Incredible, Bittersweet Ending || Buddy Read: Five Dark Fates

Susan @ Novel Lives and I made it. The final book in the Three Dark Crowns series. It’s been a fun and crazy ride, that’s for sure! You can find Susan’s review of Five Dark Fates here. I should warn that there will definitely be spoilers for the first three books in the series. But I will avoid spoilers of this glorious ending at all costs.

Title: Five Dark Fates (Three Dark Crowns, #4)
Author: Kendare Blake
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genres: YA Dark Fantasy

Official Synopsis

After the battle with Katharine, the rebellion lies in tatters. Jules’s legion curse has been unbound, leaving her out of her mind and unfit to rule. Arsinoe must find a cure, even as the responsibility of stopping the ravaging mist rests heavy on her shoulders, and her shoulders alone. Mirabella has disappeared.

Queen Katharine’s rule over Fennbirn remains intact—for now. But her attack on the rebellion exacted a high price: her beloved Pietyr. Without him, who can she rely upon when Mirabella arrives, seemingly under a banner of truce? As oldest and youngest circle each other, and Katharine begins to yearn for the closeness that Mirabella and Arsinoe share, the dead queens hiss caution—Mirabella is not to be trusted.

In this conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series, three dark sisters will rise to fight as the secrets of Fennbirn’s history are laid bare. Allegiances will shift. Bonds will be tested, and some broken forever.

The fate of the island lies in the hands of its queens.

Lasting Impressions

I’m not even sure where to begin with this review, honestly. This book is the culmination of everything I’ve read so far in this series. The characters, the magic, the mystery, the ruthlessness… it’s all come to a head. This book is exciting and fast-paced, with lots of switching of povs (which, while listening to the book at 2x speed can get confusing, but that’s my fault completely), and lots of crazy shenanigans from the sisters.

I loved the relationship that grew between Katharine and Mirabella in this book. Seeing Mirabella reach out and try to understand Katharine as she understands Arsinoe was touching. Mirabella is trying to figure out so many things—I think she was my favorite pov to listen to in this book.

Katharine is always always always fascinating to watch, so seeing her struggle even more with Pietyr by her side as she rallies her own troops and Black Council and the dead queens was so much fun to watch. I was always on the edge of my seat when she was around.

And Arsinoe. She has so many struggles, so many things she refuses to let go and sacrifice. Her determination to help Jules and the rebellion is a wonderful way to show how she’s grown in this series. She’s no longer selfishly trying to save her own life—she’s trying to help those she loves as well.

I’m really going to miss these characters, now that I’ve finished the series. Their separate journeys have been exciting and fun as well as harrowing and blood-chilling. I can’t get enough. Blake’s world building and writing is stellar as well. The ending of this book is just… well, I’ve described all of her other endings are explosive, and the author consistently delivers on that front. I loved it. It was unexpected—I did not predict what was going to happen—yet it wasn’t surprising, looking back. I really like that, how all the pieces seem to come together at last. Not everything is good and joyous at the end, which I really appreciated, but there was hope for a better beginning.

Quick Thoughts

• I really enjoyed Pietyr’s role in this book. I refuse to say anything more because of spoilers.
• I loved the little window into the future of the island the author gives at the end.
• Susan di

Overall Feelings

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This series keeps getting better and better! I can’t wait for the next book!This series is such a fantastic dark fantasy series. I would absolutely pick up anything else Kendare Blake puts out—she’s a stellar writer. For those of you who’ve been putting this series down, just know that this whole series is worth the hype. Go read it.

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