Crush the King (Crown of Shards #3)

I always enjoy Ms. Esteps stories as fast paced, interesting, and most importantly, triumphant, but while reading this latest installment, I couldnt help but realize her characters tend to monologue like villains, taking away any attempts at mystery. Its Gin Blancos issue in the Elemental Assassins series, and its Evies issue here. If shes not monologuing out loud, then shes doing it in her head, bludgeoning us with whats going to happen throughout the story. Instead of being surprised someone is manipulated in a long con, we are told over and over the person is being conned, so when theres a big reveal that said person got conned, its more an eye roll moment than a clever twist.

I love the characters, I love the strength in the relationships, I like the plot, but the writing is simply not clever or subtle. You know, play by play, what is going to happen and unfortunately the journey getting there just wasnt that gripping. Dance offs, a gambling tournament, sneak attacks, every scene is predictable as it unfolds and this go around, just didnt have the depth I know her books are capable of. Its also a build up book for future installments, while wrapping up the immediate story arc, as new villains are introduced. I guess well see where this goes.

This is a strong series. A big evil that you learn about over time, that eventually gets defeated; a main character who kicks butt and makes hard choices; some magic, princess, kings, and queens. I

From a plot standpoint, the story is pretty standard. I appreciate the layers to Evie’s thinking throughout, but none of the twists or reveals of the story were surprising as they were heavily hinted at. The end of the story felt a bit too easy for my taste, but it was still a good ending.

As a character, I liked Evie but she got super something book 2 and I was over it. She needed to get over it and buck up, and she does eventually. Her romance was lackluster throughout. She falls in love after very little visible time of them being together in the story. It’s hard to buy above story up in see almost nothing of. Their struggle in book 2 was interesting, but by book 3 her gardening the background again. Apparently his role as consort is to be barely seen it heard from. I felt like the author didn’t want to spend time in developing their relationship beginning to end, so I shouldn’t be surprised that we only see him for a couple of sex scenes and a few instances of him hovering in the background. I wish he’d had more face time in the story because it would have made their relationship believable. Instead, I feel like Evie runs around doing stuff without thinking about him at all, even less than she thinks about Paloma or Serilda. The fact he’s constantly referenced as being in her group of friends is weird. He’s her consort, not just a friend.

I also think Evie’s story as a gladiator was cut unnecessarily short. We are only a bit of her training, a fight, and then the rest is glossed over until the big ending of book 1. I find the training and gaining skills part of the story very interesting and was sad that it was barely present. Might have also added depth to her romance. I’m the end, it all felt too easy for her despite what she suffered in the beginning.

And finally, I really dislike the flashbacks. I found them annoying. If the intent was to provide a visceral insight into Evie, it failed IMO. They were rambling, poorly timed, and heavy handed in his they lined up with current events so perfectly. The backstory could have been stated without the flashbacks and been just as meaningful in conveying relevant information. And it would have been less time consuming.

Ultimately, a good read with a fairly predictable plot where the big bad gets defeated by a secretly powerful queen.

Love this series! This installment is just as action-packed and filled with intrigue and twists as the previous two. I was really disappointed that Sullivan is no more than a background blip in this story, though. Now that Everleigh and he are together, he just melts into the walls only to come out if she needs sex. Why cant a couple fight together? Evie utilizes her other friends but we see nothing of Sullivan’s strengths. *sigh*. Otherwise it is absolute awesomeness!

Ive loved watching the main character grow through the books from a scared immature young woman to a brave powerful queen. Everything has of course led to this battle or in this case the Regalia Games where Evie goes up against Maximus. Jennifer Estep is so good developing villains. You hate them but also find them interesting and want more. And theres plenty of villains to choose from here. Lots of action and excitement. Can Queen Evie finally Crush the King? I really loved this trilogy just like Ive loved all of Jennifer Estep’s books. If her name is on it I have to have it. I cant wait for more from her.

Kill the Queen was the first Jennifer Estep book I read. So I have a real fondness for Evie. Crush the King isnt my favorite of the trilogy, but its still a fun, fast-paced story, with some intriguing open threads I hope Estep follows up on in future books.

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