Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Review: Crush the King by Jennifer Estep

Title: Crush the King
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Book Three in the Crown of Shards Series
Genre: Fantasy
Published By: Harper Voyager (March 17, 2020)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 5 Stars!




Book Description:
A fierce gladiator queen must face off against her enemies in an epic battle in this next thrilling installment of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep’s Crown of Shards series—an action-packed adventure full of magic, murderous machinations, courtly intrigue, and pulse-pounding romance.

Queen Everleigh Blair of Bellona has survived the mass murder of the royal family, become a fearsome warrior trained by an elite gladiator troupe, and unleashed her ability to destroy magic. After surviving yet another assassination attempt orchestrated by the conniving king of Morta, Evie has had enough. It’s time to turn the tables and take the fight to her enemies. 

There is no better opportunity to strike than during the Regalia Games, a time when warriors, nobles, and royals from all the kingdoms come together to compete in various sporting events. With the help of her loyal friends, Evie goes on the attack at the Regalia, but things don’t turn out the way she hopes. Soon, she is facing a terrifying new threat, and she will have to dig deep and learn even more about her growing magic if she has any chance of defeating her foes.


Because to secure her throne and ensure her kingdom’s survival, Evie must think like a true Bellonan: she must outsmart and outwit her enemies . . . and crush the king. 







Jennifer Estep knows how to not only create some of the very best imaginative worlds out there, but characters who are fierce and brave. Raw and relatable. People you want to know, embrace and hang out with, danger or no danger that seems to constantly haunt them.

She seamlessly knows how to blend realism with fantasy and make something so irresistible and hard to put down, that you never want to leave the worlds you have suddenly become a part of. 

I have felt that way about many of her books and series, but with the Crown of Shards series, for whatever reason, I connected with it immediately and never wanted the books to end. Each one is an amazing, action packed adventure with just the right amount of all the good stuff. Romance, danger, magic, food, friendship, deceit, lies, battles to the death, you name it, it has it and then some. 

Her latest is no exception to the rule. I adored this. I relished it, I devoured it, I. Wanted. More.





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

26 comments:

  1. I'm reading this. You've convinced me.

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  2. I read the first book and loved it but somehow haven't gotten to the 2nd book just yet. I need to get back to the series though! I can't wait!

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    1. Definitely pick them back up Nick, the romance gets better too. ;)

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  3. I read a lot of good things for this author!! I'll have to dive into her novels. This series sounds really good!

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    1. I haven't found something from her I haven't loved yet.

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  4. I skimmed since this is one i will be reading in the next week. I am exciting to see 5 stars!

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    1. No worries, there weren't any spoilers! But yes, definitely worthy of five stars! You are going to love it!

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  5. You know I really adore her writing so why Have I not read anymore of her series? I will have to remedy that :) Thanks Kindlemom

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  6. I've heard so many things about this series but I haven't read it yet. Sounds like you really enjoyed this one though.

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    1. This is book three so it's a great time to pick it up. ;)

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  7. I had a really good time with this one

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  8. I really need to check out this author! The way you write about her imaginative worlds and characters, makes me want to go out and get the book! Wow, amazing review Ali :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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  9. Wow these sound amazing! And I absolutely love the covers for this series!

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  10. Wow, 5 stars?! I really need to give this series a try! :)

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    1. Yes do it! I think I've seriously given all the books five stars now.

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  11. I read book one, but can't seem to get book 2. Hope to change that soon. Glad to know the series is still strong.

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  12. i'm not surprised at the 5 star rating. i have heard super things about her books and have her on my radar
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. All her books really are so very good. I hope you try her, if not this series then something else. ;)

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  13. I really enjoyed this one and how it ended but I'll admit that I wanted more!
    I'm hoping that the threads the author left dangling will be the basis for another trilogy or something at a later date. :)

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    1. I am too! I know it isn't over, or at least she did leave an opening for more so I hope we do get something else but if not, I'm happy with the way it ended too.

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