Publishers Weekly
02/14/2022
Estep’s fast-paced sequel to Capture the Crown dives deeper into the world of her Gargoyle Queen series. Princess Gemma Ripley of Andvari is still reeling from her deadly confrontation with the Morricones, the ruling family of Andvari’s rival, Morta, when Queen Maeven Morricone sets up another scheme, this time at the royal Summit in Caldwell Castle. There, Maeven interrupts the festivities to invoke the traditional Ungerian custom of the Gauntlet, forcing her son Leonidas into a marriage with Gemma. But Leonidas must first complete three challenges; if Gemma refuses to comply or Leonidas fails, their lives are forfeit. Trapped by Maeven’s plot and overwhelmed by her inner romantic turmoil, Gemma must find a way to outsmart centuries-old tradition while preserving the diplomatic relations between Andvari’s neighboring kingdoms. As with the previous installment, Estep puts little flesh on the bones of her cast: the characters all sound the same and their dialogue often feels flat. Fortunately, she makes up for this shortcoming with tension-filled battle scenes and a delightfully offbeat magic system. There’s plenty for series fans to look forward to. Agent: Annalise Robey, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (May)
From the Publisher
"Pretty princess + dangerous spy, that's Gemma Ripley. She does both with equal panache. Tracking a missing batch of magical tearstone leads Gemma into the heart of a hostile kingdom, the presence of a mortal enemy, and heart-pounding danger. This is action at its finest." — #1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris on Capture the Crown
“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…the gripping romp flies, like Grimley, Gemma’s beloved gargoyle, at a breakneck speed that will keep readers turning pages.” — Publishers Weekly on Capture the Crown
“Estep’s new series takes readers back to the world she built in Crown of Shards, filled once again with exciting machinations and a slow burn of romance.” — Library Journal on Capture the Crown
“Capture the Crown is an exciting, strong series starter that fans and new readers alike will enjoy.” — Booklist
"Action, magic, danger, and romance—a thrilling read from start to finish! Gemma Ripley is my favorite kind of heroine—smart, courageous, fierce, spirited, flawed, and full of heart. The Gargoyle Queen will capture yours!" — Amanda Bouchet, USA Today bestselling author of The Kingmaker Chronicles
"Hold onto your hearts, fantasy romance lovers! Because you’re going to lose them to the deliciously smexy new bad boy prince in Capture the Crown. Jennifer Estep has outdone herself in penning my new favorite book of hers. Prince Leonidas is everything I could ask for—and Princess Gemma as a spy in a deadly waltz with him had me devouring the pages." — Jeffe Kennedy, author of the Forgotten Empires, Heirs of Magic and Bonds of Magic romantic fantasy series.
“Kill the Queen is the definition of epic fantasy: exciting, original, and filled with characters who jump off the page. Jennifer Estep enters the arena and takes no prisoners. Long live the Winter Queen.” — Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Imaginative.” — Wall Street Journal
"Betrayal put Everleigh Blair on the throne and treachery threatens to take her off. But Queen Everleigh survives the dangerous and vindictive courtly world and emerges a true Winter Queen - this is a gripping tale of one woman's survival and triumph." — Julia London, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Princess Plan
“Jennifer Estep’s Kill the Queen is the fierce, feminist kick-off of a great new fantasy series... a sweeping, addictive adventure with a tiny hint of romance that will leave readers clamoring for more of this universe as soon as they reach the last page.” — culturess.com
#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris on Capture the Crown
"Pretty princess + dangerous spy, that's Gemma Ripley. She does both with equal panache. Tracking a missing batch of magical tearstone leads Gemma into the heart of a hostile kingdom, the presence of a mortal enemy, and heart-pounding danger. This is action at its finest."
culturess.com
Jennifer Estep’s Kill the Queen is the fierce, feminist kick-off of a great new fantasy series... a sweeping, addictive adventure with a tiny hint of romance that will leave readers clamoring for more of this universe as soon as they reach the last page.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris
"Pretty princess + dangerous spy, that's Gemma Ripley. She does both with equal panache. Tracking a missing batch of magical tearstone leads Gemma into the heart of a hostile kingdom, the presence of a mortal enemy, and heart-pounding danger. This is action at its finest."
Amanda Bouchet
"Action, magic, danger, and romance—a thrilling read from start to finish! Gemma Ripley is my favorite kind of heroine—smart, courageous, fierce, spirited, flawed, and full of heart. The Gargoyle Queen will capture yours!"
Jeffe Kennedy
"Hold onto your hearts, fantasy romance lovers! Because you’re going to lose them to the deliciously smexy new bad boy prince in Capture the Crown. Jennifer Estep has outdone herself in penning my new favorite book of hers. Prince Leonidas is everything I could ask for—and Princess Gemma as a spy in a deadly waltz with him had me devouring the pages."
Ilona Andrews
Kill the Queen is the definition of epic fantasy: exciting, original, and filled with characters who jump off the page. Jennifer Estep enters the arena and takes no prisoners. Long live the Winter Queen.
Julia London
"Betrayal put Everleigh Blair on the throne and treachery threatens to take her off. But Queen Everleigh survives the dangerous and vindictive courtly world and emerges a true Winter Queen - this is a gripping tale of one woman's survival and triumph."
Wall Street Journal
Imaginative.
Booklist
Capture the Crown is an exciting, strong series starter that fans and new readers alike will enjoy.
Booklist
Capture the Crown is an exciting, strong series starter that fans and new readers alike will enjoy.
Wall Street Journal
Imaginative.
Library Journal
12/01/2021
In this second in her "Gargoyle Queen" series, spun off from her best-selling "Crown of Shards" trilogy, Gemma Ripley of Andvari is determined to defend her kingdom, which leads her to a summit among competing kingdoms and another meeting with Prince Leonidas, son of conniving Queen Maeven Morricone of Morta. He's a threat to Gemma, but she can't help feeling attracted. With a 50,000-copy first printing.
