Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1)

                Hello happy readers!  So I have been slacking again, though this is partly in that I lost my USB with all my reviews temporarily (it was in my wallet for some reason) but also storm related I mean can we be done with storms for a bit please?  So I have finally gotten around to the first book in this series, Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake.  I started it a while back but I couldn’t give it the attention it needed to learn all these new characters, powers, and overall world.  That and it was one of my “I’ll wait until close to the next book then read it….” Ones which sort of worked as the 3^rd book did recently come out.  So here are my thoughts on the first book in this new series.

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                Fennbirn is ruled by one queen.  Each generation is set of triplets are born, three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessing a particular magic.  When they are but small children they are pulled apart and raised by their own house:  elemental, naturalist, or poisoner.  When the time comes only one can live and be crowned, the others must die.  Each sister must try to learn her gift and how to defeat her sisters for the crown before the battle begins for the crown and life.

                This generation we have Mirabella the elemental, Katharine the poisoner, and Arsinoe the naturalist.  This book was a bit slower to start but if you can just hold out it is worth it.  Blake takes the time to introduce three separate main queens and their life thus far.  How they have been raised including the magic of and how each group and how it falls in the overall system of the world.  Three separate storylines that all meld into one as the sixteenth year approaches.  Each queens’ story is whole and developed with their own characters, motivations and problems. 

                Katherine doesn’t seem to have much of a gift despite the poisoners being at the top of the hierarchy, and every intention of staying there.  She is raised in a harsh life, constantly poisoned to build immunity and so on.  She is starved for not just for a good meal but real love.  Still and maybe partly despite what she went through she isn’t all doom and gloom and has an almost naivety to her.  Arsinoe also doesn’t seem to have much of a gift for nature but her best friend, Jules, is one of the most powerful and trying her best to help.  Arsinoe and Jules and the dynamic and loyalty there is really amazing and a feel of sisterhood that in a book about three sisters who are being raised to kill one another might lack.  Last but not least we have Mirabella who seems to be the strongest of the sisters and thus has a stronger hand trying to guide and shape her. 

"Every gift is light and dark."

                There are still some questions about the world I need to know.  Questions I think will come into play in book two.  I loved the dynamic of seeing each girl raised differently.  A real case of nature vs. nurture.  Still as you try to take all of this information in the first say quarter of the book can be a bit of a struggle.  You get to know one set of characters and life then move to someone else and have to start all over again with a new set and so on.  Still if you hang in there it’s worth it as the stories unfold and meld.  I found the audiobook helped tremendously here for me.  Personally I sometimes struggle when there are so many names/things I can’t pronounce that hit me all at once.  It messes with my flow. 

                As the story progresses and knowing the idea of this world I found myself tallying up who I liked more and who I wanted to win.  It gets harder with each section for sure.  There were some things I liked about each and some things I didn’t like as much.  Each is very real and human in this way with flaws as well as strengths.  Each queen was different and unique in her own story and I connected to each of them.  I still don’t know how I want things to turn out because there are twists and turns all over the place. Still my favorite part was the characters and their connections.  That is what made me ache for each of these girls, from the lives they lived sure, but the people in their lives.  I mean some of the side characters were my favorite to love/hate!  All I know is with how book one ended I can’t wait to dive into book two and have it on my phone ready to dive right back in. 

                Until next time…

2 Book Events & a Giveaway!

                Hello happy readers!  So this week has been a bit of a hit on my sleep schedule shifting between work schedules and making another well worth it day trip to Atlanta (4 hr drive one day) for a book event.  I mean it was Stephanie Perkins so it was a must go type of thing.  So today since I slept for 14 hours last night I would do an event talk instead of  a review.  I will be ready next week though since I won't have any events to drag me away.  I was thrilled to be able to meet my good friend, Bo from Bogdana the Booknerd, before both events to hit up our favorite pre-event meal of Noodle just a block from the shop and even get some ice cream from the delightful shop around the corner Butter & Cream.  I kid you not I get as excited about getting to get our food as for the events.

                So last week I went to the Epic Reads event with Kendare Blake, Jessie Ann Foley, and Katharine McGee for the Epic Reads event.  Epic Reads was hosted at the beautiful little store, Little Shop of Stories where I go to most all of my events up there.  This time with the multiple authors they did something a little different and instead of having them up in front of all of us they split the chairs into three circles and each circle got an author to chat with for a time before they swapped speed dating style.  It was different but really fun.

                 We got there and were lucky enough to be the first ones upstairs for the event.  We saw the circles and got to pick our spots.  One of the employees was kind enough to explain the set up and the rules and jabber with us while everyone else trickled in.  She also provided sticky notes to get the books ready for the post "speed date" signing but as usual we had come prepared.  They did a little intro and each talked a bit about who they are, what books they wrote, and where they are from before being split up. 

