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.

Review: Capture the Crown (Gargoyle Queen #1) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Capture the Crown

Series: Gargoyle Queen #1

Previous series: Crown of Shards

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: July 6th 2021

Published by: Harper Voyager

Source: ARC from author for review

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Synopsis: Bestselling author Jennifer Estep returns to her Crown of Shards world with an all-new trilogy and a bold new heroine who protects her kingdom from magic, murder, and mayhem by moonlighting as a spy.

Gemma Ripley has a reputation for being a pampered princess who is more interested in pretty gowns, sparkling jewelry, and other frivolous things than learning how to rule the kingdom of Andvari. But her carefully crafted persona is just an act to hide the fact that Gemma is a powerful mind magier—and a spy.

Gemma is undercover, trying to figure out who is stealing large amounts of tearstone from one of the Ripley royal mines when she encounters Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta—her mortal enemy. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle.

Despite the fact that Andvari and Morta are old, bitter enemies, a dangerous attraction sparks between Gemma and Leo. Further complicating matters is Leo’s murderous family, especially Queen Maeven Morricone, the mastermind behind the infamous Seven Spire massacre.

The closer Gemma gets to the stolen tearstone, the more deadly plots she uncovers. Everyone is trying to capture the crown, but only one queen can sit on the throne…

My rating: ★★★★★

This book was insanely good. I read this back in February, so it’s been a couple months, but even back then I knew with absolute certainty that this would definitely be one of my most favorite books of 2021! It was THAT good! I loved every second of it!

Review: Crush the King (Crown of Shards #3) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Crush the King

Series: Crown of Shards #3

Previous books in this series: Kill the Queen (#1) | Protect the Prince (#2)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: March 17th 2020

Published by: Harper Voyager

Source: ARC from publisher/author

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Synopsis:

A fierce gladiator queen must face off against her enemies in an epic battle in this next thrilling installment of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep’s Crown of Shards series—an action-packed adventure full of magic, murderous machinations, courtly intrigue, and pulse-pounding romance.

Queen Everleigh Blair of Bellona has survived the mass murder of the royal family, become a fearsome warrior trained by an elite gladiator troupe, and unleashed her ability to destroy magic. After surviving yet another assassination attempt orchestrated by the conniving king of Morta, Evie has had enough. It’s time to turn the tables and take the fight to her enemies.

There is no better opportunity to strike than during the Regalia Games, a time when warriors, nobles, and royals from all the kingdoms come together to compete in various sporting events. With the help of her loyal friends, Evie goes on the attack at the Regalia, but things don’t turn out the way she hopes. Soon, she is facing a terrifying new threat, and she will have to dig deep and learn even more about her growing magic if she has any chance of defeating her foes.

Because to secure her throne and ensure her kingdom’s survival, Evie must think like a true Bellonan: she must outsmart and outwit her enemies... and crush the king.

My rating: ★★★★☆
After many assassination attempts on behalf of the Mortan King, it is now time for Evie to come face to face with the guy... and crush him.

Blog Tour - Review & Giveaway: Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards #1) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Kill the Queen

Series: Crown of Shards #1

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: October 2nd 2018

Published by: Harper Voyager

Source: E-ARC for review from publisher

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Synopsis:

The thrilling first novel in the Crown of Shards epic fantasy series combines magic, murder, and adventure when an unlikely member of the royal family suddenly becomes a contender in a clash for the crown...

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of combat, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself... and kill the queen.

My rating: ★★★★★
So, I actually don’t read very much epic fantasy—I don’t have anything against it, I just prefer my urban fantasies. Lol. But I gave this one a shot cause I adore Jennifer Estep’s work! Literally everything I have read by her I have loved! I’ve actually been binge reading her Elemental Assassin series lately, but I took a tiny break from that to read this, and I loved it! Honestly, I’m not even surprised. Lol. I always say I will read anything she writes cause I know I will love it no matter what it is, and this book just proved my point. Lol.