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bookishstevie's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual harassment
lilyoliviareads's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Respectfully wtf did I just read 😂
This is not my usual kind of book but the series hails as one of the best examples of enemies to lovers on the market, thus I am along for the journey.
I would highly recommend checking trigger warnings as there are some truly vile things that happen/are insinuated in this book.
This is not my usual kind of book but the series hails as one of the best examples of enemies to lovers on the market, thus I am along for the journey.
I would highly recommend checking trigger warnings as there are some truly vile things that happen/are insinuated in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Pedophilia
shrikebait's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I checked this title out from my local library as it seems to be a right of passage for lovers of queer fantasy.
I went in expecting a MM dark fantasy erotic thriller based on the blurb. While this is absolutely a fantasy book, I don't find it romantic or particularly erotic, even in a taboo sense. There are quite a bit of NC erotic tropes in the first half, but they never really pay off and aren't a consistent theme later in the book.
Speaking of taboo...A particular ick comes in the form of a child character who is groomed as a s*x sl*ve. Rather than recognizing the horror this concept SHOULD evoke, the story portrays him as a spoiled brat, older than his years. No, thank you.
While I enjoy the attention to detail in the clothing and customs of this world, I feel this aspect falls flat without a cohesive plot. Initially, I thought the plot was supposed to take a backseat to the erotic elements...but when the eroticism didn't pay off, I was left with characters who lacked consistent motivations and a less-than-compelling plot.
With all this in mind, I'm not particularly interested in the next book. I might change my mind if y'all think it's a move in the right direction for the series.
I went in expecting a MM dark fantasy erotic thriller based on the blurb. While this is absolutely a fantasy book, I don't find it romantic or particularly erotic, even in a taboo sense. There are quite a bit of NC erotic tropes in the first half, but they never really pay off and aren't a consistent theme later in the book.
Speaking of taboo...A particular ick comes in the form of a child character who is groomed as a s*x sl*ve. Rather than recognizing the horror this concept SHOULD evoke, the story portrays him as a spoiled brat, older than his years. No, thank you.
While I enjoy the attention to detail in the clothing and customs of this world, I feel this aspect falls flat without a cohesive plot. Initially, I thought the plot was supposed to take a backseat to the erotic elements...but when the eroticism didn't pay off, I was left with characters who lacked consistent motivations and a less-than-compelling plot.
With all this in mind, I'm not particularly interested in the next book. I might change my mind if y'all think it's a move in the right direction for the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Violence
Minor: Blood
leahsammon's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
No one, and I mean NO ONE has absolutely nailed the enemies to lovers trope the way C S Pacat did in this book.
I devoured this book. This book had everything I wanted and more. The characters had me thinking in every page, the storytelling was amazing, and the visuals and world building let me absorb this book without pause.
The main characters had me in an absolute chokehold and unravelling them through the book was a huge highlight.
I devoured this book. This book had everything I wanted and more. The characters had me thinking in every page, the storytelling was amazing, and the visuals and world building let me absorb this book without pause.
The main characters had me in an absolute chokehold and unravelling them through the book was a huge highlight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Slavery, and Torture
miraileah's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3.0. Did not realize the content in this book, definitely check your trigger warnings! I enjoyed the characterization and prose, it was really engaging, but this book only felt like half the story. There’s no real resolution to the plot (nor is there very much of a plot tbh??), but the characters and their goals were compelling enough that I want to read the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Physical abuse
nitzanschwarz's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
C+ | 3.5 ★ | More than Satisfactory
I finally did it. I finally read this book! And boy, do I have some thoughts.
I'll start by saying that I will be reading the rest of the series—I pretty much need to know what happens next. How does this develop? When do they realize some of the hidden truths about each other? And how do they deal with them whenthey're only just tentatively becoming allies ?
