Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep Review

Title: Kill the Queen

Series: Crown of Shards #1

Author: Jennifer Estep

ISBN: 006279762X

Pages: 480

Genre & Tags: Fantasy, Magic

Release Date: October 2018

Synopsis: Gladiator meets Game of Thrones: a royal woman becomes a skilled warrior to destroy her murderous cousin, avenge her family, and save her kingdom in this first entry in a dazzling fantasy epic from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin series—an enthralling tale that combines magic, murder, intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance.

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen.

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Quote

“Summer queens are fine and fair, with pretty ribbons and flowers in their hair. Winter queens are cold and hard, with frosted crowns made of icy shards.”

Jennifer Estep, Kill the Queen

My Rating: ★★★★☆

My Review:

I would have given this 5 stars if not for some stuff in the 2nd part that annoyed the shite out of me. Evie insists on not communicating with her new allies in case she can’t trust them, which is fair enough, but it’s glaringly obvious that she can!! I know why it was done and it was necessary for her character to develop, strengthen and gain confidence but I wish she could have done all that without having to keep secrets. It’s just such an annoying way to have tension and conflict in the story.

Other than that, I freaking loved this! The first and third parts had a Game of Thrones feel to them with lots of political intrigue and action.

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Synopsis and book cover from Goodreads. Photos from my Instagram @elainehowlin_

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