Protect the Prince (Crown of Shards #2)
Jennifer Estep
Published: July 2, 2019 (Harper Voyager)
Purchase at: Amazon or Book Depository
Review Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Reviewed by: Amy
Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will reference previous events in the series. If you haven’t yet started, check out VBC’s review of Kill the Queen.
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
After killing her cousin Vasilia—the perpetrator of the Seven Spire massacre—Evie is now Queen of Bellona. While she feels like the least qualified person for the job, she’s trying her hardest to prepare and protect her people against any retaliation by Morta—the Kingdom that was ultimately behind Vasilia’s deception. To do that, Evie needs to form an alliance with Andvari.
So, Evie, along with her former gladiator troupe, now turned guards and advisors to the Queen, are headed to Andvari. Amongst the group is Lucas Sullivan, the bastard prince of the Andvarian King, who has never felt at home in the presence of his father and siblings and who has left behind much unfinished business which puts a strain on the already tentative feelings between himself and Evie.
That’s not all Evie has to deal with as spies from Mortan are still on the loose and they’re looking to finish what they started by killing Evie. Throughout it all, Evie will learn what it really means to be a Winter Queen.
The beginning of Protect the Prince really sees Evie struggling with her new title and with her new duties as Queen. There’s a feeling of isolation that runs throughout the majority of the book. I felt like we missed out on a lot of interactions with her friends—namely Paloma—and those from the gladiator troop, but I read it as an intentional decision on Jennifer Estep’s part. I felt like Evie was acting from a rulebook that she didn’t write but felt like it was expected based on how she saw previous Queens act. We kind of get a compare and contrast when they visit the Andvari Kingdom and we see a man who has been on the throne for decades and who still feels like the only way to unite two kingdoms is through marriage.
In that same vein, Sullivan has always felt like an outsider in the very court where Evie and her entourage are visiting. Being back “home” brings back a lot of unresolved feelings of inadequacy from his family and it makes the differences he sees between himself and Evie even more apparent.
On the other side of all of that you have the unfortunately named Bastard Brigade of the, you may have guessed, Mortan bastards who are trying really hard to finish what they started at the massacre.
There’s a lot of rumination on where you fit, mostly within family, but also fitting yourself into a situation that you don’t feel qualified for. Making the most of what you’ve been given and making it work to your advantage. Turning the rules on their ear and giving them the middle finger.
Protect the Prince sets Evie up for where she needs to be to ultimately confront Mortan. I wish that Jennifer Estep could have fleshed out a few things—such as more Paloma, and more gargoyles please!—but what was accomplished here was done really well.
Plus, the ending seriously had me stupidly grinning, I loved it so.
I’ve read enough Jennifer Estep to confidently say that she doesn’t disappoint. I’d recommend having already read Kill the Queen and if you have, you’ll certainly enjoy Protect the Prince.
Sexual content: Sex
Love Jennifer Estep’s writing!
I’m actually reading Kill the Queen right now! I found a signed copy at my local indie bookstore. Love it!
I’m reading her Elemental Assassin series. I’m on Widow’s Web.
I’m reading Ghosts of the Shadow Market by Cassandra Clare.
Love this author! I’m not reading anything right now 🙁 work has been nuts and haven’t had time. Thanks for sharing!
Just finished Protect the Prince and loved it! Thanks for the giveaway!
Great review. I’m currently reading Master of Crows by Grace Draven. Thanks for the chance
Great story!
“The Beyond” by Chloe Neill.
I just finished re-reading both “Kill the Queen” and Esteps Elemental Assassin series. I’m working with the library to get them to buy the e-novellas our system is missing as well as the books we don’t seem to have.
Thank you for the opportunity to have my own copy of “Protect the Prince;” my fingers are crossed!
Im reading Spider’s Trap Jennifer Esteps Elemental Assassin series. I LOVE her writing and have read everything i can get my hands on !
love the first book and can not wait to get this one. Currently reading book 8 in marie Force’s Ganstant Island series
Logan by Jay McLean
I am currently reading How to Wake an Undead City by Hailey Edwards. It is book 6 in The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy series.
The Chai Factor by Farah Heron is fun but not finished yet. Kill the Queen is next on my list