Review: One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake

Author: Kendare Blake

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published by: Pan Macmillan

Publication date: 21/09/2017

Pages: 464

My rating: ★★★★★

The battle for the Crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail?

With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favor without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, once thought to be the strongest sister of all and the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before—ones that put those around her in danger she can’t seem to prevent.

In this enthralling sequel to Kendare Blake’s New York Times bestselling Three Dark Crowns, Fennbirn’s deadliest queens must face the one thing standing in their way of the crown: each other.

 

If you liked Three Dark Crowns, then you’ll love One Dark Throne. Imo, it’s even better and darker than its predecessor. I was glued to the pages and forgot to sleep so I could finish it.

Set after the events in Three Dark Crowns, ascension year is well underway and is shaping up to be the most brutal one in history. Arsinoe, the naturalist queen is actually a poisoner. while Katherine, the poisoner queen is in fact the naturalist. Though this isn’t common knowledge and only came to light after Katherine’s attempt to poison Arsinoe failed, whilst Jules nearly died. No one knows why the previous Queen mixed them up, though it is clearly an intentional move. I loved this plot twist from the first book. Arsinoe is still dabbling with low magic and Katherine is focused on killing her siblings as soon as possible. Mirabella, who was once unwilling to kill her siblings has had a change of heart after Arsinoe’s bear attacks her.

There was more character development in this one, you get to know more about all three of them as there’s less emphasis on a specific queen, none of them are the favoured queen this time. I particularly loved Katherine’s character development, she’s changed so much since the beginning of Three Dark Crowns. After Pietyr tried to kill her at by pushing her into the Breccia Domain pit she’s become vicious, brutal and will stop at nothing to get the crown. Though I genuinely believe there’s another side to her. Everyone thought her weak, so she feels she has more to prove. I have to say throughout the first book Arsinoe was my favourite, by the end of this one Katherine took the crown from her. Even more so after the plot twist involving her towards the end of the book. We find out a little more about the island, the magic and and it’s history, which I couldn’t get enough of. I’m hoping there will be more about it in the new novellas.

The ending really got me, I was torn between sobbing and cheering. It was brilliantly written, you’ll see why when you get there. I don’t want to say anything about it in case I spoil it for anyone. I can’t wait to find out what happens next. One Dark Throne is utterly brilliant. It’s intense, full of action, conflict and betrayal. I spent a large chunk of the second half on the edge of my seat. I definitely recommend this series, buy or borrow a copy asap!

Buy from: Waterstones

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