eddiroll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Murder, Death, Violence, and Injury/injury detail
bookishgoob's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/injury detail, Medical trauma, Murder, Torture, and Violence
taryn_g's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I read Three Dark Crowns about a year ago, and I’m just now, finally, coming back to finish the series. This sequel definitely took me by surprise in that I wasn’t able to put it down. Every spare moment I had, I found myself reaching for One Dark Throne.
What perhaps most took me in this book was how well the tension is done. The whole time, the three queens are racing towards at least two of their inevitable dooms. Along with the tension, the pacing was also very well done. The action and the lulls aligned excellently, and there was never any time that I found myself getting bored.
The payoff and continued development from the events of the first book is was another aspect that I enjoyed, especially in regards to Katharine and Arsinoe. I was hoping for some more explanation on how it is that Arsinoe is a poisoner but was sent to the naturalists, and we did get a little, but that’s something I can look forward to learning in the coming books.
Much like in Three Dark Crowns, the atmosphere and worldbuilding is amazing. I love the world of Fennbirn and how vividly developed it is. I also liked how this book expanded the world, particularly by introducing more about the war gift through Jules’s story. I’m very interested to see where her war gift and legion curse go throughout the remaining two books.
The only reason that this isn’t a five-star book for me is just because it lacked that certain, extra “umph” that really pushes a book into five stars. It was a great, un-put-downable read, but there was nothing that was really mind blowing or left me totally surprised.
I think that One Dark Throne was a great sequel to Three Dark Crowns, and I’m very excited to see where this series goes!
2022: 14
Graphic: Injury/injury detail and Violence
Moderate: Body horror and Death
emily_mh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Death, Injury/injury detail, Child death, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Self harm, Ableism, and Physical abuse
Minor: Animal death, Alcohol, War, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Grief, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Misogyny
martereadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Toxic relationship, Torture, Self harm, Police brutality, Mental illness, Injury/injury detail, Gore, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content, Animal cruelty, and War
bskell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Injury/injury detail