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Gargoyle Queen #3
Conquer the Kingdom
Magic reigns, plots abound, and a new love might not conquer all, in this must-read finale to the epic Gargoyle Queen trilogy by international bestselling author Jennifer Estep.
Time is running out for crown princess Gemma Ripley. Despite being a cunning spy and a powerful mind magier, Gemma hasn't been able to track down the most dangerous enemy her kingdom of Andvari has ever seen. Adding to her worries is the Sword and Shield tournament. With gladiators flocking to the capital city of Glanzen, Gemma can't tell who is friend--or foe.
Determined to protect Andvari at any cost, Gemma hatches a bold plan, but things aren't what they seem. Soon, everything she holds dear is being threatened, including her burgeoning relationship with Prince Leonidas Morricone.
With the kingdom she holds dear slipping through her fingers, Gemma will have to conquer her fear and unlock the true secret of her magic--or watch her friends and family die and her beloved Andvari fall . . .
Time is running out for crown princess Gemma Ripley. Despite being a cunning spy and a powerful mind magier, Gemma hasn't been able to track down the most dangerous enemy her kingdom of Andvari has ever seen. Adding to her worries is the Sword and Shield tournament. With gladiators flocking to the capital city of Glanzen, Gemma can't tell who is friend--or foe.
Determined to protect Andvari at any cost, Gemma hatches a bold plan, but things aren't what they seem. Soon, everything she holds dear is being threatened, including her burgeoning relationship with Prince Leonidas Morricone.
With the kingdom she holds dear slipping through her fingers, Gemma will have to conquer her fear and unlock the true secret of her magic--or watch her friends and family die and her beloved Andvari fall . . .
414 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2023
173 people are currently reading
5160 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Estep
96 books11.9k followersJennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author who prowls the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.
Jennifer is the author of the Elemental Assassin, Section 47, Galactic Bonds, Crown of Shards, Gargoyle Queen, and other fantasy series. She has written more than 40 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.
For more information on Jennifer and her books, visit her website at www.JenniferEstep.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-....
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Happy reading, everyone! 😎
Jennifer is the author of the Elemental Assassin, Section 47, Galactic Bonds, Crown of Shards, Gargoyle Queen, and other fantasy series. She has written more than 40 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.
For more information on Jennifer and her books, visit her website at www.JenniferEstep.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-....
FOLLOW JENNIFER ONLINE:
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/yyj59omw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_es...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jennifer_Estep
Amazon: https://amzn.to/39lCyX6
BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/y4dm3zso
Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/y638q98k
Jennifer's blog: https://tinyurl.com/2dj4afb
Jennifer's newsletter: http://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-...
Happy reading, everyone! 😎
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
March 13, 2023
Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep
Gargoyle Queen #3. Crown of Shards #6. Fantasy.
Despite being a cunning spy and a powerful magier, Gemma hasn’t been able to track down the most dangerous enemy her kingdom of Andvari has ever seen. She knows he’s out there and planning the ultimate destruction. Will her magic be enough?
A phenomenal series. This is the conclusion of Gemma’s trilogy. It’s epic and a touch romantic. Gemma is fierce and still caring. She’s strong in her loyalties, and her love of family, found and made including Grimley, Fern, Lyra and little Violet. And of course, Leonidas.
I hope there’s more to come. We have to wait and see.
This is a series (all 6) I may just have to read again in the future.
Gargoyle Queen #3. Crown of Shards #6. Fantasy.
Despite being a cunning spy and a powerful magier, Gemma hasn’t been able to track down the most dangerous enemy her kingdom of Andvari has ever seen. She knows he’s out there and planning the ultimate destruction. Will her magic be enough?
A phenomenal series. This is the conclusion of Gemma’s trilogy. It’s epic and a touch romantic. Gemma is fierce and still caring. She’s strong in her loyalties, and her love of family, found and made including Grimley, Fern, Lyra and little Violet. And of course, Leonidas.
I hope there’s more to come. We have to wait and see.
This is a series (all 6) I may just have to read again in the future.
March 7, 2023
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was absolutely fantastic! I have been a fan of the books set in this world since the very beginning. I was really excited to read the final chapter of Gemma’s story and once I really started reading this book, I literally could not put it down. I hate to admit that I ended up ignoring all other things in my life until I reached the last page. I am happy to report that I was completely satisfied by how everything worked out in the end.
Gemma and Leo are in Gemma’s kingdom, Andvari, and the locals have not met Leo with the open arms that Gemma had hoped that they would. Milo is still on the loose and presents a danger to Gemma and everyone that she loves. Her kingdom is hosting a tournament and Gemma has a feeling that Milo will be in attendance especially if she invites a few surprise guests.
This book was full of action and I had no idea exactly how things would work out. I really liked that there were quite a few touching moments as well. Leo and Gemma prove to be perfect for each other and I love how fiercely they are both willing to fight for those that they feel responsible to protect. The gargoyle and strix characters were very well done and added a wonderful element to the story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This is the final book in the Gargoyle Queen trilogy so I would recommend starting with the first book if at all possible since each book in the trilogy builds on the events from the previous installment. I found this book to be a wonderful conclusion to a trilogy that I know I will be wanting to read again in the not so distant future. I cannot wait to read more of Jennifer Estep’s work.
I received a review copy of this book from Harper Voyager.
This was absolutely fantastic! I have been a fan of the books set in this world since the very beginning. I was really excited to read the final chapter of Gemma’s story and once I really started reading this book, I literally could not put it down. I hate to admit that I ended up ignoring all other things in my life until I reached the last page. I am happy to report that I was completely satisfied by how everything worked out in the end.
Gemma and Leo are in Gemma’s kingdom, Andvari, and the locals have not met Leo with the open arms that Gemma had hoped that they would. Milo is still on the loose and presents a danger to Gemma and everyone that she loves. Her kingdom is hosting a tournament and Gemma has a feeling that Milo will be in attendance especially if she invites a few surprise guests.
This book was full of action and I had no idea exactly how things would work out. I really liked that there were quite a few touching moments as well. Leo and Gemma prove to be perfect for each other and I love how fiercely they are both willing to fight for those that they feel responsible to protect. The gargoyle and strix characters were very well done and added a wonderful element to the story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This is the final book in the Gargoyle Queen trilogy so I would recommend starting with the first book if at all possible since each book in the trilogy builds on the events from the previous installment. I found this book to be a wonderful conclusion to a trilogy that I know I will be wanting to read again in the not so distant future. I cannot wait to read more of Jennifer Estep’s work.
I received a review copy of this book from Harper Voyager.
March 5, 2023
Conquer the Kingdom is an epic conclusion to the Gargoyle Queen series with its immersive world-building, fast-paced and suspenseful action, and impressive character growth.
One of the things that stood out to me the most about the entire series was the depth of the world-building. The author has created a rich and complex fantasy world, complete with its own mythology, cultures, and politics. It’s a fascinating world of magic, gargoyles, strix, and more. Plus, the action in the novel is non-stop, and I found myself on the edge of my seat during the intense and vivid battles. The final confrontation between Gemma and Milo was so worth the wait!
The character growth was also fantastic, especially Gemma’s. She is fierce and capable, and she becomes even stronger as she learns more about her powers. She is a great leader and truly wants the best for her people. Leo has always been my favorite, though. I love a morally grey, brooding MMC, which is how Leonidas appeared in the first book. Now, we see so many different sides to him, and I couldn’t get enough! Also, how did Estep make me like one of the villains of the story?
And the side characters were just as engaging and compelling as the protagonists. Reiko and Kai have my heart, and I love the gargoyles and strix. They all added such depth to the world-building. I found myself rooting for them just as much as the main characters. They all add a unique and fascinating dynamic to the story, and their personalities are distinct and memorable. I adore the grumpy Grimley and the super sweet strix Lyra, and the relationship between the gargoyles and Gemma is particularly heartwarming, and their loyalty and bravery add an extra layer of depth to the plot.
The romance, of course, was another highlight of the book for me. The chemistry between Gemma and Leo was electric, and their relationship was everything! They love each other so much, and they’ve survived so many obstacles. It’s not easy for the pair, as many of the people in Gemma’s kingdom don’t trust Leo or treat him well, and their relationship continues to be put to the test. Their chemistry is palpable from the beginning, and it’s refreshing to see a strong and capable woman in the lead role who is also vulnerable and allowed to experience complex emotions. The representation of women in this series is excellent overall, with many of the female characters being strong, capable, and independent. I love seeing female characters who are just as, if not more, fierce and skilled as their male counterparts.
Though this is a spin-off series, I have a feeling that there will be a spin-off of this series too. There are several hints throughout the book that this is not the end, and one character in particular did not have the conclusion I expected. I have a feeling this character could be a focus of a future story. Fingers crossed! Special thanks to the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
One of the things that stood out to me the most about the entire series was the depth of the world-building. The author has created a rich and complex fantasy world, complete with its own mythology, cultures, and politics. It’s a fascinating world of magic, gargoyles, strix, and more. Plus, the action in the novel is non-stop, and I found myself on the edge of my seat during the intense and vivid battles. The final confrontation between Gemma and Milo was so worth the wait!
The character growth was also fantastic, especially Gemma’s. She is fierce and capable, and she becomes even stronger as she learns more about her powers. She is a great leader and truly wants the best for her people. Leo has always been my favorite, though. I love a morally grey, brooding MMC, which is how Leonidas appeared in the first book. Now, we see so many different sides to him, and I couldn’t get enough! Also, how did Estep make me like one of the villains of the story?
And the side characters were just as engaging and compelling as the protagonists. Reiko and Kai have my heart, and I love the gargoyles and strix. They all added such depth to the world-building. I found myself rooting for them just as much as the main characters. They all add a unique and fascinating dynamic to the story, and their personalities are distinct and memorable. I adore the grumpy Grimley and the super sweet strix Lyra, and the relationship between the gargoyles and Gemma is particularly heartwarming, and their loyalty and bravery add an extra layer of depth to the plot.
The romance, of course, was another highlight of the book for me. The chemistry between Gemma and Leo was electric, and their relationship was everything! They love each other so much, and they’ve survived so many obstacles. It’s not easy for the pair, as many of the people in Gemma’s kingdom don’t trust Leo or treat him well, and their relationship continues to be put to the test. Their chemistry is palpable from the beginning, and it’s refreshing to see a strong and capable woman in the lead role who is also vulnerable and allowed to experience complex emotions. The representation of women in this series is excellent overall, with many of the female characters being strong, capable, and independent. I love seeing female characters who are just as, if not more, fierce and skilled as their male counterparts.
Though this is a spin-off series, I have a feeling that there will be a spin-off of this series too. There are several hints throughout the book that this is not the end, and one character in particular did not have the conclusion I expected. I have a feeling this character could be a focus of a future story. Fingers crossed! Special thanks to the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
March 16, 2023
3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/03/14/...
Even though deep down I know these books aren’t intended to be much more than guilty pleasure reads or brain candy, this third and final installment of the Gargoyle Queen probably could have used a bit more oomph. That said, I thought Conquer the Kingdom was still a very entertaining and overall satisfying ending to this romance and adventure-infused fantasy trilogy.
In the wake of the events at the end of Tear Down the Throne, our protagonist the crown princess Gemma Ripley of Andvari is on the hunt for a dangerous enemy who has vowed to destroy her kingdom. But even with her powerful mind magier powers and the help of her friend and spymistress Reiko, the two them have not been able to track down the scheming Milo Morricone.
