Reviews

Five Dark Fates by Kendare Blake

reenzbeanz's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This was a wild ride! The ending wasn’t perfect, and it still left some threads that I am wondering about. But the amount of drama in this book was worth the wait! I love the combination of beautiful magic and the darkness of Fennibern; I will definitely miss it.

huntergallagher's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

idk_rn's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

fionacashell's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This series gives off strong CW Network meets Game of Thrones energy, in the best possible way. There were a few plot points I had been hoping for that didn’t take place, but I am still satisfied with the ending we got. (I guess I am a fan of polarizing endings!) These books have a wide cast of distinct characters and it was great to see them interact in different combinations in this book.

An aspect of this series that always fascinated me was the blurred line between superstition and reality. We know that this is a world with a spiritual history, but characters often display doubt in the extent of the island’s powers. I liked that the priestesses weren’t always in line with what the island wanted, mimicking corruption in religious institutions. I think this is captured in particular by
Spoiler Mirabella and Katharine’s deaths. I interpreted that as the island restoring its traditional order by having one surviving queen, even if she chooses not to lead in the end. It’s for that reason that I am at peace with their deaths, even if I would have loved to see a reunion.


The one thing I really wished would have happened but didn’t was
Spoiler Katharine and Pietyr’s reunion. They were my favourite couple as I am a big fan of “villainous character is soft for one person” relationships. Even if she still needed to die, I wish we could have seen them together again when Katharine was no longer possessed.


I would definitely rank this high on my list of favourite YA fantasy series. The story took me in unexpected directions, and I have a feeling if I re-read them I would pick up different elements than on my first read. I don’t often read companion novellas, but I may have to make an exception for this world.

astrireads's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I am so happy that I spontaneously picked up Kendare Blake's Three Dark Crowns series. It has turned out to be such an epic journey, for me to be accompanied by such strong female characters was unexpectedly amazing. Five Dark Fates has shocked me in some parts (as expected from Kendare's books!), like seriously, it had me shook! I think it has given a perfect ending to all the wonderfully written characters in this series. It is for sure, a series I would not soon forget.

vix682's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This was a disappointment, I felt annoyed with the conflict between the characters. I really liked the world building: an island of people with powers, given by a goddess, separated from the mainland and ruled by a Queen who is chosen by having to kill her sisters. The lore of Queen Elsabet and how it ties into what is going on currently was one of my favorite parts. So wild how all the political injustice comes back to mess everything up! However this book doesn't do the build up justice. We hear about Queen Daphne and Illiann and how it ties into the ravaging mist but not why it's happening. And poor Mira is sacrificed to it then.... Nothing changes!?! It still continues to kill people in the war. I also hate that Mira had to die I really liked her, she seemed the most level headed, but everyone else knew she was the key to the mist except her. Girl was just trying to find answers to her zombie sister.

robinhood2000's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This entire series was beautiful! The characters were amazing, the story madness and the triplet tradition and the powers brilliant. Recommend to everyone!

grayscale08's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

aemitch1213's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

3.0

dantos's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75