Capture the Crown by Jennifer Estep Series: A Gargoyle Queen, #1, #1
Published by Harper Voyager Publication Date: July 6, 2021
Pages: 464
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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 magierβand 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 Mortaβher 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 Gemmaβs 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 Leoβs 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 throneβ¦
I don’t know how I missed this book when it came out last year, but I’m glad I found it now. I enjoyed Gemma and the dual life that she led. She may not have been the best spy, but she played her role well when she needed to. She was tough and brave, making it impossible to not get behind her as she attempted to get intel on what was going on with her country’s missing tearstone. She did tend to jump in first and think later, but that spirit made her so much more likable.
I also enjoyed her interactions with Leo, the prince of Morta (her sworn enemyβ¦oooohhh!). There was so much more to Leo than Gemma knew and it was fun to watch those layers get peeled back and for her to understand who he really is and what he’s done. She may not have liked a lot of her actions, but she can’t really fault him when he’s really on her side.
I look forward to seeing what happens next in this series. I know Milo, the true nemesis of this story, has a serious bone to pick with Gemma. Just how far he’ll go remains to be seen. He was pretty awful in the first book, so let’s see what terror he reigns down next.
Shannon
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