However, an opportunity to lure him in may present itself in the coming days, with the Sword and Shield gladiatorial tournament being held soon in the capital city of Glanzen. At the same time, the event also brings much risk to Gemma amidst an influx of visiting strangers. Already she has to watch her back with Queen Maeven of Morta, who has already tried to take her down, but as Milo’s mother, she may also be the key to understanding the enemy’s diabolical plans. Meanwhile, Gemma’s relationship with Maeven’s other son Leonidas deepens, creating another set of problems as their future together becomes uncertain. After all, Leonidas still has a duty to his own people, and while he may have Gemma’s love and trust, it will be harder to win over the rest of Andvari.
Like the previous books, Conquer the Kingdom was a fun romp, though the action was definitely heavier on the back-end, leaving the first two thirds of the novel relatively uneventful. Throughout the series, Gemma has faced countless challenges and many foes, and because of this I had expected the conflict to be somewhat bigger and more significant. Instead, for most the story Gemma occupies herself with trying to find Milo, and when she isn’t making any headway on that front, the narrative is mostly filled with idle conversation with few highlights.
Still, as a final installment, it achieved the purpose of wrapping up loose ends and tying up the storylines for the various characters. Even though most of the plot lacked intensity, the author did a good job capturing the complexities of the different relationships for Gemma, including her romantic one with Leonidas and her adversarial one with Queen Maeven. Side plots also explored supporting characters like Reiko and Kai, and of course the series’ unique and fascinating creatures like the gargoyles and strix.
But by far the best and most exciting part of the novel came near the end with a rescue mission that culminated in an epic showdown, making up for the slower start. Not only was it an explosive way to conclude the trilogy, but the finale also provides an emotional and satisfying sendoff for this cast of memorable characters, rewarding readers with feel-good vibes. This makes The Gargoyle Queen a great choice for fantasy fans who are perhaps looking for something lighter and more casual. While the series has never pretended to be anything more or anything less, I do love how accessible it is without sacrificing any character development or the depth of their relationships.
When I think back to my first book by Jennifer Estep, which was Kill the Queen, I find it amazing that we’ve now come to the end of her second trilogy set in this world. While I have no clue whether she’ll follow it up with a third, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if another spinoff does come to pass, since clearly there are still so many stories in this Crown of Shards/Gargoyle Queen universe still waiting to be told. If that happens, I know I’ll be reading.
Even though deep down I know these books aren’t intended to be much more than guilty pleasure reads or brain candy, this third and final installment of the Gargoyle Queen probably could have used a bit more oomph. That said, I thought Conquer the Kingdom was still a very entertaining and overall satisfying ending to this romance and adventure-infused fantasy trilogy.
In the wake of the events at the end of Tear Down the Throne, our protagonist the crown princess Gemma Ripley of Andvari is on the hunt for a dangerous enemy who has vowed to destroy her kingdom. But even with her powerful mind magier powers and the help of her friend and spymistress Reiko, the two them have not been able to track down the scheming Milo Morricone.
However, an opportunity to lure him in may present itself in the coming days, with the Sword and Shield gladiatorial tournament being held soon in the capital city of Glanzen. At the same time, the event also brings much risk to Gemma amidst an influx of visiting strangers. Already she has to watch her back with Queen Maeven of Morta, who has already tried to take her down, but as Milo’s mother, she may also be the key to understanding the enemy’s diabolical plans. Meanwhile, Gemma’s relationship with Maeven’s other son Leonidas deepens, creating another set of problems as their future together becomes uncertain. After all, Leonidas still has a duty to his own people, and while he may have Gemma’s love and trust, it will be harder to win over the rest of Andvari.
Like the previous books, Conquer the Kingdom was a fun romp, though the action was definitely heavier on the back-end, leaving the first two thirds of the novel relatively uneventful. Throughout the series, Gemma has faced countless challenges and many foes, and because of this I had expected the conflict to be somewhat bigger and more significant. Instead, for most the story Gemma occupies herself with trying to find Milo, and when she isn’t making any headway on that front, the narrative is mostly filled with idle conversation with few highlights.
Still, as a final installment, it achieved the purpose of wrapping up loose ends and tying up the storylines for the various characters. Even though most of the plot lacked intensity, the author did a good job capturing the complexities of the different relationships for Gemma, including her romantic one with Leonidas and her adversarial one with Queen Maeven. Side plots also explored supporting characters like Reiko and Kai, and of course the series’ unique and fascinating creatures like the gargoyles and strix.
But by far the best and most exciting part of the novel came near the end with a rescue mission that culminated in an epic showdown, making up for the slower start. Not only was it an explosive way to conclude the trilogy, but the finale also provides an emotional and satisfying sendoff for this cast of memorable characters, rewarding readers with feel-good vibes. This makes The Gargoyle Queen a great choice for fantasy fans who are perhaps looking for something lighter and more casual. While the series has never pretended to be anything more or anything less, I do love how accessible it is without sacrificing any character development or the depth of their relationships.
When I think back to my first book by Jennifer Estep, which was Kill the Queen, I find it amazing that we’ve now come to the end of her second trilogy set in this world. While I have no clue whether she’ll follow it up with a third, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if another spinoff does come to pass, since clearly there are still so many stories in this Crown of Shards/Gargoyle Queen universe still waiting to be told. If that happens, I know I’ll be reading.
April 20, 2023
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.Jennifer Estep doesn't disappoint with the drama and intrigue in this third installment in the Gargoyle Queen series. Milo and Captain Wexel are still on the loose and Gemma will do anything to stop him.
The final gladiator trials of the season have Gemma back home and preparing for Milo to wreak havoc. At the same time, she's enjoying having Leo with her at home. But nothing is quite that easy. She's frustrated that she can't find Milo and that people will not accept the love of her life. It's a lot of stress on Gemma. But, as usual, Gemma wears her Glitzma persona to try to clear the path for Leo while she figures out Milo's next steps. But there were many times where I wondered when it was all going to become too much for Gemma. Why did it feel like she was the only one in her country bearing all this weight? He father and stepmother were often on the sidelines will our heroine risked her life time and time again. It truly made me wonder why the throne isn't given to her right now because she seems to be the only one doing anything to ensure her people's safety.
I enjoy Gemma. She's spunky, sweet, and wants what's best for everyone...even if that breaks her heart. There's a tiny bit of me that wishes she were a bit more selfish when it comes to Leo and instead of skeaming to get people to like him stand up to those that snub him. Leo and his sister do more for Glitnir than it's own residents do. They need to stop putting their hatred of his mother on him.
Part of the evil that vexes Gemma is over, but there is one that got away. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.Jennifer Estep doesn't disappoint with the drama and intrigue in this third installment in the Gargoyle Queen series. Milo and Captain Wexel are still on the loose and Gemma will do anything to stop him.
The final gladiator trials of the season have Gemma back home and preparing for Milo to wreak havoc. At the same time, she's enjoying having Leo with her at home. But nothing is quite that easy. She's frustrated that she can't find Milo and that people will not accept the love of her life. It's a lot of stress on Gemma. But, as usual, Gemma wears her Glitzma persona to try to clear the path for Leo while she figures out Milo's next steps. But there were many times where I wondered when it was all going to become too much for Gemma. Why did it feel like she was the only one in her country bearing all this weight? He father and stepmother were often on the sidelines will our heroine risked her life time and time again. It truly made me wonder why the throne isn't given to her right now because she seems to be the only one doing anything to ensure her people's safety.
I enjoy Gemma. She's spunky, sweet, and wants what's best for everyone...even if that breaks her heart. There's a tiny bit of me that wishes she were a bit more selfish when it comes to Leo and instead of skeaming to get people to like him stand up to those that snub him. Leo and his sister do more for Glitnir than it's own residents do. They need to stop putting their hatred of his mother on him.
Part of the evil that vexes Gemma is over, but there is one that got away. I can't wait to see what happens next.
March 18, 2023
Oh how I wanted to give this more than 3 stars but alas it was just not meant to be.
I adore this series but in the last installment it just didn't work. As I had just come off reading book 1 & 2 I got the full low down as to what had happened. So I found it a bit tedious. Gemma for my liking lost one too many times in their mini battles with Milo Morricone, the last battle however was epic. But I still wanted and expected more.
I got my HFN but I can't wait for Delmira to get her books. Fingers crossed it happens soon.
I adore this series but in the last installment it just didn't work. As I had just come off reading book 1 & 2 I got the full low down as to what had happened. So I found it a bit tedious. Gemma for my liking lost one too many times in their mini battles with Milo Morricone, the last battle however was epic. But I still wanted and expected more.
I got my HFN but I can't wait for Delmira to get her books. Fingers crossed it happens soon.
February 4, 2023
It's the writing, the scenes, the exchange between characters, and the overall feeling of epicness. That's what this series gave me. As much as I loved this series, I am sad that it's over. It's rare to fall in love with the entire ensemble cast but it happened. What Estep has created within the Gargoyle Queen series will be long-standing. I hope we see this on screen in the future. It's just that good. High adrenaline, action, methodical thinking, and a camaraderie that surpass most in comparable genres.
"Magic always seeks out like magic" and this holds true in so many forms. Thanks for the magic, Jennifer Estep. Your series has a forever placement in my bookcase.
~Tanja
*ARC provided by the publisher.
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"Magic always seeks out like magic" and this holds true in so many forms. Thanks for the magic, Jennifer Estep. Your series has a forever placement in my bookcase.
~Tanja
*ARC provided by the publisher.
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January 7, 2023
Conquer the Kingdom is the conclusion to the Gargoyle Queen series. I enjoyed how this all came together. We learn what Gemma can really do with her powers. That was something that she never really knew the extent of in the books leading up to this one.
I like that even though she was a very powerful person, she didn't come out on top in every battle. She had to fight hard every step of the way and it really showed how much she cared about keeping everyone safe from the clutches of Milo. She was always willing to sacrifice herself for the better good. What more can you ask of a future queen?
Leo was a great match for Gemma. He was from the "enemy" family so this made it a bit like Romeo and Juliet. Despite being around such cruelty, he and his sister were very good people and you saw that throughout the series. He was very protective of his family even knowing they didn't always do good things. He loved Gemma and wanted to protect her as well and it was believable.
Now their mother was a different story. Talk about a complex character. She had good and bad in her and I still don't really know how I feel about her. I think I kind of like that. It also showed how two of her three children could grow up to be decent people.
The Gargoyles and the Stryxes were cool and unique touches to the story. I enjoyed the part they played in this fantasy series and made it feel original. Overall a really good series to dive into.
I like that even though she was a very powerful person, she didn't come out on top in every battle. She had to fight hard every step of the way and it really showed how much she cared about keeping everyone safe from the clutches of Milo. She was always willing to sacrifice herself for the better good. What more can you ask of a future queen?
Leo was a great match for Gemma. He was from the "enemy" family so this made it a bit like Romeo and Juliet. Despite being around such cruelty, he and his sister were very good people and you saw that throughout the series. He was very protective of his family even knowing they didn't always do good things. He loved Gemma and wanted to protect her as well and it was believable.
Now their mother was a different story. Talk about a complex character. She had good and bad in her and I still don't really know how I feel about her. I think I kind of like that. It also showed how two of her three children could grow up to be decent people.
The Gargoyles and the Stryxes were cool and unique touches to the story. I enjoyed the part they played in this fantasy series and made it feel original. Overall a really good series to dive into.
