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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I received this free from a Good Reads giveaway.
I don't often write reviews of books, I'm more a read and move on kind of person. But since I received and early copy it seemed only reasonable to pass on some thoughts.
Action is not lacking in this book. That being said, this series seems more like Gemma and company working through schemes and plots. Growth of the characters comes in conveniently timed spurts and with a shiny perfect finish, that is contrary to the world they live in.
So why the 5 stars?
When I look at what this book is, in this genre. I honestly have no issues with its performance. Are there ways it could be better? Sure, but thats not what I'm looking. This is the friday night pizza of books; reliable, hits all the right spots, and show up right when they say it will. It's not some wood fire artisan pizza of perfection, but it's what you want more often than not.
This is a solid finish to the trilogy.
I've never been disappointed by Jennifer Estep.
Enjoy the read.
I don't often write reviews of books, I'm more a read and move on kind of person. But since I received and early copy it seemed only reasonable to pass on some thoughts.
Action is not lacking in this book. That being said, this series seems more like Gemma and company working through schemes and plots. Growth of the characters comes in conveniently timed spurts and with a shiny perfect finish, that is contrary to the world they live in.
So why the 5 stars?
When I look at what this book is, in this genre. I honestly have no issues with its performance. Are there ways it could be better? Sure, but thats not what I'm looking. This is the friday night pizza of books; reliable, hits all the right spots, and show up right when they say it will. It's not some wood fire artisan pizza of perfection, but it's what you want more often than not.
This is a solid finish to the trilogy.
I've never been disappointed by Jennifer Estep.
Enjoy the read.
Probably not my favourite book from the series, but a solid way to end an amazing trilogy.
As much as I enjoyed this trilogy, in my opinion the last two books could very well have been one and avoided endless repetition of the usual thoughts about how Gemma was unable to be able to give up her kingdom for the love of her life, which instead....
Other than that, I definitely enjoyed myself even if Captain Wexler and Delmira will maybe reappear again, I just hope I didn't forget them in the meantime, as had already happened with the protagonists of the Bellona stories.
Per quanto questa trilogia mi sia piaciuta, secondo me gli ultimi due libri avrebbero potuto benissimo essere uno solo e evitare un numero infinito di ripetizioni dei soliti pensieri su quanto Gemma non fosse in grado di poter rinunciaral suo regno per l'amore della sua vita, che invece....
A parte questo mi sono sicuramente divertita anche se il capitano Wexler e Delmira magari riappariranno di nuovo, spero solo di non essermeli dimenticati nel frattempo, come era giá successo con i protagonisti delle storie di Bellona.
Other than that, I definitely enjoyed myself even if Captain Wexler and Delmira will maybe reappear again, I just hope I didn't forget them in the meantime, as had already happened with the protagonists of the Bellona stories.
Per quanto questa trilogia mi sia piaciuta, secondo me gli ultimi due libri avrebbero potuto benissimo essere uno solo e evitare un numero infinito di ripetizioni dei soliti pensieri su quanto Gemma non fosse in grado di poter rinunciaral suo regno per l'amore della sua vita, che invece....
A parte questo mi sono sicuramente divertita anche se il capitano Wexler e Delmira magari riappariranno di nuovo, spero solo di non essermeli dimenticati nel frattempo, come era giá successo con i protagonisti delle storie di Bellona.
Honestly this was hard to read... I don't know if previous novels in this world were better or if I was more lenient in judging them...
But I don't plan to read all the novels again to find out, because I would have to read this one again...
But I don't plan to read all the novels again to find out, because I would have to read this one again...
Almost gave this two-stars. Gemma does far too many stupid things just so the author can have action scenes. Repeatedly not letting people know what she's doing and rushing in, especially when the kingdom is at risk, is getting very old by the third book. The author hasn't learned and the character hasn't matured.
Yet another major festival, this time at the Andvari capitol. Milo is wandering about unknown, what's he going to do? Oh, magically have way to many plans for the hiding, skulking person he is. That also wasn't believable.
Still, the author keeps the story moving well and we learn a bit more about the world. A 2.5, but I'm giving it three.
Yet another major festival, this time at the Andvari capitol. Milo is wandering about unknown, what's he going to do? Oh, magically have way to many plans for the hiding, skulking person he is. That also wasn't believable.
Still, the author keeps the story moving well and we learn a bit more about the world. A 2.5, but I'm giving it three.
I can’t overstate how much I love this series. It’s a comfort read. Gemma and Leo are one of my favourite couples and I just adore them and the side characters.
