12 must-read science fiction and fantasy book releases for a magical July
By Lacy Baugher
July 2021 release: Capture the Crown – Jennifer Estep
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.
One of the most interesting aspects of her previous series was that though Kill the Queen was set in the kingdom of Bellona, Estep put in the work to build out its universe to other neighboring countries, with their own traditions and rivalries with other nations. Capture the Crown is set in Andvari and follows the story of Princess Gemma Ripley, a survivor of the Seven Spires massacre that saw crown princess Vasilia take the throne of Bellona by bloody force.
Gemma was only 12 years old when those horrific events took place, but they’ve never been far from her thoughts. Now 28, she’s developed a reputation as a shallow pampered royal herself, but in truth, she’s hiding a dangerous secret: She’s a powerful mind mage and frequent undercover spy.
When a series of troubling incidents occur along the Andvari-Morta border, Gemma travels to the city of Blauberg to investigate in hopes of preventing a war between the two kingdoms. But Gemma finds far more danger than she bargains for, along with a boy from her past, a childhood enemy who has grown into a dangerous man.
The official synopsis describes the story in more detail.
"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…"
Capture the Crown is available on July 6.