March 2, 2023
Man, can Ms. Estep tell a great story! In this third installment of the Gargoyle Queen Trilogy, Princess Gemma really comes into her own, both in strength of character and in her magical awareness and ability. It's been such an intriguing and often riveting journey for the reader, as we follow a young lady who learned young that playing the part of "pampered princess" held untold value when discovering secret plots and uncovering evil truths. That fake persona comes back to bite her in this book, however, because she has played it so well, no one considers her to be more - especially that gifted spy and committed warrior she, in truth, is.
As Gemma fights to save all those she loves from the incredibly evil Milo, she must determine whether to trust his mother, the often evil queen Maeven. Now there's a conundrum! Especially since the love of her life is also Maeven's son! It is all kinds of tense, edge-of-your-seat action and intrigue from the opening page to the last happy sigh. And, while I still believe the Crown of Shards trilogy (from which this one is taken) is more developed and nuanced, this is still a book and a trilogy that will delight any action/fantasy lover!
As Gemma fights to save all those she loves from the incredibly evil Milo, she must determine whether to trust his mother, the often evil queen Maeven. Now there's a conundrum! Especially since the love of her life is also Maeven's son! It is all kinds of tense, edge-of-your-seat action and intrigue from the opening page to the last happy sigh. And, while I still believe the Crown of Shards trilogy (from which this one is taken) is more developed and nuanced, this is still a book and a trilogy that will delight any action/fantasy lover!
April 15, 2023
I’m so sad to see this series go 😭 it was so good! I love Gemma so much!
July 25, 2024
Ok so I usually don’t write reviews but this book was so irritating and annoying that I need to get it off my chest…
It wasn’t completely horrible. The overall plot was enjoyable and some scenes I did like.
BUT (and this is a big but) the writing style was incredibly annoying. There were so many repetitions and unnecessary comparisons that the book could’ve easily had about a hundred pages less. Sometimes there were like five comparisons on one page that were either way too obvious or just completely unnecessary and it made me want to hit my head against a wall… there are other ways to describe scenes, feelings and people.
Speaking of people, the characters had no depth. The villains were evil just because they were evil and the good guys were just good. There was no real distinction between the individual characters, you could’ve swapped their names and it still would’ve worked. The only slightly interesting character was Maven and she wasn’t even THAT present throughout the story.
It seemed like the other characters were just there to state the obvious and announce that they’d like to kill everyone.
I have some other issues with this book but I already feel bad for being so negative about it so I’m gonna stop…
It wasn’t completely horrible. The overall plot was enjoyable and some scenes I did like.
BUT (and this is a big but) the writing style was incredibly annoying. There were so many repetitions and unnecessary comparisons that the book could’ve easily had about a hundred pages less. Sometimes there were like five comparisons on one page that were either way too obvious or just completely unnecessary and it made me want to hit my head against a wall… there are other ways to describe scenes, feelings and people.
Speaking of people, the characters had no depth. The villains were evil just because they were evil and the good guys were just good. There was no real distinction between the individual characters, you could’ve swapped their names and it still would’ve worked. The only slightly interesting character was Maven and she wasn’t even THAT present throughout the story.
It seemed like the other characters were just there to state the obvious and announce that they’d like to kill everyone.
I have some other issues with this book but I already feel bad for being so negative about it so I’m gonna stop…
April 16, 2023
This book ends the Gargoyle Queen trilogy but it wouldn't surprise me to see more books in the future set in this universe. At the beginning of the book, Gemma and Reiko are still trying to find Milo and Wexler who continue to plot against the Ripleys and their kingdom. Adventures ensue. Leonidas and Gemma come to a meeting of the minds. Maeven does a good deed. Violet learns how to fly. There's a lot of action in this volume and some puzzles. Lots of fun and an easy read.
March 8, 2023
From the liadorn vines to power moves of the royalty, I plunged down the rabbit hole and devoured Conquer the Kingdom. Estep did a wonderful job of refreshing my memory regarding the previous book. Gemma,Leonida and friends are searching for Milo after the events of the last book. Because of spoilers, I recommend reading the books in the order of their release.
With each book, we have seen Gemma grow more confident with her magic, and she blossoms in this last book. Her confidence and what she wants for herself and the kingdom flourish.
A gladiator event is the perfect trap to catch Milo, and Gemma is using Maeven as bait. While Maeven may be a villainous Queen, she has always intrigued me. Especially her dialogue with Gemma. She seems to hint at prophecy and both Gemma and I would have liked to have shaken it out of her. It made for great build up and I loved how it wrapped up.
The romance between Prince Leo and Princess Gemma has always been forbidden. After all, the two kingdoms are enemies. I have rooted for them since the beginning and wondered how duty and love would mingle. While the romance continued to be in the background to the action and suspense, I think fans of the couple will be well pleased.
Estep wrapped up the trilogy nicely, but there are a few secondary characters whose stories I need. Particularly Delmira, Mae’s daughter, the princess. I am hoping a spin-off trilogy is in the works. The world is one you’ll want to revisit from the ports to the castles.
Fans of magic, gladiators, swoons and well-drawn characters will want to read/listen to the Gargoyle Queen series. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
With each book, we have seen Gemma grow more confident with her magic, and she blossoms in this last book. Her confidence and what she wants for herself and the kingdom flourish.
A gladiator event is the perfect trap to catch Milo, and Gemma is using Maeven as bait. While Maeven may be a villainous Queen, she has always intrigued me. Especially her dialogue with Gemma. She seems to hint at prophecy and both Gemma and I would have liked to have shaken it out of her. It made for great build up and I loved how it wrapped up.
The romance between Prince Leo and Princess Gemma has always been forbidden. After all, the two kingdoms are enemies. I have rooted for them since the beginning and wondered how duty and love would mingle. While the romance continued to be in the background to the action and suspense, I think fans of the couple will be well pleased.
Estep wrapped up the trilogy nicely, but there are a few secondary characters whose stories I need. Particularly Delmira, Mae’s daughter, the princess. I am hoping a spin-off trilogy is in the works. The world is one you’ll want to revisit from the ports to the castles.
Fans of magic, gladiators, swoons and well-drawn characters will want to read/listen to the Gargoyle Queen series. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
May 3, 2023
Bad dnd. All men are rapists. People with magic do nothing while enemies do the impossible. Guards and spies and flying scouts with eagle eyes never see the obvious or succeed. A gauntlet is a glove which covers the fingers.
June 1, 2023
A satisfying ending of this series.
March 30, 2024
In diese Reihe abzutauchen, ist für mich immer total nostalgisch. Ich habe die Splitterkronen-Reihe total geliebt und finde es immer noch schön, dass Estep uns weitere Bücher aus der Welt geschenkt hat. Nur mit Gemmas Abenteuer. „Gargoyle Queen“ weiß ähnlich zu überzeugen. Auch mit dem 3. Band der Reihe bin ich total versumpft. Die Geschichte zieht mich absolut ins Geschehen hinein und lässt mich nicht aus seiner Bubble raus.
Doch zunächst beginnt die Geschichte gemächlicher. Auf Widersacher Milo ist ein Kopfgeld ausgesetzt und Prinzessin Gemma rechnet jederzeit mit seiner Rache. Beide sind insbesondere in der ersten Buchhälfte mit Plänen schmieden, Fallen aufbauen und Strategien entwickeln beschäftigt. Es bleibt erst Mal gemächlicher bis in der 2. Hälfte alle Strategien umgesetzt werden, einige Fallen zuschnappen und die actionreichen Angriffe starten. Atemlos habe ich Schwertduelle, magische Intrigen oder Wettkämpfe in der Luft verfolgt.
Der Plot bietet ein starkes Katz-und-Maus-Spiel. Liebgewonnene Charaktere stehen immer einen Strang vor dem Tod und insbesondere in Kombination mit der Brutalität, ist ein konstantes Spannungslevel erhalten. Auch Hauptfigur Gemma wirft sich in brutale Schwertkämpfe. Man muss sich ständig um sie sorgen.
Ich fand, dass sich die Hauptfigur über die Reihe hinweg entwickelt hat. Sie wurde stärker, brutaler, strategischer und verliert dabei nie ihr Mitgefühl. Ihr Volk steht für sie an erster Stelle und sie entwickelt sich immer mehr zur Prinzessin, die ihr Volk benötigt. Ich mochte ihre taffe Art, die sie mit liebevoller Aufopferungsbereitschaft vereint.
Für mich waren aber auch die Nebencharaktere sehr präsent. Es gab kein Drama, kein Sideplot, den ich nicht voller Spannung zu ihnen verfolgt habe. Ganz hoch im Kurs, standen für mich auch die warmen Szenen zwischen den Gargoyles und dem Baby-Strix, das mit den Steinkreaturen fliegen lernt. Vor allem Gargoyles stehen in diesem Band im Fokus. Sie alle sind loyale Wesen, über die ich gerne gelesen habe. Weil sie süß, beeindruckend und wundervoll beschützerisch sind.
Liebesgeschichten finden ihren Höhepunkt, verlieren sich in Streitigkeiten oder erotischen Momenten. Ich war auch Feuer und Flamme für die Leidenschaft zwischen der Törtchen-verschlingenden Spionin Reiko und dem Gladiator Kai. Letztendlich mochte ich auch den weiterhin vertiefenden Einblick in das feindliche, mortanische Königreich. Ich fand es spannend, dass man auch mit den grausamen Rivalen stellenweise nur Mitleid empfindet. Nur, um sie dann wieder zu fürchten.
Fazit:
Wieder ein gelungener Roman aus Esteps Feder. Es beginnt zunächst gemächlicher und bietet Einblick in strategische Planung. Ab ca. der Hälfte wird es jedoch rasant und actionreich. Es wäre auch nicht Esteps Splitter-Welt, wenn ich in einem Band nicht mindestens ein Mal den Atem anhalten müsste.
Charakterlich auch wieder starke Beschreibungen. Kein Sideplot, kein Sidecharakter war uninteressant. Doch niemand stach in diesem Band so heraus, wie die beeindruckenden Gargoyles und die Entwicklung von Gemma. Über die Seiten wird sie zur passenden Königin to be.
Doch zunächst beginnt die Geschichte gemächlicher. Auf Widersacher Milo ist ein Kopfgeld ausgesetzt und Prinzessin Gemma rechnet jederzeit mit seiner Rache. Beide sind insbesondere in der ersten Buchhälfte mit Plänen schmieden, Fallen aufbauen und Strategien entwickeln beschäftigt. Es bleibt erst Mal gemächlicher bis in der 2. Hälfte alle Strategien umgesetzt werden, einige Fallen zuschnappen und die actionreichen Angriffe starten. Atemlos habe ich Schwertduelle, magische Intrigen oder Wettkämpfe in der Luft verfolgt.
Der Plot bietet ein starkes Katz-und-Maus-Spiel. Liebgewonnene Charaktere stehen immer einen Strang vor dem Tod und insbesondere in Kombination mit der Brutalität, ist ein konstantes Spannungslevel erhalten. Auch Hauptfigur Gemma wirft sich in brutale Schwertkämpfe. Man muss sich ständig um sie sorgen.
Ich fand, dass sich die Hauptfigur über die Reihe hinweg entwickelt hat. Sie wurde stärker, brutaler, strategischer und verliert dabei nie ihr Mitgefühl. Ihr Volk steht für sie an erster Stelle und sie entwickelt sich immer mehr zur Prinzessin, die ihr Volk benötigt. Ich mochte ihre taffe Art, die sie mit liebevoller Aufopferungsbereitschaft vereint.
