One Dark Throne

By Kendare Blake

The battle for the crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail?

With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favour without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, once thought to be the strongest sister of all and the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before - ones that put those around her in danger that she can’t seem to prevent.

In One Dark Throne, the enthralling sequel to Kendare Blake’s The New York Times-bestselling Three Dark Crowns, Fennbirn’s deadliest queens must face the one thing standing in their way of the crown: each other.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: Sep 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781509807758

Kendare Blake

Kendare Blake is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series. She holds an MA in creative writing from Middlesex University in northern London. She is also the author of Anna Dressed in Blood, a Cybils Awards finalist; Girl of Nightmares; Antigoddess; Mortal Gods; and Ungodly. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages, have been featured on multiple best-of-year lists, and have received many regional and librarian awards. Kendare lives and writes in Gig Harbor, Washington. Visit her online at www.kendareblake.com.

Reviews for One Dark Throne

[ajhackwith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This great sequel picks up immediately where the first book left off. I was pleased that the second book appears to avoid the problems that held the first book back. It's MUCH more faster paced than Three Dark Crowns, and the main characters get a shot of agency, ugly emotions, and motivation that I was hungry for in the first book.

[simplykelina · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This had a very slow start. I kept pushing through as everyone stated this really picks up towards the end. There were so many times that I really wanted to put this down. I just was not interested in what was going on. I ended up making it around 70% and I decided to just go ahead and DNF.

[stacyatufi · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I can honestly say that so much happened in ONE DARK THRONE that it's hard for me to figure out where to even start in my review. There is so much going on with three different story lines for most of the book that it is sometimes hard to follow along, but in ONE DARK THRONE we do have all three Queens together more. I definitely started liking one or two sisters more than the other. They have very different personalities and goals. I was kind of shocked that the big twist at the end of THREE DARK CROWNS didn't become common knowledge and I am still very interested in seeing how the different families will take it when it does.I was really hoping that book two's pace would be a little faster than THREE DARK CROWNS, but I still found some slow points throughout the book. Even though we learn a lot more about the Queen's I still feel like there is so much more to learn. I'm still torn between loving the series and being disappointed. I still can't picture what will happen next and for that reason alone I will be looking for book three when it comes out.* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[sboren-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I purchased this book from Amazon to read with our reading group by @popthebutterfly readalong. All opinions are my own. Triplets born to the island must fight for the crown. Three queens must battle to the death until one queen is crowned. Arsinoe finds an unknown power that may lead her to victory. Mirabella who was so sure once she would be queen is now questioning the world around her. Katharine the weakest of three in the beginning is now full of fight and rage and something about her is just not quite right. One must be queen, two must die. At the end the book will have you asking yourself wait!??? What just happened? Onto book 3 to unravel the mystery that lies before us. Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Amazon, Twitter @jason_stacie and my blog readsbystacie.com

[miyurose_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought the first book in this series was dark, but somehow this one got darker. Our three triplet queens are now in their Ascension year, and are actively trying to kill each other to be the one remaining Queen to rule them all.Well, mostly Katharine is trying to kill everyone. Mirabella and Arsinoe are very much in “can’t we all get along and not do this whole killing thing?” territory. And after the events at the end of the first book, Katharine is certifiably off her rocker in this book. Not even her family really understands what she is doing. Mirabella is just keep on keepin’ on, and Arsinoe is wondering what the heck her powers actually are.After the sometimes slow buildup of the first book, this one is non-stop action. Katharine’s murderous rampage is probably the most entertaining part, but I did enjoy some of the political machinations that are happening behind the scenes. By the end, you think things are going one way, and then everything gets turned on its head. And everyone important is still alive!I really enjoyed this book, and I will definitely be continuing this series!Side note: I listened to the audiobook (it’s been SO LONG since I listened to an audiobook), and apparently “Arsinoe” is not at all pronounced like I expected. I eventually got used to it, but it threw me the first several times I heard it.

[basilsbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

there were some big pieces of lore and mystery that I really need to know more about. Okay BOOK THREE LETS DO THIS!!

[julesgdside · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A lot of blood in this one. A few more unanswered questions on top of the unanswered ones from the first book.

Did I ever mention that I find it unfair that Arsenoy has neither a council nor the priestesses behind her. She has Julienne, yes, though that's not the same as a bunch of priestesses.

[rabidgummibear-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Me as I burn all my emotions out on this book. It's a treat. Seriously an amazing sequel to an amazing first book.

Full review may come in the future. I don't want to spoil anything at all around this series and I find it hard to talk about without spoiling. All I can say is you should read it and read it soon. This is well worth your time and an amazing story.

