melissalurie81's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hannaslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
An average ending for an average series. Wasn’t my favorite but it kept my attention enough for me to read all 4 books. I did, however, really appreciate the author’s choices in the ending of the book. For a YA, I really wasn’t expecting what happened to happen with all of the characters at the end.
g_a_denholm's review against another edition
2.0
I finished the first book of the series and loved it! I was enthralled by the world, the conflict, and the POVs we got. I really liked the [b:A Game of Thrones|13496|A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)|George R.R. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562726234l/13496._SY75_.jpg|1466917] vibes.
I immediately devoured the rest of the series. But each book I got more lost the world expanded. The construction felt disjointed, which comes into obvious play with the gap between worlds, but then some of the storytelling beats were off. I think Blake has a better handle on his plot and world than GRRM, but I actually was wanting more "tell" and less "show" in places. While avoiding a huge info dump at the start, other plots and worldbuilding didn't earn credence in the early chapters or even books.
I immediately devoured the rest of the series. But each book I got more lost the world expanded. The construction felt disjointed, which comes into obvious play with the gap between worlds, but then some of the storytelling beats were off. I think Blake has a better handle on his plot and world than GRRM, but I actually was wanting more "tell" and less "show" in places. While avoiding a huge info dump at the start, other plots and worldbuilding didn't earn credence in the early chapters or even books.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors! All opinions are my own.
Book: Five Dark Fates
Author: Kendare Blake
Book Series: Three Dark Crowns Book 4
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Some small f/f relationship will she won’t she moments
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, gore, mentions of cutting, suicide TW, mature scenes, backstabbing, sisterly quarrels, and the chance to change the world as you know it)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 452
Amazon Link
Synopsis: After the battle with Katharine, the rebellion lies in tatters. Jules’s legion curse has been unbound, leaving her out of her mind and unfit to rule. Arsinoe must find a cure, even as the responsibility of stopping the ravaging mist rests heavy on her shoulders, and her shoulders alone. Mirabella has disappeared.
Queen Katharine’s rule over Fennbirn remains intact—for now. But her attack on the rebellion exacted a high price: her beloved Pietyr. Without him, who can she rely upon when Mirabella arrives, seemingly under a banner of truce? As oldest and youngest circle each other, and Katharine begins to yearn for the closeness that Mirabella and Arsinoe share, the dead queens hiss caution—Mirabella is not to be trusted.
In this conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series, three dark sisters will rise to fight as the secrets of Fennbirn’s history are laid bare. Allegiances will shift. Bonds will be tested, and some broken forever.
The fate of the island lies in the hands of its queens.
Review: This book was an absolute rollercoaster. I went from loving Katherine to hating her to loving her and back to hating her. Jules remained my favorite, but even her managed to frustrate me at certain times. Arsinoe and Mirabella also made me waiver in my like for them, but this wasn’t because of a negative reaction I had to the book. In fact, the exact opposite. I think the writing in this book is very strong, the author is definitely talented and Kendare is able to make you feel so many things. The development is still so present and powerful in this book, even though this is the fourth in the series. The world building was also very powerful and Kendare was able to effortlessly paint the picture of this story in my head.
The only negatives I had about the book is that there are a lot of characters. I am grateful for the character list in the beginning but damn it gets confusing when people start switching sides and people die. Thus is the difficult life of a reader who likes epic fantasy. I also didn’t like how Jules didn’t pull the trigger on a specific person and I think that this would have been great to show in the book, but I did like that she didn’t as well… I’m all for rep but I feel that Jules still has a lot of depression and feelings to work through with the death of her lover. I’m conflicted but I think I am supposed to feel that way. Also, this leaves room for more stories in the future that feature just Jules… right Kendare? ;)
Verdict: Overall, a well crafted and satisfying ending to a saga that all of bookstagram was obsessed about for over a year.
Book: Five Dark Fates
Author: Kendare Blake
Book Series: Three Dark Crowns Book 4
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Some small f/f relationship will she won’t she moments
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, gore, mentions of cutting, suicide TW, mature scenes, backstabbing, sisterly quarrels, and the chance to change the world as you know it)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 452
Amazon Link
Synopsis: After the battle with Katharine, the rebellion lies in tatters. Jules’s legion curse has been unbound, leaving her out of her mind and unfit to rule. Arsinoe must find a cure, even as the responsibility of stopping the ravaging mist rests heavy on her shoulders, and her shoulders alone. Mirabella has disappeared.
