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lizzsully77's review against another edition
5.0
I am so glad I found her books. A lot of people said you didn't need to read the other series but I went ahead and did so which I'm glad I did. They reference a lot of stuff very often and it really helped knowing all the backstory. I would definitely recommend reading the crown of shards before this series. Gemma was foreshadowed a lot and her relationship with Leo. I very much enjoyed this series so far I love the second book and I can't wait for the next one. The one spoiler is I'm pissed that Milo is still around but I can't wait for him to be taken down by Gemma eventually. And it is nice even though we don't like Maeven to see her actually caring about some of her children and wanting Leo to have a happy future. And I liked the revelation that gemma's mother had seen the future and saw some of this unfold and had told Maven of all people.
anelson2024's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thepagelady's review against another edition
4.0
Tear Down The Throne is the second book in the Gargoyle Queen series and so far thi0s has been a great series! The action and the suspense has definitely continued into this book! The world that Jennifer Estep has created in this series is one I absolutely enjoy! A book that i can get lost in is always the best! I like reading about the relationship between Gemma and Leonidas. They were some of my favorite senses. I definitely can't wait to see where the next book will go and what is to come for Gemma and Leo!
atrailofpages's review against another edition
5.0
Ahhhh soooo goooood!!! I love it when the sequel is even better than the first book! That is what happened for me in this case!
The second book takes place a few months after the events from the first book when everyone is going to the Annual Summit in neutral grounds to discuss a proposal from Queen Maeven. She invokes tradition to try to bring together enemy kingdoms by proposing her son Leonidas and Gemma Ripley marry to bring their kingdoms together. They disagree and so then she proposes another tradition called the Gauntlet where it allows Leonidas to go through a series of three trials to win Gemma's hand in marriage. Gemma does not think he will do it, and is surprised when he agrees to it. The concern that no one realized is that if he fails, it will mean his death. While the Gauntlet is occurring, Gemma and Leonidas are also still trying to find out what Milo is up to with the tearstone and begrudgingly(at least on Gemma's part) team up again to find out Milo's true plans, and also who is trying to sabotage the Gauntlet and get Leonidas and Maeven killed.
This was such a great sequel! Gemma grew sooooo much in this group and I knew my patience would win out in the end. I really liked her a lot more in this book, and I love her beautiful friendship with Reiko despite everyone trying to come between their friendship, as well as her and Leo. In the previous book, I would get frustrated with how no one seemed to care about being a team. None of the kingdoms seem to even care about the others, and I'm hoping that these kids will make changes since they are all becoming allies, maybe their parents will learn too and stop being traditional.
The romance was once again my favorite part of this series. Gosh it is sooooo good and such a slow burn! I am just rooting for Leonidas, still such a beautiful person with such a big heart. And what Gemma does at the end of this book, let's just, say I was VERY impressed with her and VERY proud of her! We also get to learn a lot more about Reiko and her past and her kingdom and family. I was happy to learn more about her since she's one of my favorite characters in this whole series. We also learn a bit more about Delmira and I'm hoping to still learn more since I don't think I fully understand what her powers are and I want to know or understand more.
This was such a fantastic sequel, and I loved the end of it! I so look forward to the third book and I don't know how I will be patient and wait for it! Thank you to Paper Myths, the author and NetGalley for the free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Solid 5 star read for me!
The second book takes place a few months after the events from the first book when everyone is going to the Annual Summit in neutral grounds to discuss a proposal from Queen Maeven. She invokes tradition to try to bring together enemy kingdoms by proposing her son Leonidas and Gemma Ripley marry to bring their kingdoms together. They disagree and so then she proposes another tradition called the Gauntlet where it allows Leonidas to go through a series of three trials to win Gemma's hand in marriage. Gemma does not think he will do it, and is surprised when he agrees to it. The concern that no one realized is that if he fails, it will mean his death. While the Gauntlet is occurring, Gemma and Leonidas are also still trying to find out what Milo is up to with the tearstone and begrudgingly(at least on Gemma's part) team up again to find out Milo's true plans, and also who is trying to sabotage the Gauntlet and get Leonidas and Maeven killed.
This was such a great sequel! Gemma grew sooooo much in this group and I knew my patience would win out in the end. I really liked her a lot more in this book, and I love her beautiful friendship with Reiko despite everyone trying to come between their friendship, as well as her and Leo. In the previous book, I would get frustrated with how no one seemed to care about being a team. None of the kingdoms seem to even care about the others, and I'm hoping that these kids will make changes since they are all becoming allies, maybe their parents will learn too and stop being traditional.
The romance was once again my favorite part of this series. Gosh it is sooooo good and such a slow burn! I am just rooting for Leonidas, still such a beautiful person with such a big heart. And what Gemma does at the end of this book, let's just, say I was VERY impressed with her and VERY proud of her! We also get to learn a lot more about Reiko and her past and her kingdom and family. I was happy to learn more about her since she's one of my favorite characters in this whole series. We also learn a bit more about Delmira and I'm hoping to still learn more since I don't think I fully understand what her powers are and I want to know or understand more.
This was such a fantastic sequel, and I loved the end of it! I so look forward to the third book and I don't know how I will be patient and wait for it! Thank you to Paper Myths, the author and NetGalley for the free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Solid 5 star read for me!
