Five Dark Fates
In this conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series, Five Dark Fates begins with the rebellion 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 the 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.
Blake is a master world builder and her skills were on full display with the final book in her thrilling series. The way she designed Fennbirn and its culture drew me in from the first book. I love how as the books progressed, the island became another character, especially when the mist began to attack. Yet the mist was only reacting to the possession of Katharine. Once the dead queens were destroyed, the mist was no longer a threat, showing that the island protected its own.
I also enjoyed reading the progression of Arisoe’s relationship with Billy. We not only saw the attraction grow from a spark to a committed relationship, but the trials they faced and the separation they had to endure. I like how Blake chose to end the book with Arisoe going to visit Billy and re-establish that connection. Although the reader is left hanging, I suspect Arisoe and Billy are very happy together, be it on Fennbirn or the mainland.
My initial rating for this book was quite high, and it still is, but as I’ve thought about Five Dark Fates more, I’m saddened. I would have liked Katharine, Mirabella, and Arisoe to be able to live together happily without the pressure of ruling. Through Mirabelle and Arisoe, we saw that the sisters were able to push past the resentment and love each other fiercely. But Katharine never got the chance to form that bond, especially not with Arisoe. The death of Mirabella at her hands sealed Katharine’s fate. I don’t think Katharine deserved death, but I’m not sure what kind of person she would have been once the dead queens were gone. Perhaps she was too far gone. But I still would have liked her to get that chance to be her own person again. I’m disappointed that only Arisoe truly got a happy ending, and even then hers was a hard-fought one.
I like to think that in some alternate universe, the sisters are sitting by the fire, drinking tea and sharing old stories, Fennbirn forgotten.
Five Dark Fates Rating: ★★★★.5
Blake is a master world builder and her skills were on full display with the final book in her thrilling series. The way she designed Fennbirn and its culture drew me in from the first book. I love how as the books progressed, the island became another character, especially when the mist began to attack. Yet the mist was only reacting to the possession of Katharine. Once the dead queens were destroyed, the mist was no longer a threat, showing that the island protected its own.
I also enjoyed reading the progression of Arisoe’s relationship with Billy. We not only saw the attraction grow from a spark to a committed relationship, but the trials they faced and the separation they had to endure. I like how Blake chose to end the book with Arisoe going to visit Billy and re-establish that connection. Although the reader is left hanging, I suspect Arisoe and Billy are very happy together, be it on Fennbirn or the mainland.
My initial rating for this book was quite high, and it still is, but as I’ve thought about Five Dark Fates more, I’m saddened. I would have liked Katharine, Mirabella, and Arisoe to be able to live together happily without the pressure of ruling. Through Mirabelle and Arisoe, we saw that the sisters were able to push past the resentment and love each other fiercely. But Katharine never got the chance to form that bond, especially not with Arisoe. The death of Mirabella at her hands sealed Katharine’s fate. I don’t think Katharine deserved death, but I’m not sure what kind of person she would have been once the dead queens were gone. Perhaps she was too far gone. But I still would have liked her to get that chance to be her own person again. I’m disappointed that only Arisoe truly got a happy ending, and even then hers was a hard-fought one.
I like to think that in some alternate universe, the sisters are sitting by the fire, drinking tea and sharing old stories, Fennbirn forgotten.
Five Dark Fates Rating: ★★★★.5