This story wasn’t quite what I expected though I enjoyed the intrigue surrounding Sabine and her magic, and the quest that she ended up on with the princess. It was a little bit predictable in places but there were also parts I didn’t expect that brought an additional twist towards the end of the book. I’d be interested to follow more of Sabine’s story and see where this road takes her and whether she continues to work with the princess or not. I didn’t find myself particularly attached to any of the characters, more to the plot, which was a shame but perhaps that could change with the rest of the series.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Thank you so much for letting me listen to this audiobook. I very much enjoyed this audiobook listen. It was perfect for a lazy summer evening. The author managed to grab me and and didn't let go until the very end. Can't wait for the next installment.

I’ve been wanting to read from adrienne tooley for a while because she only writes sapphic fantasy books and i’m always here for that. I really liked this one, proof is, i read it in 2 days! now go on and tell me this book doesn’t take place in a fantasy version of the US… I’ll wait. between the whole church/state aspect of the plot, how a certain neighborhood of the city is being abandoned, how the church is weaponizing the religion, i mean they even call the places of worship CHURCHES, what else do you need to see that this is the fantasy equivalent of christianity. i also liked who the new maiden turned out to be because it follows that idea that, if jesus was alive in 2023, he’d be a marginalized minority and hated by the people supposedly following him. maybe i’m reading too much into it but the coincidence was just THERE. i liked our 2 main characters because they both don’t follow the usual stereotypes when it comes to YA fantasy main characters. i mean, one is a princess and the other has magical powers but they both have flaws and make bad decisions, elodie was depicted as ambitious which i always like seeing in my books, we love an ambitious woman. i think if you liked ead and sabran’s romance in priory of the orange tree as well as all the politics of Inys you might like this book as well. no dragons but sapphic slow burn so that’s a win too! 4⭐️ and will definitely read the sequel.

In a Queendom where the Third Daughter holds the throne, Elodie, who is the eldest, wants to take some drastic measures in a move she believes will protect her sister, who is due to inherit the throne

This leads to her paths crossing with Sabine, who has magic in her tears and her family rely on this power to get them by.

After a little vial mix up, Elodie requires to revive her sister and needs Sabine to help her do it... what she doesn't know is the mix up has also led to issues with Sabines own sister too.

A lot of build up to the end of this book, also amazing development and connections formed between the girls along the way. Cannot wait to see where the story goes after this!

This is out today and thank you to NetGalley, Adrienne and Hodderscape for the chance to read and review this early.

I read the first half on kindle, switched to audio until about the last 10%. Both formats were throughly enjoyable and I think this story will sweep you away no matter what format you choose

This book, though! I admit that I went into The Third Daughter with very high expectations. The summary and first page (see my first line Friday) gave me strong Three Dark Crown vibes. And it did have some similarities- sibling bonds, political intrigue, and magic; it wasn’t really like Three Dark Crowns, which is just fine! Adrienne Tooley has written a YA fantasy stunner in The Third Daughter.

I have been struggling to read fantasy (both adult and YA). I seem to be caught in the middle where I seem to have grown out of YA, but the Adult Fantasies are just too much. So, I was thrilled that I found The Third Daughter so engrossing. I read it the day I started it (yesterday). First of all, the representation fits the plot; it isn’t forced. You have mental illness representations and a slow-burn sapphic romance between two characters from opposite ends of the world.

Being Bipolar (among other treated mental adventures, as I call them), I am very sensitive when authors include mental illness in their plot. I was delighted by how well Adrienne Tooley incorporated depression, trauma, and Anxiety into The Third Daughter. It wasn’t just about being sad. You could feel the weight of not just depression on Sabine’s shoulders. You also feel exhaustion and self-doubt. Then there is a literal internal voice that brings Sabine to a dark place of self-doubt, unworthiness, and constant blaming of herself for, well, everything. Speaking of emotions, the magic that results from Sabine’s sadness, her literal tears are magic is heartbreaking. Moreover, the politicization of emotions and magic is executed expertly.

ReviewThank you to Hachette Audio Christy Ottaviano Books for my ARC and audio ARC of Adrienne Tooley’s The Third Daughter, which releases on July 18th.
Let’s talk about my emotions for a moment. You will spit nails at the beginning of The Third Daughter. Between the church’s manipulations over Brianne and the attempted dismissal of the oldest daughter, Elodie, to a faraway country, everything will make you want to throw The Third Daughter across the room in the best of ways. Then you are on an emotional see-saw throughout the rest of The Third Daughter. Adrienne Tooley’s writing gets under your skin and makes you feel each moment of the story. The cliffhanger will make you throw the book across the room and then have you come back bloody and bruised for book two.

The Third Daughter By Adrienne Tooley- Characters
Simply put, I loved them! I loved how we visited Brianne in her deep sleep. It brings an air of mystery. What plane she exists on, and what she is learning. Further, what does it even have to do with anything? Oh. It has to do with everything, but not learning what until the end of the book leaves you wondering while event after event continues. She is young and beyond impressionable. She is easily moved like a pawn. And that is why Elodie steps in.

While Elodie could be seen as power-hungry, she genuinely tries to protect Brianne and Velle from a manipulative church bent on ruling all. Elodie is a complicated character, definitely not your typical hero. Adrienne Tooley balances what you dislike and like about Elodie with precision. Things go awry when she buys what she thinks is a sleeping draft from Sabine. At that point, her love for Brianne begins to shine even as she still has an heir of arrogance about her.

One thing I love most about how all the characters are written is how they change throughout the book. When Elodie goes on her quest with Sabine, her friends and siblings are a specific personality. When she returns, they have dramatically changed. These changes match the plot perfectly. Adrienne Tooley’s brave writing will have you stunned and frustrated with each character.

The Third Daughter By Adrienne Tooley- Final Thoughts And Audiobook
My final thoughts on The Third Daughter? It definitely falls into the class of “It killed me, here, now you read it” books, and I resemble that remark. That is what I’m trying to tell you!

The audiobook is well-produced and narrated by Rebecca Lee. I haven’t heard her narrate a book before, but I definitely would love to listen to her again.