Two Dark Reigns (Three Dark Crowns, #3)

by Kendare Blake

One Crowned, Two Exiled, A Revolution Rising.

The battle has been fought, blood has been spilt and a queen has been crowned, but not all are happy with the outcome.

Katharine, the poisoner queen, has been crowned and is trying to ignore the whispers that call her illegitimate, undead, cursed.

Mirabella and Arsinoe have escaped the island of Fennbirn, but how long before the island calls them back?

Jules is returning to Fennbirn and has become the unlikely figurehead of a revolution threatening to topple Katharine's already unsteady rule.

But what good is a revolution if something is wrong with the island itself?

Kendare Blake's Two Dark Reigns is the heart-stopping third book in the bestselling Three Dark Crowns series. Discover more about Fennbirn and the three queens in the thrilling start to the quartet, Three Dark Crowns, and its sequel One Dark Throne.

• ISBN10: 1509876499
• ISBN13: 9781509876495
• Publish Date: 4 October 2018 (first published 4 September 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 464
• Language: English

Reviews

[Veronica 🦦]

B | Solid B. Bit of a roller coaster ride because it would get super interesting and then boring. Had it not been for the last 50 pages or so, I would have given this a lower grade. At least the ending was a good hook. Looking forward to reading the last book.

[leahrosereads]

Aside from the (once in a) Blue (moon) Queen title, I really enjoyed this book. I thought the first two were a bit predictable, but this book was really interesting and few of my guesses were way off mark. Still really loving most of the characters and the world feels really put together and cohesive at this point. I'm definitely looking forward to what's in store for everyone and will be reading the next book as soon as I get my hands on a copy.

[alindstadtcorbeax]

Star Rating: 4.9 (really five but I am still bitter for ending with such a cliffhanger lol)

Best one yet!

I’m legitimately in tears (particularly emotional today in general, though, I must say...), because I have grown so particularly fond of these characters and this story, and I do not WANT TO SAY ANOSHE* YET! I have been spoiled, not reading until now and having books 1-3 at my disposal to be read one after the other- and now I have to freakin wait , WAIT! until the last book. wait, you guys. *Sigh*.

I actually love when I don’t discover a wonderful series until they are all released or else I just short of go mad because of the wait- Haha// I need instant gratification in life... waiting is not at all my thing. In fact I hatteeeee it. With a passion.


THAT FREAKIN CLIFFHANGER, THO!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Is the last book in the series available for preorder yet? Bc if so, THIS girl is going to get on that immediately. Haha.

*If you have not read the Shades of Magic series, which is one of my favs btw, Anoshe means ‘until we meet again.’

[Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub]

It's incredible!

[tweetybugshouse]

This is a series where you start out with what you think are the facts.   We have three triplets each born with a special talent, poisoner, naturalist and elemental.  We think that all their is and that those facts are solid.  Well baby that not what happens or what is true at all.  Each novel the story goes from what you think you know to secrets exploding and developing into a story that entirely not what you expect.  Some of the triplets have not one but two powers, who we think is a poisoner is not, and who we think can call animals can't and oh did you know their a fourth queen?  Hold on to your hats your in for a bumpy ride oh and did you think this was the end of the story no their a fourth book and not to mention the Novellas.  This is a one story not to be missed.   I should probably make a note to read the novellas see what secrets i am missing out on.   Can't wait for the rest of this interesting tale. 

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

This series just keeps getting better and better with each book. This story started strong from page one and didn't really let up any, in my opinion. Just when I thought I knew the ins and outs of this tale, Blake showed me that she still had quite a few details to add to this world and its history, and I say, bring it, Blake!

Two Dark Reigns expanded on much of the legend and lore we had previously learned. Blake revealed additional information about the dead queens, who were inhabiting Katherine's body, and let me tell you, these queens were restless. They were NOT letting Katherine enjoy a quiet reign.

I am still firmly team Arisone, though I am worried about her. She was being haunted via her dreams, which led her on a quest. For what? Arsinoe didn't know, but she had to pursue it or risk being driven mad.

Many of the things I latched onto in the TDC novellas were put into play in this book. Most notably, we saw the Blue Queen emerged as a player of sorts. I had been intrigued by the Blue Queen and though my theories regarding her were not correct, I was excited to learn the whole story behind this Blue Queen and getting deeper into her background.

Being team Arsinoe also makes me team Jules, and I was really excited to see her role in this story getting even bigger than before. Jules was still trying to learn about her legion gift, and when the oracles and warriors united with Jules, more and more was revealed about her gift and its curse. Jules' storyline was one of my favorites, because there was quite a bit of mystery surrounding her in the last book. Many details were unveiled, but I was still left with a multitude of unanswered questions, and nothing but concern and worry for our Jules.

