One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake
If you haven't read the first instalment in Kendare Blake's new series, check out the Bookbag's review. And when you've read and loved the book, prepare to enter Katherine, Arsinoe and Mirabella's world once again in the long-awaited sequel which will keep you on the edge of your seat.
| One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake | |
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| Category: Teens | |
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Reviewer: Olivia Tierney
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| Summary: Following the events of Three Dark Crowns, Kendare Blake's latest instalment is not one to be missed. With wicked characters that will stay with you even after you turn the last page and a fast plot that will leave you breathless, One Dark Throne is darker than ever and unputdownable. Highly recommended. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 464 | Date: September 2017 |
| Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1509807734 | |
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The queen who is crowned is the queen who was meant to be.
After the Quickening ceremony, the Ascension year has officially begun and the battle amongst the sisters for the coveted throne is now deadlier than ever before. The fateful events of Three Dark Crowns has forever changed the three young queens. Katharine, once thought to be the weakest, grows stronger each and every day ingesting more poisons than her body can digest. Her long fall down into the heart of Breccia Domain has left her determined to do everything in her power to take out her sisters one by one and make them suffer. Arsinoe, after such a powerful showing at the ceremony, is now receiving more attention than she desires. With the discovery of her new power but forced to keep it secret, she seeks the privacy to master it so use an advantage she possesses to stand up to her sisters in any way possible. Meanwhile, Mirabella who has been brought up her whole life as Fennbirn's destined queen has found her world turned upside down. With the betrayal of her sisters and attacks left, right and centre threatening those she loves, she will stop at nothing to end the war and claim the throne.
The fight for the crown has never been on such an equal-footing and no one knows who will come out on top. Lives will be lost, loyalties will be tested but in the end, a new bloodthirsty Queen will sit on Fennbirn's throne.
The first thing I have to say is that One Dark Throne most definitely didn't disappoint. I didn't think it was possible but it surprised me from start to finish and it was even better than Three Dark Crowns. Blake has an exceptional talent for building tension and suspense – I was hooked from the start and there were many attempts to put the book down to be productive that failed.
In many ways it was similar to the first instalment; the writing was still exceptionally chilling, the character development was exciting and masterful, and the storyline was beyond entertaining.
But in many ways it was different: it was more calculating, more sinister, more bloodthirsty. In this sequel you see much darker sides to our beloved triplets and those around them. We get a glimpse of how the events within the past year and their efforts to seize the throne have impacted the sisters. How the thirst for power has had a lasting effect on them. And their true natures really shine through the pages. But it is not only the sister's relationship that is at the heart of One Dark Throne, but there is also family and friendship and love all folded between the pages.
Another change was the pacing. One Dark Throne had a much faster plot with more action throughout the story as the events of the Ascension Year occurred relentlessly without giving you any space to breathe in between.
All I can say is that I loved it: it was everything I'd hoped for and more. Fast and dark and utterly captivating. If you're looking for a fantastic book to read this autumn One Dark Throne is definitely one you should pick up.
My thanks to the publishers for providing the Bookbag with a copy to review!
In terms of further reading, Caraval by Stephanie Garber is a dark fantasy debut full of tension and will definitely keep you reading into the early hours of the morning, desperate to know what happens next! Highly recommended by the Bookbag, just like One Dark Throne. You might also enjoy Antigoddess by Kendare Blake.
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You can read more book reviews or buy One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake at Amazon.com.
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