Guys. Guys! GUYS!!

This book was SO GOOD. I read it in practically one sitting at work while waiting for my computer to function. (Long story, but I was never so glad my computer was not working at full speed.)

Premise: MC is at a crossroads. Magic mirror pops up and shows the MC three different paths she can take. She can only take one, she must decide after living through all of them and she won't remember the other two once she makes her decision.

This was BRILLIANTLY written. The characters all grew with each iteration, it all unfolded organically and believably and, best yet, the MC made the choice I would have made, so WOOT, me for the win, lol!

I don't want to spoil this AT ALL. I'm just going to say go; get this book and read it. I think you will really enjoy it! It has murder and some rather violent naughty bits that aren't overly described, but you know what's going on and it's not very pleasant. Not rape, but pretty darn close to it So that may be a trigger. The violence, while not overly graphic, is obvious what is happening. I would say this is best for older mature teens up through adult.

5, wow that surprised me in a good way, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books Rebel Base Books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

This was terrifically entertaining, and I had no idea that it was part of a series. At a certain point in Olivia's life, a mirror appears in front of her and her life, or potential life, is shown to her. The outcome of each path affects the entire kingdom, not just herself. At the "end" of each path, the story rewinds and Olivia is shown another path. After she is shown all three possibilities, she is told she must choose. None is a perfect choice, and each will involve some sort of sacrifice.

I loved this story. It was different, and the character development was strong. I really can't think of any negatives. Highly recommended.

*ARC via netgalley*

A charming fantasy book with interesting characters and a fascinating plot.
I really enjoyed the book and was hooked since the beginning.
The basic idea of three possible futures is really interesting and gives the plot an unique flavour.
Even this is the second book in a series I had no problem in understanding the plot. Unfortunately we do not know if the next book will feature Olivia and if it will be able to see any further development in her story.
Recommended for fantasy lover.
Many thanks to Kensigton Books and Netgalley

A Choice of Crowns, by author Barb Hendee, is the second installment in the authors Dark Glass series. I will open my review by stating that each of these books are standalone's. You have a beginning, middle, and an ending. If you've read the first book, Through a Dark Glass, you know that a 3-way magical mirror appears at a crossroads in the central character's life. The mirror gives the central character the good and the bad of each of the consequences she will face if she chooses a certain path.

Each avenue is shown in its entirety and then the chosen is told to choose what pathway they think will be best for them. This is 18-year old Olivia Giroux's story. Olivia is the youngest daughter of Hugh Giroux. She is told that she has no choice but to marry King Rowan since it has already been negotiated between him and the Dowager Queen. But, of course, there are caveats that I won't spoil. During a pivotal moment in the story, when Princess Ashton is facing death at the hands of Olivia's only real ally and an assassin, a 3-way mirror appears to her.

The mirror tells Olivia that she is at a crossroads. She is told that she will live out three outcomes of three different choices but won't remember them after her choice is made.

1. If she hesitates and doesn't do anything to stop an assassin from killing Ashton, she will die, and Olivia will become Queen.

2. If she calls for help, another character will die, Olivia may gain great powers, but her own happiness might be put in the background.

3. If she runs to stop the assassin from killing a key character, she will know love and contentment, but her entire country will face ruination at the hands of the person who rules the country.

Olivia thoroughly struggles to keep her promise of marrying Rowan even though he clearly favors his step-sister Ashton. Olivia and Ashton quickly become friends. Even though there is an ICK factor when it comes to Rowan's obsession with Ashton, it is Olivia's choices that really separate her story from Megan, the previous story's protagonist. I do declare that the idea behind being given three choices, and then deciding what path you think will fit for your own happy ending is intriguing to me. Many times in life we get to a point in the road what if you turn left, life may have been a bit easier for you. If you turn right, well, you find out that free choice can sometimes be a real bitch.

The third installment in this series, A Girl of White Winter, releases in November 2018. The author and publisher have offered up a teaser, of sorts, introducing the newest character. Very interesting indeed.

