CROWN OF THREE

Three new stars in the sky foretell triplets who will overthrow the evil King Brutan, end strife in Toronia, and rule together in peace.

Shortly after their birth, the triplets are sent into hiding. Tarlan is placed in Yalasti, where Mirith the witch raises him in the ice and snow. Gulph survives as a member of the Tangletree Players, a troupe of traveling performers. Elodie is raised as a royal in the court of Lord Vicerin. As they grow, each develops a unique skill. Tarlan can communicate with animals, Gulph is a master contortionist, and Elodie can converse with the dead. Each triplet is sought out by a member of Trident, a resistance group dedicated to fulfillment of the prophecy. Their journeys to destiny are fraught with danger. Power-hungry aristocrats, an insane king, and deceitful comrades all seek to derail their plans. Chapters rotate from one triplet to the next, following each of the three paths to the throne. Unfortunately, with each shift the narrative energy wanes, and the storylines muddle. A too-large cast of supporting characters only adds to the confusion. Surprising details, like a prison that resembles a giant steel nest and an army of ghosts, are lost in the otherwise featureless tale.

A promising story that fails to deliver.