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wonderwomannz's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to give this series a good chance, but I found the last book very much the same as the other 2, however this didn’t seem to go anywhere. It gave me a game of thrones feeling but very very tame. Decided this sort of theme wasn’t to my tasting, not enough different action in the storyline. If you did enjoy the 1st in the series then you might like the whole series.
booktreasuresau's review against another edition
5.0
Well, the cover for 'Crush the King' definitely suits the mood of the story itself. It's perfect for this grand finale of the 'Crown of Shards' trilogy and all three books look simply gorgeous next to each other!
What an emotional ride this story has been. I have read this final chapter of Evie and her companions months ago and still have trouble finding the right words to describe this book for you.
While reading, I have been overwhelmed with emotions like fear, joy, friendship, and love. The author's smooth like silk writing style captured me within seconds and I couldn't put the book down. I inhaled it in one evening and was kind of devastated to let all those amazing characters go. The good ones and the bad ones, to be honest. They all grew on me and will always have a special place in my reader's swooning heart. I might even have spilled a couple of tears while reading this one.
The plot of 'Crush the King' has been very well thought through and all those surprising twists and turns as well as all the growth of the characters just convinced me. I also couldn't find any boring or dull scenes as this book is extremely action-loaded. In the end, everything makes sense and the conclusion of Evie's adventure definitely is heartbreaking.
The amazing author Jennifer Estep did it again. With every single one of her books I think: She can't top that for me. But honestly? She surprises me every time anew and this time? Well, she said herself: she wanted to write an epic Fantasy series. And guys? She SO did it! Because if this series is one thing, it's epic. It's heartbreaking and -warming at the same time. It slowly killed me, chapter by chapter but in the end I knew, I'll forever be in love with this series with all my heart.
I can clearly recommend this amazing story with its strong, charismatic characters and the perfectly worked through story-line. All the unexpected twists and turns will shock you - in a good way though - and believe me, you'll be addicted to this series as quickly as I was.
What an emotional ride this story has been. I have read this final chapter of Evie and her companions months ago and still have trouble finding the right words to describe this book for you.
While reading, I have been overwhelmed with emotions like fear, joy, friendship, and love. The author's smooth like silk writing style captured me within seconds and I couldn't put the book down. I inhaled it in one evening and was kind of devastated to let all those amazing characters go. The good ones and the bad ones, to be honest. They all grew on me and will always have a special place in my reader's swooning heart. I might even have spilled a couple of tears while reading this one.
The plot of 'Crush the King' has been very well thought through and all those surprising twists and turns as well as all the growth of the characters just convinced me. I also couldn't find any boring or dull scenes as this book is extremely action-loaded. In the end, everything makes sense and the conclusion of Evie's adventure definitely is heartbreaking.
The amazing author Jennifer Estep did it again. With every single one of her books I think: She can't top that for me. But honestly? She surprises me every time anew and this time? Well, she said herself: she wanted to write an epic Fantasy series. And guys? She SO did it! Because if this series is one thing, it's epic. It's heartbreaking and -warming at the same time. It slowly killed me, chapter by chapter but in the end I knew, I'll forever be in love with this series with all my heart.
I can clearly recommend this amazing story with its strong, charismatic characters and the perfectly worked through story-line. All the unexpected twists and turns will shock you - in a good way though - and believe me, you'll be addicted to this series as quickly as I was.
annabell_hrs's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ems616's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
desertlover's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic finale! It's been forever since I've devoured a high fantasy series at such a fast pace. (I finished all three books in less than week, which is rare for audio.)
This a great series for readers who enjoy character driven fantasy over complex world/political storylines. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
This a great series for readers who enjoy character driven fantasy over complex world/political storylines. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I felt pretty mid about this series and the finale really secured that for me. It was a little disappointing in some ways but I'm glad I finished the trilogy.
My thoughts below are kind of more overall across the trilogy I guess as a whole.
