Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards #1), by Jennifer Estep - starting December 23rd, 2019

[Jennifer]

Gladiator meets Game of Thrones: a royal woman becomes a skilled warrior to destroy her murderous cousin, avenge her family, and save her kingdom in this first entry in a dazzling fantasy epic from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin series—an enthralling tale that combines magic, murder, intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance.

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen.

[Alaina]

starting this now!

[Alaina]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[holy crap, I can't believe all of that happened. It kind of reminded me the red wedding (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 19: (view spoiler)[woah woah woah.. already talking about heirs? slow your roll people. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

**oops forgot to add these forever ago but oh well - here they are now.
Ch 29: (view spoiler)[kill her.. kill her.. KILL HER! I believe in you girl - you got this. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[ohhh shit, I need the next book ASAP! (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Hoping to start this tomorrow.

[Alaina]

OMG YAY! I hope you enjoy it :)

[Jennifer]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[ wow! Vasilia sure is a bitch. I'm not sure I understand why she did what she just did. I mean, she was Crown Princess, so her position in the hierarchy was established, so why kill all the other Blairs? Now she has no line of succession. Vasilia is supposed to be smart and calculating, Nox can't be such a good fuck that she has forgotten how this all works in a kingdom. (hide spoiler)]
Part 2, Ch 17 - (view spoiler)[ I am loving the dynamic between her and Sully, though I am a little pissed that he wanted her to cheat even if it is a really good idea. I also like how Paloma has become her instant friend...please don't be setting Evie up for another betrayal, I don't think I will enjoy that. (hide spoiler)]
end of Part 2 - (view spoiler)[ Yay! She lives. I kind of thought that maybe she would be injured badly enough that it would give Serilda time to get and look at the stone and it would flush out her secrets. And I really wish someone would explain what the Winter Queen is supposed to mean, the book is nearly over and I'm still confused about why that is important. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - LOVED IT!!! I agree, I need the next book ASAP! (view spoiler)[ I am intrigued how Maeven and Nox just disappeared at the end, and WTF did she mean about having gone up against other Winter Queens and killed them. Being a Winter Queen must mean more than just being "kind" and putting the people first, otherwise why would it be such a big deal? Gah, I want to understand.

I am a little sad that Evie didn't get at least one special night with Sully, although I can respect why he walked away that night. I can only hope that Protect the Prince has something to do with him. Maybe he was switched at birth and brought up as a bastard to protect him?? I am shipping these two so hard, I just want them to make some magic together. (hide spoiler)]

I've asked for the next book to be transferred to my library. Do you want to read it later this month? Book 3 doesn't come out until March, but I'll probably want to read that too.

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "Part 1: [spoilers removed]
Part 2, Ch 17 - [spoilers removed]
end of Part 2 - [spoilers removed]
Finished - LOVED IT!!! I agree, I need the next book ASAP! I am intrigued how Maeven and Nox jus..."

yessss :) let's do it. I have the second book now but I can totally wait!

[Jennifer]

Ok, I'll let you know as soon as I pick up my copy and then set the thread.