Für mich waren aber auch die Nebencharaktere sehr präsent. Es gab kein Drama, kein Sideplot, den ich nicht voller Spannung zu ihnen verfolgt habe. Ganz hoch im Kurs, standen für mich auch die warmen Szenen zwischen den Gargoyles und dem Baby-Strix, das mit den Steinkreaturen fliegen lernt. Vor allem Gargoyles stehen in diesem Band im Fokus. Sie alle sind loyale Wesen, über die ich gerne gelesen habe. Weil sie süß, beeindruckend und wundervoll beschützerisch sind.
Liebesgeschichten finden ihren Höhepunkt, verlieren sich in Streitigkeiten oder erotischen Momenten. Ich war auch Feuer und Flamme für die Leidenschaft zwischen der Törtchen-verschlingenden Spionin Reiko und dem Gladiator Kai. Letztendlich mochte ich auch den weiterhin vertiefenden Einblick in das feindliche, mortanische Königreich. Ich fand es spannend, dass man auch mit den grausamen Rivalen stellenweise nur Mitleid empfindet. Nur, um sie dann wieder zu fürchten.
Fazit:
Wieder ein gelungener Roman aus Esteps Feder. Es beginnt zunächst gemächlicher und bietet Einblick in strategische Planung. Ab ca. der Hälfte wird es jedoch rasant und actionreich. Es wäre auch nicht Esteps Splitter-Welt, wenn ich in einem Band nicht mindestens ein Mal den Atem anhalten müsste.
Charakterlich auch wieder starke Beschreibungen. Kein Sideplot, kein Sidecharakter war uninteressant. Doch niemand stach in diesem Band so heraus, wie die beeindruckenden Gargoyles und die Entwicklung von Gemma. Über die Seiten wird sie zur passenden Königin to be.
December 4, 2022
An action packed adventure awaits in this final installment of the Gargoyle Queen. We also find out why she is called the Gargoyle Queen. Gemma sets a trap to finally catch Milo and stop him from whatever his evil plans might entail. Her kingdom, Andvari is holding a sword and shield tournament where gladiators from all over will come and fight. Unlike ancient Rome, the gladiators in this tournament are all free and are celebrated warriors. They only fight to first blood. Gemma has to put on a show as the princess but in reality she is a spy and is doing whatever she can to stop Milo. Her lover, Leo, his mother, Maven, and his sister are all in Andavari for the tournament. Gemma hopes this will attract Milo to come to the kingdom so she can finally find out what he is trying to do with all of the tearstone. What follows is action packed drama with romance sprinkled in as well.
This novel compared to the other two did have a slower start for me however, I did eventually get sucked into the plot and had to keep reading to find out what would happen. The author did a great job leaving cliffhangers at the end of each chapter so I wanted to keep reading. There were also some flashbacks which gave some good insight into what was happening with Gemma. Overall, this was a great fantasy novel and a wonderful trilogy!
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers for this advanced copy!
This novel compared to the other two did have a slower start for me however, I did eventually get sucked into the plot and had to keep reading to find out what would happen. The author did a great job leaving cliffhangers at the end of each chapter so I wanted to keep reading. There were also some flashbacks which gave some good insight into what was happening with Gemma. Overall, this was a great fantasy novel and a wonderful trilogy!
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers for this advanced copy!
April 23, 2024
Mit "Die Splitterklinge" erschien Ende März der dritte und letzt Teil der "Gargoyle Queen"-Reihe, welche in direkter Verbindung mit Jennifer Esteps "Splitterkrone"-Reihe rund um "Kill the Queen", "Protect the Prince" und "Crush the King" steht. Da wir die anderen Bücher der Autorin ebenfalls zusammen gelesen haben, habe ich auch "Die Dornenthron" wieder als Buddyread mit Sofia von "Sofias kleine Bücherwelt" (wie immer an dieser Stelle ein kurzes Shoutout!!) gelesen. Nach "Die Saphirkrone" und "Der Dornenthron" wird die Geschichte von Andvaris Kronprinzessin Gemma und deren mortanischen Geliebten Leonidas nun zu Ende erzählt - allerdings leider in einem für mich nur mäßig überzeugenden Finale.
Das Cover und der Titel der deutschen Ausgabe erinnern anders als die Originaledition nur wenig an die Gestaltung der Hauptreihe. Während sich im Englischen der Titel "Conquer the Kingdom" perfekt in die Reihe der Titel von Band eins bis drei einreiht, stechen der deutsche Titel und das Cover etwas heraus. Zu sehen ist der Titel in weißen geschwungenen Großbuchstaben vor einem dunkelroten Hintergrund, der von goldenen und roten Lichtpunkten durchzogen ist und im unteren Teil des Bildes ein kunstvoll gearbeitetes Schwert zeigt. Die Gestaltung des Covers ist unterm Strich also stimmig und hübsch anzusehen, dabei aber leider recht nichtssagend - denn ein bedeutungsvolles Schwert (sogar vielleicht eine "Splitterklinge") sucht man in der Geschichte vergeblich. Ebenfalls schade fand ich, dass wir hier anders als in der Hauptreihe keine beigefügte Karte von Jennifer Esteps Fantasy-Welt erhalten. Gerade da die Handlung sehr schnell zwischen verschiedenen Orten in Andvari hin und herspringt, wäre eine Karte hier sehr hilfreich gewesen!
Erster Satz: "Ich habe in meinem Leben schon viele Rollen gespielt".
Bevor ich mit "Die Splitterklinge" begonnen habe, habe ich überlegt, ob ich die vorherigen Bände nochmal rereaden muss, da ich mich kaum erinnern konnte, was in "Der Dornenthron" passiert ist. Da die Autorin in den ersten Kapiteln nebenbei unsere Erinnerungen durch Wiederholungen auffrischt, konnte ich aber trotzdem gut der Handlung folgen. Dass Gemma und ihre Familie in Band 2 zuletzt bei einem politischen Gipfeltreffen nur knapp dem Tod entronnen sind, ist mir dann auch bald wieder gegenwärtig geworden. Seitdem jagt sie nun gemeinsam mit ihren Freunden Milo von Morta, um die Bedrohung ihres Königreiches durch ihn ein für alle mal auszuschalten. An genau diesem Punkt setzt die Handlung von Band 3 an und führt uns zunächst auf ein Piratenschiff, auf dem sie abtrünnige Mortaner vermutet, die das bald anstehenden "Schwert und Schild"-Turnier stören wollen...
"Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass wir auf der Schneide einer Klinge tanzten - und wenn die Musik verklang, würden wir umkippen und in Stücke geschnitten werden."
Nach dem typischen flotten Einstieg inklusive Beinahetod, Kampfszenen und Lebensgefahr nimmt "Die Splitterklinge" erstmal wieder stark das Tempo raus und widmet sich erneut ausführlich politischen Beziehungen auf dem Turnier sowie der Vertiefung von Gemmas Beziehung zu Leo. Angesichts der Tatsache, dass es sich hier um das "große Finale" der Reihe handelt und ich mit etwas mehr Dramatik und vielleicht sogar einem offenen Krieg gerechnet hätte, waren die ersten 200 Seiten trotz Intrigen zwischen Kaffeekränzchen oder einem Kampf hier und dort also überraschend lasch. Zusätzlich fällt auf, dass von der ohnehin schon recht knapp bemessenen Seitenzahl in der Summe bestimmt wieder allein 100 Seiten für Beschreibungen von Umgebungen, Kleidung oder Essen draufgehen, was die Geschichte zusätzlich ausbremst. In der Splitterkrone-Reihe waren Informationen über Setting und Figuren eher beiläufig platziert und ließen mehr Raum für die aufs Ganze gehende Handlung. Hier werden Kleidung, Zimmer, Magie und Gärten manchmal seitenlang beschrieben. Die ausführlichen, teilweise abschweifenden Beschreibungen regen zwar die Fantasie stark an und kreieren eine düstere Ästhetik, bremsen die Handlung jedoch aus und lassen den Eindruck entstehen, dass die Geschichte im Verhältnis zur Handlung etwas zu viele Seiten hat. Zwar erhalten wir neben der Haupthandlung ab und an spannende Rückblicke in die Kindheit der Protagonistin, die auch ihr erstes Treffen mit Grimmley beschreiben und uns Hintergründe der Handlung besser verstehen lassen, hier wäre aber eventuell ein paralleler Handlungsstrang oder eine weitere Erzählperspektive hilfreich gewesen, um etwas mehr Schwung in die Handlung zu bringen.
Neben den vielen Wiederholungen und ausufernden Beschreibungen, gibt es mit dem Turnier, den sich versammelnden politischen Kräften, den Gladiatorenkämpfen, den Attentaten und Hinterhalte leider auch recht viele Überschneidungen zur Handlung vorheriger Bände. Für das Finale hätte ich mir gerne etwas Originelleres, Neueres gewünscht. Denn auch die zwei großen Hauptkonflikte der Handlung sind meiner Meinung nach nicht besonders gut aufgezogen und reichen nicht aus, um die dreibändige Reihe vollständig zu tragen. Das wäre zum einen die Bedrohung durch Milo und die restliche Morricone Familie aus Morta. Hier wird nun endlich sein böser Masterplan aufgelöst und vereitelt. Was er geplant hat, ist allerdings nicht so revolutionär oder krass durchdacht, als dass es das große Mysterium, das seit Band 1 um ihn gemacht wurde, gerechtfertigt hätte. Schon in Band 1 konnte ich ihn als Bösewicht nicht ganz ernst nehmen und ich finde ihn auch hier deutlich zu stark aufgeblasen. Die deutlich interessantere Figur ist da bei Weitem seine Mutter Maeven, die hier bis auf eine (grandiose!) Schlussszene aber sehr kurz kommt.
"Mein Plan wird uns wahrscheinlich beide umbringen." Er grinste breit. "Klingt spannend." Ich erwiderte das Grinsen. "Finde ich auch."
Der zweite Hauptkonflikt ist die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Leonidas und Gemma, die eigentlich in Band 2 bereits besiegelt wurde, die hier aber zu ungünstigen Zeitpunkten und aus etwas fadenscheinigen Gründen nochmals in Frage gestellt wird. Das lässt sich zwar schnell überwinden, es bleibt allerdings die Frage, weshalb man Band 2 und Band 3 nicht vielleicht hätte zusammenlegen können, um einen runderen Spannungsbogen zu kreieren.
"Weißt du, wie man ein Königreich am schnellsten erobert, Gemma?", fragt Milo höhnisch. "Man zerquetscht sein Herz."
Wenn man von Gemmas nervtötender Blindheit im Umgang mit Leonidas absieht, ist sie auch in dieser Fortsetzung eine sympathische Hauptfigur, die sich stimmig weiterentwickelt und neue Stärke in sich entdeckt. Da sie sehr mutig, loyal ihrem Land gegenüber, dabei aber auch voll Mitgefühl, Wärme und dem genau richtigen Maß an zerbrechlichem Selbstbewusstsein ist, habe ich sie aber sehr schnell ins Herz geschlossen und für ihre Stärke bewundert. Genau wie in der Hauptreihe blieb sie nicht die einzige starke Frau, die sich nichts sagen lässt und die wir hier bewundern dürfen. Neben Gemma, der geheimnisvollen Spionin Reiko und der Prinzessin Delmira ist vor allem die Antagonistin, die skrupellose mortanische Königin Maeven, eine vielschichtige ambivalente Figur, die mich sehr fasziniert hat. Ich bin ein großer Fan von feministischer Fantasy, in der es Königinnen und Kämpferinnen gibt, die sich nicht von irgendwelchen Rittern retten lassen oder von gutaussehenden Prinzen abgelenkt werden, sondern selbst das Heft in die Hand nehmen, wodurch Jennifer Estep noch weitere Pluspunkte sammeln konnte. Wie bereits erwähnt, hätte sie hier allerdings etwas mehr Auftritte haben können, sodass einige Fragen, die ich bezüglich ihr als Figur hatte, unbeantwortet bleiben...
