Crush the King is the third and presumably final title in Jennifer Estep's Crown of Shards series, although there are a few hints that could lead to spin-off stories in the future. (Nothing cliff-hanger-ish though - just little hints that won't bother you if they are never picked up.)
I've quite enjoyed the three-book series, having gotten hooked by the first sentence in the first book, which for some reason really made me want to read it:
Quote:
|
The day of the royal massacre started out like any other. With me doing something completely, utterly useless.
|
I guess it's because stories often seem to start with evil omens, or momentous portents, or even just people getting bad hunches, and so the idea of a boring, banal day ending up going badly wrong made me want to read about it. And then I liked the book a lot, and also liked the next two a lot.
Anyway,
Crush the King has dropped to £1.99 at Kindle UK, which is a pretty good price for a relatively new book.
link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07T428YLV/
Spoiler:
Quote:
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.
|