ماجرا نیست. در این داستان بخشی از زندگی پر فراز و نشیب ملکه الیزابت رو میخونیم. ملکهای که نمیتونه به هیچکدوم از اطرافیانش اعتماد کنه. دوست و دشمن رو نمیتونه تشخیص بده و کلا در دورانی متفاوت حکومت میکنه.
به نظرم بخش مربوط به این ملکه خودش به تنهایی پتانسیل داره که یک مجموعهی مستقل باشه و به طور کامل به وق��یع اون دوران پرداخته بشه. دورانی پر از توطئه، نفرت، جنگ، خیانت، دوستی، محبت و و و... ای کلش نویسنده بیاد و داستان کامل ملکهی پیشگو رو برامون بنویسه😍... نمیخوام وارد جزئیات بشم اما در این حد بگم که هرچیزی که به عنوان تاریخ جزیره از آخرین ملکهی پیشگو در طول مجموعهی اصلی خوندیم، اشتباهه و من به شخصه طرفدار این ملکه شدم 😭...
🛑این قسمت رو اگر خواستید بخونید چون نمیدونم براتون اسپویل محسوب میشه یا نه:
این جمله رو در مورد داستان ملکه الیزابت خیلی دوست داشتم: "نمیشه که ملکه در قصر خودش زندانی باشه، دوستانش کشته شده باشند و دشمنانش به راحتی به جای اون حکومت کنند."
February 10, 2021
Full review in my wrap up vlog. https://youtu.be/6_EFasi4gAE
September 4, 2019
Two great little novellas that further the story of the queens of Fennrbirn, both past and present.
Three Young Queens gives a brief glimpse into the younger lives of Queens Mirabella, Arsinoe, and Katharine, from their birth to after their separation. It's interesting to get a bit of perspective from their mother, Queen Camille, and to learn why she . From there, we see the queens as they begin to grow older, beginning with their lives together at the Black Cottage. It's actually quite sad to see how well they get along and how much they clearly love each other in light of knowing the fate of queens and how things play out in the first two books of the series. I love that Mirabella is so fiercely intent on protecting her sisters, even after they've been separated. From how she's treated in Three Dark Crowns, I never would've expected how her foster family had treated her in the past. The other queens struggle with the separation as well, but eventually, they begin to forget their sisters and begin training their gifts. A lot of other big characters are featured in this story as well, and it's nice to get some more background from them and see how the initial presence of the queens changed their lives. Overall, this is a sweet novella, but it doesn't really have any unexpected twists.
The Oracle Queen, on the other hand, is mostly a solid a gut-punch. Three Dark Crowns and One Dark Throne make it clear that oracle queens are killed as soon as they're born, but why? Queen Elsabet's story explains why, and it's not a happy ending. I like that this novella features all five of the gifts on the island--elemental, naturalist, poisoner, oracle, and war--and shows how the different families butt heads and plot against one another. This story is full of deception, secrets, and heartbreak, and it shows how Elsabet's gift and her legacy have been so twisted. I'm hoping we get more of Elsabet's story or at least more oracle lore in the next book in the series.
In the end, Queens of Fennbirn is a nice extra to the series. I don't think these novellas are strictly required reading at this point in the series, but I have a feeling they're going to be useful in the future.
Three Young Queens gives a brief glimpse into the younger lives of Queens Mirabella, Arsinoe, and Katharine, from their birth to after their separation. It's interesting to get a bit of perspective from their mother, Queen Camille, and to learn why she . From there, we see the queens as they begin to grow older, beginning with their lives together at the Black Cottage. It's actually quite sad to see how well they get along and how much they clearly love each other in light of knowing the fate of queens and how things play out in the first two books of the series. I love that Mirabella is so fiercely intent on protecting her sisters, even after they've been separated. From how she's treated in Three Dark Crowns, I never would've expected how her foster family had treated her in the past. The other queens struggle with the separation as well, but eventually, they begin to forget their sisters and begin training their gifts. A lot of other big characters are featured in this story as well, and it's nice to get some more background from them and see how the initial presence of the queens changed their lives. Overall, this is a sweet novella, but it doesn't really have any unexpected twists.
The Oracle Queen, on the other hand, is mostly a solid a gut-punch. Three Dark Crowns and One Dark Throne make it clear that oracle queens are killed as soon as they're born, but why? Queen Elsabet's story explains why, and it's not a happy ending. I like that this novella features all five of the gifts on the island--elemental, naturalist, poisoner, oracle, and war--and shows how the different families butt heads and plot against one another. This story is full of deception, secrets, and heartbreak, and it shows how Elsabet's gift and her legacy have been so twisted. I'm hoping we get more of Elsabet's story or at least more oracle lore in the next book in the series.
In the end, Queens of Fennbirn is a nice extra to the series. I don't think these novellas are strictly required reading at this point in the series, but I have a feeling they're going to be useful in the future.
June 26, 2018
This world that Kendare Blake has created within Fennbirn is so magical and twisted that when this novella set was announced, I knew I had to get my hands on it.
The Young Queens
Here we get to meet Mirabella, Arisone, and Katharine as children. We get to see their mother as she gives birth to them and giant deception she decides to play, knowing what will come of her girls. We then jump to when the girls are 6 and ready to go to their respective houses. The picture Blake paints here is of innocence. Three girls who did not know their fate. They loved each other fiercely. And when it came time for them to go their separate ways, each one was changed forever. I loved getting to see this part of them and seeing how they struggled to fit in in their new roles.
