by Kendare Blake
Kindle Edition, 416 pages
Published September 20th 2016
by HarperTeen
Goodreads | Amazon| B & N | TBD
Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. 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. The last queen standing gets the crown.
If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.
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. The last queen standing gets the crown.
If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.
This book is absolutely phenomenal! I was not expecting how awesome it would be since I was so disappointed with Kendare Blake's previous Goddess War series and didn't even finish the first book; Antigoddess. I would have love it even more if the instant romances are left out altogether but in the end it is essential in building the animosity and intense rivalries between the three sisters.
And yes, the characters and wonderful world building seriously drew me in and I love how different and determined the sisters are in winning the crown. More background history on why the crown must be won by only one queen and can't be shared would be nice. And it's a bit curious why previous queens have to leave the island once they bear children.
As the three Houses competed and schemed their way to the crown, I can't help but sense that the three girls are just pawns to the ruthless people. Seriously, for most part of the book the eldest sister; Mirabella certainly had the upper hand since her elemental powers have manifested early on but that ending came out of nowhere. I love...love..love how the underdog and truly lovable Arsinoe came out top in the end. Can't wait for the next book and hoping for more serious battle among these girls.
And yes, the characters and wonderful world building seriously drew me in and I love how different and determined the sisters are in winning the crown. More background history on why the crown must be won by only one queen and can't be shared would be nice. And it's a bit curious why previous queens have to leave the island once they bear children.
As the three Houses competed and schemed their way to the crown, I can't help but sense that the three girls are just pawns to the ruthless people. Seriously, for most part of the book the eldest sister; Mirabella certainly had the upper hand since her elemental powers have manifested early on but that ending came out of nowhere. I love...love..love how the underdog and truly lovable Arsinoe came out top in the end. Can't wait for the next book and hoping for more serious battle among these girls.