I also love how threads from this are in my all time favourite Estep series— Galactic Bonds.
Just fantastic
I also love how threads from this are in my all time favourite Estep series— Galactic Bonds.
Just fantastic
https://smexybooks.com/2023/03/review-conquer-the-kingdom-by-jennifer-estep.html
This is it! The conclusion to the Gargoyle Queen trilogy, which features Gemma Ripley- princess, spy, and powerful mind magier. At the end of the previous installment, Tear Down the Throne, we left Gemma and her former enemy, now lover, Prince Leonidas Morricone at a tentative peace after Leo’s brother, Milo, almost managed to fulfill his murderous plan. Leo and Gemma are in love and determined to be together, but can two people from enemy territories ever find their happily ever after?
It took me a bit to get into this book, mainly because the first half kind of rehashes all the political intrigue and events of the series so far. Gemma is desperately searching for Milo and his dastardly sidekick, knowing he is on the loose and will never quit trying to destroy everything and everyone she loves. Despite clues of his whereabouts, she just can’t seem to track him down. But a gladiator tournament is coming to Andvari, and she is hoping her plan to bring him to the city will enable her and her allies to defeat him once and for all.
The second half of the book, when the tournament begins, kept me glued to the page. This is Jennifer Estep at her best… devious plots playing out, big battle scenes, and Gemma realizing her magical potential and truly becoming the gargoyle queen. Flash backs of past events bring the entire plot arc full circle, and Gemma finally learns that her mother saw her future and made plans to help her save the kingdom. Leo and Gemma truly are a fabulous match, both willing to sacrifice for each other, and willing to do whatever it takes to save the people they love.
All the plot threads are wrapped up nice and neat. There are hints that there will be another trilogy in this world, featuring Delmira as the third queen in the prophecy. After all, Maeven is still out there and even though she has begrudgingly accepted Leo and Gemma’s relationship, she is sure to cause trouble in the future.
Grade- B
This is it! The conclusion to the Gargoyle Queen trilogy, which features Gemma Ripley- princess, spy, and powerful mind magier. At the end of the previous installment, Tear Down the Throne, we left Gemma and her former enemy, now lover, Prince Leonidas Morricone at a tentative peace after Leo’s brother, Milo, almost managed to fulfill his murderous plan. Leo and Gemma are in love and determined to be together, but can two people from enemy territories ever find their happily ever after?
It took me a bit to get into this book, mainly because the first half kind of rehashes all the political intrigue and events of the series so far. Gemma is desperately searching for Milo and his dastardly sidekick, knowing he is on the loose and will never quit trying to destroy everything and everyone she loves. Despite clues of his whereabouts, she just can’t seem to track him down. But a gladiator tournament is coming to Andvari, and she is hoping her plan to bring him to the city will enable her and her allies to defeat him once and for all.
The second half of the book, when the tournament begins, kept me glued to the page. This is Jennifer Estep at her best… devious plots playing out, big battle scenes, and Gemma realizing her magical potential and truly becoming the gargoyle queen. Flash backs of past events bring the entire plot arc full circle, and Gemma finally learns that her mother saw her future and made plans to help her save the kingdom. Leo and Gemma truly are a fabulous match, both willing to sacrifice for each other, and willing to do whatever it takes to save the people they love.
All the plot threads are wrapped up nice and neat. There are hints that there will be another trilogy in this world, featuring Delmira as the third queen in the prophecy. After all, Maeven is still out there and even though she has begrudgingly accepted Leo and Gemma’s relationship, she is sure to cause trouble in the future.
Grade- B
Libby/audio.
Something about this series never fails to rub me the wrong way. The MC thinks she is the smartest, prettiest, slyest, sneakiest, most powerful, strongest princess in all the land. News flash, she is none of those things. She is insufferable. Why is she the only person in all the lands who can stop/find/kill Milo? Yeah-I’ve got nothing.
I like the background things about those story- the gargoyles (though all they do is nap and eat) the Strix, the sentient vine( though it doesn’t turn into anything after all) Leo and Leos sister.
Every male bad guy is a rapist, because of course they are-she’s the prettiest after all! Even swathed in a cloak! Down boys! Naughty!!!
Maybe i would have liked this series more if Leo was the main character. Though he honestly doesn’t do much in this book.
There is way too much talk about the various shades of purple in the wardrobe.
