Jennifer Estep has written many series, all different in character type and back stories, yet all 5 star reads. She gives her characters a life built on hardships, yet they always build their worlds out of scraps and leftovers to become powerful communities of allies working to correct injustice and make life better for everyone. This book ends the trilogy. Let's hope she's already working on the next series!

This is the final book in the Crown of Shards trilogy and while it was an amazing installment, I'm sad to see that it's over. Everleigh and friends go to the Regalia Games where each countries top warriors compete to see who is the best. While Everleigh is there she spends much of the time with other royals, plotting and scheming against them and trying to form alliances.
This is a great installment because we get to see more of Everleigh's growth as Queen. We also get more time with the friends in her inner circle who add so much to the series. I love that Everleigh is such a strong leader without being unfair. She's the perfect mix of strength and compassion.
This is one of my top fantasy series of all time!

The final book in the Crown of Shards series is almost here, but thanks to Netgalley and Harper Voyager I was able to obtain the eArc and wow! I fell in love with the characters and world in ‘Kill the Queen’ so while I was excited to read this one, I forced myself to draw it out because I didn’t want it to end. Evie and her crew are back in a big way and there is action, intrigue, romance and a surprise around every corner!

Evie is continuing to shore up her power in Bellona and is determined to add allies in the war against King Maximus of Morta and his Bastard Brigade. She will be facing him in person for the first time at the Regalia Games, a competition between the various kingdoms that culminates in the Tournament of Champions where only one will emerge victorious. But Evie also has a hidden agenda: assassination. She knows that it is only a matter of time before the Mortans will move against both her personally and against her beloved kingdom…and she quickly finds out that Maximus will stop at nothing in his quest to destroy her.

Evie is aided by her friends and closest allies, those characters we have grown to love over the past few books including Sullivan, Paloma, Serilda and Cho among others. While Sullivan’s role seems to be slightly smaller in this book compared to the others (which is a shame!) he continues to support Evie in her efforts and reign, and never tries to diminish her power or strengths. They make a great couple and while we are left with the possibility of more books in this universe that will focus on some of the other characters, I hope we will get more Evie and Sully too. I’m also really hoping to find out more of Paloma’s backstory as we learn something in this book that I have suspected for a while but I need to know more!

All in all this was an excellent conclusion to the series, and this is one of the rare trilogies where each entry is as strong as the previous book. I would not recommend them to be read as standalones, I think that to get the full experience they must be read in order and I would definitely recommend them other fans of fantasy novels!

The third in the Jennifer Estep Crown of Shards series a great ending to the current series arc but hopefully not the end of the series.  While this one could act as an end, I can see many more options for future books and hopefully we will get many more books.

Excellent end to the arc of the first three books. Love the possibilities for more books. Great action, characters, and romance.

Could not put this down...but then I never seem to able to put down Estep's books. I love Evie and her whole gang. Loved the whole kind of Olympics feel with heading off to the Regalia Games. This has the perfect amount of suspense, action, drama...such a fantastic series!!

*Arc provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I started this series back in September when I needed a nice easy read to take my mind of some things and boy did it deliver. The first and second books hit it out of the park and kept me engrossed. Sadly, while this one still gives us how amazing Evie is and how much she is growing there was one disappointment. Sullivan took a back seat in this book barely being in the background. I missed the interactions between the two. I really wish he had played a larger role being more of a star in this book since it is the last in the series. If this was just a filler book it would have been fine, but instead it left me slightly sad that we didn't get to see them more in love.

Evie choses to stop playing defense and go on the offensive. It was great to see her make her own choices and how she ultimately deals with the threats was beautiful. She survives the constant threats to her life and the lives of her friends. Her friends are all different and have their own histories that are woven into the story well. I really liked that there was romance but is wasn't the graphic kind that you see so often these day. It was a satisfying ending. It ends with triumph and hope for everyone's future.

I don't think that Jennifer Estep is actually capable of writing a bad book. This third book in the Crown of Shards series, while not my favorite of the three, is nevertheless excellent.

Estep nicely ties up the various threads that have built up over the last 2 previous installments. The book has a gripping (although not fast-paced) plot, engaging characters and a lyrical prose style. Inner turmoil and growth, which are prominent, are well-done and balanced out with dialogue and a bit of action. Magical elements, while obviously strong given the heroine, are well-done, fitting into the setting and retaining a sense of wonder.

This entire series is dripping in adventure, mystery, intrigue, wit and a TON of history! The author has artistically woven historical events that feel SO REAL with fantastical elements to bring a legendary story fit for any thrill seeker. I noticed Crush The King focuses SOLELY on the premise, and you will be so incredibly thankful for it. Because it is spectacular, exciting and downright addicting. There are countless elements that make up this gripping tale, and there is a little something in there for every type of reader. But I think what really struck me while reading, was Jennifer Esteps uncanny ability to create a fantastic conclusion. It is detailed, well-constructed, comical, suspenseful and a TON of fun!

This is the third book in an action packed series! I can genuinely say I’ve enjoyed Everleigh’s journey. I have seen how Everleigh has developed and changed through the series. I also feel like the author did a great job of show casing a strong female lead. Everleigh is a woman who can solve her own problems and be creative in finding solutions. I also enjoyed this book because it was smart and witty- I have laughed at several of the scenes.

My only disappointment was that we didn’t see Sully in it as much as the other two books- Everleigh quite naturally confronted dangerous situations without him. I felt like he got left in the wind. Despite that I would still rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #NetGalley

Okay, first off, I'd read Jennifer's grocery list. That said, READ THIS SERIES! You wont regret it! # 3 in Crown of Shards, this picks up where the last left off, gripping you on page one, and carrying you to waiting for the NEXT! Awesome!