**SPOILERS BELOW**
look, this entire series is around gladiator matches, assassination attempts, murder attempts. There is the main character and her 6-8 friends, and somehow ALL of them survive?? Only the people trying to carry out the assassinations or murders and the big bads die. Just very... unrealistic to me. There is a lot of plot armour. Like, a lot. The magic even fully plays into it for keeping the main character alive and well. She pretty much survives unscathed.
I also would have liked so much more of the side characters. I think that's the downside of making a series first person with only one character. Maybe just not my favourite? But we didn't get Paloma morphing until halfway through this final book - there are 3 characters who are morphs, only 2 of them morph in one scene each and one never morphs. The power felt kind of pointless. I would have loved more about Paloma in general, about her connection to Xenia - which I saw coming from book 1 - more of Sullivan, and DEFINITELY more about the interesting relationship between Serilda and Cho. And those two are just badass and awesome characters and should have had more spotlight anyways.
There are so many great side characters throughout the series, especially books 2 and 3 that I think could have been a lot more integral and interesting.
The pacing was actually really good. And overall I really liked the characters. It's a solid series, it just had some issues for me personally.
My thoughts below are kind of more overall across the trilogy I guess as a whole.
**SPOILERS BELOW**
look, this entire series is around gladiator matches, assassination attempts, murder attempts. There is the main character and her 6-8 friends, and somehow ALL of them survive?? Only the people trying to carry out the assassinations or murders and the big bads die. Just very... unrealistic to me. There is a lot of plot armour. Like, a lot. The magic even fully plays into it for keeping the main character alive and well. She pretty much survives unscathed.
I also would have liked so much more of the side characters. I think that's the downside of making a series first person with only one character. Maybe just not my favourite? But we didn't get Paloma morphing until halfway through this final book - there are 3 characters who are morphs, only 2 of them morph in one scene each and one never morphs. The power felt kind of pointless. I would have loved more about Paloma in general, about her connection to Xenia - which I saw coming from book 1 - more of Sullivan, and DEFINITELY more about the interesting relationship between Serilda and Cho. And those two are just badass and awesome characters and should have had more spotlight anyways.
There are so many great side characters throughout the series, especially books 2 and 3 that I think could have been a lot more integral and interesting.
The pacing was actually really good. And overall I really liked the characters. It's a solid series, it just had some issues for me personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Alcohol
Animal death is a fictional animal; toxic relationship is a familial relationshipveraann's review against another edition
5.0
crown of shards #3
Fantasy
This trilogy must be read in order to understand the circumstances and characters. This is the finale. It is a great finale book. I loved the characters and the growth for Evie through the books. This whole series felt fast paced read which is nice for a fantasy series. There was plenty of action with a good mix of political intrigue. Some great side characters that I wish could have had more of them. Great series.
Fantasy
This trilogy must be read in order to understand the circumstances and characters. This is the finale. It is a great finale book. I loved the characters and the growth for Evie through the books. This whole series felt fast paced read which is nice for a fantasy series. There was plenty of action with a good mix of political intrigue. Some great side characters that I wish could have had more of them. Great series.
erikajay's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent end to this series! I am so sad that this series is over! Evie is such a great main character. Honestly every character in this book is well developed and interesting.
The setting of this book was so interesting! I loved the idea of a multinational festival filled with competitions. That alone would’ve been interesting, but this year the royals are trying to kill each other, which just ups the excitement factor.
I did have two disappointments in this book. First, we never got to see Cho morph! I was just waiting and hoping for his dragon to come out, but that never happens! Also I would’ve liked to see more of Sully. The scenes with him are always great, but the tension between him and Evie is a huge part of what made books one and two so great. I’m glad they’re solid in this book, but I still wanted more of him.
The setting of this book was so interesting! I loved the idea of a multinational festival filled with competitions. That alone would’ve been interesting, but this year the royals are trying to kill each other, which just ups the excitement factor.
I did have two disappointments in this book. First, we never got to see Cho morph! I was just waiting and hoping for his dragon to come out, but that never happens! Also I would’ve liked to see more of Sully. The scenes with him are always great, but the tension between him and Evie is a huge part of what made books one and two so great. I’m glad they’re solid in this book, but I still wanted more of him.