Mit dem Mentalmagier und Gemmas Nemesis aus Kindertagen Leonidas haben wir einen nach Geißblatt-duftenden, Bibliothek-besitzenden, gutaussehenden und beschützerischen Love Interest, der mir in Band 1 schon sehr schnell ans Herz gewachsen ist. Auch wenn er als mortanischer Prinz alles verkörpert, was Gemma hasst und die beiden eine komplizierte, belastete Vergangenheit verbindet, sehen wir sofort, dass er anders ist als seine Familie und es trotz einiger bedauernswerter Ausrutscher tief im Herzen gut meint. Genau wie schon Lukas in der Hauptreihe, wird er hier aber leider etwas zu einer Nebenfigur degradiert und hätte ebenfalls gerne noch etwas mehr eigene Konflikte und Gedanken haben können.
"Wir Morricones herrschen - oder sterben. So einfach ist das. Und dasselbe gilt für Gargoyle-Königinnen."
Ebenfalls ein wenig mehr erhofft hatte ich mir bezüglich der Nebenfiguren. Diese blieben bis auf Reiko, Maeven und Gemmas Gargoyle Grimley erstaunlich blass und hätten noch deutlich mehr Potenzial gehabt. Außerdem habe ich nun drei Teile vergeblich auf eine Begegnung mit Lucas Sullivan und Everleigh Blair aus der Hauptreihe gewartet. Ich kann verstehen, weshalb die Autorin es hier größtenteils bei kurzen Nennungen von Evie, Lucas, Alvis, Xenia und Co gelassen hat, da es sich um eine unabhängige Reihe handelt. Ich bin aber dennoch enttäuscht, dass die Autorin die Spin-Off-Reihe ohne ein einziges Wiedersehen oder ein Easter Egg für ihre Fans verstreichen ließ.
"Ich konnte mir kein schöneres Ende für diesen Abend vorstellen - keinen besseren Auftakt für unser gemeinsames Leben. Ich war immer gern Prinzessin gewesen und dann Spionin und schließlich die Gargoyle-Königin. Manchmal gab es aber einfach nichts Besseres, als Gemma zu sein."
Der letzte Sargnagel für dieses Finale war für mich leider der Showdown. Nicht nur, dass im Endeffekt doch alles viel einfacher und offensichtlicher gelöst wurde als ich dachte, es waren sogar auch einige Logiklücken im Endkampf zu finden. Dazu kommt, dass einige Informationen wie zum Beispiel Merildes Visionen, Maevens Pläne oder das Geheimnis um die Gargoyle-Königin schon etwas früher und ausführlich vorbereitet und zum zentralen Thema dieses Finales hätten werden können, statt nach 300 recht ereignislosen Seiten kurz und unspektakulär am Ende zu erscheinen. Die Auflösung und das Happy End nach dem Showdown, haben mich dann wieder etwas versöhnlicher gestimmt, vor allem, da es darauf hindeutet, dass es vielleicht noch eine dritte Reihe über Delmira geben könnte.
Ob ich eine potenzielle dritte Reihe lesen würde, die in Buchovia spielt, weiß ich noch nicht sicher. Die Wiederholungen haben gezeigt, dass die Autorin die meisten Ideen und Visionen für diese Fantasy-Welt bereits aufgebraucht hat. Auf der anderen Seite habe ich die vergangenen beiden Reihen aber beide gerne gelesen und trotz dass ich mir in diesem Final bezüglich der Handlung und der Figuren also etwas mehr erhofft hatte, ist es kein schlechtes Buch gewesen. Dafür sorgen zum einen der für High Fantasy recht temporeiche und dynamische Erzählstil, der die Handlung zu kontinuierlich vorwärts treibt und immer wieder eine gute Portion Humor einsetzt. Mit spannenden Kämpfen, Intrigen, Geheimnissen, der Vorstellung von Fabelwesen wie Gargoyles oder Strixen und dem Kennenlernen von verschiedenen Arten von Magiern - Murkse, die eine verbesserte Körpereigenschaft besitzen, Morphe, die sich in Monstergestalten verwandeln, Magier, die Elemente kontrollieren und Meister, die aus Materialien die beeindruckendsten Dinge herstellen können - bekommen wir zu zum anderen genügend Spannendes präsentiert, dass man darüber wegsehen kann, dass auch hier einige Fantasy-Klischees verbaut wurden und die Handlung nicht immer unvorhersehbar und zweifelsfrei logisch ist. Ich werde also einfach mal abwarten, für was sich die Autorin entscheidet und dann nochmal abwägen...
FAZIT
"Die Splitterklinge" war für mich leider nur ein mittelmäßig überzeugendes Finale. Die offenen Fragen werden sehr spät und sehr knapp geklärt, der Showdown war für mich nicht ganz rund und der Handlungsverlauf ist sehr ähnlich wie in den vorherigen Bänden. Hier hat mir einfach ein bisschen Dramatik, Originalität, Epik und ein roter Faden gefehlt. Trotzdem ein solider Abschluss einer guten Fantasy-Reihe, für den ich gnädige 3 Sterne vergebe.
Das Cover und der Titel der deutschen Ausgabe erinnern anders als die Originaledition nur wenig an die Gestaltung der Hauptreihe. Während sich im Englischen der Titel "Conquer the Kingdom" perfekt in die Reihe der Titel von Band eins bis drei einreiht, stechen der deutsche Titel und das Cover etwas heraus. Zu sehen ist der Titel in weißen geschwungenen Großbuchstaben vor einem dunkelroten Hintergrund, der von goldenen und roten Lichtpunkten durchzogen ist und im unteren Teil des Bildes ein kunstvoll gearbeitetes Schwert zeigt. Die Gestaltung des Covers ist unterm Strich also stimmig und hübsch anzusehen, dabei aber leider recht nichtssagend - denn ein bedeutungsvolles Schwert (sogar vielleicht eine "Splitterklinge") sucht man in der Geschichte vergeblich. Ebenfalls schade fand ich, dass wir hier anders als in der Hauptreihe keine beigefügte Karte von Jennifer Esteps Fantasy-Welt erhalten. Gerade da die Handlung sehr schnell zwischen verschiedenen Orten in Andvari hin und herspringt, wäre eine Karte hier sehr hilfreich gewesen!
Erster Satz: "Ich habe in meinem Leben schon viele Rollen gespielt".
Bevor ich mit "Die Splitterklinge" begonnen habe, habe ich überlegt, ob ich die vorherigen Bände nochmal rereaden muss, da ich mich kaum erinnern konnte, was in "Der Dornenthron" passiert ist. Da die Autorin in den ersten Kapiteln nebenbei unsere Erinnerungen durch Wiederholungen auffrischt, konnte ich aber trotzdem gut der Handlung folgen. Dass Gemma und ihre Familie in Band 2 zuletzt bei einem politischen Gipfeltreffen nur knapp dem Tod entronnen sind, ist mir dann auch bald wieder gegenwärtig geworden. Seitdem jagt sie nun gemeinsam mit ihren Freunden Milo von Morta, um die Bedrohung ihres Königreiches durch ihn ein für alle mal auszuschalten. An genau diesem Punkt setzt die Handlung von Band 3 an und führt uns zunächst auf ein Piratenschiff, auf dem sie abtrünnige Mortaner vermutet, die das bald anstehenden "Schwert und Schild"-Turnier stören wollen...
"Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass wir auf der Schneide einer Klinge tanzten - und wenn die Musik verklang, würden wir umkippen und in Stücke geschnitten werden."
Nach dem typischen flotten Einstieg inklusive Beinahetod, Kampfszenen und Lebensgefahr nimmt "Die Splitterklinge" erstmal wieder stark das Tempo raus und widmet sich erneut ausführlich politischen Beziehungen auf dem Turnier sowie der Vertiefung von Gemmas Beziehung zu Leo. Angesichts der Tatsache, dass es sich hier um das "große Finale" der Reihe handelt und ich mit etwas mehr Dramatik und vielleicht sogar einem offenen Krieg gerechnet hätte, waren die ersten 200 Seiten trotz Intrigen zwischen Kaffeekränzchen oder einem Kampf hier und dort also überraschend lasch. Zusätzlich fällt auf, dass von der ohnehin schon recht knapp bemessenen Seitenzahl in der Summe bestimmt wieder allein 100 Seiten für Beschreibungen von Umgebungen, Kleidung oder Essen draufgehen, was die Geschichte zusätzlich ausbremst. In der Splitterkrone-Reihe waren Informationen über Setting und Figuren eher beiläufig platziert und ließen mehr Raum für die aufs Ganze gehende Handlung. Hier werden Kleidung, Zimmer, Magie und Gärten manchmal seitenlang beschrieben. Die ausführlichen, teilweise abschweifenden Beschreibungen regen zwar die Fantasie stark an und kreieren eine düstere Ästhetik, bremsen die Handlung jedoch aus und lassen den Eindruck entstehen, dass die Geschichte im Verhältnis zur Handlung etwas zu viele Seiten hat. Zwar erhalten wir neben der Haupthandlung ab und an spannende Rückblicke in die Kindheit der Protagonistin, die auch ihr erstes Treffen mit Grimmley beschreiben und uns Hintergründe der Handlung besser verstehen lassen, hier wäre aber eventuell ein paralleler Handlungsstrang oder eine weitere Erzählperspektive hilfreich gewesen, um etwas mehr Schwung in die Handlung zu bringen.
Neben den vielen Wiederholungen und ausufernden Beschreibungen, gibt es mit dem Turnier, den sich versammelnden politischen Kräften, den Gladiatorenkämpfen, den Attentaten und Hinterhalte leider auch recht viele Überschneidungen zur Handlung vorheriger Bände. Für das Finale hätte ich mir gerne etwas Originelleres, Neueres gewünscht. Denn auch die zwei großen Hauptkonflikte der Handlung sind meiner Meinung nach nicht besonders gut aufgezogen und reichen nicht aus, um die dreibändige Reihe vollständig zu tragen. Das wäre zum einen die Bedrohung durch Milo und die restliche Morricone Familie aus Morta. Hier wird nun endlich sein böser Masterplan aufgelöst und vereitelt. Was er geplant hat, ist allerdings nicht so revolutionär oder krass durchdacht, als dass es das große Mysterium, das seit Band 1 um ihn gemacht wurde, gerechtfertigt hätte. Schon in Band 1 konnte ich ihn als Bösewicht nicht ganz ernst nehmen und ich finde ihn auch hier deutlich zu stark aufgeblasen. Die deutlich interessantere Figur ist da bei Weitem seine Mutter Maeven, die hier bis auf eine (grandiose!) Schlussszene aber sehr kurz kommt.
"Mein Plan wird uns wahrscheinlich beide umbringen." Er grinste breit. "Klingt spannend." Ich erwiderte das Grinsen. "Finde ich auch."
Der zweite Hauptkonflikt ist die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Leonidas und Gemma, die eigentlich in Band 2 bereits besiegelt wurde, die hier aber zu ungünstigen Zeitpunkten und aus etwas fadenscheinigen Gründen nochmals in Frage gestellt wird. Das lässt sich zwar schnell überwinden, es bleibt allerdings die Frage, weshalb man Band 2 und Band 3 nicht vielleicht hätte zusammenlegen können, um einen runderen Spannungsbogen zu kreieren.
