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alysae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Okay, there's a lot to say about this series.
First of all, the trigger warnings are not to be taken lightly. Rape, slavery and pedophilia is very much present from the very first chapters of book 1 throughout the story. If this is something that you don't think you could handle, then please don't read the book.
I read the first book back when it came out when I was thirteen and couldn't even get past the fourth chapter. The scenes are very explicit and the themes are hardcore. I knew I was too young to read this.
However, I finally tried it again as a friend bought this book and liked it. I remembered trying to read it and how controversial it already was at the time. I can see why it could be, but honestly it shouldn't.
This story is about a prince turned slave in his enemy's country. You know this when you start reading it, you also know what kind of society inspired this story, so you should know that it wouldn't be all roses.
The first book was mostly world-building and learning to know the characters. Not much happens regarding the plot, but it is very hardcore. The real action happens at the end of the book, and continues on the second one. I'm glad I had an edition with both books so I could continue directly with the second one.
Now, regarding book 2. It was excellent. The plot definitely thickened, the characters' interactions were great, loved the banter. But the politics and plot twists are infinitely what kept me reading. So many things happened, characters I thought were important weren't... Some things were predictable, but some left me flabbergasted.
The ending was awesome and I can't wait to read book 3 to know what happens next.
First of all, the trigger warnings are not to be taken lightly. Rape, slavery and pedophilia is very much present from the very first chapters of book 1 throughout the story. If this is something that you don't think you could handle, then please don't read the book.
I read the first book back when it came out when I was thirteen and couldn't even get past the fourth chapter. The scenes are very explicit and the themes are hardcore. I knew I was too young to read this.
However, I finally tried it again as a friend bought this book and liked it. I remembered trying to read it and how controversial it already was at the time. I can see why it could be, but honestly it shouldn't.
This story is about a prince turned slave in his enemy's country. You know this when you start reading it, you also know what kind of society inspired this story, so you should know that it wouldn't be all roses.
The first book was mostly world-building and learning to know the characters. Not much happens regarding the plot, but it is very hardcore. The real action happens at the end of the book, and continues on the second one. I'm glad I had an edition with both books so I could continue directly with the second one.
Now, regarding book 2. It was excellent. The plot definitely thickened, the characters' interactions were great, loved the banter. But the politics and plot twists are infinitely what kept me reading. So many things happened, characters I thought were important weren't... Some things were predictable, but some left me flabbergasted.
The ending was awesome and I can't wait to read book 3 to know what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, and Slavery
Moderate: War, Death, Violence, and Child death
Minor: Animal death
madzcp's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This series is my all time favorite. I reread them almost every year. The subject matter can be challenging to read, and is presented in a controversial way. However, it is MEANT to be that way. People who give these books bad reviews, but have not read all three, should not be condemning them for the trigger warning type content. It is addressed in the future books. There is purpose to the content. It is meant to make you uncomfortable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Violence, Slavery, Torture, Sexual content, Rape, Racism, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Murder, and Confinement
Moderate: Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, War, Torture, Pregnancy, Grief, Drug use, Death of parent, Death, and Child death
zeppelinnyx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, and Pedophilia
Minor: Animal death
jmross10's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book (and this series) get a bad wrap a lot of the time. The main reason for that is people don't read the synopsis or they do read it and completely disregard what it says. Then they act shocked when they find out there is sexual slavery at the center of the story. It is an understandably surprising premise but if you give the book a chance you will see there's more to it than what the surface suggests. A big part of the main character's journey is being forced to re-evaluate his view of the world now that he is seeing it from the other side.
There is a slow burn romance that develops over the duration of the series but don't go into this book expecting to see much of it. There are the tiniest hits of what could be. There is no actual suggestion as to what it is.
For that matter, don't go into this book expecting to know what's going to happen next either. While the world is interesting and the characters are messy, the most captivating part is easily the chaotic political maneuvering in Vere. Everyone seems to be twenty steps ahead of the reader. Some of them - Laurent - are thirty.
Captive Prince is not necessarily an easy read but there are real emotional stakes, consequences for character's actions, and an unraveling of political plots that makes it well worth the effort. Pacat is an excellent writer and worth giving a try!
There is a slow burn romance that develops over the duration of the series but don't go into this book expecting to see much of it. There are the tiniest hits of what could be. There is no actual suggestion as to what it is.
For that matter, don't go into this book expecting to know what's going to happen next either. While the world is interesting and the characters are messy, the most captivating part is easily the chaotic political maneuvering in Vere. Everyone seems to be twenty steps ahead of the reader. Some of them - Laurent - are thirty.
Captive Prince is not necessarily an easy read but there are real emotional stakes, consequences for character's actions, and an unraveling of political plots that makes it well worth the effort. Pacat is an excellent writer and worth giving a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Body horror, Bullying, Sexual content, Slavery, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Classism, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, and Fire/Fire injury
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