A Choice of Crowns by Barb Hendee is the second book in the young adult historical fantasy Dark Glass series. In the series the main character of each book is given the chance to see what three different outcomes would be for an event that will change the course of their life.

In this installment Olivia Geroux has been sent to wed King Rowan but when she arrives at court she finds the arrogant King is not keen on the idea of marrying her. Knowing it is what is expected of her Olivia struggles with how to get the King to change his mind when she is given the opportunity to see into the future and make a choice on what path she will take.

While A Choice of Crowns is the second book of the series this one can be read as a standalone if readers choose to do so. The characters and situation have changed with the three choices being what ties the books together giving them that fantasy edge but the story mostly feels as if reading a historical novel in the time of courts and Kings.

When reading the first book myself I enjoyed the idea of changing one small detail in a certain event would lead to a different future for the main character however I thought as those choices played out it seemed to get repetitive. This made me hesitate a bit in continuing on with this second book but now that I’ve finished I do think this one made a big improvement in that area so I enjoyed it that much more. This series is shaping up to be a rather nice historical read with that twist of fantasy giving it a bit of uniqueness.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

So... this was my first foray into this world and this idea. It's very interesting. I like the prologue that frames the story, and I liked reading the three different stories and how you could see the same situation from different perspectives. I felt like the short stories themselves were a little rushed, and I also felt like I wanted more after the choice was made. The short stories left me wanting more. I don't know if the next book will let me see more of the outcome from this book and the choice that was made.

After I finished this book, I went and read the previous book and it's in the same world, and the King gets a mention, but it's mainly all different characters. So, I'm not certain how connected the future books will be.

Anywho... it was interesting and fun, and I was left wanting more. That's never a bad thing, right?

A type of fairy tale that is definitely dark and mixed with alternate timelines, sort of a what if situation with the intervention of a "magic mirror". I've found myself quite liking this series. It has a realism to the dark situations and the lack of a fairy tale ending despite the fantastical elements that is very engaging to an adult reader. Both of the ones in this series that I've read so far have been very different situations with only the magic mirror theme to link them. That said it is a very clever device and I like the choose your own adventure feel to it (although we don't really choose, that is left to the main character). Very engaging and unique. I'd highly recommend it.

I had no idea this was the second in a series! NetGalley should've told me. That being said, I still enjoyed this novel and I want o go back and read the first one now. It's well written and while Olivia isn't my favorite character in the world. I enjoy that she felt like a fully flushed out character. I loved seeing the different paths she could take. I wasn't surprised that she chose the one she did though. It seemed pretty obvious to me.


Live on my blog 1/20/18
http://sweetcherry69.blogspot.com/

A girl and three possible futures... that’s the storyline of this book. Unfortunately, it was too short - the characters and events didn’t have enough room in the book, no room for development, not enough pages for reader to make a connection with the characters.

But the good thing is, that she made the right choice.

I loved the first book of the dark glass series and this was an even better sequel.

Olivia is a noblewoman being forced by her father into marriage to the king. Olivia isn’t exactly unwilling, but this is not her decision and it is made clear she will be sold off in marriage to a brute if she fails in marrying the king.

King Rowan is handsome and proud and into his stepsister.

Eww.....


So while Olivia is actually making a friendship with Aston, the stepsister, Rowan is ignoring her the best he can. Olivia uncovers a plot to assassinate the princess and that’s where our story splits.

She can hesitate, call for help, or act immediately herself.

With the last book, each choice felt similar for the first chapters and by the third story it felt repetitious. Each timeline in this story felt different and unique. Also the actual choice made isn’t necessarily the best choice for Olivia and I wasn’t sure if that would have been the one I would have picked. I loved that instead of one obvious choice, each one has a good and bad consequence.

This story is part of a series but you don’t have to read one to enjoy the other.

