Week 6 Review: Capture the Crown

From Goodreads:

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 Review:
Wow, I loved reading this book! I loved being in this world again-but to have Gemma narrating, that Gemma's all grown up now, and having her own adventures! And given the time jump, it was really interesting to see what changes had occurred since the end of Crush the King!

Loved being in Gemma's head, getting to know her as an adult! She went through a lot as a child, surviving the Seven Spire massacre, and having her dad almost killed. And we knew that she had had a heck of a time getting home after the massacre, and it was really great to learn what happened there!

Oh, and Leo is all grown up as well! I really enjoyed their interactions, because they are from rival nations, and his mom caused a lot of the pain that she's been through. But there's an attraction-and a history-there, and I really enjoyed that, and I can't wait to explore it further!

One thing that I think is a staple in Jennifer Estep's writing now, is that she does flashbacks. Well, the iteration in this book is a little different, because Gemma inherited a bit from her time magier mother, and she can see the past, so I really enjoyed that was the way we got that information that we needed in the present! 

This was a fantastic read, and I can't wait to read Tear Down the Throne! 

Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Gargoyle Queen #1
Read: February 11th, 2022
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Love her writing and this world, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2022 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Harper Voyager 
Published: July 6th 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars