Tear Down the Throne

Gargoyle Queen #2

by Jennifer Estep

Bestselling author Jennifer Estep continues her Gargoyle Queen epic fantasy series where magic reigns, alliances are tested, and a dangerous attraction could tear down a throne. . .

Crown princess. Clever spy. Powerful mind magier. Gemma Ripley of Andvari is all those things--and determined to stop an enemy from using magical tearstone weapons to conquer her kingdom.

Gemma's quest for answers leads her to a trade Summit between the various kingdoms. Among the other royals in attendance is Queen Maeven Morricone of Morta and her son, Prince Leonidas--Gemma's charming and dangerous nemesis.

Gemma knows that Maeven always has a long game in motion, and sure enough, the cunning queen invokes an arcane tradition that threatens the fragile truce between Andvari and the other kingdoms. Despite her best intentions, Gemma once again finds herself thrown together with Leo and battling her growing feelings for the enemy prince.

When a series of deadly attacks shatters the Summit's peaceful negotiations, Gemma realizes that someone wants to tear the royals down from their thrones--and that this enemy just might succeed.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Audiobook, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal, Science Fiction Fantasy

439 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2022

About the author

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author who prowls the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer is the author of the Elemental Assassin, Section 47, Galactic Bonds, Crown of Shards, Gargoyle Queen, and other fantasy series. She has written more than 40 books, along with numerous novellas and stories.

In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with friends and family, doing yoga, and reading fantasy and romance books. She also watches way too much TV and loves all things related to superheroes.

For more information on Jennifer and her books, visit her website at www.JenniferEstep.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-....

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Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep
Gargoyle Queen #2. Fantasy. Spin off / same world as The Crown of Shards. Best read in series order, after the first series which would make this book #5.
Gemma Ridley is Crown Princess of Andvari. She attends a Trade summit where Queen Maeven of Morta enacts an old tradition where her son, Prince Leonidas must participate. Secrets, treachery and loyalties are front and center and it’s a race for the survival each kingdom and self.

You hope for the best and sigh with envy at the gift. You pray the evil is gone but know that’s a useless wish. A twist and reaction I didn’t expect but should have.
Loved this adventure and look forward to the continuation and conclusion with the next book.

[Mikky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fantastic continuation of Gemma's story! Though it did start off slow by the end I was hooked. The world-building continues to be incredible. I love the lore the author created for this series.

Gemma is a bad*ss! I love how she fights for what she believes is right and how she'll defend the people she loves. I enjoyed seeing her piece the puzzle of betrayal throughout this story.

Leonidas has officially won me over in this book. At first, I was iffy about whether he was trustworthy or not. He's proved himself throughout this novel to Gemma. I actually kinda sorta started to like him by the end.

Overall, I loved reading Gemma's story and plan to pick up the next book when it releases (boy! is it going to be a long few months 😭). I can't wait to see what the author has up her sleeves for the next installment of this series. Fingers crossed that Gemma and Leonidas have a happy ending!

The Audio Book:

The narration was great! All the characters were distinguishable from each other.

[Mogsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2022/05/06/...

I’m sure I’ve said this before, but I’m so glad I discovered Jennifer Estep through her Crown of Shards series. For accessible epic fantasy with a strong dose of magic and just dash of romance, and books that are just plain fun to read, you really can’t ask for more. And with her new series Gargoyle Queen which is set in the same world, Estep continues to bring more of that same goodness.

In Tear Down the Throne, which is the second volume, we once again join protagonist Gemma Ripley of Andvari on her quest to save her kingdom and discover the mystery behind why their rivals are collecting large amounts of tearstone, a material that can be used to make powerful weapons. While Gemma maybe the crown princess, there is also more to her than meets the eye. Being a mind magier, she is able to sense magic and read people’s thoughts, making her the perfect spy. However, all her plans are about to be derailed when Queen Maeven of Morta suddenly declares a challenge during the Summit, when all the leaders of the world are gathered.

Enter the Gauntlet, an old and obscure tradition which would require a contender to overcome a series of difficult and sometimes deadly tasks to win the grand prize. The only problem? Gemma’s hand in marriage is the grand prize. And Queen Maeven has arranged for her own son and Gemma’s sworn nemesis Prince Leonidas to compete in the Gauntlet, no doubt as part of her grand scheme to one day to take Andvari for herself. Furious at this turn of events, Gemma knows she must not let Maeven’s plan come to fruition, yet at the same time, she’s dealing with some very conflicted emotions where the diabolical queen’s youngest son is concerned. The worst part is, Leo seems truly sincere when he vows that he will conquer the Gauntlet and win Gemma’s heart, and in spite of herself, our protagonist can’t deny her growing feelings for him either.

I mean, how do resist such a tantalizing premise? If you’re a fantasy reader who enjoys some romance in your stories but aren’t really a fan of the romance genre itself, the Gargoyle Queen series would be perfect. The hate-turns-to-love romance between Gemma and Leo is a good example of one that strikes a good balance, giving prominent focus to their relationship development yet being careful not to overdo the cloying or cheesy elements. It was also paced exactly right, and the novel was a compelling and addictive read all around, thanks to a solid plotline which acted as a foundation for everything else to be built upon it.

In fact, I feel Tear Down the Throne was a huge improvement over its predecessor, Capture the Crown. Being the second book has its advantages, of course, since the groundwork has already been laid and we’re able to jump right into things without preamble. Capture the Crown was also heavy on the court intrigue, whereas this one had a lot more action, though many highlights from the first book returned as well, including the magical aspects and Grimley the gargoyle. World-building remains a strong point for this series and it’s further developed in this sequel, revealing more details behind the inner workings of Gemma’s abilities.

