Shallow. ( )

As a huge fan of the Crown of Shards trilogy, when I saw that Jennifer Estep started another trilogy set in the same world, I requested that review copy as quickly as I could. I regret nothing. Capture the Crown has everything I loved about the Crown of Shards trilogy. It’s sexy, clever, and violent. Best of all, it never follows the easy path. Ms. Estep is not afraid to do terrible things to her characters or put them in impossible situations, and I love the frisson of fear you get while reading it knowing that there is the potential for much violence. Gemma is not the spoiled princess she appears to be, but neither is she the greatest at spycraft. There are so many mysteries and hidden agendas at play throughout the story that the future stories should be just as stellar. ( )

I really enjoyed reading this book! I loved the Crown of Shards trilogy so I was thrilled to get the chance to read more books set in that world. I have to admit that I have a hard time remembering much about secondary characters once I have finished a book so I really knew nothing about Gemma, Leo, or any of the characters but some of the events mentioned in the story were very familiar to me. This would be a perfect place to start if you were thinking about reading any of the books set in this world.

Gemma is known as a pampered princess but the reality is that she works to protect her kingdom by working as a spy. She has been working in a mine when she stumbles upon more than she bargained for when she crosses paths with Prince Leo of Morta. She doesn’t hesitate to take full advantage of the opportunity to go undercover in Morta even though it is a risky move. Before it is all over, she will find herself in more danger than she could have ever imagined.

This was an exciting story! I was really worried about Gemma, Leo, and the rest of the characters for much of the book. There were a few scenes that were really intense. I was never quite sure who Gemma should trust. I liked Leo and they had a lot of chemistry together but he is loyal to his mother, Queen Maeven. I enjoyed the magic in this story. I love Gemma’s abilities and I have a feeling that she will master even more skills as the series progresses. I really loved the gargoyle, Grimley, and the strix, Lyra, and look forward to seeing more of them in future books.

I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was an excellent start to a promising series set in a world that I already love. The characters were very well done and there was plenty of intense action to keep the pages turning. I cannot wait to read more of this series!

I received a digital review copy of this book from Harper Voyager via NetGalley. ( )

Capture the Crown by Jennifer Estep
Gargoyle Queen, book 1. Crown of Shards world. 15 years after the first trilogy which does not need to be read before this. There are many events and people referred to so I believe the experience would be better if they have been read. At least the first, Kill the Queen. Fantasy.

Gemma Ridley. One of the few survivors of the massacre when she was a child. Now a spy even though still a princess.
Leonidas of Motra. The enemy. Maybe? But why is he helping Gemma? Doesn’t he recognize her from when they met years ago?
Danger follows Gemma as she works as a miner uncovering secrets and death.

Death counts are high. Tragedy and torture in memories and real time. Triumph for some. Questions for the future are heavy and plentiful. Fantasy elements and magic master the game of power and survival.
At this point looking forward to the next in the trilogy but not as strong as the first set.

🎧 I mostly listened to the audio version narrated by Lauren Fortgang. I also have a paperback and alternated at times. I found the audiobook a bit more engaging which was opposite my experience for the first trilogy. Same narrator. She has a pleasant voice to listen to with great depth for the various characters such as a gargoyle and magic bird. Emotion are well portrayed. ( )

If you have read the Merry Gentry books by Laurell K. Hamilton A Kiss of Shadows, and if you have been a fan of Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series Magic Bites, then you will most likely love this book. Just be prepared to think of it not as an adult novel/series but as a young adult novel. Perhaps even a teen novel with a lot of swearing and sexy musings?

This book was filled with cliches and familiar ideas from other books, but I managed to ignore them. The characters, especially Princess Gemma, are shallow at this point, but I can see that she will grow with the next book. This is an excellent thing.

While I cannot rave about this book, I can say that I liked it enough to want to finish it and to want to see what happens next.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley. ( )