Three Dark Crowns

Three Dark Crowns is the first novel in Kendare Blake’s five-part fantasy series by the same name. It is followed by One Dark Throne, Two Dark Reigns, and Five Dark Fates. The prequel collection, Queens of Fennbirn, includes two novellas: The Young Queens and The Oracle Queen. Three Dark Crowns sets the stage for the series’ narrative arc and introduces the themes and main characters—the sisters Katharine, Arsinoe, and Mirabella.

Three Dark Crowns is set in the island kingdom of Fennbirn, which has a dark and deadly monarchic tradition: In every generation, triplet daughters are born to the reigning queen, and each possesses a gift—she could be either a naturalist, an elemental, or a poisoner. Upon coming of age, the sisters must battle to the death, and the victor is crowned queen. The prequel novellas that comprise Queens of Fennbirn reveal more about the sisters’ origins in addition to the island’s history, highlighting how memories, early relationships, and community history can influence identity. 

In this first installment, Katharine, the poisoner, begins as the weakest of the sisters, and she is manipulated by the powerful Arron family. Her relationship with Pietyr, Natalia Arron’s nephew, initially seems to be empowering—he teaches Katharine to be bold and seductive—but it takes a dark turn when he tries to kill her by pushing her into a chasm.