Speaking of which, Gemma as a protagonist really came into her own in Tear Down the Throne. I felt she didn’t really have much of a personality when we first met her in Capture the Crown, yet here she has a lot more agency and we’re starting to see what she’s capable of. Her voice has also abandoned that younger, “YA tone” which was such a distraction in the first book, as she’s no longer trying to cultivate the “pampered, inexperienced princess” reputation. This gave the book an overall more mature vibe. As a result, I was also able to take her romance with Leonidas a lot more seriously, and so the change is definitely a win any way you look at it.

My takeaway? No middle book syndrome here. For all the reasons discussed above, Tear Down the Throne improved upon the weaknesses from Capture the Crown while taking everything that worked and made them even better. The ending also wrapped up the novel’s main story arc nicely while leaving plenty of look forward to in the next book, which I shall now await with great enthusiasm and impatience!

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

I loved this book! I really enjoyed the previous book in this series so I was pretty excited to get my hands on a copy of this newest installment. I just love the way that I am able to lose myself in this world created in these books. I had pretty high expectations for this book and I ended up liking it just as much as I had hoped I would, maybe even more. Whenever I had to set the book aside, I couldn’t stop thinking about it until I was able to pick it up again. I found this to be a highly entertaining read.

The various kingdoms are gathered for a summit. Just as things are getting started, Maeven, being Maeven, decides to shake things up. She sets in motion an old tradition that will not only impact Gemma but could have devastating effects on Leonidas as well. This only adds to the stress between some of the kingdoms and there are a lot of different things in play for all the key players to juggle.

There was so much that I liked about this book. I loved the scenes that Gemma and Leonidas shared. They are great together and I think it is obvious how much they care about each other and how perfectly suited for each other they are. The only thing that is holding them back is the politics between their families. There was plenty of action and excitement to keep the story moving forward. I was eager to see what Milo had up his sleeve and hoped that Gemma would be able to stop his plans.

I would highly recommend this book to others. It was a very exciting book with great characters, plenty of action, and just enough romance. I cannot wait to read more of this exciting series.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Harper Voyager via NetGalley.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

And the plot thickens! After following Crown princess Gemma through the harrowing events of the first book in this series, I wondered if Ms. Estes could even come close to sustaining that excellence. And… she did! This story takes off from the shute and excitedly carries the reader through every twist and turn! Gemma is still stuck with the shallow reputation she intentionally established in order to be an effective spy but now it is hindering her more than it is helping because no one wants to believe the truth and the danger that is present and growing. Her character development is rich and nuanced in this installment as we watch her grow from a somewhat insecure princess into a powerhouse of her own.

It was hard watching the relationship between her and Leo, though. It held such a melancholy yearning from both Gemma and Leo. It’s a testament to this author’s incredible ability that, even while we want to slap Gemma upside the head because of her constant refusal and the heartache it causes Leo, and even as we ache along with him, we completely understand Gemma’s reticence and her caution! Gem and Leo’s actions do have a bit of a YA feel, but if one doesn’t mind, it really doesn’t detract from the story.

Overall, this is a fabulous second book in a series that is engaging and addicting, all while it promises even more as it continues!

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tear Down the Throne is such a great continuation to the Gargoyle Queen series! The story is set primarily at an annual summit where representatives of each ruling kingdom meet. As the leaders meet, old allies and enemies are put to the test, and Gemma must face her feelings for her sworn enemy. Can Gemma forgive Leonidas’s lies and betrayal? And how can she ever trust her enemy when his mother still intends to do harm?

I love Gemma’s journey as she battles her duty and her heart. Life becomes very complicated for her as she tries to figure out who she can trust, who is manipulating her, and who has true intentions, and when the villainous Queen Maeven calls for an old and deadly competition, Gemma realizes that her kingdom and her heart are at risk.

There are so many relationships explored in this book. Friendships and families are challenged and strengthened, and allies are put to the test. I love that the story explores so many different relationships and shows how complicated and difficult some can often be as well as how rewarding others are. There are also some adorable moments with new and old animals that I loved. These sweet and silly moments added a bit of fun and levity to a suspenseful and intense fantasy.  

Of course, my favorite relationship in the book is the romance. It is absolutely swoon-tactic! These enemies have a forbidden romance, and they face so many obstacles. Though Gemma fights her long-time feelings for Leonidas, he is pretty open in his determination to win her over. Both characters reflect on and talk about their past and the events that happened when they were kids and how they affected and changed them, which is really interesting. Even though they are enemies, they have such a connected past, and I liked learning more about it. And their chemistry in the present is amazing! They make enemies-to-lovers look good!

The supernatural elements and world-building are also fantastic, and the story is super immersive. The powers and abilities many of the characters have are fascinating and prove invaluable as they battle new and old enemies and obstacles. I also really like that the story delved deeper into Leonidas’s mother’s story. Maeven is a villainous antagonist, but in this book, her character is much more developed, and you begin to see her as more than just a villain. She is flawed and manipulative and downright evil at times, but there are other times and circumstances where she shows compassion, regret, and other positive attributes. It takes a gifted storyteller to get the reader to feel sympathy for the villain, and Estes does just that.

The story has a ton of action and suspense and so much political intrigue. Since all of the leaders of the kingdom are together, there are a lot of political dealings going on, and Leonidas’s mother adds to the already tense gathering by instigating a challenge that would unite Leonidas and Gemma. Plus, it seems there is an assassin in their midst, and danger lurks around every corner. It’s intense and intriguing and has several surprise twists.