I can’t wait for book three!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

You could say A Choice of Crowns is three novels in one. Olivia Geroux is betrothed to King Rowan. She knew he was reluctant to marry, but didn't realize it was because of his obsession with his stepsister, Princess Ashton. When she witnesses her greatest ally arranging for Ashton’s death, Olivia is given a remarkable opportunity - to see the results of the three paths open to her. First, the novel continues as if she hesitates before acting. Then she sees what will happen if she calls for help. Finally she sees what happens if she stops the murder herself. In each case the novel plays through to the conclusion. At the end she must choose based on the results she sees within the magic mirror. It’s an interesting approach. I expect that Barb Hendee will use the same technique in future novels in this series. The magic mirror will appear at an important crossroads in the central character’s life and will show the consequences of their actions or inactions.
I enjoyed A Choice of Crowns. Barb Hendee does an excellent job bringing Olivia’s dilemma to life, and making that choice a difficult one.
4 / 5
I received a copy of A Choice of Crowns from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom

I liked this better than her last one in the series. You don't have to read it but it was the same with the three choices. This time the main character really had to choose what she had to sacrifice. Either she was happy with the man she loved, she had friendship and power, or a loveless marriage as queen. To be with the man she loved, her friend would have a horrible life. If she picked being by her friend's side then she can't be with the man she loves. The king is horrible so being married to him was not a choice.
In the end, she picked the choice I wanted.
Can't wait for the next one.

read the first book in this series and absolutely loved it. I was looking so forward to this book, only to find myself disappointed. It is a standalone book so you do not need to read the first in the series. It was the same premise of a young woman given the opportunity to see how her life would turn out given 3 choices, the problem was unlike the first book we only got to see about a year into the future of each choice. That made it feel like 3 unfinished short stories.All three choices were crap, there was no way to avoid major suffering. I liked that. Olivia had a much tougher choice than her predecessor. However I wish we at least got to see how her life played out with the choice she made. Instead we were left with a cliffhanger, and since the next book features a new heroine we will most likely never get know what happened to Olivia. I wish as much time that was spent setting up Olivia’s story had been spent wrapping it up.

A Choice Of Crowns is the sequel to Through A Dark Glass, which was a brilliant book in itself. Both books are stand-alone and are only linked by the way the stories have been structured by the wonderful Barb Hendee and that they are all set in the same world.

As with the previous book this is a novel about choices and consequences and this time it's the turn of nobleman's daughter Olivia Geroux to make the biggest choice of her life, a choice that will affect her future AND the future of those she loves and cared about. Negotiations have been made for her to marry the king, a king who doesn't really want to marry her and who is (creepily) infatuated with his step-sister, Princess Ashton. Olivia overhears a threat to the princesses life and comes across the magic mirror imbued with a witch from the first book giving her the chance to make a choice but what should she do?

~ If she hesitates only a moment, the princess will die—and she will become queen.
~ If she calls for help, she will gain great power—but she must also thrust away her own happiness.
~ If she runs to stop the murder herself, she will know love and contentment—but her whole country will suffer.

None of her choices turn out to be particularly good for Olivia whereas in the previous book the choices would work out slightly better for the heroine. It's a simple case of what would you do if you could live through each choice, one after another, and make an informed choice on your future and potential happiness based on such a dire decision.

Barb Hendee has written Olivia's choices in an intriguing and very plausible indeed. Again the book has great pacing and makes for a exciting and tense read. The character are well written and explored and the friendship between Olivia and Ashton is a the highlight of the choices and the book in general. The King himself made me quite angry though-out the book and I found him to be a rather ugly, arrogant and generally disgusting excuse for a man, and to be quite honest his step-mother isn't much better. There are some genuinely sweet moments and some horrifically tense moments too, all of which gives the book good depth and makes it a memorable read

Would I recommend this book and the series to date? Yes, I would..... Hendee is a talented writer and I always really enjoy reading her work both alone and with J. C. Hendee. She has quickly become a go-to and auto-buy author and I seriously love her work. Bring on the final Dark Glass tale.......

4.25 STARS!

Yes! Exactly what I was hoping for. Barb Hendee has done it again! She leaves me wanting more... It seems I am never satisfied.. A choice of Crowns is the second book in the series and in my opinion, it's the best one so far. I love how we learn each person's character through the decisions and difficulties they must go through in each separate scenario. Very original!

