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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
I enjoyed this 4th book in this series with some content warnings/FYIs:
1. This a multi-book romance and what I mean by that is while I firmly believe the MCs will get their HEA at the end of the series they are NOT together at the end of this book.
2. CW for on page torture. Not the goriest I’ve read but just FYI…
Things I enjoyed: new secondary characters, the animal companions (gargoyles!), and new magic and lands that weren’t explored in the first three books.
1. This a multi-book romance and what I mean by that is while I firmly believe the MCs will get their HEA at the end of the series they are NOT together at the end of this book.
2. CW for on page torture. Not the goriest I’ve read but just FYI…
Things I enjoyed: new secondary characters, the animal companions (gargoyles!), and new magic and lands that weren’t explored in the first three books.
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I'm sorry, I'm just expected to WAIT for the next book?????
Wonderful love it.
*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC.
Wonderful love it.
*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC.
adventurous
fast-paced
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Capture the Crown is the first in the Crown of Shards spin-off series, Gargoyle Queen. It’s not necessary to read the previous trilogy, as there is a time jump between the two and it largely follows a completely new set of characters. And just as I found that previous trilogy a bit uneven, although ultimately solid, I also find this one to have potential to be in a similar vein.
I really liked the duality to Gemma’s personality, how she plays at being a pampered princess, while also being engaged in activities as a spy behind-the-scenes. I enjoyed following her as she navigated cutthroat politics and sized up her enemies, each of whom provides compelling stakes.
And while it’s not the sole focus, there is a very prominent romantic arc. The transition of true enemies-to-allies-to-lovers she is immersed in with Leonidas is gripping and well-executed thus far, and I’m excited for what’s to come for them.
This seems like it will be an exciting new series from Jennifer Estep. If you love fantasy with strong romantic elements, you won’t want to miss this one!
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Content Warning: witnessing the massacre of a family, sexual harassment, anxiety, PTSD, overwhelming guilt, torture [talked about and detailed on-page], child abuse/torture.
2/13/2023 OMG still so good! 3rd read but I was still finding things I didn't notice in my first 2 reads. I am so ready to dive into book 2 again and then dive into 3 for the first time! 💜
3/2/2022
I originally read this as an ARC ahead of its release last year. After binging through the CROWN OF SHARDS trilogy [KILL THE QUEEN, PROTECT THE PRINCE, and CRUSH THE KING] in late 2020 I was so excited to see a spin-off take place, as I wasn’t ready yet to leave this magical world. If you’d like to read my original review I have it linked above.
As I’m about to read the ARC of book 2, TEAR DOWN THE THRONE, I thought it was the perfect time for a re-immersion into this fantastic realm. Let me tell you the re-read did not disappoint. After finishing I’m even more in love than my first read and am so excited to be cracking open the ARC of book 2!
In CAPTURE THE CROWN we meet a grown-up Gemma Ripley, who was one of the few survivors of the Seven Spire massacre. At the age of twelve, she witnessed the slaughter of countless people and felt helpless to stop it. Almost sixteen years later Gemma has devoted her life to making sure she always protects her family and people. Though she’s taken on the persona of a vapid princess, who only cares about fashion and parties, those that truly know her, know that she works hard to find any, and all, potential threats to her kingdom…even if that means donning disguises and being a spy.
When tearstone starts disappearing from the mines, Gemma isn’t afraid to jump into some coveralls and work the mines, until she can find any ideas of where the tearstones are going. Alert for the potential danger, she wasn’t prepared to run into Leonidas Morricone, Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta. Although they’re meant to be enemies, as their families are sworn enemies, Gemma struggles to deny the spark of attraction, and kinship, she feels for him.
Although all grown up Gemma is always worried that she, or her powers, will endanger those she cares about or that she’ll freeze up when they need her most. I love this book so much, especially as I noticed more things during my re-read. The way Estep portrays both Gemma’s strong/fierce/loyal side while also showing her insecurities and battles with PTSD and survivor’s guilt. And though we only see the story through Gemma’s perspective we’re still able to see the complexities of so many characters.
I highly recommend checking out this story of finding your strength and learning to let go of, and work through, guilt and pain. Gemma is a survivor and she’s much stronger than she, or anyone else around her, realizes. I’m so happy I decided to re-read this before jumping into book two!
3/3/2021
Since I read the “Crown of Shards” trilogy last fall I have constantly checked Goodreads.com and Amazon waiting for any synopsis and title for this book. I loved devouring the world Jennifer crafted in the original trilogy and knew I needed more. The excitement I felt when I saw there was an ARC available through NetGalley was overwhelming, knowing there was a chance I could dive back in before the July release.
When we originally meet Gemma, in the Crown of Shards series, she’s twelve or thirteen and when we see her again, in this new book, she’s now thirty. She has perfectly crafted a persona of being a spoiled and materially obsessed princess, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. When her subjects think she’s off an other shopping spree, she’s actually disguised and investigating threats to her people and crown.
Although a grown woman, Gemma was so deeply affected by witnessing the Seven Spires massacre, she constantly fears her magical abilities and tries to keep them reigned in. She has many people, who love and adore her, surround her and encourage her but at times she still feels like that scared little girl…frozen as she hides under a table watching chaos unleashed around her.
