You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Now that was a slow burn… a whole book and then two-thirds of the second before things finally started moving 😅
It was so nice to hang out with our favs for another round. Laurent’s cunning? Loved it. But what really got me was those little reminders that he’s still young, still capable of messing up. It made him feel so much more real. And Damen? Ugh, the way he just balances him out - strength where Laurent schemes, steadiness where Laurent sharpens. They just fit.
The political games kept me hooked - layered, sneaky, and complicated enough to make me lean in.
Honestly, such a solid second book. Now I’m just curious (and a little anxious) to see where book three is gonna throw them 👀
This should have been together with the first one. Kind of meh story. Sex scenes excellent.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I ate this book up, it gave me all the political drama, developing romance, and fantastical elements that I needed. Felt like there was so much development in this book as the reader is now familiar with the world and can comprehend the scale of this political chessboard. My mouth was wide open in shock for a variety of reasons for the last 50 pages. C.S. Pacat just loves to end all their works with a cliffhanger, but hey, I immediately borrowed the final book on Libby.
‘For a moment, looking felt like kissing, an exchange in which the distinctions of intimacy blurred.’
‘For a moment, looking felt like kissing, an exchange in which the distinctions of intimacy blurred.’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence
Enemies-to-lovers hits different with Damen and Laurent. Thanks to them, emotional whiplash is all I know.
Captive Prince had me well on my way to believing that Laurent was an irredeemable character, and that he & Damen should never be together because of it. Prince’s Gambit, on the other hand, ensured that I have long since eaten those words, and am instead stewing in the impossibility that this romance is taking over my life…
The constant, palpable tension between Damen and Laurent makes their dynamic unbelievably intoxicating; every scene between them is so heavily charged with emotion, whether it be anger, fondness, sexual tension or an inextricable mix of each. I loved seeing the slow progression beginning with them despising one another, to becoming close comrades through Damen’s skills in combat and strategy. This was made even more enticing by Damen’s obvious (yet not explicitly stated) feelings for Laurent, growing through their every interaction. The whole sequence with their objective away from the troops (involving meticulous disguises, a brief hotel stay and evading capture) was everything.
The plot of this installment is vastly different the first (which I’m extremely glad for). Instead of being centered in the court of Vere, with all its corruption and slaves, Prince’s Gambit is heavily conflict based, as the characters prepare for war and face constant deception from their rivals, as well as those close to them. Pacat is so talented with illustrating intense battle sequences, ensuring I was able to perfectly picture every bit of swirling, bloody action. Despite being a fantasy lover, I’d never read a book that features battles fought entirely on horseback before this one, which was a newly exhilarating experience. The constant twists—and that cliffhanger—kept me on edge the entire war through. I also loved the newer characters being given a spotlight, especially Jord! This is an endlessly entertaining series, with this book far surpassing its predecessor.
While Damen seemed quite plain in Captive Prince, his depth of emotion was thoroughly explored this time around. I came to love his strong-willed personality quite fiercely. Considering Laurent’s icy exterior and Damen’s occasional impulsivity, I hardly expected their first coupling to be the most soft, beautiful sex scene I’d ever read; Pacat’s writing made me feel a thousand emotions in that single scene alone (from the prickle of tears to all-consuming joy). It was heartbreaking to imagine Damen would be leaving—possibly for good—the next day, especially with so much still unsaid between the two. The sudden display of vulnerability (especially on Laurent’s part) absolutely killed me, since we hadn’t glimpsed much of that from either prince before. Such an amazing scene after so much hurt and slow-burn.
I’m kind of dreading the end to this series, though I’m also uncontainably eager to know how things will continue after that cliffhanger…. (Laurent’s reaction?? I’m dying to know what he’ll say). Anyways…. I’m off to read the last book, while also praying for a happy ending.
Captive Prince had me well on my way to believing that Laurent was an irredeemable character, and that he & Damen should never be together because of it. Prince’s Gambit, on the other hand, ensured that I have long since eaten those words, and am instead stewing in the impossibility that this romance is taking over my life…
“I lack,” said Laurent, “the easy mannerisms that are usually shared with,” you could see him pushing the words out, “a lover.”
“You lack the easy mannerisms that are usually shared with anyone,” said Damen.
The constant, palpable tension between Damen and Laurent makes their dynamic unbelievably intoxicating; every scene between them is so heavily charged with emotion, whether it be anger, fondness, sexual tension or an inextricable mix of each. I loved seeing the slow progression beginning with them despising one another, to becoming close comrades through Damen’s skills in combat and strategy. This was made even more enticing by Damen’s obvious (yet not explicitly stated) feelings for Laurent, growing through their every interaction. The whole sequence with their objective away from the troops (involving meticulous disguises, a brief hotel stay and evading capture) was everything.