I loved this book. It was well-paced, action-packed, and filled with intrigue, suspense, drama, a deadly competition, a little bit of humor, and an epic romance! Since this is the second book in the series and is not a standalone, I would recommend reading the first book before diving into this one. That being said, if you like romantic fantasy, you will definitely enjoy this!

[Dianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I said about the first book in this series/trilogy (I have no clue which it will be, but my money is on trilogy), this reads more like a book for teens and pre-teens who are a bit more sophisticated. There is swearing, sexual innuendo, and one full-on sex scene. Yes, this is an adult novel, but it just doesn't read that way. Gemma Ripley - Princess - is just too naive and whiney to be and just plain acts like a child throughout most of this book.

The first half of this book is mainly a re-hashing of the first novel. The second half of this book does get better, and Gemma does grow. She doesn't grow as much as I would have liked, but I am not the author, and I don't know what's coming with the next novel. There is plenty of excitement, bloodshed, and love in the second half of the story to keep one entertained-that is, if you can get through the bland first half.

*ARC proved by the publisher Harper Voyager, the author Jennifer Estep, and NetGalley.

[Leah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded to 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

CONTENT WARNING: torture, blood, violence

After finishing the Crown of Shards series, I was heartbroken to have to say goodbye to the beautiful world that Jennifer Estep created. So when she announced that there was going to be an offshoot series set years later in the same world, I was overjoyed. Capture the Crown, the first book, was fabulous, and lets us into the life of a grown up Princess Gemma Ripley, and this book met and exceeded all my expectations.

I was so ready to read this, especially after finishing a quick audiobook reread of book 1, and it picks up shortly after Gemma has returned to Andvari, her kingdom. But nothing about this was ever boring. It’s a fast-paced story, full of action and surprises that I didn’t see coming. But at the heart of it is also a great romance that I’ve been hoping for since the last book!

We are immediately immersed into magic, mystery, and political intrigue, which lasts throughout the story. Gemma is still dealing with the aftermath of the events in book 1, and while she’s gotten stronger at wielding her magic, she continues to struggle with controlling it rather than letting it control her. She’s also working as a spy, trying to figure out what is going on with the weapons made of stolen tearstone, but not having nearly as much progress as she’d like.

So when the Summit, a gathering of all the royal leaders from various kingdoms occurs, she’s in a unique position to find out more while working to strengthen her own kingdom’s position. However, it also brings her back into close contact with the Morricones. And Maeven is still up to her old tricks — playing the long game and using new and innovative means to do so. This time, she calls for an old, mostly-forgotten tradition to do it. But it means putting Gemma right into the path of Leonidas Morricone, her avowed enemy.

“‘I wish I could have shielded you from the Morricones, especially Maeven. But no matter what I do, she always seems to find a way to get the better of me and hurt our family. I don’t know whether to admire or hate her for that.’ My gaze drifted over to the Mortan queen, who was sipping wine from a goblet. ‘Me neither.’”

Speaking of Leonidas, this is the perfect enemies-to-lovers story, wrapped in a thrilling fantasy world with a variety of amazing, well-rounded characters. But the attraction between Gemma and Leonidas is simmering throughout the book, and all I really wanted was to see them together.

“Leonidas Morricone got under my skin in a way no one else ever had and made my tongue as uncontrollable as my magic so often was.”

Gemma does a great job of attending to her royal duties, spying, and working on her burgeoning friendship with Lady Reiko, a spy from another country that she worked with in the last book. I loved seeing the dynamics evolve between Gemma and Reiko, from competition to a true friendship, although that is definitely threatened through the story.

This book was everything I’d hoped it would be, and then some. Now I’m just stuck waiting for book 3 to come out, to find out what happens next for Gemma. Some of my favorite characters from the Crown of Shards series returned, although there were two notable exceptions, but I have high hopes that they’ll make at least an appearance in book 3. But the twists and turns, and various intriguing plots running throughout this story are a hallmark of Estep’s, and I love every second of it!

[Meli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enthält Spoiler zum Vorgänger!

Die Liebesgeschichte von Gemma und Leonidas steht hier im Vordergrund, denn beim Gipfeltreffen wird eine alte ungerische Tradition der Brautwerbung ins Spiel gebracht und Gemma hat keine andere Wahl, als mitzuspielen. Es könnte eine Chance sein, ihren Gefühlen füreinander nachzugeben, aber es scheint alles zu einem Plan der grausamen mortanischen Königin Maeven zu gehören und daher kann man der Sache nicht trauen.

Aber es gibt ja noch mehr, was ihrer Liebe im Weg steht. Als Prinz und Prinzessin verfeindeter Königreiche stehen Verrat, Manipulation und auch viele Morde zwischen ihnen. Nicht nur Maeven schmiedet geheime Pläne, es gibt wieder viele Intrigen und auch Magie - wobei es von mir aus auch gerne mehr magische Kämpfe hätte geben können.

Meine einzige Kritik wäre, dass die Handlung außerhalb der Liebesgeschichte oft eher simpel gestrickt ist. Dabei ist mir besonders aufgefallen, wie leicht manche Charaktere aus gefährlichen Situationen entkommen können und auch, wie leicht Gemma das Spionieren fällt. Meistens hängt sie einfach irgendwo in der Nähe herum, wenn Leute gerade über ihre Geheimnisse sprechen.