But despite this, I must admit that this was not an easy read on multiple fronts. First of all, just the rampant sexual abuse alone made this rough. I definitely don't think this is a book for everyone, as sexual violence and exploitation are themes that carry on from the first pages to the last, alongside many other forms of violence, mental and physical alike. This is not a pleasant world to be in, that's for sure. I understand, theoretically, why Pacat spent so much time on all of this, but there were definitely moments where I wondered if it was even worth getting through all of that, or should I DNF it?
I decided to continue despite this puke-inducing horror because of the characters and their relationships. We mostly get to know Damen, as the story is told from his point of view (albeit in 3rd person POV). And I like this man. He is courageous, cares for his people quite a bit, and is quite smart but also a bit of a hothead. He also tends to miss some of the more glaring things in front of him, but I'll let it slide because he has a very strong image of both Laurent and Vere, and some of the underlying truths of the Court seem to clash quite heavily with both.
Laurent is more of the cunning and deceptive side of things. He is playing 3rd Chess with the court and Damen, but unfortunately his main opponent also happens to be a chess master. While Luarent is the brain to Damen's brawn, he also sins at projecting an image unto Damen instead of seeing him for who he is.
For both these men, it'll be interesting to see how that develops.
I do think the relationship between Damen and Laurent is rather fascinating and can't be easily defined. I am not sure that calling what these two have a relationship is even apt at this point. They're enemy princes, but they're not. They're master and slave... but they're not. They despise each other but are also confused by each other, and I rather think neither quite knows to anticipate what the other might do next.
There is nothing romantic about it at this point, and I am still uncertain how Pacat will make it so, considering the things Laurent has done to Damen thus far, but I am willing to see if she can convince me. If she does, then I think this series will definitely qualify for an "enemies to lovers" tag .
There are a lot of questions surrounding these two that I am curious to see explored and revealed in future installments.How would Laurent react when he finds out Damen's true identity? When he realizes the true gravity of Damen's "punishment." How will that align with what he thinks he knows of the Akielos?
And what about when Damen realizes Laurent's past "relationship" with the Regent? Pacat has not explicitly told us about it in this installment, but I feel the hints were so massive that it'd be shocking if it wasn't the case--a prince who is "frigid" and refuses sexual company? A prince who reacts with surprise when Damen refuses to rape a child? A cunning, ambitious, pedophilic regent who "spared" his nephew when he was a "boy," only going into the offensive when he is on the cusp of becoming a man? One who laments about Laurent having been such a "good boy"? One who has a "pet" who looks similar to Laurent? And Laurent, who is almost affectionate, apologetic, and worried for that pet? Yeah, no. Everything about that, from head to toe, screams that Laurent has previously received his uncle's perverse attention.
So, yeah, I'm in.
Aside from the events of the book making this a hard read, the writing itself was not an advantage for me. I am not a native English speaker, but I have read over a thousand books in English, often with little to no problem. Yet, with this one, I had to switch to my kindle copy fairly early on because I realized that Pacat loved using "big words," and Kindle would make that less painful. I mean, kudos to Pacat for always having an obscure word that perfectly meant what she wanted to, but it made the reading experience very difficult, especially when she chose a rare word that had a well-known and equally befitting alternative. I'm sure it adds to the setting of the novel or something, but it detracted from my personal enjoyment of the book.
Plot - 17
Characters - 17
Relationships - 17
Writing - 13
Reading Experience - 13
Final Score: 77
I technically read between June 14 and July 11, but in truth, I only read 12% on June 14 and the remaining 88% between July 9 and 11 lol
I finally did it. I finally read this book! And boy, do I have some thoughts.
I'll start by saying that I will be reading the rest of the series—I pretty much need to know what happens next. How does this develop? When do they realize some of the hidden truths about each other? And how do they deal with them when
But despite this, I must admit that this was not an easy read on multiple fronts. First of all, just the rampant sexual abuse alone made this rough. I definitely don't think this is a book for everyone, as sexual violence and exploitation are themes that carry on from the first pages to the last, alongside many other forms of violence, mental and physical alike. This is not a pleasant world to be in, that's for sure. I understand, theoretically, why Pacat spent so much time on all of this, but there were definitely moments where I wondered if it was even worth getting through all of that, or should I DNF it?
