Title: Five Dark Fates
Author: Kendare Blake
Pages: 447
Publisher: Quill Tree Books (Harper Collins Imprint)
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Personal Copy
Format: Kindle

Summary (back of book):
In the final book in the Three Dark Crowns series, an all-out war is brewing - one that will pit sister against sister and dead against undead.

After the grim confrontation with Queen Katharine, the rebellion lies in tatters. Jules’s legion curse has been unbound, and it is up to Arsinone to find a cure, even as the responsibility of stopping the ravaging mist lies heavy on her shoulders, and her shoulders alone. Mirabella has disappeared.

Katharine’s reign remains intact - for now. When Mirabella arrives, seemingly under a banner of truce, Katharine begins to yearn for the closeness that Mirabella and Arsinoe share. But as the two circle each other, the dead queens hiss caution - Mirabella is not to be trusted.

In this conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series, three sisters will rise to fight as the secrets of Fennbirn’s history are laid bare. Allegiances will shift. Bonds will be tested. But the fate of the island lies in the hands of the queens. It always has.

Review:
It’s hard to review this book on its own. Let me go back a little bit.

I started this series (Three Dark Crowns) while on maternity leave with Zachary in the fall of 2016. Here’s my endorsement of this book series - let me set the scene…

It’s 2am. I’ve been home all day with this newborn who is a “frequent nurser” and a very energetic 4yo. I’ve already woken at 11 and fed Zachary and will probably be up again with him again around 4 or 4:30. My 4yo will be awake by 6 (if not earlier). And I get to repeat the day again. While I’m feeding the baby I’m reading Three Dark Crowns and it’s so good after the baby falls asleep while eating, I gently put him to the side and lean back to finish my chapter before going back to bed. I didn’t put the book away the moment I could get back into bed. I finished. The. Chapter.

The series takes place on the island of Fennbirn. In this world, people are born with gifts, of which there are 4. Poisoners are able to ingest and concoct poisons. Naturalists are bonded with animals and have familiars. Elementals can control the elements. War-gifted are strong and can do things like control the path of an arrow. In addition, some people are born as oracles (they are fading into nonexistence since oracle babies are typically killed), and of course some people are “giftless”. Each of these gifts exist on different parts of the island.

Fennbirn is a matriarchal society. Queens rule, and eventually have triplet girls. After the triplets are born, the Queen is through ruling and the new line of Queens has been created. The triplets are born with different gifts (this particular series is about a poisoner, naturalist, and an elemental queen). They live with a caregiver at the Black Cottage until they are 6, and after that, they are separated - by gift - to different parts of the island to be raised amongst the strongest gifted families in each city.

When the Queens come of age at 16, their gift has been honed and practiced. They fight to the death. There is only one Queen, and to take the throne, she must kill her sisters.

This was not the trajectory of Katharine, Arsinoe, and Mirabella. Tradition breaks.

Five Dark Fates is the conclusion of this story.

Throughout the series there are lots of twists and turns. Lots of other characters. I can’t give you a full review of this final book without spoiling a lot of what has happened thus far. There is so much backstory and lore woven into these books. The characters are vivid and fully drawn, even secondary characters. I loved everything about it - the entire series was a joy to read!

If this sounds interesting, you do need to start at book 1 (you can’t just pick up book 4). Between books 3 and 4 there are 2 novellas. They aren’t necessary to the main story but they give a lot of backstory. I think they’re a big part of the tale! (Links below)

Consider using this affiliate link to start the journey with Three Dark Crowns.