Conquer the Kingdom

October 1, 2022

In this wrap-up to the well-received "Gargoyle Queen" trilogy from the New York Times best-selling Estep, crown princess Gemma Ripley of Andvari might be a sly spy and a masterly mind magier, but she still can't locate her most dangerous adversary. It's going to get even hard with gladiators swarming to the capital for the Sword and Shield tournament. With a 50,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 23, 2023
Estep returns to a world of gargoyles and court politics for the gripping final installment to her Gargoyle Queen series (after Tear Down the Throne). Prince Milo Morricone of Andvari’s rival kingdom, Morta, has escaped unscathed from his failed political scheming at the Sword and Shield Tournament in Caldwell Castle, leaving Andvarian princess Gemma Ripley, who is newly engaged to Milo’s brother, Leonidas, determined to track him down and kill him. She searches far and wide, but Milo proves elusive. So Gemma hatches a plan to use the next tournament being held in Andvari to lure him out. Knowing Milo wants his own mother dead, Gemma invites Morta’s Queen Maeven to attend. Milo takes the bait, but Gemma’s unprepared for the tricks he still has up his sleeve. Estep doubles down on the political intrigue and steamy romance in this riveting outing as Gemma and Milo come face-to-face one final time. This sends the series out on a high note. Agent: Annalise Robey, Jane Rotrosen Agency.

February 17, 2023
A final showdown between mortal enemies offers a satisfying conclusion to best-selling author Estep's Gargoyle Queen trilogy (starting with Capture the Crown, 2021). Her courtiers might call her Glitzma, but being a princess/spy isn't as glamorous as some may think. Gemma's mortal enemy, Milo Morricone, is on the loose, ready to tear her kingdom away from her, and he keeps escaping her grasp. On top of that, her true love, Leonidas, is Milo's brother, and well, who said families weren't complicated. But Gemma has come up with a plan to get Milo in her clutches--lure him to the upcoming gladiator tournament and destroy him once and for all. To do that she'll need to invite another sworn enemy--Milo's mother, Queen Maeven. The plan works, but when Gemma discovers Milo's true ambition to not only conquer her kingdom but the entire continent, she must reach deep into herself to defeat him. The writing in Conquer the Kingdom is a bit heavy-handed, but readers will enjoy seeing Gemma come into her own to save her kingdom in this series finale.

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January 1, 2023

Crown Princess Gemma Ripley of Andvari knows that the time to find her enemy is growing short. While her powers and spy training are formidable, she still cannot find the Crown Prince of Morta and his deadly allies. Complicating things even more are the gladiator troupes coming to Andvari's capital, Glanzen, for the Sword and Shield Tournament, and Gemma has no idea who may be hiding in their midst. As Gemma and her friends launch a bold plan, she finds that her ideas of what is going on are nowhere near the truth--and that may cost her everyone she loves. Strong action sequences are balanced by character arcs, as Gemma discovers the connections between her mother and Maeven Merricone. While this is a series ender, plot threads are left with enough slack to pick up in future titles and go in numerous directions. VERDICT Estep lands solidly with her last book of the "Gargoyle Queen" trilogy (after Tear Down the Throne), capping off a delightful romantic fantasy in her growing world.--Kristi Chadwick

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.