Written by contributor Graceley Knox
As a full on disclaimer, this reader is a hardcore fan of Jennifer Estep’s books and has been for many many years, but it’s been a hot minute, and this obsession of mine, isn’t letting up. I’d apologise, but really, I’m not even a teensy bit sorry about it. There are also mild spoilers through this review, so don’t keep reading if that will make you want to not read the book because you should definitely be reading this book ASAP.
Diving right in, because I can’t contain my excitement here, Capture the Crown is the first book in a spin-off series to Estep’s Crown of Shards trilogy, this new series is titled Gargoyle Queen and I need all the details on when I can expect book two, ‘cause I’m hooked! Which, PS, was also epic AF, so if you haven’t read it yet, jump on it! But never fear, you don’t have to have read the first trilogy to understand what’s going on in Capture the Crown.
Capture the Crown over-delivers in each and every aspect of what you’d expect from a novel written by Estep. Romance and intrigue, layered and detailed worldbuilding, both relatable and swoonworthy characters, a whole lot of edge-of-your-seat action, and perfectly timed quick-witted banter sprinkled in there to ease the readers tense shoulders at just the right time. And for those of you who are new to Estep’s writing, any fan of fantasy novels in general will adore this book. But, be warned, this book is by no means just another fantasy novel that’s interchangeable with a shelf full of others and you can trust me on this one because my home library is full of fantasy novels of every kind. But I can wax poetic about my books later… moving on to the good stuff…
Oh. My. Giddy. Gargoyle.
I mean first off… the main character Gemma Ripley has a gargoyle named Grimley…who is so adorable I literally had to put down the book at one point and go find one of my fur-babies to give all the want to squish your face, give me kisses, and loves and cuddles because I was in danger of doing it to my book. And don’t even get me started on the personality Estep has written for not only Grimley, but for other creature companions in the novel. Their antics kept me chuckling throughout the entire book.
Second, I want to be her when I grow up. Gemma’s a girl who knows how to run a long con—a girl after my own con-woman trope loving heart—and enjoys the fact that no one knows that she’s actually got the upper hand. And I’m not gonna lie, I love how she didn’t feel an ounce of guilt about having to fool those around her. She’s a woman on a mission, and isn’t apologising for doing what she’s got to do to keep her family and her kingdom safe.
Third, she’s flawed. And not just in a “we threw this in there to give her an edge” kinda way, but in a well-thought-out and realistic way. Without going into details, I will say Gemma has some trauma from her past that gives her some anxiety and Estep didn’t shy from letting the reader experience this with Gemma on the page. I not only found this relatable, as someone who suffers from anxiety, but I felt it really rounded out Gemma’s character. This new willingness to include characters that actually struggle with anxiety within the fantasy genre, let alone the fantasy romance (#Romantacy) genre, is refreshing to see not only included for a main character, but done well, and not just glazed over.
True to the synopsis, Gemma is a spy…and a damned good one because pretty much everyone is fooled by her spoiled princess of Andvari persona. She’s my favourite type of heroine in a fantasy romance novel, witty, resourceful, fierce, and unwavering in her determination to find out just who is stealing the tearstone from the royal mines and threatening her loved ones.
So not only do we have a badass, yet charmingly flawed, undercover princess spy, who’s on her own behind enemy lines… We’ve got a devilishly handsome hero who just happens to be Gemma’s sworn mortal enemy, Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta. And let me just warn you now, Prince Leo is going to give every fantasy-book-boyfriend-having reader out there, all the feels.
Leo is a very well written anti-hero who kept me guessing as he wasn’t always honest or honourable, but that veiled secrecy about his character really caught my attention. His family is very different from Gemma’s, like night and day. His family is more cutthroat, try to kill you in your sleep, cruel, where Gemma’s is supportive and caring. Despite his upbringing and serious trust issues, it’s clear that Leo does protect those he cares about. I’m dying to know more about how he’ll develop through the series because his family’s manipulation is straight up something out of the toxic relationship handbook, if there ever was one. But moving past the heart-racing twists and turns, as well as all the action packed into this book…
Holy hotness on a stick!
The sparks between these two fly off the pages! And by sparks I mean, keep a bucket of water nearby just in case you need to dump it on yourself, or your reading device, because you might combust, sparks. Queen of the slowburn, Estep keeps the line of tension between these two pulled as taut as a tightrope as they struggle to trust each other and let go of past misconceptions they’ve clung to for years. It’s clearly not going to be an easy road for them, as the obstacles set in their path just from this book, but I’m 100% rooting for #TeamLeoGem #TeamGeLo? Any better hashtag suggestions fellow shippers? If so, let me know so I can stop cringing at my inability to come up with one!
Capture the Crown is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
Will you be picking up Capture the Crown? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
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…