Fazit
Ich fand die Handlung ein klein wenig oberflächlich und hätte mehr erwartet, aber insgesamt ist es wieder ein gelungenes Romantasy-Abenteuer, das sowohl spannend als auch gemütlich ist. Mit der Vorgänger-Trilogie kann es aber nicht ganz mithalten.

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a lot of the same feelings about book 2 as I did for book 1. It started out a bit slow, but by the end I was completely hooked. There is a lot of secrecy, and you don't always know who to trust or not, and I kept trying to figure things out as Gemma was trying to figure them out. That makes for an intriguing read for me. I think the beginning just got a little bogged down by descriptions but once you get past that, I enjoyed trying to figure out the evil plot.

I'm no longer wondering where Leo's loyalties lie. I believe he has truly proven himself at this point and I'm now pretty excited to see him and Gemma together. I'm super curious what the next step for his sister entails. Their queen mother, Maeven, has admitted to plans where she is concerned.

Maeven is also completely unpredictable, and I like that. I like that she isn't as evil as I thought but she also isn't that good. She's a mix of both and that makes her unpredictable. This series has my attention and I look forward to seeing how it all ends.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher & Author for Giveaway
*Genre* Epic Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0

*Thoughts*

Tear Down the Throne, by author Jennifer Estep, is the second installment in the authors The Gargoyle Queen trilogy. This is a spin-off of the authors bestselling Crown of Shards trilogy, set 15 years later. It features a lot of the same characters, not Everleigh, but focuses on a Crown Princess Gemma Ripley of Andvari, who moonlights as a spy, as well as a powerful mind magier who can hear each and every secret. As you know, the author loves to fill her stories with murder, magic, and mayhem.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Sophia Wordworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mit "Der Dornenthron" erschien vor zwei Wochen der zweite Teil der "Gargoyle Queen"-Reihe, welche in direkter Verbindung mit Jennifer Esteps "Splitterkrone"-Reihe rund um "Kill the Queen", "Protect the Prince" und "Crush the King" steht. Nach "Die Saphirkrone" wird nun die Geschichte von Andvaris Kronprinzessin Gemma und deren mortanischem Erzfeind Leonidas weitererzählt. Die beiden Reihen können zwar theoretisch unabhängig voneinander gelesen werden, ich kann potenziellen LeserInnen aber definitiv ans Herz legen, die Hauptreihe zuerst zu lesen. Erstens weil sie an sich sehr lesenswert ist, zweitens weil man mehr Spaß hat, wenn man alle Anspielungen und Eastereggs versteht. Da wir die anderen Bücher der Autorin ebenfalls zusammen gelesen haben, habe ich auch "Die Dornenthron" wieder als Buddyread mit Sofia von "Sofias kleine Bücherwelt" (wie immer an dieser Stelle ein kurzes Shoutout!!) gelesen. Leider leidet "Der Dornenthron" ein wenig unter den Schwächen eines Trilogiemittelteils und bleibt für mich hinter Band 1 und der Hauptreihe zurück. Dennoch ist dieses politische, abenteuerliche High Fantasy-Highlight voller Intrigen, Spionage, Verrat und ein bisschen Romantik wieder absolut lesenswert!

Das Cover und der Titel der deutschen Ausgabe erinnern anders als die Originaledition nur wenig an die Gestaltung der Hauptreihe. Während sich im Englischen der Titel "Tear Down the Throne" perfekt in die Reihe der Titel von Band eins bis drei einreiht, stechen der deutsche Titel und das Cover etwas heraus. Zu sehen ist der Titel in weißen geschwungenen Großbuchstaben vor einem dunkelblauen Hintergrund, der von blauen und violetten Lichtpunkten durchzogen ist und im unteren Teil des Bildes einen violetten Kranz aus Dornen zeigt. Die Gestaltung des Covers ist unterm Strich also stimmig und hübsch anzusehen, dabei aber leider recht nichtssagend und für meinen Geschmack zu weit von der Gestaltung der anderen Bände entfernt. Ebenfalls schade fand ich, dass wir hier anders als in der Hauptreihe keine beigefügte Karte von Jennifer Esteps Fantasy-Welt erhalten. Gerade da wir mit unseren Figuren abermals verreisen und viele Vertreter der anderen Königreiche kennenlernen, wäre eine Karte hier sehr hilfreich gewesen!

Erster Satz: "Manchmal hasse ich mein Leben als Prinzessin".

Wir steigen nur wenige Zeit nach Gemmas Spionage-Mission im feindlichen Morta, welche sie nur knapp überlebt hat, in die Geschichte ein. Mit neuen Narben auf ihren Händen, einem schmerzhaften Verrat im Herzen und neuen Informationen über die gefährlichen Machenschaften von Milo Morricone begibt sie sich abermals Richtung der mortanischen Grenze, um herauszufinden, was Milo mit dem andvarischen Zährenstein vorhat. Antworten verspricht jedoch erst der Gipfel, auf dem sich alle Herrscher des Kontinents treffen, um neue Abkommen zu schließen. Doch kann Gemma umgeben von Feinden sich, ihr Königreich und ihr Herz beschützen...?

"Manchmal sind Feinde die interessantesten Verehrer - und vor allem die besten Liebhaber."

