Review: Conquer the Kingdom (Gargoyle Queen #3) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Conquer the Kingdom

Series: Gargoyle Queen #3

Previous books in this series: Capture the Crown (#1) | Tear Down the Throne (#2)

Previous series: Crown of Shards

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: March 7th 2023

Published by: Harper Voyager

Source: ARC from author/Netgalley for review

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Synopsis: Magic reigns, plots abound, and a new love might not conquer all, in this must-read finale to the epic Gargoyle Queen trilogy by international bestselling author Jennifer Estep.

Time is running out for crown princess Gemma Ripley. Despite being a cunning spy and a powerful mind magier, Gemma hasn't been able to track down the most dangerous enemy her kingdom of Andvari has ever seen. Adding to her worries is the Sword and Shield tournament. With gladiators flocking to the capital city of Glanzen, Gemma can't tell who is friend—or foe.

Determined to protect Andvari at any cost, Gemma hatches a bold plan, but things aren't what they seem. Soon, everything she holds dear is being threatened, including her burgeoning relationship with Prince Leonidas Morricone.

With the kingdom she holds dear slipping through her fingers, Gemma will have to conquer her fear and unlock the true secret of her magic—or watch her friends and family die and her beloved Andvari fall...

My rating: ★★★★★

We all knew the same unsettling truth—that we needed to figure out what Milo was plotting before he struck again and finally found some way to conquer my kingdom.

I don't read a lot of high/epic fantasy, but I always give Jennifer Estep's books a shot, no matter the genre, because I know I'll like them. I really enjoyed the Crown of Shards series when I first read it all those years ago, so I was very excited to find out that there would be another series set in the same world. And honestly, I think I liked the Gargoyle Queen series more, which is saying something! So reading this was bittersweet because even though I was excited to see how this series would end, I didn't want it to.

One of my favorite things about this series was the characters, especially the relationship between Gemma and Leo. Leo had been spending time in Glitnir, and the way they treated him made me so sad. All because he's a Morricone and people just presume him to be as awful and ruthless as his mother Maeven or his uncle Maximus. But he's not.

"No!" I yelled back. "Let me go! Get away! Save yourself!"
His hands tightened around my waist. Never, his voice sounded in my mind. I will never let you go, I will never let you fall. I will never let you fail.

He's so sweet and kind, and his thoughtfulness at the end when he gave Gemma a gift melted my heart. I love him!

And I loved the way Gemma tried to get other nobles to warm up to Leonidas. She was also very thoughtful and kind. And then she also gave him a very sweet gift, and it was just the best!

Moreover, I really admired how much she cared for and genuinely wanted the best for her kingdom.

Another relationship I loved was the one between Gemma and her gargoyle Grimley. I just really love how protective they are of one another and how much affection there is between the two. Even Leo's strix Lyra warmed up to Gemma and Grimley and I loved it! Their banter is the best!

One character I've found intriguing since book one is Leo's sister Delmira. Just like Leo, she is nothing like their brother Milo. She always seems so happy and like a social butterfly, but there's definitely more to her than meets the eye.

Maeven had once said that Delmira's kindness would get her killed someday, but I thought the Morricone princess was very much like the liladorn in the crystal bowl. Seemingly soft, gentle, and flexible- but with a hard, unbreakable strength and plenty of razor-sharp thorns to rip her enemies to pieces.

I really like her and how kind she is. And I'm honestly very curious about her magic, too...

Leo and Delmira's mother, Queen Maeven, is another character I'm intrigued by. I mean, she was one of the villains in the Crown of Shards Series that takes place years before this, but in this series... She doesn't seem as awful. And there is a reason why. She and Gemma have a very interesting conversation at the end of the book and I am just—surprised and intrigued and I want more!

One thing I do have to mention is that the beginning of the book felt a little slow to me. I wasn't NOT enjoying the book, but it was just a bit slow. Once we hit the halfway mark though, things got going and I was all in!

One of my favorite things about Jennifer's books is that she always writes amazing action scenes, and this book was no different! The ending was especially good! Milo was so vicious, but Gemma could hold her own! It was great! The amazing fight in the climax, and then the sweet resolution with Leo and Gemma... It made for a perfect ending.

And I really loved this book overall! Yes, I thought the first half was a bit slow, but I really enjoyed the story overall, especially the second half. It had great action, lovable characters, and an end that wrapped things up nicely but also left things open enough for more stories set in the same world. And honestly, that possibility makes me very excited!

Here’s to having my wishes come true 😆

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! 😊