Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake centers on triplet sisters Katharine, Arsinoe, and Mirabella, each with unique magical gifts, competing to become the queen of Fennbirn by attempting to kill one another. Raised separately in strict traditions, they face personal challenges and complex alliances as their sixteenth birthdays arrive, leading to a tense and suspenseful showdown for the throne. 

The book involves themes of violence and poison.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake presents an intriguing premise of three sisters vying for a throne, marked by dark and atmospheric world-building. Reviewers praise its compelling characters and gripping plot twists. However, some critique the slow pacing and find the ending somewhat abrupt. Overall, it’s a captivating, albeit occasionally uneven, start to a promising series.

Readers who relish dark fantasy with fierce heroines and political intrigue will devour Kendare Blake's Three Dark Crowns. Fans of Game of Thrones and Red Queen will appreciate the intense sibling rivalry, magical elements, and brutal power struggles in this enthralling series. Ideal for YA and fantasy enthusiasts.

Dark / Mysterious / Suspenseful / Fantastical / Unnerving

- Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake was inspired by the idea of sibling rivalry taken to an extreme, set in a dark, fantastical world where the consequences are deadly.
- The author, Kendare Blake, has mentioned in interviews that the names of the three queens in Three Dark Crowns hold special meanings and connections to their respective powers and roles.
- Before settling on the final version, Kendare Blake went through numerous drafts of Three Dark Crowns, considering various magical abilities and dynamics between the sisters.

Kendare Blake

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Three Dark Crowns reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Three Dark Crowns | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Three Dark Crowns and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Three Dark Crowns Summary

Background

Three Dark Crowns Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Queens’ Sixteenth Birthday: December 21. Four Months Until Beltane.”

Part 1, Chapters 1-9

Three Dark Crowns Part 1, Chapters 1-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 10-26

Three Dark Crowns Part 1, Chapters 10-26 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Beltane Festival: Innisfuil Valley”

Part 2 Three Dark Crowns Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The Quickening”

Part 3 Three Dark Crowns Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “The Ascension Year Begins”

Part 4 Three Dark Crowns Part 4 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Three Dark Crowns Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Three Dark Crowns Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Three Dark Crowns Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Three Dark Crowns Important Quotes with Page Numbers

Book Club Questions

Three Dark Crowns Book Club Questions

Three Dark Crowns

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Three Dark Crowns?

Reading Age

Book Details