Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards #1)
by Jennifer Estep
What is it about:
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.
What did I think of it:
Did I immediately ask Jeffe to get hold of an ARC of this book for me when I heard Jennifer Estep had ARCs with her to RWA? Yes: I totally did!
I mean: who can resist a book promoted as Gladiator meets Game of Thrones, and which promises magic, murder, intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance. This piggy can't.
And this is such an awesome read!
I fell in love with Evie from the start: she had a difficult life and learned to keep herself out of the court intrigues. She is remembered when she's useful, and forgotten when she's not. She keeps her resentment of her situation and of the people who betrayed her hidden deep inside and acts as is expected from her. Just in the first few pages it is clear how much strength Evie keeps locked inside of her.
And then disaster strikes and she is on the run. I was already hooked from the start, but when Evie is away from court she is finally able to truly be herself and she shines even brighter than before.
There were some events and revelations that I clearly saw coming, but I totally didn't mind. The events fit the story and I might have even be disappointed if they didn't happen like they did.
I loved the story, the characters, the atmosphere, the understated, but clearly there romance, the suspense... OK, I confess: I loved everything and couldn't put the book down. If not for dinner and an unfortunate blackout I'd have finished it in one sitting (candlelight reading is not as fun or romantic as it seems, I tell you!).
The ending is very satisfying, but leaves enough open that I'm eager to get my greedy trotters on the next book. You bet I'll stalk Estep's social media for news!
In the mean time I'll make sure to get a finished copy once the book releases, because with all the rereading I'll be doing, I'll need an extra copy.
Why should you read it:
It's a totally awesome Fantasy read.
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