"Weißt du, wie man ein Königreich am schnellsten erobert, Gemma?", fragt Milo höhnisch. "Man zerquetscht sein Herz."
Wenn man von Gemmas nervtötender Blindheit im Umgang mit Leonidas absieht, ist sie auch in dieser Fortsetzung eine sympathische Hauptfigur, die sich stimmig weiterentwickelt und neue Stärke in sich entdeckt. Da sie sehr mutig, loyal ihrem Land gegenüber, dabei aber auch voll Mitgefühl, Wärme und dem genau richtigen Maß an zerbrechlichem Selbstbewusstsein ist, habe ich sie aber sehr schnell ins Herz geschlossen und für ihre Stärke bewundert. Genau wie in der Hauptreihe blieb sie nicht die einzige starke Frau, die sich nichts sagen lässt und die wir hier bewundern dürfen. Neben Gemma, der geheimnisvollen Spionin Reiko und der Prinzessin Delmira ist vor allem die Antagonistin, die skrupellose mortanische Königin Maeven, eine vielschichtige ambivalente Figur, die mich sehr fasziniert hat. Ich bin ein großer Fan von feministischer Fantasy, in der es Königinnen und Kämpferinnen gibt, die sich nicht von irgendwelchen Rittern retten lassen oder von gutaussehenden Prinzen abgelenkt werden, sondern selbst das Heft in die Hand nehmen, wodurch Jennifer Estep noch weitere Pluspunkte sammeln konnte. Wie bereits erwähnt, hätte sie hier allerdings etwas mehr Auftritte haben können, sodass einige Fragen, die ich bezüglich ihr als Figur hatte, unbeantwortet bleiben...
Mit dem Mentalmagier und Gemmas Nemesis aus Kindertagen Leonidas haben wir einen nach Geißblatt-duftenden, Bibliothek-besitzenden, gutaussehenden und beschützerischen Love Interest, der mir in Band 1 schon sehr schnell ans Herz gewachsen ist. Auch wenn er als mortanischer Prinz alles verkörpert, was Gemma hasst und die beiden eine komplizierte, belastete Vergangenheit verbindet, sehen wir sofort, dass er anders ist als seine Familie und es trotz einiger bedauernswerter Ausrutscher tief im Herzen gut meint. Genau wie schon Lukas in der Hauptreihe, wird er hier aber leider etwas zu einer Nebenfigur degradiert und hätte ebenfalls gerne noch etwas mehr eigene Konflikte und Gedanken haben können.
"Wir Morricones herrschen - oder sterben. So einfach ist das. Und dasselbe gilt für Gargoyle-Königinnen."
Ebenfalls ein wenig mehr erhofft hatte ich mir bezüglich der Nebenfiguren. Diese blieben bis auf Reiko, Maeven und Gemmas Gargoyle Grimley erstaunlich blass und hätten noch deutlich mehr Potenzial gehabt. Außerdem habe ich nun drei Teile vergeblich auf eine Begegnung mit Lucas Sullivan und Everleigh Blair aus der Hauptreihe gewartet. Ich kann verstehen, weshalb die Autorin es hier größtenteils bei kurzen Nennungen von Evie, Lucas, Alvis, Xenia und Co gelassen hat, da es sich um eine unabhängige Reihe handelt. Ich bin aber dennoch enttäuscht, dass die Autorin die Spin-Off-Reihe ohne ein einziges Wiedersehen oder ein Easter Egg für ihre Fans verstreichen ließ.
"Ich konnte mir kein schöneres Ende für diesen Abend vorstellen - keinen besseren Auftakt für unser gemeinsames Leben. Ich war immer gern Prinzessin gewesen und dann Spionin und schließlich die Gargoyle-Königin. Manchmal gab es aber einfach nichts Besseres, als Gemma zu sein."
Der letzte Sargnagel für dieses Finale war für mich leider der Showdown. Nicht nur, dass im Endeffekt doch alles viel einfacher und offensichtlicher gelöst wurde als ich dachte, es waren sogar auch einige Logiklücken im Endkampf zu finden. Dazu kommt, dass einige Informationen wie zum Beispiel Merildes Visionen, Maevens Pläne oder das Geheimnis um die Gargoyle-Königin schon etwas früher und ausführlich vorbereitet und zum zentralen Thema dieses Finales hätten werden können, statt nach 300 recht ereignislosen Seiten kurz und unspektakulär am Ende zu erscheinen. Die Auflösung und das Happy End nach dem Showdown, haben mich dann wieder etwas versöhnlicher gestimmt, vor allem, da es darauf hindeutet, dass es vielleicht noch eine dritte Reihe über Delmira geben könnte.
Ob ich eine potenzielle dritte Reihe lesen würde, die in Buchovia spielt, weiß ich noch nicht sicher. Die Wiederholungen haben gezeigt, dass die Autorin die meisten Ideen und Visionen für diese Fantasy-Welt bereits aufgebraucht hat. Auf der anderen Seite habe ich die vergangenen beiden Reihen aber beide gerne gelesen und trotz dass ich mir in diesem Final bezüglich der Handlung und der Figuren also etwas mehr erhofft hatte, ist es kein schlechtes Buch gewesen. Dafür sorgen zum einen der für High Fantasy recht temporeiche und dynamische Erzählstil, der die Handlung zu kontinuierlich vorwärts treibt und immer wieder eine gute Portion Humor einsetzt. Mit spannenden Kämpfen, Intrigen, Geheimnissen, der Vorstellung von Fabelwesen wie Gargoyles oder Strixen und dem Kennenlernen von verschiedenen Arten von Magiern - Murkse, die eine verbesserte Körpereigenschaft besitzen, Morphe, die sich in Monstergestalten verwandeln, Magier, die Elemente kontrollieren und Meister, die aus Materialien die beeindruckendsten Dinge herstellen können - bekommen wir zu zum anderen genügend Spannendes präsentiert, dass man darüber wegsehen kann, dass auch hier einige Fantasy-Klischees verbaut wurden und die Handlung nicht immer unvorhersehbar und zweifelsfrei logisch ist. Ich werde also einfach mal abwarten, für was sich die Autorin entscheidet und dann nochmal abwägen...
FAZIT
"Die Splitterklinge" war für mich leider nur ein mittelmäßig überzeugendes Finale. Die offenen Fragen werden sehr spät und sehr knapp geklärt, der Showdown war für mich nicht ganz rund und der Handlungsverlauf ist sehr ähnlich wie in den vorherigen Bänden. Hier hat mir einfach ein bisschen Dramatik, Originalität, Epik und ein roter Faden gefehlt. Trotzdem ein solider Abschluss einer guten Fantasy-Reihe, für den ich gnädige 3 Sterne vergebe.
October 19, 2022
Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep
The book appears to conclude the Gargoyle Queen trilogy but the plot may continue, as a threat is left open. Gemma Ripley continues to try and protect her kingdom while also trying to kill Milo a Morta prince. Milo, a powerful force, tries to kill Gemma and destroy her kingdom.
Leonidas, Gemma’s lover, plays a large role in the book but will it be for his kingdom or hers? The lovable and grumpy gargoyle, Grimley, and Violet the baby strix are also sharing the plot. Personally, I love those two.
Gemma faces death with a surprising savior in the wings. Once again, Estep populates her books with terrific, strong female protagonists.
I enjoyed the book and recommend the series.
The book appears to conclude the Gargoyle Queen trilogy but the plot may continue, as a threat is left open. Gemma Ripley continues to try and protect her kingdom while also trying to kill Milo a Morta prince. Milo, a powerful force, tries to kill Gemma and destroy her kingdom.
Leonidas, Gemma’s lover, plays a large role in the book but will it be for his kingdom or hers? The lovable and grumpy gargoyle, Grimley, and Violet the baby strix are also sharing the plot. Personally, I love those two.
Gemma faces death with a surprising savior in the wings. Once again, Estep populates her books with terrific, strong female protagonists.
I enjoyed the book and recommend the series.
March 7, 2023
Gemma really goes through a lot in this one. So many times I thought the book was over because she had just gone through something awful and prevailed, yet there was still more. And each time Gemma stepped up to face what was coming at her or do the right thing, even knowing she might not live. Thankfully she was surrounded by those that supported her and helped her in the aftermath.
The flashbacks that Gemma had were interesting, learning new things, like how she and her Gargoyle became BFF's.
Gemma ended up in a great place by the end, with an even better future ahead since it had someone she loved by her side.
The flashbacks that Gemma had were interesting, learning new things, like how she and her Gargoyle became BFF's.
Gemma ended up in a great place by the end, with an even better future ahead since it had someone she loved by her side.
March 3, 2023
Check out our full post for CONQUER THE KINGDOM on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Erica – ☆☆☆☆
CONQUER THE KINGDOM is the third installment and conclusion in the Gargoyle Queen trilogy. Can it be read as a standalone? Absolutely not. In fact, my suggestion is to start with the Crown of Shards trilogy to get the backstory.
Gemma Ripley. AKA: Spoiled Princess Glitzma. Princess Gemma. Occasional spy and jewelry maker. The Gargoyle Queen.
Spoiler-Free Review
Adventuring. Magic. Creatures. Forbidden Romance between rival kingdoms. Argh, Pirates!
At the start, I wasn't hooked beyond the pirates, matey. Not that I didn't enjoy every page. I adored all three installments, but this one had a very slow start, well into almost half the novel. Maybe it was because I just recently read the first two. Had I read the books a year apart, I might have needed so many recaps to jar my memory. The first half felt like it was stalled in neutral, reminding the reader what had happened previously. With that being said, Estep did a phenomenal job of reminding the reader while avoiding the dreaded info-dumps, slowly doling out information when it flowed organically. I just needed more new content to hook me. It was a waiting game, waiting for the tournament and Milo.
Where Estep shines is the connection the characters have with one another – this joyous bond flows through every single one of her series. Bonds between friends and family, their magical creatures, and even with their enemies. It runs the gamut of emotions. Gemma's mixed reaction to Leonidas' mom is the ultimate of a nightmare of a mother-in-law. The fact that Estep, time and time again had me empathizing with Maeven, just shows how expertly she writes emotion and motivation.
The brightest star in the entire trilogy is Gemma and Leo's connection to the magical creatures. Estep breathes life into what doesn't exist in reality, giving them a full-faceted personality.
I appreciate that this trilogy isn't young adult. It's nice to read mature adults who are still navigating their way through their destinies, yet to have met their full potential. Instead of feeling as if they're late bloomers because they didn't save their world at sixteen, it's realistic. That being said, I did feel at times that Gemma and company spoke and reacted as sixteen-year-olds, not on the cusp of thirty.
Even though The Gargoyle Queen has met its conclusion, Estep opens the possibilities for more spinoffs, no differently than how The Crown of Shards spun into The Gargoyle Queen. I cannot wait to see what happens next with new narrators. I look forward to rereading them all back-to-back in the future.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
February 18, 2023
Rounded to 4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been a huge fan of Estep’s writing since I stumbled across the first book in the Crown of Shards series, and I was thrilled to see this spin-off series emerge. I’ve avidly followed Gemma’s story, and the previous two books have been building to this huge finale.
Throughout this series, there has been rising tension with the neighboring kingdom of Morta, and Maeven’s oldest son Milo has been set up as the villain all along. However, he’s eluded Gemma’s best efforts. When the story opens, there’s a bounty on Milo’s head, and Gemma is on the hunt. But she’s also due to play a major role in the Sword and Shield Tournament of gladiators that is being held in the capital city of her country, and her attention is divided. So she’s baited a trap that she’s sure Milo can’t resist. Now the big question is, can she catch him and ensure the safety of the people she cares about at the same time?
