4,5 ⭐️

This installation of the Three Dark Crowns series really picks up the slack from the first book.
The pacing is super fast, and if you lose concentration for even a second,- someone is dead, and new relationships are forming. That's fun.

There is a reason that I rarely read fantasy, and I am reminded of that reason every time I think about this book in some aspect. For example, I don't get the "make the triplets fight each other for the crown" politics. I can't just accept that it's how it is in this world because it makes no sense to me.

However, the plot and the premise are so good and captivating that I am holding on for dear life reading these books. I am team Arsione regarding the sisters, especially after the plot twist in the first book. Moreso because Mirabella is spoiled and lives of the "oh, you're so pretty and strong" compliments that basically raised her. Katherine is just so damn mean. I know she went through traumatic things and all that, but damn. However, it does get explained in the last few chapters why she got like that. The scene in the end with her King-Consort is heartbreaking as she realizes the extent of her "gift."

This book is romance-heavy, focusing on the triplets' different romances. But, thankfully, it also showcases a lot of friendships, allies, and enemies for good measure.

The plot twists and ahem

Spoiler

d e a t h s

, in the end, didn't surprise me or leave an impression on me. The book just ended, and that's it. I definitely think I can go without reading the final two books in the series, as we have a crowned queen, even though we have a lot of unanswered questions and in likelihood, very, very big plot twists coming up.