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Another comfort read by a great author. TEAR DOWN THE THRONE continues Gemma's story as she contends with her duties as a spy, but also her feelings for her enemy. The story is full of all the adventure and charm that I expect from Estep novels, as well as some complex scenes and choices that Gemma is forced to make.
Gemma herself is as fun as any Estep characters, her drive and personality keeping the scenes engaging. I enjoyed her interactions with most of the cast, especially her father and Maeven, since they both came with complications. Reiko also had some great moments with Gemma as their friendship became tested. Leonidas remains the strong silent type, looking for redemption and to win back Gemma's trust.
The story focused on a series of trials that I thought would be posted to Gemma but were centered around someone else. While Gemma was active in the scenes, she likely could have been more directly involved in the challenges. That said, the final trial was very exciting and written with a cinematic feel to it.
There were plenty of mysteries and new elements added to the world to keep it fresh and exciting. The story was at its strongest when the characters were engaging in spycraft. I would have loved more of those scenes and hope there will be additional ones in the future.
The romance between Gemma and Leonidas was strong, since both characters had to struggle with the people they had been compared to the people they were. Watching them confront their feelings for each other made for great reading.
If you're a long time reader of Jennifer Estep, you know what to expect from her books. But, if you're a long time reader, you'll know that her content is all about fun, charisma, and adventure. Highly recommended to fans of casual fantasy and easy reading!
Gemma herself is as fun as any Estep characters, her drive and personality keeping the scenes engaging. I enjoyed her interactions with most of the cast, especially her father and Maeven, since they both came with complications. Reiko also had some great moments with Gemma as their friendship became tested. Leonidas remains the strong silent type, looking for redemption and to win back Gemma's trust.
The story focused on a series of trials that I thought would be posted to Gemma but were centered around someone else. While Gemma was active in the scenes, she likely could have been more directly involved in the challenges. That said, the final trial was very exciting and written with a cinematic feel to it.
There were plenty of mysteries and new elements added to the world to keep it fresh and exciting. The story was at its strongest when the characters were engaging in spycraft. I would have loved more of those scenes and hope there will be additional ones in the future.
The romance between Gemma and Leonidas was strong, since both characters had to struggle with the people they had been compared to the people they were. Watching them confront their feelings for each other made for great reading.
If you're a long time reader of Jennifer Estep, you know what to expect from her books. But, if you're a long time reader, you'll know that her content is all about fun, charisma, and adventure. Highly recommended to fans of casual fantasy and easy reading!
keeneam's review against another edition
5.0
Tear Down the Throne was another thrilling book in this epic series. Leo makes a wonderful hero and I love that he saw a little more of him and his thoughts, than previously. Gemma seemed to grow a little, as well, and was more mature and did not letter impulses get the better of her as often as in pervious books. The action was fast paced and while some was were expected, there were still some surprises. I also loved the side characters of the gargoyles and strixes. I also can't wait to her more about how Gemma officially becomes the Gargoyle Green and her mother's involvement,
briggamooz's review against another edition
4.0
Oh it was SO nice to hang with Princess Gemma again! Jennifer Estep delivers another fun, funny escapade, picking up right where we left off with undercover spy, princess extraordinaire, Gemma Ripley. Delving deeper into the intrigue and machinations of the kingdoms, teasing us with Leonidas and then some.
Gemma is just as strong a female lead as Everleigh Blair from the Crown of Shards series and, if I dare say it - stronger. She's a character of action, spending little time navel gazing, and happy to seize her own destiny by the reins. it's a refreshing step away from the ingenue YA and NA Epic leads who often spiral into self doubt. While these topics are explored, Estep keeps the pace lively, constantly moving the reader forward with a breakneck plot that delivers on every promise it makes.
While full of action and touting its fair share of violence, The Gargoyle Queen series is also a focused exploration of family and the ties that bind us, often in complicated, intricate knots.
Gemma is just as strong a female lead as Everleigh Blair from the Crown of Shards series and, if I dare say it - stronger. She's a character of action, spending little time navel gazing, and happy to seize her own destiny by the reins. it's a refreshing step away from the ingenue YA and NA Epic leads who often spiral into self doubt. While these topics are explored, Estep keeps the pace lively, constantly moving the reader forward with a breakneck plot that delivers on every promise it makes.
While full of action and touting its fair share of violence, The Gargoyle Queen series is also a focused exploration of family and the ties that bind us, often in complicated, intricate knots.
vivielee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kate_and_books's review against another edition
4.0
Bumped up from 3.5 ☆ to 4.5☆
Gemma Ripley & Andvari are facing Morta and Maven's plots again. This time her hand in marriage is on the line and also her life. But how much can she really trust Leonidas after he has betrayed her twice.
At the trade summit she shall really see who she can trust. All the royals gather together and all of them have a long game to play.
I am a huge fan of this series. I have a major soft spot for Gargoyles especially Grimley, Fern and Otto. Of Gemma & Leonidas and all they have to face to get their happily ever after. Book 3 awaits.
Gemma Ripley & Andvari are facing Morta and Maven's plots again. This time her hand in marriage is on the line and also her life. But how much can she really trust Leonidas after he has betrayed her twice.
At the trade summit she shall really see who she can trust. All the royals gather together and all of them have a long game to play.
I am a huge fan of this series. I have a major soft spot for Gargoyles especially Grimley, Fern and Otto. Of Gemma & Leonidas and all they have to face to get their happily ever after. Book 3 awaits.