We also see a new side of Gemma. She’s slowly letting down her walls, and strengthening not just her friendship with Reiko, but her relationship with Leo. And while things are going well with Reiko, getting close to Leo is coming with some obstacles, namely the fact that he’s Mortan, and there’s a long history of bad blood between their kingdoms. While her family is working hard to accept him, the people of her kingdom haven’t exactly been welcoming to him, and she isn’t sure if their relationship can withstand the external pressures placed on them. In addition, we get to see a new side of Maeven, and get to know more about who she is not just as a queen, but as a mother and as a person. I especially enjoyed getting to know more about Delmira, and would love to see more of her in a future book or series. She’s a really intriguing character, and I’m even more curious about her powers after seeing what she can do in this book.
We finally get to see more of the powers that Gemma has. She’s worked really hard to access her powers, and we’ve known that she’s strong, but there was something holding her back in previous books. But when she’s placed in difficult situations, especially when people she cares about are threatened, she’s often able to do more than expected. But I think what I like best about the action scenes is that Gemma doesn’t always win. She gets beaten, she gets her butt handed to her. She feels guilt when she hurts people, even when they deserve it. And she always does her best to ensure that innocent people are protected, even when it means she can’t get to Milo or Wexel, who are likely to regroup and cause more harm. Her first priority is always to protect the people of her kingdom, and that shows how suited she is as a princess.
I really enjoyed her journey in this series, but especially in this book. She shows a lot of growth, both as a person and as a ruler. While I’m going to be really sad to say goodbye to this series, Estep left the door open for more books. There’s one potential loose thread that can be tied up in future books, so it may not be time to say goodbye to this particular set of characters just yet. I can only hope that’s the case, because I really love this world and the people in it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been a huge fan of Estep’s writing since I stumbled across the first book in the Crown of Shards series, and I was thrilled to see this spin-off series emerge. I’ve avidly followed Gemma’s story, and the previous two books have been building to this huge finale.
Throughout this series, there has been rising tension with the neighboring kingdom of Morta, and Maeven’s oldest son Milo has been set up as the villain all along. However, he’s eluded Gemma’s best efforts. When the story opens, there’s a bounty on Milo’s head, and Gemma is on the hunt. But she’s also due to play a major role in the Sword and Shield Tournament of gladiators that is being held in the capital city of her country, and her attention is divided. So she’s baited a trap that she’s sure Milo can’t resist. Now the big question is, can she catch him and ensure the safety of the people she cares about at the same time?
We also see a new side of Gemma. She’s slowly letting down her walls, and strengthening not just her friendship with Reiko, but her relationship with Leo. And while things are going well with Reiko, getting close to Leo is coming with some obstacles, namely the fact that he’s Mortan, and there’s a long history of bad blood between their kingdoms. While her family is working hard to accept him, the people of her kingdom haven’t exactly been welcoming to him, and she isn’t sure if their relationship can withstand the external pressures placed on them. In addition, we get to see a new side of Maeven, and get to know more about who she is not just as a queen, but as a mother and as a person. I especially enjoyed getting to know more about Delmira, and would love to see more of her in a future book or series. She’s a really intriguing character, and I’m even more curious about her powers after seeing what she can do in this book.
We finally get to see more of the powers that Gemma has. She’s worked really hard to access her powers, and we’ve known that she’s strong, but there was something holding her back in previous books. But when she’s placed in difficult situations, especially when people she cares about are threatened, she’s often able to do more than expected. But I think what I like best about the action scenes is that Gemma doesn’t always win. She gets beaten, she gets her butt handed to her. She feels guilt when she hurts people, even when they deserve it. And she always does her best to ensure that innocent people are protected, even when it means she can’t get to Milo or Wexel, who are likely to regroup and cause more harm. Her first priority is always to protect the people of her kingdom, and that shows how suited she is as a princess.
I really enjoyed her journey in this series, but especially in this book. She shows a lot of growth, both as a person and as a ruler. While I’m going to be really sad to say goodbye to this series, Estep left the door open for more books. There’s one potential loose thread that can be tied up in future books, so it may not be time to say goodbye to this particular set of characters just yet. I can only hope that’s the case, because I really love this world and the people in it.
February 26, 2025
https://my-bo0ks.over-blog.com/2025/0...
Et voilà, j'ai terminé la seconde trilogie dans l'univers si riche de Jennifer Estep ! Une fois encore, j'ai passé un super moment avec Gemma et Leo et suis plus que curieuse quant à la troisième et dernière reine dont parle la prophétie, surtout vu le potentiel de dingue qu'elle a.
Revenons-en a cette fin de La reine des gargouilles. Gemma est de retour parmi les siens mais la menace de Milo et ses plans machiavéliques sont toujours comme une épée de Damoclès au-dessus de leur tête. Mais pas le temps de ralentir le rythme le Tournoi de l'épée et du bouclier va de nouveau amener nos personnages à se confronter à leurs ennemies avec tout ces gladiateurs qui se réunissent au même endroit, les terres de Ripley. Et Gemma n'a pas que ça en tête. Car si Leo est venu avec elle, plus proches que jamais, leurs peuples et surtout leurs familles restent plus ennemies que jamais.
Ce troisième et dernier volet démarre tout doucement. Le retour à la "normale" pour Gemma est compliqué, elle qui a soif de vengeance et ne rêve que d'une chose, éliminer Milo. Mais entre cette vendetta et sa magie, tout se complique car elle a encore du mal à la contrôler. Le mystère autour de ce surnom de Maeven (qui n'est autre que le titre de la trilogie) prendra tout son sens ici. Et si le démarrage est plus lent, une fois que le tournoi débute, les choses s'accélèrent et le rythme devient beaucoup plus entrainant. Clairement, l'autrice n'épargne pas ses personnages niveau action. Milo est un ennemi à la hauteur et n'a pas dit son dernier mot. A côté, Maeven fait pale figure.
Côté romance, notre couple va devoir affronter les obstacles sur leur chemin. Entre le regard du peuple sur leur relation, déjà difficile et plus encore, celui de leur famille, rien n'est moins sûr. Surtout lorsque coeur et raison sont dans la balance et où l'accomplissement des objectifs de l'un porte atteinte à la famille de l'autrice. Et j'ai beaucoup aimé les voir franchir ses nouvelles étapes et avancer ensemble. Tout n'est pas tout blanc ou tout noir mais plein de nuances, tout comme l'est cette romance.
Les événements s'enchainent, les épreuves également jusqu'à la toute dernière page qui nous promet une troisième trilogie plus qu'alléchante avec la troisième et dernière reine dont nous parle la prophétie. Et vu le personnage, j'ai BEAUCOUP trop hâte d'en savoir plus sur elle et de voir comment les choses vont évoluer.
En conclusion, une bonne conclusion. Une fois encore l'autrice nous propose un univers riche et entrainant avec une romance enemies-to-lovers de qualité. Mon coeur reste tout de même du côté de Lucas & Evie, parce que l'intensité de leur relation m'avait davantage marqué mais j'ai passé un super moment avec Leo et Gemma et leurs compagnons ! Je l'avoue, j'aurais aimé d'ailleurs les croiser dans cette seconde trilogie, mais...c'est le jeu.
Et voilà, j'ai terminé la seconde trilogie dans l'univers si riche de Jennifer Estep ! Une fois encore, j'ai passé un super moment avec Gemma et Leo et suis plus que curieuse quant à la troisième et dernière reine dont parle la prophétie, surtout vu le potentiel de dingue qu'elle a.
Revenons-en a cette fin de La reine des gargouilles. Gemma est de retour parmi les siens mais la menace de Milo et ses plans machiavéliques sont toujours comme une épée de Damoclès au-dessus de leur tête. Mais pas le temps de ralentir le rythme le Tournoi de l'épée et du bouclier va de nouveau amener nos personnages à se confronter à leurs ennemies avec tout ces gladiateurs qui se réunissent au même endroit, les terres de Ripley. Et Gemma n'a pas que ça en tête. Car si Leo est venu avec elle, plus proches que jamais, leurs peuples et surtout leurs familles restent plus ennemies que jamais.
Ce troisième et dernier volet démarre tout doucement. Le retour à la "normale" pour Gemma est compliqué, elle qui a soif de vengeance et ne rêve que d'une chose, éliminer Milo. Mais entre cette vendetta et sa magie, tout se complique car elle a encore du mal à la contrôler. Le mystère autour de ce surnom de Maeven (qui n'est autre que le titre de la trilogie) prendra tout son sens ici. Et si le démarrage est plus lent, une fois que le tournoi débute, les choses s'accélèrent et le rythme devient beaucoup plus entrainant. Clairement, l'autrice n'épargne pas ses personnages niveau action. Milo est un ennemi à la hauteur et n'a pas dit son dernier mot. A côté, Maeven fait pale figure.
Côté romance, notre couple va devoir affronter les obstacles sur leur chemin. Entre le regard du peuple sur leur relation, déjà difficile et plus encore, celui de leur famille, rien n'est moins sûr. Surtout lorsque coeur et raison sont dans la balance et où l'accomplissement des objectifs de l'un porte atteinte à la famille de l'autrice. Et j'ai beaucoup aimé les voir franchir ses nouvelles étapes et avancer ensemble. Tout n'est pas tout blanc ou tout noir mais plein de nuances, tout comme l'est cette romance.
Les événements s'enchainent, les épreuves également jusqu'à la toute dernière page qui nous promet une troisième trilogie plus qu'alléchante avec la troisième et dernière reine dont nous parle la prophétie. Et vu le personnage, j'ai BEAUCOUP trop hâte d'en savoir plus sur elle et de voir comment les choses vont évoluer.
En conclusion, une bonne conclusion. Une fois encore l'autrice nous propose un univers riche et entrainant avec une romance enemies-to-lovers de qualité. Mon coeur reste tout de même du côté de Lucas & Evie, parce que l'intensité de leur relation m'avait davantage marqué mais j'ai passé un super moment avec Leo et Gemma et leurs compagnons ! Je l'avoue, j'aurais aimé d'ailleurs les croiser dans cette seconde trilogie, mais...c'est le jeu.
February 25, 2023
I received a free copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
CONQUER THE KINGDOM is the 3rd installment and conclusion in the Gargoyle Queen trilogy. Can it be read as a standalone? Absolutely not. In fact, my suggestion is to start with the Crown of Shards trilogy to get the backstory.
Gemma Ripley. AKA: Spoiled Princess Glitzma. Princess Gemma. Occasional spy and jewelry maker. The Gargoyle Queen.
Spoiler-Free Review
Adventuring. Magic. Creatures. Forbidden Romance between rival kingdoms. Argh, Pirates!
At the start, I wasn't hooked beyond the pirates, matey. Not that I didn't enjoy every page. I adored all three installments, but this one had a very slow start, well into almost half the novel. Maybe it was because I just recently read the first two. Had I read the books a year apart, I might have needed so many recaps to jar my memory. The first half felt like it was stalled in neutral, reminding the reader what had happened previously. With that being said, Estep did a phenomenal job of reminding the reader while avoiding the dreaded info-dumps, slowly doling out information when it flowed organically. I just needed more new content to hook me. It was a waiting game, waiting for the tournament and Milo.