A new character of importance emerged in this installment. The island and its mist played a large role in this book, and though the results were quite gruesome, I was enthralled by the mystery and history surrounding it. It's not clear what prompted the island's actions, but I know I am more than eager to get to the bottom of that story.

On the whole, I was really impressed with how these seemingly isolated people and events were tied together. The story's intricacies kept me flipping the pages and searching for more links. I am still enthralled by all the strong female characters inhabiting this world, and Blake continues to impress me with her ability to reveal additional layers to characters we have already met.

By the end of the book, I had nothing but genuine concern for Jules, Arsinoe, and Katherine. All three were in some sort of peril, as the island, the mist, and the dead queens were all wrecking havoc.

The island was revolting! The mist was revolting! The people were revolting! No one was safe.

More legends, more magic, more betrayals, more battles -- this book was just a lot more of the things I loved in the first two books.

Overall: Another fantastic addition to one of my favorite series! Be sure to buckle up, because Blake took me on a wild ride, and left me eager to get my hands on the next book.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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[layawaydragon]

It took awhile for me to warm up to Three Dark Crowns, and One Dark Throne proved continuing was worth it. I was so eager for Two Dark Reigns to find out what happens next, and again it wasn't what I was expecting, yet it's so on brand it couldn't happen any other way. I think this one is even better than ODT because they're all working on separate things rather than trying to achieve the same goal for themselves. I didn't think it was slow at all.



Notes While Listening: (I LISTENED to this, forgive the misspellings on names/places)

>>400 years before w/ War Queen giving birth. Isadore the oracle, Roxana the elemental, wait another baby? WTF Blue Queen what is this shit? Another elemental? Illian.
>>After Elizabet, Black Counsel decided all oracle queens will be drowned at birth.
>>Oh. All 3 died except Illian.
>>Bree Westwood?! OMG.
>>AH!
>>You lying fuck. Billy, how could you not tell them about university?!?!
>>He ain't coming home....
>>Billy is such a mainland coward.
>>Arisnoe is dreaming as a girl dressed as a boy on an old ship with one mast. David/Daphne. Country of Centura?
>>Henry-bro?-is going to the island as a suitor.
>>LOL Arsinoe back seat driving Daphne in the dream
>>Ah Lord Henry you ass.
>>Daphne's eyes & hair are BLACK. SHE'S A FUCKING FOUNDLING QUEEN OF FENBEARNE HOLY SHIT.
>>Bree!
>>That's fucked up Amelia!
>>Mist made by the last great Blue Queen. Hmmmmmmm. Mist brought in bodies? But can't be them...The searchers?!?!
>>Henry became King Consort to Blue Queen Illian over 400 years ago. Illian was not as strong as Mirabella.
>>"Goddess bless the girl who created trousers." - Arsinoe. (I love you)
>>Mistress Margret Bolene friend of Amelia's mother, comes back to the Whistle. War Wife? LOVERS!! OMFG.
>>Fleeing to Rolanth? What stupidity is this?
>>That's smart thinking Kat about the oracle and counsel seat.
>>Trouble at the Black Cottage?!?
>>Brandon says the Queen will wait?! RED ALERT.
>>Rape. Ugh. "Calling whores for wearing men's clothes."
>>Do something Richard!!
>>I'm SO with you, Arsinoe!
>>Oh crap, now what?
>>WAIT WHAT Daphne?!?
>>Damn Cara!
>>It's a boy! Fenbearne? Really?
>>THE BEAR BRADDOCK 3
>>So much shit has happened...
>>Hmmm the mist and the hand thing...
>>Damn you High Priestess. Smart Madrigal.
>>They're all coming together!!!
>>Oh no.... Amelia is NOT going to help...
>>WTF Amelia. She's jealous!!
>>On no Elizabeth & Pepper!
>>Oh Arsinoe. You just never learn....
>>I'm surprised they went for that plan...
>>"Sorry I can't say that without holding you at knifepoint." LOL
>>BRADDOCK!!! 3 3
>>The mist! OMFG. Why by the beach, Kat? Holy shit.
>>CAMDEN!!! Oh NOOO no no no no
>>Interesting Daphne, clever and twisted.
>>But not clever enough...
>>Okay makes sense.
>>"A queen crowned cannot be uncrowned" But she can be dead...
>>Illian is the mist, she became it!
>>Oh shit. Duh Daphne.
>>Oh Arisnoe.
>>Oh Jules.
>>Oh Mira.
>>OH SHIT.