Queen Katharine’s rule over Fennbirn remains intact—for now. But her attack on the rebellion exacted a high price: her beloved Pietyr. Without him, who can she rely upon when Mirabella arrives, seemingly under a banner of truce? As oldest and youngest circle each other, and Katharine begins to yearn for the closeness that Mirabella and Arsinoe share, the dead queens hiss caution—Mirabella is not to be trusted.
In this conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series, three dark sisters will rise to fight as the secrets of Fennbirn’s history are laid bare. Allegiances will shift. Bonds will be tested, and some broken forever.
The fate of the island lies in the hands of its queens.
Review: This book was an absolute rollercoaster. I went from loving Katherine to hating her to loving her and back to hating her. Jules remained my favorite, but even her managed to frustrate me at certain times. Arsinoe and Mirabella also made me waiver in my like for them, but this wasn’t because of a negative reaction I had to the book. In fact, the exact opposite. I think the writing in this book is very strong, the author is definitely talented and Kendare is able to make you feel so many things. The development is still so present and powerful in this book, even though this is the fourth in the series. The world building was also very powerful and Kendare was able to effortlessly paint the picture of this story in my head.
The only negatives I had about the book is that there are a lot of characters. I am grateful for the character list in the beginning but damn it gets confusing when people start switching sides and people die. Thus is the difficult life of a reader who likes epic fantasy. I also didn’t like how Jules didn’t pull the trigger on a specific person and I think that this would have been great to show in the book, but I did like that she didn’t as well… I’m all for rep but I feel that Jules still has a lot of depression and feelings to work through with the death of her lover. I’m conflicted but I think I am supposed to feel that way. Also, this leaves room for more stories in the future that feature just Jules… right Kendare? ;)
Verdict: Overall, a well crafted and satisfying ending to a saga that all of bookstagram was obsessed about for over a year.
christinakann's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
katzuyas's review against another edition
3.0
“queen katharine’s merciless rule” is how the synopsis of this book starts and I wish. I wish it was actually a merciless rule or even a rule at all. there was actually no ruling in this book, no actual governance happening for people to oppose and fight against and even what little drama there was concerning the rebellion fell flat - unbelievably dumb, half baked plans for a rebel force that lacked everything, even heart.
I didn’t struggle reading this book and at times it even drew my in with the mystery surrounding the dead queens and the mist, but the resolution of both of those mysteries leaves so much to desire that I can’t say I enjoyed this book.
it feels unpolished. like a first draft that should’ve been rewritten to add more complexity to the story and more depth to the plot and the characters.
as a series, it’s a typical conclusion- a big battle at the end that lets the good guys live happily ever after. I’m not a fan of that. even if it’s a cliché, I still think it could’ve been done better. and god, even if I agree that kat’s ending was pretty good, I still wish for more of the drama between her and pietyr, since thiers was one of the most interesting relationships in the series.
in the end, this book, much like the rest of the series failed to impress me - 3 stars for book 4 from me. and the same for the series overall.
not awful, but not great either = mid tier imho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pick up when very, very bored, but there’s others more worth your time.
I didn’t struggle reading this book and at times it even drew my in with the mystery surrounding the dead queens and the mist, but the resolution of both of those mysteries leaves so much to desire that I can’t say I enjoyed this book.
it feels unpolished. like a first draft that should’ve been rewritten to add more complexity to the story and more depth to the plot and the characters.
as a series, it’s a typical conclusion- a big battle at the end that lets the good guys live happily ever after. I’m not a fan of that. even if it’s a cliché, I still think it could’ve been done better. and god, even if I agree that kat’s ending was pretty good, I still wish for more of the drama between her and pietyr, since thiers was one of the most interesting relationships in the series.
in the end, this book, much like the rest of the series failed to impress me - 3 stars for book 4 from me. and the same for the series overall.
not awful, but not great either = mid tier imho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pick up when very, very bored, but there’s others more worth your time.
forsakenfates's review against another edition
3.0
This was somewhat of a let down after how much I enjoyed the previous books. I feel like there was all this hype for the final act in the story and it fell flat for me.
dlewis85's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
laranda's review
adventurous
4.25