Where Estep shines is the connection the characters have with one another- this joyous bond flows through every single one of her series. Bonds between friends and family, their magical creatures, and even with their enemies. It runs the gamut of emotions. Gemma's mixed reaction to Leonidas' mom is the ultimate of a nightmare of a mother-in-law. The fact that Estep, time and time again had me empathizing with Maeven, just shows how expertly she writes emotion and motivation.
The brightest star in the entire trilogy is Gemma and Leo's connection to the magical creatures. Estep breathes life into what doesn't exist in reality, giving them a full-faceted personality.
I appreciate that this trilogy isn't young adult. It's nice to read mature adults who are still navigating their way through their destinies, yet to have met their full potential. Instead of feeling as if they're late bloomers because they didn't save their world at sixteen, it's realistic. That being said, I did feel at times that Gemma and company spoke and reacted as sixteen year olds, not on the cusp of thirty.
Even though The Gargoyle Queen has met its conclusion, Estep opens the possibilities for more spinoffs, no differently than how The Crown of Shards spun into The Gargoyle Queen. I cannot wait to see what happens next with new narrators. I look forward to rereading them all back-to-back in the future.
CONQUER THE KINGDOM is the 3rd installment and conclusion in the Gargoyle Queen trilogy. Can it be read as a standalone? Absolutely not. In fact, my suggestion is to start with the Crown of Shards trilogy to get the backstory.
Gemma Ripley. AKA: Spoiled Princess Glitzma. Princess Gemma. Occasional spy and jewelry maker. The Gargoyle Queen.
Spoiler-Free Review
Adventuring. Magic. Creatures. Forbidden Romance between rival kingdoms. Argh, Pirates!
At the start, I wasn't hooked beyond the pirates, matey. Not that I didn't enjoy every page. I adored all three installments, but this one had a very slow start, well into almost half the novel. Maybe it was because I just recently read the first two. Had I read the books a year apart, I might have needed so many recaps to jar my memory. The first half felt like it was stalled in neutral, reminding the reader what had happened previously. With that being said, Estep did a phenomenal job of reminding the reader while avoiding the dreaded info-dumps, slowly doling out information when it flowed organically. I just needed more new content to hook me. It was a waiting game, waiting for the tournament and Milo.
Where Estep shines is the connection the characters have with one another- this joyous bond flows through every single one of her series. Bonds between friends and family, their magical creatures, and even with their enemies. It runs the gamut of emotions. Gemma's mixed reaction to Leonidas' mom is the ultimate of a nightmare of a mother-in-law. The fact that Estep, time and time again had me empathizing with Maeven, just shows how expertly she writes emotion and motivation.
The brightest star in the entire trilogy is Gemma and Leo's connection to the magical creatures. Estep breathes life into what doesn't exist in reality, giving them a full-faceted personality.
I appreciate that this trilogy isn't young adult. It's nice to read mature adults who are still navigating their way through their destinies, yet to have met their full potential. Instead of feeling as if they're late bloomers because they didn't save their world at sixteen, it's realistic. That being said, I did feel at times that Gemma and company spoke and reacted as sixteen year olds, not on the cusp of thirty.
Even though The Gargoyle Queen has met its conclusion, Estep opens the possibilities for more spinoffs, no differently than how The Crown of Shards spun into The Gargoyle Queen. I cannot wait to see what happens next with new narrators. I look forward to rereading them all back-to-back in the future.
October 3, 2023
Somewhere in the 3.5-4 star range
I really love the books in this world, but this was by far the weakest installment for me so far. I felt like not much happened in the first part of the book which was a little disappointing, especially compared to some of the exciting moments towards the end. I've noticed before that Jennifer Estep is sometimes repetitive with phrasing (this was more so an issue with the Elemental Assassins series than the Crown of Shards/Gargoyle Queen series), and I felt like it was noticeable here where the same wording kept coming up. This is minor, but it did stand out to me in this book.
I continue to love these characters and really enjoyed seeing where the relationships between everyone went! There are some really satisfying developments, both with the romance and some of the overall plot threads. I really hope we get more books in this world because I feel like there's more to explore (and it seems to be setting up another trilogy focusing on a character who I've found intriguing).
I really love the books in this world, but this was by far the weakest installment for me so far. I felt like not much happened in the first part of the book which was a little disappointing, especially compared to some of the exciting moments towards the end. I've noticed before that Jennifer Estep is sometimes repetitive with phrasing (this was more so an issue with the Elemental Assassins series than the Crown of Shards/Gargoyle Queen series), and I felt like it was noticeable here where the same wording kept coming up. This is minor, but it did stand out to me in this book.
I continue to love these characters and really enjoyed seeing where the relationships between everyone went! There are some really satisfying developments, both with the romance and some of the overall plot threads. I really hope we get more books in this world because I feel like there's more to explore (and it seems to be setting up another trilogy focusing on a character who I've found intriguing).
April 8, 2024
Hierbei handelt es sich um den Abschlussband zur Gargoyle-Queen-Trilogie, welche wiederum ein SpinOff zur Splitterkronen-Trilogie ist.
Diese sollte zwar nicht zwingend, aber in meinen Augen doch sinnvollerweise zuerst gelesen oder gehört werden.
An diesem finalen Teil hat mir gut gefallen, dass es zu anfangs einige Wiederholungen gab, die mich schneller zurück in die Geschichte katapultierten. So hatte ich keine Schwierigkeiten mich zurecht zu finden. Auch die Figuren waren mir sofort wieder präsent.
Gemma fand ich teilweise jedoch etwas nervig und naiv, an anderer Stelle wiederum mutig und selbstlos, so dass ich sie auf ihre Art trotzdem gut leiden konnte. Interessant ist vor allem ihre Magie, die sich endlich komplett entwickelt. Auch wird das Geheimnis um den Titel „Gargoyle Prinzessin“ gelüftet.
Leonidas Rolle ist mir in diesem Teil etwas zu kurz gekommen, dafür haben andere Leute Auftritte, mit denen ich in dieser Form nicht gerechnet habe.
Im Großen und Ganzen ein gelungenes Finale mit würdigem und für mich als Leser zufriedenstellendem Ende.
Diese sollte zwar nicht zwingend, aber in meinen Augen doch sinnvollerweise zuerst gelesen oder gehört werden.
An diesem finalen Teil hat mir gut gefallen, dass es zu anfangs einige Wiederholungen gab, die mich schneller zurück in die Geschichte katapultierten. So hatte ich keine Schwierigkeiten mich zurecht zu finden. Auch die Figuren waren mir sofort wieder präsent.
Gemma fand ich teilweise jedoch etwas nervig und naiv, an anderer Stelle wiederum mutig und selbstlos, so dass ich sie auf ihre Art trotzdem gut leiden konnte. Interessant ist vor allem ihre Magie, die sich endlich komplett entwickelt. Auch wird das Geheimnis um den Titel „Gargoyle Prinzessin“ gelüftet.
Leonidas Rolle ist mir in diesem Teil etwas zu kurz gekommen, dafür haben andere Leute Auftritte, mit denen ich in dieser Form nicht gerechnet habe.
Im Großen und Ganzen ein gelungenes Finale mit würdigem und für mich als Leser zufriedenstellendem Ende.
March 8, 2023
Conquer the Kingdom was a very satisfying conclusion to The Gargoyle Queen trilogy. This entire series kept me engaged and curious as to what would happen next. Ms. Estep took that intrigue and kept it going all the way through and finished strong. I really was invested in Gemma's character. She had so many different facets to her personality. Also, her love story with Leo was the stuff of star crossed lovers which only helped to make it even more romantic.
Not only did I enjoy Gemma and Leo's characters in this book, the other side characters were solidly written and truly added depth to the storyline. The gargoyles and strixes were great characters as well. Not only does this author know how to write a solid hero or heroine, she also creates villains that you truly despise and distrust. All of this makes the unrest in the book palpable.
This trilogy was a spin-off from The Crown of Shards trilogy which was about a different queen and I noticed that towards the end of this book, there was a perfect setup for another series/trilogy about yet another queen in this same "world" and I suspect it will be about Delmira, Leo's sister. Needless to say, I think it will be amazing as well and look forward to reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
Not only did I enjoy Gemma and Leo's characters in this book, the other side characters were solidly written and truly added depth to the storyline. The gargoyles and strixes were great characters as well. Not only does this author know how to write a solid hero or heroine, she also creates villains that you truly despise and distrust. All of this makes the unrest in the book palpable.
This trilogy was a spin-off from The Crown of Shards trilogy which was about a different queen and I noticed that towards the end of this book, there was a perfect setup for another series/trilogy about yet another queen in this same "world" and I suspect it will be about Delmira, Leo's sister. Needless to say, I think it will be amazing as well and look forward to reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
April 4, 2023
3 stars
I received an e-ARC copy of Conquer the Kingdom from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the final book in the Gargoyle Queen trilogy. After the events in Tear Down the Throne, Milo Morricone is on the run with Wexel, his loyal captain. Gemma has vowed to kill him and stop the threat to her kingdom but Milo always seems to be one step ahead of her. The final tournament for the Gladiator games is being held in Glinter, the capital city of Gemma's kingdom. With some many new people, it is hard find any trace of Milo Morricone but Gemma is convinced he's plotting. With the help of Leo and Reiko, can Gemma stop Milo once and for all.
This one was okay. I didn't feel like we got to see a lot of Leo, so I missed him. Delmira is my favorite character and the liladorn is the best. Maeven remains wonderfully complicated. Gemma has grown a bit in this book, it shows in her interactions with Maeven. I'm still not sure about her magic and how it works but its fine.
There is reason to believe that there will be a third trilogy about Delmira. Also I am still hoping for an Evie cameo.
I received an e-ARC copy of Conquer the Kingdom from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the final book in the Gargoyle Queen trilogy. After the events in Tear Down the Throne, Milo Morricone is on the run with Wexel, his loyal captain. Gemma has vowed to kill him and stop the threat to her kingdom but Milo always seems to be one step ahead of her. The final tournament for the Gladiator games is being held in Glinter, the capital city of Gemma's kingdom. With some many new people, it is hard find any trace of Milo Morricone but Gemma is convinced he's plotting. With the help of Leo and Reiko, can Gemma stop Milo once and for all.
This one was okay. I didn't feel like we got to see a lot of Leo, so I missed him. Delmira is my favorite character and the liladorn is the best. Maeven remains wonderfully complicated. Gemma has grown a bit in this book, it shows in her interactions with Maeven. I'm still not sure about her magic and how it works but its fine.
There is reason to believe that there will be a third trilogy about Delmira. Also I am still hoping for an Evie cameo.
April 14, 2023
Gargoyle Queen #3
Adult Fantasy
The conclusion to Gemma's storyline. A great big world built wonderfully. Though the focus is on the two kingdoms, there is mention of others throughout, one being the kingdom from the crown of shards trilogy set 16 years before these events.
This series has a YA vibe with the MC figuring out where she fits and coming into her powers. The growth through the series is done very well. Though it had that YA feel it is definitely adult in content and language.
Beautiful ending to a light, fun series. I know currently there aren't plans from publisher for it but I'm hoping that one day the author can revisit this world and continue with the prophecy line.
Adult Fantasy
The conclusion to Gemma's storyline. A great big world built wonderfully. Though the focus is on the two kingdoms, there is mention of others throughout, one being the kingdom from the crown of shards trilogy set 16 years before these events.
This series has a YA vibe with the MC figuring out where she fits and coming into her powers. The growth through the series is done very well. Though it had that YA feel it is definitely adult in content and language.
Beautiful ending to a light, fun series. I know currently there aren't plans from publisher for it but I'm hoping that one day the author can revisit this world and continue with the prophecy line.
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