Author: Kendare Blake
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Publisher: Harper Teen
Review Spoilers: Low
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Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.
But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose… it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins and the last queen standing gets the crown.
Firstly, fair warning, this is a series book. Once you get started, you’ll need to get the next in the series, One Dark Throne. It is one of those books that, while it started out a bit rough, had my full attention by the end. I need to get the next one ASAP.
Each chapter is written with a different point of view from each sister, so if that throws you off, here’s your warning. However, each POV is unique to the sister, and really gives you a great sense of who they are. The world itself is dark, cunning, and new.
This world where you are born with an ability, and must train it your entire life just so you can use it to kill your sisters and take the throne? Brilliant. As one of three girls, it was easy to slip into the minds of each as they grappled with the decisions they had to make, and the reality that they may die. There is a little bit of romance in the book, as with most YA today. However these love interests aren’t the main focus, and for the most part, are treated like the girls in most male-centric YA books.
Now, if you are into books that are all about girl power, then you will like this book. The entire world is matriarch centered. The main gods are women, and everything revolves around these girls. It’s refreshing to read something that is girl powered, and not overly hokey or romantic.
Each of the princesses are pretty kick ass in their own ways. I mean, one literally eats poisoned foods to build up tolerance. Another controls elements, and could easily burn everything if she wanted. The third bends the wills of animals to do her bidding. Their struggles with their magic draw you in and keep you spellbound.
All in all, the writing style may throw some off. It does take a few chapters to get used to flipping back and forth between the sisters, and with having to rebuild the world three times it can get confusing. However, the world itself more than makes up for the slow start. The story is addictive and well planned. I finished this in two days. It’s a great rainy day read. Honestly cannot wait to grab the next book, which has a release month of September for the curious.
So if you’re looking for a good girl power book, with a touch of magic, betrayal, and wonder, pick this one up. If you’ve already read it, what did you think about it? Are you anxiously awaiting the second book too? Let me know in the comments section!
English