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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Well, it's over. And it ended just as it had started: mediocre in every way possible.
First of all, the pacing is awful. The book dragged for at least the first 60%, absolutely nothing was happening, the characters just sat around talking, planning, and not explaining anything that was relevant in book three. Granted, I had forgotten most of that book before going into this one, so it took me a while to notice the whole subplot with Daphne/Illian went nowhere. It just wasn't relevant at all, which is so weird considering how important it was just one book ago.
Honestly, the world-building in this is weak and confusing. Nothing made any sense to me, their gifts, low magic, the Legion Curse, the Dead Queens, the Mist, every single thing felt like a plot device. Things were only explained when it was relevant to the plot, and even then it made no sense. I'm guessing some things are explained further in the novellas, but I think it's a bit shitty to not include any of that in the main books in the series, you can't expect every reader to be interested in reading side stories.
The characters are equally weak and confusing. I feel like every book the characters acted differently, there was no consistency in their personalities. But I will say that the biggest mistake in this whole series is pretending to be about the triplet queens. I still remember how messy book one was, how Mirabella was the only character marginally developed (though with a boring personality); how Katherine straight up disappeared at one point and we didn't get to hear from her until the end of the book; how Arsinoe's parts were dedicated entirely to the development of her friend Jules. The queens barely matter in the grand scheme of things, and I hate how we're supposed to care about them, when they just don't matter.
Overall, confusing, underwhelming, there were no stakes at all, the pacing was terrible, the characters were underdeveloped, and... I don't know. I thought things would be better after book three, but the thing I had enjoyed the most was the side-plot with Daphne and Illian. The fact that it's barely mentioned again just... why? Why completely set aside the one thing in the book that was interesting? Why make the whole series about a random character when the history of the queens is the best part of this series? I didn't like the direction this took, and I hated how disingenuous it was from the start.
First of all, the pacing is awful. The book dragged for at least the first 60%, absolutely nothing was happening, the characters just sat around talking, planning, and not explaining anything that was relevant in book three. Granted, I had forgotten most of that book before going into this one, so it took me a while to notice the whole subplot with Daphne/Illian went nowhere. It just wasn't relevant at all, which is so weird considering how important it was just one book ago.
Honestly, the world-building in this is weak and confusing. Nothing made any sense to me, their gifts, low magic, the Legion Curse, the Dead Queens, the Mist, every single thing felt like a plot device. Things were only explained when it was relevant to the plot, and even then it made no sense. I'm guessing some things are explained further in the novellas, but I think it's a bit shitty to not include any of that in the main books in the series, you can't expect every reader to be interested in reading side stories.
The characters are equally weak and confusing. I feel like every book the characters acted differently, there was no consistency in their personalities. But I will say that the biggest mistake in this whole series is pretending to be about the triplet queens. I still remember how messy book one was, how Mirabella was the only character marginally developed (though with a boring personality); how Katherine straight up disappeared at one point and we didn't get to hear from her until the end of the book; how Arsinoe's parts were dedicated entirely to the development of her friend Jules. The queens barely matter in the grand scheme of things, and I hate how we're supposed to care about them, when they just don't matter.
Spoiler
The deaths in this finale were also really underwhelming. Mirabella's death was such a plot device one, there was no dignity to it. Katherine's was a little better, but still messy. Also, the fact that they just let Jules be queen was just... why? And the fact that the Legion Curse meant nothing in the end and she was cured because... she fought? I guess? I absolutely hate the fact that this series is all about her, but it wasn't sold that way because it could be considered a spoiler. Still, I hate it.Overall, confusing, underwhelming, there were no stakes at all, the pacing was terrible, the characters were underdeveloped, and... I don't know. I thought things would be better after book three, but the thing I had enjoyed the most was the side-plot with Daphne and Illian. The fact that it's barely mentioned again just... why? Why completely set aside the one thing in the book that was interesting? Why make the whole series about a random character when the history of the queens is the best part of this series? I didn't like the direction this took, and I hated how disingenuous it was from the start.
Ein wendungsreiches, emotionales Finale, das diese packende Reihe abschließt. Ein letztes Mal begleiten wir die Schwestern Arsinoe, Mirabella und Katharine und müssen dabei noch vor Ende des Bandes von geliebten Figuren Abschied nehmen. Die Autorin hält uns in Atem und schenkt uns bildgewaltige, aber auch rührende Momente.
"Thank your god in your own country. Today you should thank my Goddess."
goodbye katharine ;;-;; i'll miss you so much
Overall really strong conclusion to a series that has tricked me, irritated me, but wholly enthralled me. It veered into a weird direction in these last two books and though it wasn't everything I expected when I first picked the series up, I still know that I'm gonna remember these because it apparently cannot let go of me.
They enchanted me no matter what. Fantastic atmosphere, really wonderful premise, fantastic??utterly fantastic naming conventions of locations like wtf, One Amazing Sister Who Deserved the World, always a KILLER finale to each book and some messed-up shit, and lots of moving pieces to keep track of. and it even made me mad a little. So goodbye, Three Dark Crowns, against all odds I will miss you and your beautiful aesthetics!!
Kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. A phenomenal end to the series.
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It had been a while since I finished the last book in the series that it took me a little while to remember what had happened, but it was a good way to end the series. I felt like it might have been maybe a little bit too much of a buildup, but overall I really enjoyed it.