The plot of this installment is vastly different the first (which I’m extremely glad for). Instead of being centered in the court of Vere, with all its corruption and slaves, Prince’s Gambit is heavily conflict based, as the characters prepare for war and face constant deception from their rivals, as well as those close to them. Pacat is so talented with illustrating intense battle sequences, ensuring I was able to perfectly picture every bit of swirling, bloody action. Despite being a fantasy lover, I’d never read a book that features battles fought entirely on horseback before this one, which was a newly exhilarating experience. The constant twists—and that cliffhanger—kept me on edge the entire war through. I also loved the newer characters being given a spotlight, especially Jord! This is an endlessly entertaining series, with this book far surpassing its predecessor.
“To get what you want, you have to know exactly how much you are willing to give up.”
While Damen seemed quite plain in Captive Prince, his depth of emotion was thoroughly explored this time around. I came to love his strong-willed personality quite fiercely. Considering Laurent’s icy exterior and Damen’s occasional impulsivity, I hardly expected their first coupling to be the most soft, beautiful sex scene I’d ever read; Pacat’s writing made me feel a thousand emotions in that single scene alone (from the prickle of tears to all-consuming joy). It was heartbreaking to imagine Damen would be leaving—possibly for good—the next day, especially with so much still unsaid between the two. The sudden display of vulnerability (especially on Laurent’s part) absolutely killed me, since we hadn’t glimpsed much of that from either prince before. Such an amazing scene after so much hurt and slow-burn.
I’m kind of dreading the end to this series, though I’m also uncontainably eager to know how things will continue after that cliffhanger…. (Laurent’s reaction?? I’m dying to know what he’ll say). Anyways…. I’m off to read the last book, while also praying for a happy ending.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My father found me reading this at 2 am and so I cannot finish this trilogy in a day. Sad times for all of us.
It has gotten better, somehow. Even though I love me some court drama, I liked this book a lot better then the first. It gave me Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation vibes, with them traveling around doing things for shits and giggles while also barely staying alive.
The part of Nicaise... I was heartbroken. All around, I was heartbroken by all those who the regent ruined because of his disgusting fetish. I hate him. All my homies hate the regent.
I'm just excited to see how everything will end in the last book of this trilogy. I'm excited. Very very excited.
It has gotten better, somehow. Even though I love me some court drama, I liked this book a lot better then the first. It gave me Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation vibes, with them traveling around doing things for shits and giggles while also barely staying alive.
The part of Nicaise... I was heartbroken. All around, I was heartbroken by all those who the regent ruined because of his disgusting fetish. I hate him. All my homies hate the regent.
I'm just excited to see how everything will end in the last book of this trilogy. I'm excited. Very very excited.
⭐️ 5 / 5
Co za napięcie. Wow
Ta książka jest świetna kontynuacja. Podoba mi się to że bardziej poznajemy bohaterów na takiej płaszczyźnie mentalnej i to co nimi kieruje. Podoba mi się jak zaczynają się rozumieć i lubić. Laurent jest najciekawszą postacią. Złożoność jego charakteru, pewnie to ile przeszedł są idealnie tam ukazane. Damen jest osobą która uzupełnia Laurenta - to jak wie że musi zostać sam i potem go uspokaja. Ta chemia. To napięcie OMG
Jednak rzeczą którą najbardziej zachwyciła mnie w tej części są intrygi. Naprawdę to jak ta książka zaskakuje jest fenomenalne. Nie tylko kto zdradzi ale też umysł Laurenta to jak umie przewidzieć wydarzenia i wręcz zaplanować odpowiedz na nie i że jest zawsze kilka kroków wcześniej.
Jestem bardzo ciekawa co będzie dalej. Jak zareaguje Laurent gdy się dowie prawdy ( choć mam wrażenie że wie ) o Damenie i oczywiście jakie kolejne intrygi wyjdą na jaw
Co za napięcie. Wow
Ta książka jest świetna kontynuacja. Podoba mi się to że bardziej poznajemy bohaterów na takiej płaszczyźnie mentalnej i to co nimi kieruje. Podoba mi się jak zaczynają się rozumieć i lubić. Laurent jest najciekawszą postacią. Złożoność jego charakteru, pewnie to ile przeszedł są idealnie tam ukazane. Damen jest osobą która uzupełnia Laurenta - to jak wie że musi zostać sam i potem go uspokaja. Ta chemia. To napięcie OMG
Jednak rzeczą którą najbardziej zachwyciła mnie w tej części są intrygi. Naprawdę to jak ta książka zaskakuje jest fenomenalne. Nie tylko kto zdradzi ale też umysł Laurenta to jak umie przewidzieć wydarzenia i wręcz zaplanować odpowiedz na nie i że jest zawsze kilka kroków wcześniej.
Jestem bardzo ciekawa co będzie dalej. Jak zareaguje Laurent gdy się dowie prawdy ( choć mam wrażenie że wie ) o Damenie i oczywiście jakie kolejne intrygi wyjdą na jaw
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first book was terrible, but this one was better. The angst!
I am going to agree that the story did feel way different than the first one, which is why I liked it better.
I am going to agree that the story did feel way different than the first one, which is why I liked it better.