Rinehart presents a compelling variant on the archetypal tale of the evil king and the avenging heir. The war-ravaged kingdom of Toronia is trapped beneath the heel of tyrannical King Brutan, and its only hope for peace and salvation lies in the hands of royal triplets Agulphus, Elodie, and Tarlan, who, in order to fulfill a longed-for prophecy, were smuggled out of the palace on the night of their birth. Now thirteen, they lead vastly different lives -- Gulph as contortionist in a troupe of traveling entertainers; Elodie as the adopted daughter of a lord; and Tarlan as apprentice to a frost witch in the depths of the icy wilderness -- but each is pulled inexorably back toward their shared destiny. Together they must find a way to fulfill the prophecy and thus regain the throne, or all will be lost. Told from the alternating perspectives of the three heirs, this tightly plotted novel is filled with magic, intrigue, and unexpected edges. The story moves unstoppably forward, taking the reader on a brutal ride through a land of giant eagles and undead armies, and culminating in a battle brought to life by gruesomely vivid storytelling. The epic conclusion will leave readers eager to get their hands on the planned sequel. emma loy-santelli (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In this pseudonymously written first book in the Crown of Three trilogy, 13-year-old royal triplets who have been separated their entire lives are dragged into a bloody conflict to overthrow their despotic father and restore order to their homeland of Toronia. Elodie grew up as a noble, an unwitting pawn in an attempt to sway the balance of power. Tarlan was raised in the distant mountains by a witch, taught to speak the language of magical creatures and befriended by the eaglelike "therrods." Gulph was adopted by traveling performers and has used his flexibility and acrobatics to entertain. In accordance with prophecy, events conspire to bring each of them into play, joining various rebel and conspirational factions. When the king is killed and his unstable heir takes the throne, everything falls apart, leading to horrific consequences involving an army of the undead and a winner-takes-all clash. With a complicated mix of politics, interweaving plotlines, and a heavy (and quite gruesome) body count, this novel reads like Game of Thrones on a mellow day-definitely aimed at the older end of the middle-grade audience. Ages 9-13. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 6-8-Toronia has been at war for over 1,000 years. Its king is a cruel tyrant, and the people are poor and hungry. Many years ago, a prophecy proclaimed that triplets born to the king would kill him and rule together in his stead, bringing with them a time of peace. For 13 years these triplets have been hidden away, separated from one another and leading very different lives. Tarlan was raised in the frozen tundra of Yalasti with his Thorrods, giant birds who are like family to him, unaware of the prophecy. Gulph was a performer with the Tangletree players until the Queen takes him captive and inadvertently sets the prophecy in motion. Elodie is the only one who is conscious of her princess status. However, she was fooled by her caretaker and unaware of the existence of her brothers. The story is fast-paced, and the world is accessible and absorbing. The characters are well developed, and their motives are believable. The narrative alternates among the perspectives of the three siblings and it all flows together well. There is quite a bit of violence throughout as well as some gory elements. VERDICT A good start to what will probably be a popular fantasy adventure series.-Kristyn Dorfman, The Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, NY (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In this action-packed debut, triplets born to an evil king are spirited away at birth so they will survive to fulfill the prophesy that they will overthrow their father and rule the kingdom. Unaware of their true parentage or even the others' existence, Agulphus performs as a contortionist with a troupe of entertainers, while Tarlan lives with a witch and giant birds as his sole companions. Only their sister, Elodie, raised by a lord, knows her real father's identity and her destiny as a ruler. Told in three acts, the story alternates between each sibling, all now 13, as they are kidnapped, imprisoned, and forced to fight an undead army, all while confronting their destinies and magical abilities. All three are flawed characters that learn from their mistakes as they mature, although some readers may be annoyed that it is Elodie, the female, who is initially portrayed as spoiled and bratty. The story is sometimes hard to follow, and the pacing is uneven, but the ending races to a rousing finish in preparation for the sequel.--Rawlins, Sharon Copyright 2015 Booklist

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. (Fantasy. 9-13) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.