Nach einem flotten Einstieg inklusive Beinahetod, Kampfszenen und Lebensgefahr nimmt sich "Der Dornenthron" recht viel Zeit, die politischen Beziehungen auf dem Gipfeltreffen auszuloten und Gemmas Beziehung zu Leo zu vertiefen. Das ist auch keineswegs ein Problem, an manchen Stellen reichen gezielte Intrigen zwischen Kaffeekränzchen und ein Kampf hier und dort jedoch einfach nicht aus, um darüber hinwegzutäuschen, dass Jennifer Estep von Zeit zu Zeit etwas zu sehr ins Schwafeln gerät. In der Splitterkrone-Reihe waren Informationen über Setting und Figuren eher beiläufig platziert und ließen mehr Raum für die aufs Ganze gehende Handlung. Hier werden Kleidung, Zimmer, Magie und Gärten manchmal seitenlang beschrieben. Die ausführlichen, teilweise abschweifenden Beschreibungen regen zwar die Fantasie stark an und kreieren eine düstere Ästhetik, bremsen die Handlung jedoch ein wenig aus und lassen den Eindruck entstehen, dass die Geschichte im Verhältnis zur Handlung etwas zu viele Seiten hat. Zwar erhalten wir neben der Haupthandlung ab und an spannende Rückblicke in die Kindheit der Protagonistin, die auch ihre erste Begegnung mit Leonidas beschreiben und uns Hintergründe der Handlung besser verstehen lassen, hier wäre zur weiteren Auffrischung aber eventuell ein paralleler Handlungsstrang oder eine weitere Erzählperspektive hilfreich gewesen...

Neben den vielen Wiederholungen und ausufernden Beschreibungen, gibt es leider auch recht viele Überschneidungen zur Hauptreihe (ein Gipfel, ein Turnier mit Gladiatorenkämpfen, Attentate und eine gewisse Szene in einem Pavillon...), sodass man hat bei vielen Aspekten der recht dürftigen Handlung das Gefühl hat, es schonmal gelesen zu haben. Auch wenn ich die Geschichte wieder sehr gerne verfolgt habe und mir die Figuren mittlerweile sehr ans Herz gewachsen sind, wurde für mich also schon bald deutlich, dass diese Fortsetzung handlungstechnisch deutlich schwächer ist als Band 1.

"Vertrauen. Respekt. Dass einem die Gefühle des anderen so wichtig sind, dass man sie vor die eigenen stellt, egal, was auf dem Spiel steht, oder wie übel das für einen ausgehen mag. Das ist wahre Liebe, Gemma, und sie ist viel kostbarer als alles Gold und alle Juwelen in Glitnir."

Denn auch die zwei großen Hauptkonflikte der Handlung sind meiner Meinung nach nicht besonders gut aufgezogen und reichen nicht aus, um die 480 Seiten vollständig zu tragen. Das wäre zum einen die Bedrohung durch Milo und die restliche Morricone Familie aus Morta. Über 470 Seiten kommen wir der Frage, was er eigentlich plant und wofür er die rätselhaften Pfeile aus Zährenstein braucht, kein Schritt näher und werden mit einem gesichtslosen Attentäter nach dem anderen hingehalten. Schon in Band 1 konnte ich ihn als Bösewicht nicht ganz ernst nehmen und finde ihn auch hier deutlich zu stark aufgeblasen. Der zweite Hauptkonflikt ist die sich anbahnende Liebesgeschichte zwischen Leonidas und Gemma, welche Gemma versucht zu verdrängen und auszubremsen, da die beiden ja aus verfeindeten Familien kommen. Auch dieser Konflikte hätte schon in den ersten Kapiteln dieses Buchs aufgelöst werden können und wurde für meinen Geschmack viel zu lange in die Länge gezogen, sodass ich im letzten Drittel über Gemma nur noch genervt die Augen verdrehen konnte.

"Leonidas´ Blick huschte über mein Gesicht, als versuchte er, sich meine Züge genau einzuprägen - den Winkel meiner Nase, die Wölbung meiner Wangen, selbst die Form meines Kinns. Ich tat dasselbe, um seine klassische Nase, die hohen Wangenknochen und das kantige Kinn in meinem Gedächtnis abzuspeichern. Ich wusste nicht, wie lange wir dort standen und uns festhielten. Wir waren beiden so unbeweglich wie Tänzer, deren Musik verklungen war. Doch ich wollte nicht, dass dieser Moment ein Ende fand. Nicht jetzt. Niemals."

Wenn man von Gemmas nervtötender Blindheit im Umgang mit Leonidas absieht, ist sie auch in dieser Fortsetzung eine sympathische Hauptfigur, die sich stimmig weiterentwickelt und neue Stärke in sich entdeckt. Da sie sehr mutig, loyal ihrem Land gegenüber, dabei aber auch voll Mitgefühl, Wärme und dem genau richtigen Maß an zerbrechlichem Selbstbewusstsein ist, habe ich sie aber sehr schnell ins Herz geschlossen und für ihre Stärke bewundert. Genau wie in der Hauptreihe blieb sie nicht die einzige starke Frau, die sich nichts sagen lässt und die wir hier bewundern dürfen. Neben Gemma, der geheimnisvollen Spionin Reiko und der Prinzessin Delmira ist vor allem die Antagonistin, die skrupellose mortanische Königin Maeven, eine vielschichtige ambivalente Figur, die mich sehr fasziniert hat. Ich bin ein großer Fan von feministischer Fantasy, in der es Königinnen und Kämpferinnen gibt, die sich nicht von irgendwelchen Rittern retten lassen oder von gutaussehenden Prinzen abgelenkt werden, sondern selbst das Heft in die Hand nehmen, wodurch Jennifer Estep noch weitere Pluspunkte sammeln konnte.