Written by Jennifer Estep, Crust the King is the latest and last novel in the Crown of Shards series, and picks up a few months after Protect the Prince. Evie has her prince, Mr. Sully, but now they have the Olympic style games coming up and will have to meet their enemy in person for the first time – and figure out how to destroy him.

The plot was moving and the mind games they played interesting, though a number of times I wanted to just shake Evie for not understanding who was really in charge. But, it was good and the stakes were higher than in the last two novel (a feat I wasn’t sure would happen).

However, this was my least favorite of the three. Sully, the leading man, really wasn’t there except for the hot and heavy moments (WARNING, NOT FOR CHILDREN) and still, even with that, it felt like those scenes weren’t needed. Overall, it felt like Sully wasn’t even there. He is a force in his own right to be reckoned with, someone who probably could have taken on the Morton king himself, yet he is left on the sidelines for the personal guard. I expected him to be the personal guard. Yes, he is her consort (are they actually married? anyone know?), but that is all he really is. He just slides into the background with the rest of the friends, if not behind them.

He is arguable the second most interesting character in her band of friends, if only because of the amazingly strong personality we got in the first book. Now, after climbing up a cliff for her, he just slides into a romance only role?

Other than that, this novel did a great job of wrapping up everything that we wanted to know and giving us more intrigue and doing a great job of keeping characters with depth while facing extreme situations.

Overall, would still recommend with the caveat of Sully.

This novel comes out March 2020, and I was given a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately for those who have been following Everleigh Blair since the Seven Spires Massacre and her rise to the throne after a stint in the Bellonan gladiator stadiums, she hasn't grown up a bit. The action in Crush the King (the king in this instance being the king of Morta, Bellona's great enemy and her frequent attempted assassin) is nearly identical to anything that happened in book two, and all of the characters but Evie have been neutered beyond recognition. She's running this book .... but ineptly. She makes ill-advised moves and comments, then pats herself on the back for her brilliance and cunning. She has become unlikeable, and there is not enough left of the sycophants that she calls her friends to judge them in any way.

Jennifer Estep has become one of my favorite authors, and this whole series has sucked me in from the very beginning. I have the first two in ebook form, but I am definitely going to be buying myself physical copies. If you love magic, intrigue, slow burn romance, assassins, galiators, ogers, and epic adult fantasy than you should definitely check out this series..
This was a great book, this one wrapped up the story arc we have been in since the first book Kill the Queen.. It kind of ended perfectly with a little nugget that makes me hope that while this story arc maybe over that we will be seeing more of Everleigh, Lucas, Xenia, and the gladiator troupe..even Maeven and little Leonidas and Lyra.
I have really enjoyed reading this series and am looking forward to anything else that Jennifer Estep comes out with

I received arc of this through netgalley in exchange for an honest review..

Epic third book! With some series/trilogies, the first book always seems like that it’s good as it can get. Not so with the third installment of Crown of Shards series. I am not sure if there are plans for a fourth book, but this book wrapped everything up nicely if it’s just a trilogy. Just the right amount of action and suspense to keep you on the edge! Loved it just as much as the first two.

Crush the King by Jennifer Estep, A well written and thoroughly enjoyable read! The queen of Bellona has survived the murders of the rest of her family and has risen above her grief to find the strength and will to continue on and overcome her enemies.

Crush the King is book 3 in the Crown of Shards series. Definitely do not start here! Go back and read the other two books and then come back to enjoy the magic.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book picks up shortly after where Protect the Prince left off- we’re trying to still secure alliances and defend against the Bastard Brigade as well as their kin, the Mortan King. But, now the Regalia is looming, along with a way to protect their people once and for all. We see Queen Everleigh hope for family, and in the process of seeking out other surviving Blairs, we find a deeper plot that pairs beautifully with the other plots in the book. Truly, the Bellonians are masters of the long game, and it shows in this book. The plots call back all the way to books one and two, and show us there’s (hopefully!) more to come in the future.
I loved how the characters have grown, how they are the family of their choosing, and that some rediscover family in truth. This has the possibility to be a wonderful, long lasting series if it’s treated well, and there’s already someone I hope to see as the ‘next big bad,’ should there be more books.

I wish I could say more, but there are so many interconnected stories and plots, that saying too much would give a fair bit away. If you liked the first two, this is definitely a must read. If you feel like jumping into the series here you can, but it would be a much richer story and worth your time to start at the beginning. These books have reminded me of the Court of Thorns and Roses series in its cunning and long game, as well as the Kate Daniels series. Both also had the same great world building as well.

This novel was an excellent read to the series. The plot thickens in each novel in the series and this one was the most challenging for Queen Everleigh Blair of Bellona, the one who should have never been queen, was always ignored and given the mundane tasks none of the royals wanted to do, the one who survived the massacre. However, the Bastard Brigade, who are the bastards of the Morta royalty, as well as other want Evie dead. Her immunity to magic makes her strong as well as her training from her brief time as a gladiator, but even more so, she is cunning and the Bellona motto is to "play the long game". Evie along with her friends travel to compete in the Regalia Games, creating alliances and plans to kill the king of Morta and protect her people. No one expected Evie to rise up to the challenge, but she has proven herself and has become a true Winter Queen. Evie and her friends must continue to stay one step head otherwise they will end up dead. Still, Evie has a plan, a rather dangerous one, but Bellonians play the long game and Evie plans to crush the king.

Queen Everleigh Blair of Bellona has been playing the long game and now she will find out if she is successful or not. Great ending to this part of the story. There is a set up for future books set in this world. Look for the introduction of a new set of players who seem to be enemies of Eveleigh.