Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep
Gargoyle Queen #3
Fantasy
March 7, 2023, by Harper Voyager
ARC

Review by Angela

This is it! The conclusion to the Gargoyle Queen trilogy, which features Gemma Ripley- princess, spy, and powerful mind magier. At the end of the previous installment, Tear Down the Throne, we left Gemma and her former enemy, now lover, Prince Leonidas Morricone at a tentative peace after Leo’s brother, Milo, almost managed to fulfill his murderous plan. Leo and Gemma are in love and determined to be together, but can two people from enemy territories ever find their happily ever after?

It took me a bit to get into this book, mainly because the first half kind of rehashes all the political intrigue and events of the series so far. Gemma is desperately searching for Milo and his dastardly sidekick, knowing he is on the loose and will never quit trying to destroy everything and everyone she loves. Despite clues of his whereabouts, she just can’t seem to track him down. But a gladiator tournament is coming to Andvari, and she is hoping her plan to bring him to the city will enable her and her allies to defeat him once and for all.

The second half of the book, when the tournament begins, kept me glued to the page. This is Jennifer Estep at her best… devious plots playing out, big battle scenes, and Gemma realizing her magical potential and truly becoming the gargoyle queen. Flash backs of past events bring the entire plot arc full circle, and Gemma finally learns that her mother saw her future and made plans to help her save the kingdom. Leo and Gemma truly are a fabulous match, both willing to sacrifice for each other, and willing to do whatever it takes to save the people they love.

All the plot threads are wrapped up nice and neat. There are hints that there will be another trilogy in this world, featuring Delmira as the third queen in the prophecy. After all, Maeven is still out there and even though she has begrudgingly accepted Leo and Gemma’s relationship, she is sure to cause trouble in the future.

Grade- B

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