This book reunites her with Leo, the son of the enemy, someone who she should hate but who constantly leaves her confused and flustered. She should hate him, she should want him dead, but why does it feel so good to be close to him…why does she long for him to close the distance between them?
Through Gemma’s eyes, we’re able to see Morta, the enemy land, in all it’s beauty and chaos. We meet Mortan’s who are kind and others who are just as bad, if not worse, than the King Mauven killed for her crown. We see enemies and friends we met in the “Crown of Shards” trilogy as well as meet new friends, enemies, and people who could be either.
Start to finish this book was an adventure and a great re-introduction to this world. I look forward to seeing the next book (set to release in 2022) as we continue to see Gemma evolve into a strong and confident woman and leader. Although Gemma faced a lot of trauma as a child, I look forward to seeing her fully triumph over it, and become the strong and fierce woman she’s always been meant to be.
2/13/2023 OMG still so good! 3rd read but I was still finding things I didn't notice in my first 2 reads. I am so ready to dive into book 2 again and then dive into 3 for the first time! 💜
3/2/2022
I originally read this as an ARC ahead of its release last year. After binging through the CROWN OF SHARDS trilogy [KILL THE QUEEN, PROTECT THE PRINCE, and CRUSH THE KING] in late 2020 I was so excited to see a spin-off take place, as I wasn’t ready yet to leave this magical world. If you’d like to read my original review I have it linked above.
As I’m about to read the ARC of book 2, TEAR DOWN THE THRONE, I thought it was the perfect time for a re-immersion into this fantastic realm. Let me tell you the re-read did not disappoint. After finishing I’m even more in love than my first read and am so excited to be cracking open the ARC of book 2!
In CAPTURE THE CROWN we meet a grown-up Gemma Ripley, who was one of the few survivors of the Seven Spire massacre. At the age of twelve, she witnessed the slaughter of countless people and felt helpless to stop it. Almost sixteen years later Gemma has devoted her life to making sure she always protects her family and people. Though she’s taken on the persona of a vapid princess, who only cares about fashion and parties, those that truly know her, know that she works hard to find any, and all, potential threats to her kingdom…even if that means donning disguises and being a spy.
When tearstone starts disappearing from the mines, Gemma isn’t afraid to jump into some coveralls and work the mines, until she can find any ideas of where the tearstones are going. Alert for the potential danger, she wasn’t prepared to run into Leonidas Morricone, Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta. Although they’re meant to be enemies, as their families are sworn enemies, Gemma struggles to deny the spark of attraction, and kinship, she feels for him.
Although all grown up Gemma is always worried that she, or her powers, will endanger those she cares about or that she’ll freeze up when they need her most. I love this book so much, especially as I noticed more things during my re-read. The way Estep portrays both Gemma’s strong/fierce/loyal side while also showing her insecurities and battles with PTSD and survivor’s guilt. And though we only see the story through Gemma’s perspective we’re still able to see the complexities of so many characters.
I highly recommend checking out this story of finding your strength and learning to let go of, and work through, guilt and pain. Gemma is a survivor and she’s much stronger than she, or anyone else around her, realizes. I’m so happy I decided to re-read this before jumping into book two!
3/3/2021
Since I read the “Crown of Shards” trilogy last fall I have constantly checked Goodreads.com and Amazon waiting for any synopsis and title for this book. I loved devouring the world Jennifer crafted in the original trilogy and knew I needed more. The excitement I felt when I saw there was an ARC available through NetGalley was overwhelming, knowing there was a chance I could dive back in before the July release.
When we originally meet Gemma, in the Crown of Shards series, she’s twelve or thirteen and when we see her again, in this new book, she’s now thirty. She has perfectly crafted a persona of being a spoiled and materially obsessed princess, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. When her subjects think she’s off an other shopping spree, she’s actually disguised and investigating threats to her people and crown.
Although a grown woman, Gemma was so deeply affected by witnessing the Seven Spires massacre, she constantly fears her magical abilities and tries to keep them reigned in. She has many people, who love and adore her, surround her and encourage her but at times she still feels like that scared little girl…frozen as she hides under a table watching chaos unleashed around her.
This book reunites her with Leo, the son of the enemy, someone who she should hate but who constantly leaves her confused and flustered. She should hate him, she should want him dead, but why does it feel so good to be close to him…why does she long for him to close the distance between them?
Through Gemma’s eyes, we’re able to see Morta, the enemy land, in all it’s beauty and chaos. We meet Mortan’s who are kind and others who are just as bad, if not worse, than the King Mauven killed for her crown. We see enemies and friends we met in the “Crown of Shards” trilogy as well as meet new friends, enemies, and people who could be either.
Start to finish this book was an adventure and a great re-introduction to this world. I look forward to seeing the next book (set to release in 2022) as we continue to see Gemma evolve into a strong and confident woman and leader. Although Gemma faced a lot of trauma as a child, I look forward to seeing her fully triumph over it, and become the strong and fierce woman she’s always been meant to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual harassment