Three Dark Crowns

Holy smokes, this book. I started it Thurs. night and read every spare minute until yesterday when I finished. Had I been less busy,3 Crowns would have been finished in a night. Blake's storytelling is just mesmerizing. I loved Anna Dressed in Blood. This one though-hoo boy!

Here's the thing, had I known it was going to be a series, I would not have read it yet. I'll probably have a hundred plus books in by the time the second one comes out and I wont remember this super intense plot. So, be forewarned! I may end up have to reread.

I'm going to stay spoiler-free here and say that I loved each of the queens equally. I just don't have a clear favorite and I think they have one of the worst scenarios I've ever read in fiction (just shy of The Hunger Games).

This also a very feminist read- and before you even say that she is degrading men I just want to point out that ALL of the males in this story are the EXACT stereotypes of the female characters in every high fantasy story since the dawn of time. There is the one that is a lover, that creates tension in warring houses, there is the bridegroom to be auctioned off to increase a powerful family's standing, and there is a martyr who wants to protect the hero at whatever cost. Just because they are not locked in towers awaiting queens to rescue them the tropes are all present and have been cleverly gender reversed. It's all a bit delicious actually.

To recap: I love, love, loved this. I wish like hell I had not read it. Not yet.

2019 review edit: Just finished this for a second time. This time I listened to the audio. The plan is to do all three books in preparation for the publication of the 4th (and final?) book.
Still love it.