Capture the Crown

by Jennifer Estep

Overview

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 … 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063023048
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	07/06/2021
Series:	A Gargoyle Queen Novel
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	NOOK Book
Pages:	464
Sales rank:	18,284
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author who prowls the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer is the author of the Crown of Shards, Elemental Assassin, and other fantasy series. She has written more than 35 books, along with numerous novellas and stories.

In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with friends and family, doing yoga, and reading fantasy and romance books. She also watches way too much TV and loves all things related to superheroes.

Editorial Reviews

03/22/2021

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. To most, Gemma Ripley seems like nothing more than the pampered princess of Andavari, obsessed with dresses, balls, and herself—but she also secretly works as a spy. While undercover as a tearstone miner at the border town of Blauberg, she discovers a smuggling ring and lands herself in mortal peril. But the real danger might come from her rescuer, the handsome and mysterious Morta prince, Leonidas Morricone. Whisked to the royal castle of Morta, Andavari’s rival kingdom, Gemma must figure out who she can trust while confronting her traumatic past and the magic she has suppressed. Some of the ensuing intrigue feels thin, and the characterization is often rather black-and-white: Andavari equals good, Morta equals bad. Despite the flaws, though, the gripping romp flies, like Grimley, Gemma’s beloved gargoyle, at a breakneck speed that will keep readers turning pages. Fans of Tamora Pierce who are ready for a little more gore should take note. Agent: Annalise Robey, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (July)

Publishers Weekly

“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

“Jennifer Estep’s Crown of Shards series is a fantasy lover’s thrill ride. Stunning magic, epic battles, masterful political plays, strong friendships, shocking twists, a touch of romance, and enemies to absolutely hate while others surprise you make this story unputdownable and one for the keeper shelf. Estep gives us a heroine to root for, whose bravery and cunning set her apart and whose compassion and loyalty will keep readers turning the pages to see what this remarkable leader will do next. Everleigh Blair isn’t only a Winter Queen; she’s an avalanche.”
— Amanda Bouchet, USA Today bestselling author of the Kingmaker Chronicles series

"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, award-winning author of the Forgotten Empires, Heirs of Magic and Bonds of Magic romantic fantasy series

“Crush the King is a truly epic climax to a fantastic trilogy. With glittering pageantry, lethal magic, and political conniving among warring kingdoms, the story kept me rapt with anticipation—and the truly glorious ending satisfied in style. The Crown of Shards is an action-packed, magical ride, and I loved seeing Everleigh grow from a hunted girl to a confident queen. Love live the Winter Queen!”  — Jeffe Kennedy, RITA® Award–winning author of The Orchid Throne

"Estep knows how to create strong and relatable fantasy female leads. Evie’s rise into her power in deeds and magic is a fabulous, inspiring read. Solid writing, bold characters, and action-filled sequences create an exciting finish for this trilogy."  — Library Journal on Crush the King

“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

“Estep has crafted another winner...this addicting series remains a fun thrill a minute and is highly recommended.”  — Booklist on Crush the King

“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

“Kill the Queen rocked my world! With court intrigue, a cast of fantastic characters, epic political sweep, and a slow-burn romance to die for, this book had me rapt. I only regret I devoured it so fast. And that I didn’t write it. More please!” — Jeffe Kennedy, RITA® Award winning author of The Pages of the Mind

"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

From the Publisher

"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

Estep has crafted another winner...this addicting series remains a fun thrill a minute and is highly recommended.” 

Booklist on Crush the King

Jennifer Estep’s Crown of Shards series is a fantasy lover’s thrill ride. Stunning magic, epic battles, masterful political plays, strong friendships, shocking twists, a touch of romance, and enemies to absolutely hate while others surprise you make this story unputdownable and one for the keeper shelf. Estep gives us a heroine to root for, whose bravery and cunning set her apart and whose compassion and loyalty will keep readers turning the pages to see what this remarkable leader will do next. Everleigh Blair isn’t only a Winter Queen; she’s an avalanche.”

Amanda Bouchet

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

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

"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

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

Estep has crafted another winner...this addicting series remains a fun thrill a minute and is highly recommended.” 

null Booklist on Crush the King