The Oracle Queen
This one was heartbreaking. We get to see the story behind the myth of the seer queen who went crazy. Queen Elsabet's only crime was that she wanted to do things her way. This was the first reign where war was not imminent and the council did not know how to handle a Queen who wasn't war bound. I liked Elsabet immediately but also worried for her. She was so pure and wanted to see good in everyone - even people who so obviously couldn't be trusted. We saw some family names we knew and see that some names never change. This story also proves that you never really know the real story of someone because it just gets twisted through the ages by whoever tells it. That poor Queen and everything she went through.
I loved both of these stories and they just made me more excited to read the third book. I would recommend at least reading Three Dark Crowns first as there are a few spoilers hidden within these stories. But loved.
The Young Queens
Here we get to meet Mirabella, Arisone, and Katharine as children. We get to see their mother as she gives birth to them and giant deception she decides to play, knowing what will come of her girls. We then jump to when the girls are 6 and ready to go to their respective houses. The picture Blake paints here is of innocence. Three girls who did not know their fate. They loved each other fiercely. And when it came time for them to go their separate ways, each one was changed forever. I loved getting to see this part of them and seeing how they struggled to fit in in their new roles.
The Oracle Queen
This one was heartbreaking. We get to see the story behind the myth of the seer queen who went crazy. Queen Elsabet's only crime was that she wanted to do things her way. This was the first reign where war was not imminent and the council did not know how to handle a Queen who wasn't war bound. I liked Elsabet immediately but also worried for her. She was so pure and wanted to see good in everyone - even people who so obviously couldn't be trusted. We saw some family names we knew and see that some names never change. This story also proves that you never really know the real story of someone because it just gets twisted through the ages by whoever tells it. That poor Queen and everything she went through.
I loved both of these stories and they just made me more excited to read the third book. I would recommend at least reading Three Dark Crowns first as there are a few spoilers hidden within these stories. But loved.
April 29, 2018
The second story killed me. It was so, so good. All the emotions. Just...damn. I can't even make full sentences anymore, that's how good it was.
I liked the first story as well, but I just wish the focus were more on the sisters when they were still together. I did really like how some things that were only ever mentioned in the books were addressed and explained.
These novellas are just the perfect prequels to the Three Dark Crowns series.
I liked the first story as well, but I just wish the focus were more on the sisters when they were still together. I did really like how some things that were only ever mentioned in the books were addressed and explained.
These novellas are just the perfect prequels to the Three Dark Crowns series.
September 20, 2018
My heart is beating so fast💕
Such an incredible novella
Fortunately I already had Two Dark Reigns... even if I'm not entirely sure I want to start it straightaway 'cause it may provoke me a real heart attack 😂
Such an incredible novella
Fortunately I already had Two Dark Reigns... even if I'm not entirely sure I want to start it straightaway 'cause it may provoke me a real heart attack 😂
November 14, 2018
I love how this novella foreshadows what happens in the main series politically. It totally shows how the main families create the rhetoric and makes you think about what is happening in our own world.
January 1, 2020
Liked the second story much better than the first, but not as much as the original series.
May 17, 2022
The Oracle Queen: ✮ (review here)
The Young Queens: ✮✮✮ (review here)
The Young Queens: ✮✮✮ (review here)
August 9, 2020
This book contains 2 short stories both set in the world of Fennbirn. As far as I know these were released in between the second and third book of the main series, however I already read the entire series before I started this book. I think this is something important to mention in my review because I do think it affected my enjoyment of the series, not necessarily in a negative way, but I think knowing where the series goes and what the end game turns out to be does affect how you read the first short story: the young queens. I also want to add that there is the big twist that happens at the end of the second book that is explained more clearly by the young queens so while these are prequel stories I wouldn't recommend reading them first.
Both these stories really tugged at my heartstrings, but I really did enjoy them a lot and even though I only finished the series earlier this year (which...how? it feels like a life time ago almost with all that's happened) I really want to re-read them already. It just reminded me how much I love the world of Fennbirn and I kinda hope we somehow get to explore more of it (although to be fair the ending of the last book was pretty definiete). Both stories were great additions to the series in my opinion. I will eventually re-read the series (maybe when I don't have 100 books on my TBR) and I'm already looking forward to it.
Both these stories really tugged at my heartstrings, but I really did enjoy them a lot and even though I only finished the series earlier this year (which...how? it feels like a life time ago almost with all that's happened) I really want to re-read them already. It just reminded me how much I love the world of Fennbirn and I kinda hope we somehow get to explore more of it (although to be fair the ending of the last book was pretty definiete). Both stories were great additions to the series in my opinion. I will eventually re-read the series (maybe when I don't have 100 books on my TBR) and I'm already looking forward to it.
September 9, 2019
3.5 stars
The first shortstory about the childhood of young Queens really gave some more insight on side characters such as Willa, Queen Camille or Caragh! On top, it seems like Arsinoe, Katherine an Mira loved each and honestly, I don't want to read Five Dark Fates anymore. I imagine it won't have a Happy Ending for all three of them.
As for the second story, it just shows how corrupt the Black Council was in the past. How many lengths people will go in order to achieve power, no matter the cost. Seeing how Elsabet has been fooled and played with made me really angry -.-
In a nutshell, a nice and short addition to the series!
The first shortstory about the childhood of young Queens really gave some more insight on side characters such as Willa, Queen Camille or Caragh! On top, it seems like Arsinoe, Katherine an Mira loved each and honestly, I don't want to read Five Dark Fates anymore. I imagine it won't have a Happy Ending for all three of them.
As for the second story, it just shows how corrupt the Black Council was in the past. How many lengths people will go in order to achieve power, no matter the cost. Seeing how Elsabet has been fooled and played with made me really angry -.-
In a nutshell, a nice and short addition to the series!
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