Capture the Crown

Written by Jennifer Estep

Narrated by Lauren Fortgang

Bestselling author Jennifer Estep returns to her Crown of Shards world with an all-new trilogy and a bold new heroine who protects her kingdom from magic, murder, and mayhem by moonlighting as a spy. 

Gemma Ripley has a reputation for being a pampered princess who is more interested in pretty gowns, sparkling jewelry, and other frivolous things than learning how to rule the kingdom of Andvari. But her carefully crafted persona is just an act to hide the fact that Gemma is a powerful mind magier—and a spy. 

Gemma is undercover, trying to figure out who is stealing large amounts of tearstone from one of the Ripley royal mines when she encounters Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta—her mortal enemy. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle.

Despite the fact that Andvari and Morta are old, bitter enemies, a dangerous attraction sparks between Gemma and Leo. Further complicating matters is Leo’s murderous family, especially Queen Maeven Morricone, the mastermind behind the infamous Seven Spire massacre.

The closer Gemma gets to the stolen tearstone, the more deadly plots she uncovers. Everyone is trying to capture the crown, but only one queen can sit on the throne … 

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jul 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063023055

Jennifer Estep

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 Section 47, Galactic Bonds, Elemental Assassin, Crown of Shards, Gargoyle Queen, and other fantasy series. She has written more than forty 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 or follow her online on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, and Goodreads. You can also sign up for her newsletter: https://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-jennifer/newsletter/Happy reading, everyone! ?

Reviews for Capture the Crown

[Ariel Paiement · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I listened to this on audio through Scribd. It was a really riveting listen. I would definitely recommend it, but do be forewarned that it is adult fantasy. It has a few suggestive scenes though nothing terribly descriptive, explicit language sprinkled throughout, and some pretty disturbing scenes involving violence and torture. Still, I loved that the story felt refreshingly real. From the tug of war inside Jemma Ripley's heart over loving man who has hurt her deeply in the past and seems utterly unattainable due to their respective positions in two warring courts to the royals' political intrigue that reminded me of the true stories of similar goings on in the English royal line, Estep wove a world of words that seemed both hauntingly real and beautifully fantastical. If you love fantasy with princesses, princes, and spies all wrapped up in intrigue, you'll love this one where the princess is the spy and it lands in her a dangerous world of intrigue, politics, and betrayal that she must navigate if she wants to escape with the secrest she learns and her own head.

[Sarah Cassady · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

MC is a bit of a Mary Sue. The prettiest, richest princess envied by all and secretly the strongest magier (magician) and best secret spy in the land. Too much for me personally but form your own conclusions.