I decided to continue despite this puke-inducing horror because of the characters and their relationships. We mostly get to know Damen, as the story is told from his point of view (albeit in 3rd person POV). And I like this man. He is courageous, cares for his people quite a bit, and is quite smart but also a bit of a hothead. He also tends to miss some of the more glaring things in front of him, but I'll let it slide because he has a very strong image of both Laurent and Vere, and some of the underlying truths of the Court seem to clash quite heavily with both.
Laurent is more of the cunning and deceptive side of things. He is playing 3rd Chess with the court and Damen, but unfortunately his main opponent also happens to be a chess master. While Luarent is the brain to Damen's brawn, he also sins at projecting an image unto Damen instead of seeing him for who he is.
For both these men, it'll be interesting to see how that develops.
I do think the relationship between Damen and Laurent is rather fascinating and can't be easily defined. I am not sure that calling what these two have a relationship is even apt at this point. They're enemy princes, but they're not. They're master and slave... but they're not. They despise each other but are also confused by each other, and I rather think neither quite knows to anticipate what the other might do next.
There are a lot of questions surrounding these two that I am curious to see explored and revealed in future installments.
And what about when Damen realizes Laurent's past "relationship" with the Regent? Pacat has not explicitly told us about it in this installment, but I feel the hints were so massive that it'd be shocking if it wasn't the case--a prince who is "frigid" and refuses sexual company? A prince who reacts with surprise when Damen refuses to rape a child? A cunning, ambitious, pedophilic regent who "spared" his nephew when he was a "boy," only going into the offensive when he is on the cusp of becoming a man? One who laments about Laurent having been such a "good boy"? One who has a "pet" who looks similar to Laurent? And Laurent, who is almost affectionate, apologetic, and worried for that pet? Yeah, no. Everything about that, from head to toe, screams that Laurent has previously received his uncle's perverse attention.
So, yeah, I'm in.
Aside from the events of the book making this a hard read, the writing itself was not an advantage for me. I am not a native English speaker, but I have read over a thousand books in English, often with little to no problem. Yet, with this one, I had to switch to my kindle copy fairly early on because I realized that Pacat loved using "big words," and Kindle would make that less painful. I mean, kudos to Pacat for always having an obscure word that perfectly meant what she wanted to, but it made the reading experience very difficult, especially when she chose a rare word that had a well-known and equally befitting alternative. I'm sure it adds to the setting of the novel or something, but it detracted from my personal enjoyment of the book.
Plot - 17
Characters - 17
Relationships - 17
Writing - 13
Reading Experience - 13
Final Score: 77
I technically read between June 14 and July 11, but in truth, I only read 12% on June 14 and the remaining 88% between July 9 and 11 lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse and Pedophilia
chocobun's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
icfasntw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
QUICK PITCH: A prince is deposed by his brother. Adding insult to injury, he is secretly sent to serve as a slave for his royal counterpart in an enemy court. Intrigue and feelings ensue.
VERDICT: Damen is a great fish out of water, Laurent is a perfect snake in tall grass, and the intrigue is twisty enough to keep me interested without being too complicated to follow. A perfect book to read in a hammock.
VERDICT: Damen is a great fish out of water, Laurent is a perfect snake in tall grass, and the intrigue is twisty enough to keep me interested without being too complicated to follow. A perfect book to read in a hammock.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Pedophilia, Slavery, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
slimygf's review against another edition
3.0
idk if this type of book is for me, i think i overestimated how well i could stomach the uhh subject matter. the last third of the book got really good tho?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
tokaylamockingbird's review against another edition
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Death, Pedophilia, and Murder