[veeshee-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When compared to Three Dark Crowns, I thought this novel was a LOT better. The story starts up right where it ended, and the scheming begins almost immediately. The author was kind enough to include a list of characters and their connections to each other at the beginning of the novel, which came in handy for me when I forgot someone's name. If it's been a while since you read Three Dark Crowns, I strongly urge you to read it before beginning this one or else you will find yourself confused for a good bit of the story. I felt like this time around the author made it easier to understand and identify with the sisters. At least, that's how I felt! I liked reading about Arsinoe and Katharine the most. Arsinoe has a really great personality and I like how she is connected to Jules. However, I still feel that the naturalist aspects of the story were more about Jules than Arsinoe, and I would have preferred if that had been more balanced. Katharine's character went through the greatest change (as was hinted through the description) and I really liked that because she got a whole lot more interesting! However, I wish the author had dug deeper into these changes, instead of just having it explained at the end of the novel; there was definitely room for some horror aspects in Katharine's story but they were muted because they weren't explored as much as I would have liked. Mirabella didn't really spark my interest in this story but at least the terrible love triangle from before wasn't taking front-and-center stage like last time! The romance elements that were included in the story were not too bad this time. Overall, I had a much more enjoyable experience with this novel than its predecessor. Does it still have room for improvement? Yes. Is it the best YA fantasy series I have read? No. But it has potential and it has me intrigued so I will probably keep myself aware of the release of the next book in the series and give it a shot. 

[cecilywolfe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredibly intense - I didn't realize that this wasn't the end of the story, so I was a little thrown off by the ending. I am so glad it will continue. The drama and competition between the sisters (and unlike most readers, I don't have a favorite, although Katharine scares me the most) is absolutely insane and I don't want it to end!

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought this was a very good follow up novel to the first (Three Dark Crowns) and it left me absolutely ravenous for the next installment! This is a fun and inventive young adult fantasy series and while it has the usual tropes; love triangles, teenage melodrama, sibling rivalry, fantastic settings, etc., it still stood out. The three queens (triplets separated at a young age to live within communities that shared their same powers) must battle during their sixteenth year and only one will be victorious and become the new de-facto queen of the whole island. The other two will be lost to history. Things get interesting though in this book and the one everyone thought would be the victor isn't looking too hot. Suddenly it's anyone's game. More excitement, more romance, more drama. I'm eating this series up!

[shellypya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Preparing for the queens' sixteenth birthday celebration and navigating the fallout of the Quickening, the sisters reassess their strategic paths to the throne using new understandings of their powers and destinies.

[kegoodwin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kendare Blake does it again! I didn't love One Dark Throne quite as much as Three Dark Crowns; however, it is still a fascinating book full of twists and surprises. Just when I am rooting for one of the sisters, Kendare takes me in another direction. I am extremely happy that the author has signed on for two more books in the series.

[mrnattania72 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This picks up right where it’s predecessor left us, filled with high energy action, and it just keeps building. Alliances are made and broken, deals are swindled and explanations for the bizarre are given. This tale of three sisters, separated at birth and raised as 1 a poisoner, 1 a naturalist and 1 as an elemental; takes you around, swings you up and thro s you across the room with twists and an unlimited supply of surprises. Don’t start with this one - have the full exposition from 3 Dark Crowns helps exceptionally to keep you moving through this part of the full story !! LOVED IT

[titania86_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Katherine has ascended from being the weakest potential queen to the strongest. Arsinoe found out that her power lies in poison. Mirabella faces the most opposition as the one having the most power. All three sisters vie for a throne because of toxic traditions that call for the death of two of the triplets only to repeat again with their own children when their reign is over.There's something about this series that I'm reluctant to read it at first, but before I know it I'm halfway through the book in one sitting. The story just grabs me even though there are a lot of plots and main characters to follow. I grew to hate Katherine in this book because she's the only one gunning to kill her sisters, trying to game the system, and pretending to be a poisoner when she's not. I felt for her last book, but my sympathy is gone now Arsinoe makes some pretty terrible decisions this book. Her core is still that strong, practical woman we saw in the previous book who completely expects to die in this fight. Mirabella gets caught up in misunderstandings, but she's the most steadfastly good person in the book. I like all three sisters in their own way. Some are making frustrating decisions and turning against each other, but all the sisters are sympathetic.The action seems to move much faster since the world has already been established. The sisters' past is seen in more detail as they meet someone they haven't seen since they were taken from the Black Cottage. It puts their reality more into perspective and shows how the traditions of their society have harmed them. The only lacking parts are in the side characters like Jules and Joseph. I didn't really care for their relationship or the overprotective way Jules treats Arsinoe. I will read the series to the end, but it does take me a little while to get into the story.

[kerilynned · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think I may have liked this one even better than the first! Probably just because it moved a little faster and everything had already been set up. I like the way things played out for the most part. I did like the ending of the first book at little better just because it was more of a cliffhanger that left me wanting more. This ended ok, just not AS eager to continue and find out what happens next.