Title: The Young Queens
Author: Kendare Blake
Publisher/Year: Harper Collins 12/26/17
Length: 89 Pages
Series: Three Dark Crowns #0.2
Overview
In this must-read prequel to Kendare Blake’s New York Times bestselling Three Dark Crowns, the queens’ origin story is revealed. It’s a pre-crown lowdown of Fennbirn’s ruling class.
Mirabella, Arsinoe, and Katharine weren’t always scheming to murder each other. They weren’t always surrounded by rival foster families, each swearing to have their best interests at heart. And they weren’t always afraid of being unexpectedly attacked—by one of their own sisters, no less—in a way that could cost them their last breath.
They used to be together. Just three sisters. Alone in a glen.
This is the story of the three queens—after they were born, before they were separated, during the time when they all lived together, loved each other, and protected each other. It’s also the story of the day they were torn apart, and the several years that follow.
From birth to eleven years old, this is a rare glimpse of the queens’ lives…before they were at stake.
My Thoughts
In this series we were first intoduced to the queens just as they were coming of age, each trying to live up to the legacy that is bestowed upon the triplet queens, so that one – the one that was the strongest could take power from the rest. We knew that there were 2 that were not quite able, and yet we never really saw how they grew up and came to be.
In this prequel of sorts, we get to see how they were as young girls, before they were separated and taken to their own host cities to learn their skills (or not) and truly learn to hate (and forget) one another.
The way that this novella is written, we get glimpses into the lives of these girls when they were still at the cottage up until they turned 6. we saw who was the protector, and who was the caring one. We saw how hard it was for them to get taken from one another, and yet no one really cared since it’s what’s done.
From there, we get to see how their lives truly progressed over the years in each of their new homes, and it’s really interesting to see some of the side stories as they happened too. We got to see how Mirabella was feared because of her power, and as a result, she was locked up for a bit.
Then there’s katherine, the poisoner who’s not quite a poisoner, and how she takes all the torture that she’s gone through because that’s what’s expected of her. makes you less surprised when you see what’s become of her in the main series. And don’t forget Arsinoe. the naturalist who isn’t quite there yet, and we see how she tries to scape and the punishment that gets all of some of the more important supporting characters banished.
All in all, it sets up the backstory for the series in a way that really does help us understand the foundation for how things came to pass, and really makes us a bit less surprised about what has just transpired in the coming installments and what the future holds since there’s still so much left that’s unsettled. i can’t wait for what’s next since there are bigger and better story lines coming since there are secrets that are coming to life. on that note – enjoy!
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