Review copy was received from Library, NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep Narrator: Lauren Fortgang
Series: Crown of Shards #6, Gargoyle Queen #3
Published by Harper Voyager on March 7, 2023
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 432
Length: 12 hours, 57 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: Library, NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
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 .
I loved the Crown of Shards trilogy. As with any urban fantasy or even other types of series, I prefer to read in order and have the full world building and character backgrounds. The first trilogy had the main character of Everleigh Blair, this next trilogy is about Gemma Ripley. Some of the things I said in my review of Capture the Crown are still true.
The Gargoyle Queen is a continuation, but a full 16 years later. Gemma Ripley is now grown. However, Gemma still has fears and doesn’t know how to control or use her power effectively. She still feels very young. I tired of her repeating her past, her guilt, her shoving down her power and being a little too daring.
Gemma continues to grow. While it annoys me how she doesn’t know how to use her power and still takes life-threatening risks, she really cares about her people, as well as the gargoyles and the strix. I would have liked to see her work more with Leo since he was with her during this book. Actually, they work together but she doesn’t really talk to him. His family is here as are many people for the gladiator battles. Gemma does everything she can to get her people to accept Maeven, Leo and Delmira. Her compassion for others, even those who hurt her, is a great quality.
Of course, Gemma suspects Milo and the Captain are here with some grand plan. I guessed right away where they were hiding but it took half the book for her to find out with Reiko figuring it out first. I knew the DiLucri clan was involved from the first mention of them.
The battles were exciting and a bit worrisome. Gemma tried to protect everyone more than herself. Luckily, she is finally able to use more of her magic. I was happy to see Delmira understand her magic better also. Maeven actually helps a bit in the end. Leo is a good guy with a difficult family, but he makes an effort to support Gemma and be with her.
The ending in Conquer the Kingdom is satisfying. There aren’t more books planned but it would be interesting to see Delmira’s future and learn more about the plant magics.
Narration:
I’ve listened to the whole series and am comfortable with the narration. Almost everything is from Gemma’s point of view and her voice is well settled. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Lauren Fortgang
Lauren Fortgang lives in New York City where she currently works as an actor and voiceover artist. Born in DE, she alternated between the metropolis of Wilmington and a rural upbringing in a variety of northern California towns. She had early training at A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory and is a graduate of Fordham University: College at Lincoln Center, where she majored in theater. Her curiosity for finding new niches in the industry has afforded her a broad career spectrum, both in and out of the spotlight as actor, singer, spokesperson audiobook narrator, podcaster, and even costume designer.
About Jennifer Estep
Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.
Jennifer writes the Crown of Shards epic fantasy series. She also writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series and the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy series. Jennifer also the author of the Bigtime paranormal romance series and Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series.
| Rating Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Plot |
|
| Writing |
|
| Characters |
|
| Narration (Audio) |
|
| Overall: | |
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- Love You A Latke by Amanda Elliot @AmandaPanitch @BerkleyPub @BerkleyRomance #HoHoHoRAT2024 - December 5, 2024
- 🎧 Echo by Tracy Clark @tracypc6161 @ChanteMcCormick #BrillianceAudio #LoveAudiobooks #KindleUnlimited🎧 - December 3, 2024
- Read-along & #Giveaway: Edge – Innkeeper by Ilona Andrews @ilonaandrews @reneeraudman @natalienaudus @AceBooksPub @nyliterary @TantorAudio @AudibleStudios #Read-along #GIVEAWAY #LoveAudiobooks - December 1, 2024
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I had a really nice time with this series and this book
yes, I love the gargoyles and the strix. There’s plenty of action and a romance.
Looks like I need to add yet another book to my TBR list! (I already have Estep’s other trilogy on there. If only I had more time and could read faster.)
I also wish to read more and faster. It’s a fun read.
Her books always sound so exciting and rich with world building yet I still haven’t picked one up yet. Eventually, LOL!
I know the feeling. I have a pile I keep meaning to read.
Great review. I am hoping for a spinoff in the same world with some of the other characters too.
Thank you Kimberly. That would be interesting. I enjoy the world. Maybe we will get Delmira’s story.
I keep hearing good things about this world and series. Nice review, Anne
Thanks Wendy. I’ve been enjoying this world and the two trilogies.
This is another author I need to read! I got signed up on her newsletter somehow and don’t know why I haven’t read any yet. Great review!
Thanks Lisa. She has several great series. I’d start here with the first trilogy which I prefer anyway.
I loved this one! I was really sad to learn that there aren’t more books planned in this world right now.
yes I’d enjoy getting Delmira’s story, for example.
I enjoyed the original trilogy but never picked up the second one. Like you, I had few small issues. I felt the original ended in a good place and so I left it at that. Glad you enjoyed the next three books.
Thanks Jen. I did. I wanted to learn more about the gargoyles and strix. But I preferred the first trilogy.
Thanks for the sound clip!
I always try to include one when I review audio. I want to know what the narrator sounds like because once in awhile I don’t like a narrator.
This is a great series. I also think the interactions between Gemma and Leo were a bit lacking. It was a lot more exciting between them
…It was a lot more exciting between them in the first two books. (Don’t know why I posted the comment without finishing it first.) 😁
yes it’s sort of like the romance between Gemma and Leo was settled in the last book (not quite) and so it was all about the attack. So the romance got a bit short-changed as far as their actual communication and time together.