Mit dem Mentalmagier und Gemmas Nemesis aus Kindertagen Leonidas haben wir einen nach Geißblatt-duftenden, Bibliothek-besitzenden, gutaussehenden und beschützerischen Love Interest, der mir in Band 1 schon sehr schnell ans Herz gewachsen ist. Auch wenn er als mortanischer Prinz alles verkörpert, was Gemma hasst und die beiden eine komplizierte, belastete Vergangenheit verbindet, sehen wir sofort, dass er anders ist als seine Familie und es trotz einiger bedauernswerter Ausrutscher tief im Herzen gut meint. Ich hatte sehr gehofft, dass die beiden, die in Band eins eine sehr interessante Dynamik und eine überraschende Chemie entwickelt haben, sich hier näherkommen würden und dabei auch Leonidas Charakter noch mehr Tiefe erhalten würde. Leider ist das durch Gemmas Sturheit nicht wirklich passiert und wir sehen Leo die meiste Zeit im vollen Schmachtmodus, wie er von ihr Abfuhren kassiert. Schon zuvor habe ich ja angemerkt, dass die Erzählung von einem Perspektivwechsel hin zu Leo sehr hätte profitieren können. Das zeigte sich hier also abermals.

"Das ist Wahnsinn", erklärte ich erneut, auch wenn ich nicht besonders überzeugend klang. "Dann sei mit mir zusammen wahnsinnig", gab Leonidas zurück."

Ebenfalls ein wenig mehr erhofft hatte ich mir bezüglich der Nebenfiguren. Diese blieben bis auf Reiko, Maeven und Gemmas Gargoyle Grimley erstaunlich blass und hätten noch deutlich mehr Potenzial gehabt. Außerdem warte ich immer noch auf eine Begegnung mit Lucas Sullivan und Everleigh Blair aus der Hauptreihe. Ich kann verstehen, weshalb die Autorin es hier größtenteils bei kurzen Nennungen von Evie, Lucas, Alvis, Xenia und Co gelassen hat, da es sich um eine unabhängige Reihe handelt. Wenn die Autorin die Spin-Off-Reihe verstreichen lässt, ohne ein einziges Wiedersehen oder ein Easter Egg für ihre Fans, bin ich sehr enttäuscht!!!

Trotz dass ich mir bezüglich der Handlung und der Figuren also etwas mehr erhofft hatte, wird es trotzdem nie langweilig. Dafür sorgen zum einen der für High Fantasy recht temporeiche und dynamische Erzählstil, der die Handlung zu jeder Zeit vorwärts treibt und immer wieder eine gute Portion Humor einsetzt (unbezahlbar ist beispielsweise eine gewisse Szene mit dem grummeligen Grimley und einem Babystrix...). Mit spannenden Kämpfen, Intrigen, Geheimnissen, Reisen durch mehrere Königreiche, der Vorstellung von Fabelwesen wie Gargoyles oder Strixen und dem Kennenlernen von verschiedenen Arten von Magiern - Murkse, die eine verbesserte Körpereigenschaft besitzen, Morphe, die sich in Monstergestalten verwandeln, Magier, die Elemente kontrollieren und Meister, die aus Materialien die beeindruckendsten Dinge herstellen können - bekommen wir zu zum anderen genügend Spannendes präsentiert, dass man darüber wegsehen kann, dass auch hier einige Fantasy-Klischees verbaut wurden und die Handlung nicht immer unvorhersehbar und zweifelsfrei logisch ist.

"Mein Vater sagt immer, Macht ohne Mitgefühl wäre einfach nur Grausamkeit. Und damit hat er recht."

Das Ende hat mich (wenn auch nicht groß überrascht) dann doch nochmal überzeugt. Nach einem spannenden Showdown lösen sich viele der Probleme und Konflikte auf und es werden genügend offene Fragen beantwortet, um die Wartezeit auf den nächsten Band nicht allzu schlimm werden zu lassen. Mit "Conquer the Kingdom" ist in Originalsprache schon das Finale der Gargoyle-Queen-Reihe erschienen. Wann es auf Deutsch weitergehen wird, ist allerdings noch unklar.


Fazit:

"Der Dornenthron" ist abermals ein politisches, abenteuerliches High Fantasy-Highlight voller Intrigen, Spionage, Verrat und einem Schuss Romantik. Leider ist diese Fortsetzung deutlich handlungsschwächer als Band 1 und auch bezüglich der Figuren hätte ich mir ein wenig mehr erhofft.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this review at Fresh Fiction

Jennifer Estep returns with the second installment of the Gargoyle Queen series. This is an epic fantasy series about magic, a crown princess and lots of twists and turns.

Since I’m a fan of Estep’s writing, I was very much looking forward to this book. But for me, Gemma is a unique character that required some warming up to. While I think she is a strong and vibrant personality, I sometimes struggle with relating to her. Or perhaps it’s just the narration that made me struggle with this book.

Nevertheless, I noticed that Estep had been flexing her Fantasy muscles lately. I do like it, however, her other books seem to be more my style. Sometimes, I feel like the story struggles with consistency, which throws me off.

However, if you’re looking for a Fantasy novel that’s more of the light side then this one might be a good fit for you. There are many elements that remind me of her Young Adult books, which is always a bonus.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gargoyle Queen series is set in the same world as the Crown of Shards series and I am having a blast reading them. They are filled with suspense, traditions, magic, creatures, royalty, kingdoms and forbidden romance. This is a trilogy, so the romance is a slow-burn and worth every page. This trilogy should be read in the order of its release.

Gemma Ripley of Andvari is a powerful mind magier and in attendance at the trade Summit, with her father, King of Andvari. Queen Maeven Morricone of Morta is in attendance. Also in attendance are her sons; Milo, who is always plotting and badly injured Gemma in the first book, along with Prince Leonidas, another mind magier like Gemma. The two have a history and some heated moments.

