Spoiler: Queens of Fennbirn by Kendare Blake

 So let's just start by saying that I absolutely love this series. It is dark, political and fantasy. It was interesting to see the past in this world.

The Young Queens:
I really enjoyed that the queens were young enough to not quite understand what was going to happen between them. I didn't realize that they didn't know from birth what their roles were going to be. Watching them together, then watching them split apart was hard, but important to better understand their characters in the main series. I especially enjoyed Mirabella's storyline because it helps us to understand why she still remembered her sisters so vividly. It was horrible but beautiful. Exactly what I've come to expect from the series (I mean this in the best possible way. 

The Oracle Queen: 
I think that this is one of my favourite novellas to have read in any series. There are so many hints dropped in the main storyline about the "Mad Oracle Queen" who is the reason that any Oracle queen born is put to death. Watching how this queens story unfolded was heart-wrenching. I can't imagine what she must have gone through in her last years in the tower. It also helped us better understand the families that remain in great powerful houses under the queens. 

I enjoyed these novellas immensely and can't wait to finish the series and see how Kendare Blake manages to wrap the story. That being said, I know that I will be sad when it has come to a close.


Final Line: "'I do like it, Gilbert. I love it.'"

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Queens of Fennbirn by Kendare Blake

Title: Queens of Fennbirn 
Author: Kendare Blake
Series/Standalone: Three Dark Crowns (Book 0.1- 0.2)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dark
Pages: 232
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2018
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)
First Line: "The day of the birth of the queens who would come to be known as Mirabella, Arsinoe, and Katherine was still, unremarkable, and without omens."


"Uncover the sisters' origins, dive deep into the catastrophic reign of the Oracle Queen and reveal layers of Fennbirn's past hidden until now.

THE YOUNG QUEENS
Get a glimpse of the triplet queens Mirabella, Arsinoe, and Katharine during a short period of time when they protected and loved one another. From birth until their claiming ceremonies, this is the story of the three sisters' lives... before they were at stake.

THE ORACLE QUEEN
Everyone knows the legend of Elsabet, the Oracle Queen. The one who went mad. The one who orchestrated a senseless, horrific slaying of three entire houses. But what really happened? Discover the true story behind the queen who could foresee the future... just not her own downfall."

My Rating:  5/5

I know that many people don't read the related novellas to a series and to them I say you are truly missing a part of the story. Kendare Blake does such a wonderful job of world-building and character development that even in a few 100 pages you are able to learn so much about the past. It also helps you to better understand some hints that are left throughout the main series itself. I particularly loved the second story, The Oracle Queen. We had heard mention that all seer queens were drowned at birth due to the Mad Queen. I can't wait to continue this series and hope to finish it very soon. To those looking into reading this series I strongly recommend the audiobooks.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny