Capture the Crown
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4.5 • 71 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
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 …
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bestseller Estep returns to the world of gargoyles, mind magiers, and political intrigue first conjured in the Crown of Shards series with this romantic and exciting fantasy adventure, the first in her Gargoyle Queen trilogy. To most, Gemma Ripley seems like nothing more than the pampered princess of Andavari, obsessed with dresses, balls, and herself—but she also secretly works as a spy. While undercover as a tearstone miner at the border town of Blauberg, she discovers a smuggling ring and lands herself in mortal peril. But the real danger might come from her rescuer, the handsome and mysterious Morta prince, Leonidas Morricone. Whisked to the royal castle of Morta, Andavari's rival kingdom, Gemma must figure out who she can trust while confronting her traumatic past and the magic she has suppressed. Some of the ensuing intrigue feels thin, and the characterization is often rather black-and-white: Andavari equals good, Morta equals bad. Despite the flaws, though, the gripping romp flies, like Grimley, Gemma's beloved gargoyle, at a breakneck speed that will keep readers turning pages. Fans of Tamora Pierce who are ready for a little more gore should take note.
Customer Reviews
Always a good read
I honestly love this authors books. It allows me an escape from reality. It says much that this author can achieve that. Thank you.
Awesome Read
Awesome read!
Uggggh not wanting to wait a year for the next one.
Intrigued!
I'm always eager to try out new series when the heroine is the hero in story. I like reading about women who can kick butt and take names. I will admit that Gemma fell just a tad bit short here, but I also think she is being set up to really come into her powers in the next books in the series.
Gemma is a princess and a spy. I found that very intriguing and looked forward to the adventure I knew she would take us on. After the first initial slow start, things pick up with the first hint of danger and it kept my attention all the way to the end.
I found it interesting that Gemma's love interest is a man who is really her enemy and one she can't trust...or can she? I'm also super intrigued by the enemy queen. I can't quite get a read on her. Is she truly evil? I think she is but she also does a few things that made stop and contemplate. I liked that. It shows that this story is unpredictable.
I'm going to have to reserve my judgement until I read more in this series. For now, it was intriguing despite having a few things that made question if Gemma really is as powerful as we are being lead to believe. That can make or break this series for me.