When these royal kingdoms get together, you get political intrigue, assassination attempts, plotting and more! Queen Maeven invokes an arcane tradition known as the Gauntlet. It causes quite the commotions. Without spoilers, I will say it involves the house of Morricone and the house of Andvari. There are tasks to be completed that will end in death or a marriage. Eep!

I love the world, the creatures like the gargoyles and secondary characters like Reiko, Dominic, and Rhea. The villains are delightfully wicked and you’ll want to throttle them. Milo and his fiancée are despicable. Maeven has blood on her hands but is quite clever.

The romance was swoon-worthy even if Gemma drove me nuts with her concerns over the houses. We see progress as events force growth and realizations. The events helped establish trust and see beyond the house colors.

Suspense, battles, action and plotting kept me engaged and the characters make these tales memorable. I look forward to the next book in the series. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Tanja ~ KT Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all I can’t. I just can’t! It has been a lengthy amount of time since I’ve dived into a fantasy series. It's one of my favorite genres and practically the only thing I would read. I took a break and diversified my reading but my heart just belongs in fantasy, action, and adventure. Jennifer Estep is one of the most prolific voices in this genre. Being able to dive back into this world and having her be the captain of that ship? Chefs kiss. I finished book one, Capture the Crown, and I’m halfway through the second book, Tear Down the Throne, and I’m still flabbergasted by how much I love it all. Tear Down the Throne comes out tomorrow!!! Order your copy ASAP.

~Tanja

*ARC gifted by publisher

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[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts

Tear Down The Throne, the second book in a part fantasy/part politics/part romance series that follows Andvaris heir Princess Gemma Ripley.

A young woman who has her own Gargoyle who is not only her friend but her arial transport as well.

This story picks up where first left off and soon reveals Gemma once again neck deep in her next adventure.

You see this Princess is also a royal spy and her latest mission continues to be a priority for the sake of all Andvarians.

There are of course multiple threads to follow as the story progresses, each one building on the last as Gemma tries to discover each of her foes endgame before it is too late.

No one can be trusted and everyone is a suspect as our Princess battles what her heart wants rather than what her head dictates must be done.

This second book has more revelations in store but also more secrets to uncover the truth of as well.

Sacrifices are necessary to make certain desires come true.

However for Gemma her greatest sacrifice is born of love which overcomes past hatreds.

There are moments in this tale where all seems lost for Gemma Ripley, moments that turn defeat into triumphs instead.

As with first book we are left an ending that leads to another adventure, one that should prove to be even more intense than the two before it.

What tangled webs are woven within this story and at long last a new future beckons for Gemma and Leo.

I am looking forward to what comes next!

[EArc from Netgalley]

[Anna (Bobs Her Hair) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I reread my review of Capture the Crown, which is book one. There isn't any mention of thinking this is YA (Young Adult), but Tear Down the Throne read like so many YA fantasy romances I have read in the past. It seems every character pasted on their 'blank' faces while there's an obvious physical tell, which made the plot seemed 'dumbed down.' It's like the publisher told the author that YA isn't hot anymore, change the age, throw in a sexy time and a couple of F bombs and we'll label it for adults.

I like the story, but I would have enjoyed it more if the characters showed more sophistication for their age or if the publisher would have left it as YA, if that's the case. I still plan on reading what the conclusion of the Gargoyle Queen series, and I feel as if there will be another spin-off.

library eloan

[Ela's Welt der Bücher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jedes neues Buch von Jennifer kann ich kaum abwarten, denn egal was sie schreibt es muss gelesen werden. Den ersten Teil dieser Serie fand ich leider etwas schwächer, aber das kommt bei jedem Autor irgendwann vor. Trotzdem wollte ich wissen, wie es mit Gemma weitergeht. Und was soll ich sagen, dieser Band war wieder besser, obwohl ich anfangs nicht so schnell voran gekommen bin, was aber eher an meiner Müdigkeit lag. Zwischendurch konnte ich es gar nicht aus der Hand legen, weil es so spannend und fesselnd war. Bin jetzt schon gespannt, was mich im dritten Teil erwarten wird.
4,5 Sterne

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars...

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brain candy comfort read.

[Bambi Unbridled · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemma has matured and become an outstanding heroine. She has grown more comfortable with her power, adept at her spycraft, and improved her fighting skills. The last thing left to master will be her emotions, particularly where her feelings of adequacy and Leonidas are concerned. I'm a sucker for a forbidden or enemies-to-lovers romance, and Gemma and Leonidas couldn't be any more at odds. Though Leo does seem to have a greater grasp on his feelings for Gemma.

This installment brings us to another summit, and I was very interested to see all the royals gathering again. (Although I did miss Everleigh and am curious why she didn't attend). I absolutely loved the idea of the Gauntlet, and couldn't wait to see how it would effect everyone. There was SO much action and drama in this one, I felt like the book flew by and was sorry to see it end. I especially enjoyed the introduction of Otto and Violet, and I hope they continue to play a part in future stories. I also have an inkling of where our next spinoff will occur, and who that heroine may be. 😉

[Monica Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not love a book that has gargoyles, a baby strix, and a heroine who will do anything to protect those she loves. This is the second book in the Gargoyle Queen series. Gemma is recovering from everything that happened in Morta. She is still determined to find out what Milo has planned. Gemma returns to her spying but has to attend a Summit for royals. There she comes face to face with Leonidas, Milo, and Queen Maeven. Gemma has to find out what they're planning before someone she cares about gets killed.

