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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Yes
If you took the setting of Captive Prince and added some of the characterization (and characters) similar to what KJ Charles writes (Specifically [b:Think of England|34715257|Think of England (England World, #2)|K.J. Charles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1490705360l/34715257._SY75_.jpg|40168913] ), you might have an idea of what you're getting into with this book/series. The atmosphere also reminded me (in a good way) of the Kushiel's Dart series, although this one isn't kinky at all - I'm thinking more of the political machinations than the sex. ;)
I devoured this and then immediately bought the two sequels.
I'm really interested in re-reading, and wish there was a well-narrated audiobook. This author is definitely on my "to-watch" list now!
Spoiler
because if I tell you that one of them is a spy and the other is a big strong injured/invalided soldier... well I'm not sure it's that much of a spoilerI devoured this and then immediately bought the two sequels.
I'm really interested in re-reading, and wish there was a well-narrated audiobook. This author is definitely on my "to-watch" list now!
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
I found the first half the the book to be very slow, but I pushed through and the backend was much more exciting than the first half. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Similar vibes to KJ Charles's Think of England, but with an ancient Mediterranean-esque setting.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It almost feels like my feelings about this book aren't fair, because on the one hand, I thought it was pretty slow, but on the other hand, Damiskos fell in love so quickly. I do think it gets better the further you get in the story. It was well-written, and very reminiscent of Mary Renault (which makes sense—the author mentions her as an inspiration, and I could definitely tell). This is technically set in a fantasy world, but there are no fantastical elements in this book aside from the countries being fake, so it read more like a historical romance to me.
I really liked both Damiskos and Varazda as characters. Their romance was slow, sweet, and easy to root for. I kind of wish there had been more focus on the romance versus everything else that was going on, but the political machinations playing out made for some fun beats. I would say this is about 40% romance, 60% political intrigue, and I guess I would've liked it more if it had been the other way around. That said, I'm excited to continue the series, especially because the next two books are following the same characters, so hopefully there'll be plenty more romance to come.
I really liked both Damiskos and Varazda as characters. Their romance was slow, sweet, and easy to root for. I kind of wish there had been more focus on the romance versus everything else that was going on, but the political machinations playing out made for some fun beats. I would say this is about 40% romance, 60% political intrigue, and I guess I would've liked it more if it had been the other way around. That said, I'm excited to continue the series, especially because the next two books are following the same characters, so hopefully there'll be plenty more romance to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Slavery, Xenophobia
Moderate: Torture, Murder