If someone is referred to as ‘the best spy in all the lands’ I’m not sure how that person can physically BE a spy. When everyone KNOWS you are a spy, how exactly would that work?
Everything about this story felt forced. Nothing felt genuine (see the rapist comment above.) the side characters don’t do much, except sit around and look pretty, all Leo does is tell the MC how pretty/beautiful/powerful/wonderful/amazing she is, so she can clap it back to him/us constantly. I might have believed it if i had ever seen it, instead all the characters have to tell me constantly. I am generally averse to arrogant characters. At one point she actually thinks she is the more powerful than Leo, even though Leo can actually use his power, and she can barely use hers. The only she can do is talk to Gargoyles and that vine, and he cant. Still, she thinks she is stronger than him. Worse, she thinks that while talking to him, and he can hear thoughts, so ya-delusional! He is better at hiding his feelings when he hears something unpleasant. Still he basically turns into her lapdog. Yay. Thats fun.
I still have no idea about the magic system, the creatures, the reason all the kingdoms are at each other’s throats, the vine, or the characters. Is the tearling stone the dead bodies of the gargoyles? Or are they made from it? I guess all that stuff is pretty superfluous, and silly me-getting hung up on the minor details!
I guess the story finally starts moving toward the end, but honestly i really struggled to pay this much attention. The series overall really tanked by the end. And i really couldn’t focus on much besides my hatred of the MC.
There is a lot of gratuitous swearing, and spicy bits that feel out of the blue and unnecessary, shoehorned in for ‘adult readers’. Like i said earlier, nothing feels genuine. Nothing flows naturally.
Open ended ending, but i don’t think i care enough to continue, even if the continuation were to happen.
I liked the first 2 books, but i wouldn’t go into this one expecting much. It’s a bit of a miss.
Something about this series never fails to rub me the wrong way. The MC thinks she is the smartest, prettiest, slyest, sneakiest, most powerful, strongest princess in all the land. News flash, she is none of those things. She is insufferable. Why is she the only person in all the lands who can stop/find/kill Milo? Yeah-I’ve got nothing.
I like the background things about those story- the gargoyles (though all they do is nap and eat) the Strix, the sentient vine( though it doesn’t turn into anything after all) Leo and Leos sister.
Every male bad guy is a rapist, because of course they are-she’s the prettiest after all! Even swathed in a cloak! Down boys! Naughty!!!
Maybe i would have liked this series more if Leo was the main character. Though he honestly doesn’t do much in this book.
There is way too much talk about the various shades of purple in the wardrobe.
If someone is referred to as ‘the best spy in all the lands’ I’m not sure how that person can physically BE a spy. When everyone KNOWS you are a spy, how exactly would that work?
Everything about this story felt forced. Nothing felt genuine (see the rapist comment above.) the side characters don’t do much, except sit around and look pretty, all Leo does is tell the MC how pretty/beautiful/powerful/wonderful/amazing she is, so she can clap it back to him/us constantly. I might have believed it if i had ever seen it, instead all the characters have to tell me constantly. I am generally averse to arrogant characters. At one point she actually thinks she is the more powerful than Leo, even though Leo can actually use his power, and she can barely use hers. The only she can do is talk to Gargoyles and that vine, and he cant. Still, she thinks she is stronger than him. Worse, she thinks that while talking to him, and he can hear thoughts, so ya-delusional! He is better at hiding his feelings when he hears something unpleasant. Still he basically turns into her lapdog. Yay. Thats fun.
I still have no idea about the magic system, the creatures, the reason all the kingdoms are at each other’s throats, the vine, or the characters. Is the tearling stone the dead bodies of the gargoyles? Or are they made from it? I guess all that stuff is pretty superfluous, and silly me-getting hung up on the minor details!
I guess the story finally starts moving toward the end, but honestly i really struggled to pay this much attention. The series overall really tanked by the end. And i really couldn’t focus on much besides my hatred of the MC.
There is a lot of gratuitous swearing, and spicy bits that feel out of the blue and unnecessary, shoehorned in for ‘adult readers’. Like i said earlier, nothing feels genuine. Nothing flows naturally.
Open ended ending, but i don’t think i care enough to continue, even if the continuation were to happen.
I liked the first 2 books, but i wouldn’t go into this one expecting much. It’s a bit of a miss.
I loved this series as much as I loved her crown of shards series..... And then she said she wasn't going to conclude with the third queen because her PUBLISHERS? Ugh. So mixed review. 5 stars for the Gargoyle Queen, 1 star for not seeing this finished.