There is just something about this series that is so engrossing. I pick up the book, start reading and just can't put it down! Just like the first in the series, it has intrigue, murder, love, lust, hate friendship, plots, twists but it is so different.. It is superbly written and well done.

As for the decision she must make, so not what I was expecting! Definetly worth reading and rereading.

I didn't know this was the second book and while it can be read as a standalone, I still loved the fact that I was able to read about another young woman's choice.

Unlike the first in the series, Olivia faced choices that were surrounded by politics and friendship more so then love.
I actually love the route the author took with the final choice. It was one I would choose but it was not one I expected to be the ending. It was a fair middle ground. It was not the best or the worst.

This series is quickly becoming a favorite

I received a copy of A Choice of Crowns by Barb Hendee from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book by Barb Hendee that I have read and as with her first novel - Through a Dark Glass - I quite enjoyed it. The summary was intriguing and well written to appeal to potential readers. Then the novel itself was fast paced with a fresh/different plot than the norm.

The protagonist, Olivia Geroux, was incredibly well-written and even though her character was always aware of its social standing and family obligations, as well as the social mores for her class level, she wasn't corrupt or cold. Olivia was ambitious in wanting to improve her social standing to gain power, independence, and influence, but her character was complex, without seeming brittle - a difficult feat by any writer, but Barb Hendee pulled it off.

I would definitely recommend A Choice of Crowns or Through a Dark Glass by Barb Hendee to any reader!

Oh I LIKED this ever so much.

I enjoyed the first book (Through a Dark Glass) quite a bit, though it had some problems with repetition, illogic at times and the fact none of the choices would have been BAD ones. Not overtly. There was pain, but in the end Megan's choices were all more or less safe and had sacrifices which were acceptable.

Olivia? Well. She had three choices, all alike in basic sacrifices that largely did not greatly improve the happiness of her choice. Whereas for Megan choosing one brother over another led to a different brother dying and varying degrees of comfort and satisfaction in life, Olivia's choice quite literally meant her country would flourish or be crushed by her choice of who she let die.

Despite the fact Olivia is not exactly "likeable" much of the time, I did appreciate that she wasn't as passive as Megan in any life she chose. Whether she hesitated, acted with help or acted alone - they were choices Olivia made and that she understood the consequences for. She knew what her future would bring if she let the Princess live - failure and a sentence of death essentially because of the man her father chose for her as a back up husband. How she survives that however is what is most interesting.

As to the choices themselves, my reaction varies greatly about how things turn out.

Hesitating (and thus the Princess dies) means that Olivia is given the life she set out for (marriage to the King), but she finds the perks of that station are few and far between. She learns to content herself with what she can take joy in and finds a way to be useful in protecting her country.

Getting help (thus saving the Princess, letting the King die) means that Olivia finds herself a position of envy and a place to belong at the Princess' side as they protect their country together...but she has to give up a love that she doesn't know she needs.

Saving the Princess by herself ensures that the Princess marries the King, Olivia marries her love and lives a happy life...but at the cost of her country fighting a drawn out and bloody war.

Where I think [book:Through a Dark Glass|34913650] stumbled was offering real tension for Megan. In none of the choices she could have made does she suffer unduly. Yes in each one a brother could die, and also in each one there was a period of painfulness, but she ends up happy. fulfilled. I think Hendee was trying to put forth that Megan really wanted a child. In two of the three futures she would be childless (for different reasons), so it made sense why she chose the third choice.

This was not as cut and dry. In none of the futures Olivia could choose would she be sent home. In none of them would she suffer exactly. Her choice was put your personal happiness as a sacrifice to protect your country and help its ruler. And the Olivia who started the story? The one who went to the castle to become Queen, who wanted to hate the Princess but not enough to let her die, who yearned to be something MORE...I don't know if she would have chosen as she did without the warnings the mirror gave her.

Though even in her ending choice she tried to manipulate the outcome to give her some better chance at having it all. Give the lady props she WOULD have her cake and eat it too.