Queen Everleigh Saffira Winter Blair, known to her friends as Evie, is anticipating an assassination attempt. After all, no one ever thought she would be queen due to the line of succession ahead of her. The Seven Spire massacre (see KILL THE QUEEN for more details) changed everything. Evie remembers who treated her poorly when she was just an orphan princess, but she also knows she must do what is best for the people of Bellona. An alliance with the King of Andvari would greatly benefit both her kingdom as well as his, but is she willing to pay the price the king wants?

PROTECT THE PRINCE is the second book in the Crown of Shards series and picks up shortly after the conclusion of the first book, KILL THE QUEEN. The Crown of Shards series is definitely one you want to read in order as the world building and character development are ongoing. Evie has already established a small circle of friends she trusts with her life and she's given her love to a man she thinks she can never have. Those relationships were built in the first novel before Evie became the Winter Queen and now we are seeing how her role as the reigning monarch will impact both her own life and the relationships with the people she loves and trusts.

PROTECT THE PRINCE really digs into the various court intrigues, both at home and in Advari. Evie has to navigate the nobles and their plots, while trying to uncover the more devious plots of the Mortans. I love that Evie directly addresses Maeven and her own dubious place in their world. I'm hopeful we'll see some twists and turns with the seeds of doubt that Evie sowed with Maeven.

PROTECT THE PRINCE is yet another stellar offering from Jennifer Estep. I grew up loving epic fantasy novels and Jennifer Estep is one of the authors reigniting my love for the genre. Splendid world building, lots of court intrigue, fascinating characters and an oh so deadly villain, and chock full of action- PROTECT THE PRINCE has it all! I can't wait to see what happens next!

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