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Estep. All of her books contain tons of action, romance, and a little mystery. Plus really great descriptions of food. This book was no exception. I loved reading about Gemma and Leo, and I can't wait to see what happens. Another great installment to this series!

Thank you to Francesca Carlo and Harper Collins Publishers for the advanced copy.

[Lovebooksandpixiedust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Estep ist für mich eine absolute Fantasy Queen und ich freue mich immer wieder sehr, wenn neue Bücher von ihr erscheinen. „Der Dornenthron“ ist der zweite Teil der Gargoyle Queen Trilogie und nach dem grandiosen ersten Band, waren meine Erwartungen sehr hoch. Und was soll ich sagen: Jennifer Estep hat diese mehr als nur erfüllt. Schon von der ersten Seite an war es spannend, emotional und ich konnte das Buch keine Sekunde aus der Hand legen. Es hat mich nicht mehr losgelassen und ich fiebere jetzt dem letzten Teil entgegen. Die Handlung war gut aufgebaut, die Charaktere greifbar und es gab die ein oder andere Wendung, die ich so nicht habe kommen sehen.

Ich bewundere Gemma sehr. Sie ist ein unglaublich starker Charakter und man kann einfach nicht anders, als sie ins Herz zu schließen. Gemma gibt nie auf, egal wie schwer die Situation ist und in hier steckt so viel mehr als sie den Leuten zeigt. Ihre Handlungen und Verhaltensweisen konnte ich sehr gut nachvollziehen und sie macht im Laufe der Geschichte eine schöne Entwicklung durch. Leonidas wirkt auf den ersten Blick recht geheimnisvoll, aber durch die Rückblicke in die Vergangenheit konnte man ihn auch gut greifen und sein Verhalten besser verstehen. Gerade sein innerer Zwiespalt war sehr verständlich und nachvollziehbar dargestellt. Zwischen Leonidas und Gemma hat es einfach gepasst und das Knistern hat man beim lesen in jeder Zeile spüren können. Neben diesen beiden bin ich auch ein großer Fan von Maeven. Sie ist ein extrem komplexer Charakter und egal wie man im Kopf alles dreht und wendet, man weiß nie was ihre wahren Motive sind. Das fand ich auch schon in der „Die Splitterkrone Trilogie“ sehr interessant und spannend. Ein kleines Highlight in dem Buch waren auch Gemmas Gargoyle Grimley und das kleine Strixbaby Viola. Ich bin regelrecht geschmolzen, so süß waren die beiden.

„Der Dornenthron“ ist eine würdige und spannende Fortsetzung und ich freue mich jetzt schon sehr auf den dritten Teil. Fantasy Fans dürfen sich diese Reihe nicht entgehen lassen!

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After enjoying the first book in the Gargoyle Queen series, I was very excited to jump into the sequel. The only thing I didn't realize was how long of a wait I was going to go through before finally diving into it. It's safe to say that I quite enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what happens next in this series.

Gemma is such an easy character to enjoy. She fights for what she believes in and will defend the people she loves with her whole heart. Of course, that doesn't stop betrayal and other things lurking behind every corner. Besides her, we are finally starting to trust Leonidas. Well, maybe, and by we—I mean me—and also, yes, I may still be suspicious.

Whether it's royal duties, competition, or forming true bonds of friendship (and other things), I'm beyond excited to get my hands on the next book. I really need to know what's going to happen next for everyone involved.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars -- An HJ Top Pick!
See the full review & more at HarlequinJunkie

Guaranteed to thrill readers with intrigue, political machinations, battles, and a thread of romance, Tear Down the Throne made me love Jennifer Estep’s work–and epic fantasy romances–even more.

It’s a sign of a great book when you hate to see it end. And as I turned the last page of Tear Down the Throne, I actually felt sad that we have to wait another year to get the third book, Conquer the Kingdom. I have fallen hard and fast in love with Gemma, Leo, Grimley, Reiko, Xenia and the rest. And it’s no wonder. Jennifer Estep has the wonderful ability–no matter the genre–to weave complicated situations... Read More

[Pam Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧

Ok, I know book 1 took me a long time to get through. It could have been my mood because I gave this book a shot and loved it. Couldn't put it down.

Gemma really comes into her own in the book. They always say to play the long game. I think Gemma does this effortlessly even if she thinks things are going to go one way but they veer a hard 180 and she adapts so well.

I loved the narration.

[Michele The Stick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the first series in this world, the second book is heavy with romance.   It had its squee moments.  I didn't always understand Gemma's motivations even though we were privy to her internal thoughts.  I'll be moving on to the third book ASAP.

[William Bentrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tear Down The Throne by Jennifer Estep
This was a little more romance than I expected. Gemma and Leo are stuck circling their internal wagons. Morta and Andvari are still mortal rivals. Treachery continues to abound. An annual summit for trade provides the setting for the tale.
Being of advanced age and occasional user of the f-word, I was still not thrilled to see it used in the book, at least three different times. It doesn’t seem necessary and despite widespread use, still grated on me.
Gemma’s continuous denial of affection and caustic introspection became tiresome and seemed more like just adding to the word count.
I enjoyed the addition of the baby strix and how Grimley reacted.
The book was entertaining despite my normal reserve about romantic novels.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable audiobook - middle of the series so I'll be listening to book 3 soon. There were some really tense moments in this one, and knowing it's the third book of the trilogy, I still wasn't sure who all would make it to the last book!

[Marielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This continues to be predictable but solid.