                First in our circle was the lovely Jessie Ann who shared her inspiration for Neighborhood Girls.  We discussed the heart of the story, the very relevant catalyst, and more.  With her first book taking place in Ireland we talked about some travel and a little tidbit of fun that with the book she was able to get her husband, who has the accent, to read parts out loud to see how they sounded to make sure they flowed.  I loved that and it makes me so excited to dive in. 

                 Next Katharine McGee made her way into our circle looking the picture of graceful in tiny stilts of heels that defy gravity.  She discussed her first book The Thousandth Floor more than the sequel since she didn't want to spoil any good bits.  We discussed the craft of writing and the process of getting your book out there as she had a different experience working in publishing and already knowing everyone.  I also found out she worked on editing some of the books in several shows that I enjoy (The 100, The Vampire Diaries, and Pretty Little Liars) but gave advice for those who might not have her connections.

                Last but not least we got to sit down with Kendare Blake who is not only part of several anthologies but also was celebrating the release of the second Three Dark Crowns book that very day.  We talked about how the book series went from being set as a duology ending with One Dark Crown to a four book series.  Nothing changed in the book.  It still ended where it was supposed to end but not we will get to see the fall out and what happens next after the winner sits on the throne.  Funny enough she got the idea after learning about bees at a party.  Everyone was worried about the huge ball of bees but there was a beekeeper present who explained they were safe as the ball was to protect the queen as they moved and it spiked her curiosity and she asked the beekeeper questions for the rest of the party.  I love how this came to be getting ideas and writing in general.

                Overall the Epic Reads event was a success.  Everyone got to ask questions in smaller groups taking the pressure off and letting some who may be more nervous and intimidated speak up.  I give this even 5 Stars for sure! 

                Then one week later Little Shop of Stories was working with the library to host Stephanie Perkins for the release of her new book, Theres Someone in Your House at the library.  As Stephanie used t o be a librarian it was perfect.  She also used to live in the area and had some friends pop in, which totally distracted her mid sentence and is something we can all relate to I think. 

                She got there a bit early to talk with her moderator but with the driving in Atlanta there was a change in plans with a vehicle accident (no one was hurt thankfully just unable to make it) and her fill in was already familiar as they had spent the day discussing things so she came out to just sit/chat/ and pre-sign for us early birds.  Clearly that included Bo and myself.  She signed our books and we discussed things from how we ended up meeting and becoming friends at a book event and book covers/designs since I have the UK version of her anthologies with the colored page edges. 

                Stephanie was such a riot.  Seriously she was SO MUCH FUN!  She is so down to earth and loves some dark topics just as much as the cute fluffy stuff.  We could have spent all night just talking about random topics.  But once it hit time she sat up to discuss her book.  It was a departure from what she is known for writing with her Anna and the French Kiss series being a slasher horror story and all.  However, anyone on the fence rest assured there is still the feel of her voice and that beauty in there as well because she couldn’t help herself.  However, there is also a high body count and lots of great horror classics.  I can't wait!  I love horror movies, the cheesier the better. 

                 Apparently she gets the question about the change in genre ALL the time as some are shocked given how sweet and nice she is but to those who know her they get it.  I could connect when she related how she is nice and sweet but she also loves horror movies and true crime.  She had on this adorable dress with cute little deer which I complimented on pre-event and as she explained later "I'm wearing a dress with cute little deer but also have murder in my heart" in talking about her eclectic decorating style and her love of Halloween.  She also discussed her interest in many different genres and how she wouldn't mind trying more but would steer away from mermaid books, this brought the question of genitals and how/what that is seems to be a conundrum which we spent some time thinking on, and Amish romance which I didn’t know was a thing.  

                After the event she was signing books for everyone and even though we had ours signed we still waited in line because we wanted to grab a photo and because we wanted to say something more post event.  Knowing she loved Halloween and scary things Bo recommended she check out Halloween Horror Nights and discussed some particulars.  After finding out she did a lot of research to make things feel right in her story including the law enforcement side having to find people to give help in different areas I told her I was a dispatcher for a university currently but spent several years in a very small county doing 911 dispatch, you know if she ever needed further help.  Hey I would love to offer my services! 

                That was my thoughts on the last couple events.  Sorry I didn’t get more photos of the events themselves.  However, I during the Epic Reads event I did get my paperback ARC of Three Dark Crowns signed by Kendare Blake and I was able to snag an extra tote bag from the event to use in a giveaway along with some other misc goodies I have been collecting to include ;) I'll leave this open for a two weeks so enter below!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway