athenaevarinya's review
4.0
I feel bad for Elsabet and all the future oracle queens born. If it wasn't for her foster brother, she may have had a chance to see the prophecy that would save her from Francesca and Sonia's machinations (mostly Francesca Arron). And if she had saved herself, then all future queens born with the sight would not be killed at birth.
It just shows that the Arrons are the bad seeds of this series, just like it was the Mind-Whisperers in the Red Queen books. I really hope that Elsabet's true story comes out in the main series and she is cleared of Francesca's sins and that the Arron family falls and loses all power.
It just shows that the Arrons are the bad seeds of this series, just like it was the Mind-Whisperers in the Red Queen books. I really hope that Elsabet's true story comes out in the main series and she is cleared of Francesca's sins and that the Arron family falls and loses all power.
cn_phd's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bigdreamsandwildthings's review
4.0
"Mirabella fought the urge to jerk her head. Even at five years old, she knew that nice and police were not the same things, though she could not explain exactly why."
This was a super atmospheric little novella about Queen Elsabet, an oracle queen of Fennbirn long before Katharine, Arsinoe, and Mirabella. I knew from the very first words that I'd really enjoy it; it's been a long time since I've been in the world of Three Dark Crowns, but it's one of those series whose ~*atmosphere*~ just sticks with you. That was the case here, and I found it extremely easy to jump back in time and into Elsabet's story.
Novellas can be hard because to summarize is basically to tell the whole story, so I won't do that here, other than to say that this is a really fun, if somewhat predictable tale of the betrayal of a not-so-mad queen. Fennbirn and its mythology are still so engrossing to me, and I can't wait to find out the fates of the current queens. Elsabet's story was spell-binding and sad, and I really liked it.
This was a super atmospheric little novella about Queen Elsabet, an oracle queen of Fennbirn long before Katharine, Arsinoe, and Mirabella. I knew from the very first words that I'd really enjoy it; it's been a long time since I've been in the world of Three Dark Crowns, but it's one of those series whose ~*atmosphere*~ just sticks with you. That was the case here, and I found it extremely easy to jump back in time and into Elsabet's story.
Novellas can be hard because to summarize is basically to tell the whole story, so I won't do that here, other than to say that this is a really fun, if somewhat predictable tale of the betrayal of a not-so-mad queen. Fennbirn and its mythology are still so engrossing to me, and I can't wait to find out the fates of the current queens. Elsabet's story was spell-binding and sad, and I really liked it.
wellsbluebells's review
5.0
This was a stunning example of a tragedy story line. I was caught in the drama and deception right from the beginning. It is both refreshing to read a tragedy when so many books end in victory for the main character, and at the same time it breaks my heart that this character lost so badly.
inkedinprose's review
4.5
This was so intriguing!!! I loved getting Queen Elsabet's backstory and how everything played out. Her story is really what shaped the politics of this world as it is in the present series. This was a wild ride. I think this is a very necessary novella and so well done.
zquill's review
4.0
Francesca's motives were a bit weak, and it seemed way too easy to convince the country that their new queen was insane, but it is a novella and a nice explanation for the start of the Arrons' power-grab. Given that this novella doesn't star someone in the YA age bracket, it ends up highlighting the maturity of the themes this series handles. It's not that teens shouldn't be reading it, but it does feel a little limiting to have it labelled as YA when murdering one's own sisters, cheating lovers, and breeding the new generation are all main plot points.
renekeli's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0