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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
I struggle with trilogies or just series in general, because very few worlds can keep my interest for the span of 2 or 3 books, but the Captive Prince doesn’t have this issue, whether it’s the romance or the politics I am constantly immersed within the story.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
I'm really shocked that this was an enjoyable book with no weird slave kink or bitchy, catty twinks in it? I"m really confused is this really the same book series as vol 1?
Again, I've read it many times before but I love rereading this book.
The top review said this book was boring and I'm sad but to each their own.
There's three main parts of this book that I love which are:
1.) The political atmosphere. The author does such a good job building the story up so that you think one thing is going to happen but it ends up being something entirely else. It's just so tense, and I remember the first time I read this book (way back when) I was literally on the edge of my seat during moments.
2.) Damen and Laurent. Book 2 is where they actually fall in love with each other and it kills me. I said it in my CP review and I'll stay it again - this series is the only valid enemies-to-lovers book that I acknowledge. The author also does such a great job developing their feelings for one another - Damen feeling some turn in him during the Chase scene, Laurent staring whenever Damen does something that golden retriever would also probably do. I love it.
3.) The writing style. Maybe I'm too used to other YA/new adult BS but wow, the author does an incredible job with showing (not telling). I also love how subtle some things are (who Laurent is really sending messages to, the slow development of their feelings, who ends up being a traitor). Part of the reason why these books are so fun to reread is because you go back and pick up on so many things that were said pretty overtly, but the reader just assumes a different meaning or rights off dialogue as being innocuous. Amazing job, 10/10.
Ahhhh I can't get wait to get started on the third one
Edit 8/18/2022 reread: forgot to mention how fucking amazing the writing itself is. Blows me away every time.
The top review said this book was boring and I'm sad but to each their own.
There's three main parts of this book that I love which are:
1.) The political atmosphere. The author does such a good job building the story up so that you think one thing is going to happen but it ends up being something entirely else. It's just so tense, and I remember the first time I read this book (way back when) I was literally on the edge of my seat during moments.
2.) Damen and Laurent. Book 2 is where they actually fall in love with each other and it kills me. I said it in my CP review and I'll stay it again - this series is the only valid enemies-to-lovers book that I acknowledge. The author also does such a great job developing their feelings for one another - Damen feeling some turn in him during the Chase scene, Laurent staring whenever Damen does something that golden retriever would also probably do. I love it.
3.) The writing style. Maybe I'm too used to other YA/new adult BS but wow, the author does an incredible job with showing (not telling). I also love how subtle some things are (who Laurent is really sending messages to, the slow development of their feelings, who ends up being a traitor). Part of the reason why these books are so fun to reread is because you go back and pick up on so many things that were said pretty overtly, but the reader just assumes a different meaning or rights off dialogue as being innocuous. Amazing job, 10/10.
Ahhhh I can't get wait to get started on the third one
Edit 8/18/2022 reread: forgot to mention how fucking amazing the writing itself is. Blows me away every time.
“I got four hours of sleep last night because of this damn book,” said Lindsey, as she frantically searched the Kindle store for book 3/another hit of heroin.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I am a very lenient rater when the book is not absolute drivel!
It’s making me angrier to the first book that this could’ve been the quality of it the whole time??? This was good! It was enjoyable!!! The plot was actually cohesive and planned out, the characters felt more nuanced, and the fetishisation was even toned down a tonne.
It felt like honestly the setting of the castle was a bad omen and when they were out in the country side I was finally free of perversion from 90% of characters! Also even though I do not want to talk about this on here because why would I, the dynamic between Laurent and Damen, which of course culminated in sex, was not revolting like the first book! Great news! It paved the way for character development and was shockingly utilised?? Some credit where credit is due I guess. Laurent as a character was also greatly improved, I now love him and would not like to see him suffer again! So bad news for me that there is a third book!
Even when it came to Nicaise’s death, a character who had not been present at all in this book, my feelings on him had changed enough that I was miserable about it. NUANCE!! I WAS BEGGING FOR IT! I WAS BEGGING FOR RECOGNITION OF MULTIFACETED CHARACTERS AND WE GOT IT. In everyone (especially Laurent), but I was so at peace with the recognition of Nicaise both being really frustrating, and a 14 year old boy forced into a world too dire for his age and was forced to make his way through!! Some complexity was given!!! Hurrah! I feel like somehow Pacat heard my frustrations and corrected them all in time for me to read this one. STELLAR NEWS!!
As for criticism, I should like to take the time to say the fight scenes were mostly dull and poorly explained with the exception of some. And those some had the lack of intense detail working in their favour anyway. Also I really want a suspicion of mine to be confirmed because lord knows I have been waiting through one shit book and one good book for it.
It’s making me angrier to the first book that this could’ve been the quality of it the whole time??? This was good! It was enjoyable!!! The plot was actually cohesive and planned out, the characters felt more nuanced, and the fetishisation was even toned down a tonne.
It felt like honestly the setting of the castle was a bad omen and when they were out in the country side I was finally free of perversion from 90% of characters! Also even though I do not want to talk about this on here because why would I, the dynamic between Laurent and Damen, which of course culminated in sex, was not revolting like the first book! Great news! It paved the way for character development and was shockingly utilised?? Some credit where credit is due I guess. Laurent as a character was also greatly improved, I now love him and would not like to see him suffer again! So bad news for me that there is a third book!
As for criticism, I should like to take the time to say the fight scenes were mostly dull and poorly explained with the exception of some. And those some had the lack of intense detail working in their favour anyway. Also I really want a suspicion of mine to be confirmed because lord knows I have been waiting through one shit book and one good book for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
dark
tense
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
(3.5 stars)
I enjoyed the first half of this book about as much as the first one (which is to say very little), but I enjoyed the second half significantly more. Although the first section certainly had more legitimate plot (plot other than gratuitous rape and sex scenes) than the first book, I still found it to be slow and mostly boring. It picked up a lot in the second half, with much more conflict, story, and growth for both our two protagonists as characters, as well as in their romance. Although I'm still struggling with Laurent as a character, since I'm not sure I'll ever forgive him for the absolute atrocities he committed in the first book, I commend Pacat for allowing him to grow, and for allowing him and Damen's relationship to take a true enemies to lovers pathway. My biggest concerns with this were that it definitely came off as a little Stockholm Syndromey, and it seemed a bit like Damen and Laurent went from zero to a hundred pretty fast on their attraction and affection for each other, when I think they probably needed another book to get to that place, particularly when we take into account the truly awful things Laurent did to him in the first book.
Overall, I found this book to be a real improvement on the first one, and despite the issues I still have with this series, I'll be happily reading the third and final installment!
I enjoyed the first half of this book about as much as the first one (which is to say very little), but I enjoyed the second half significantly more. Although the first section certainly had more legitimate plot (plot other than gratuitous rape and sex scenes) than the first book, I still found it to be slow and mostly boring. It picked up a lot in the second half, with much more conflict, story, and growth for both our two protagonists as characters, as well as in their romance. Although I'm still struggling with Laurent as a character, since I'm not sure I'll ever forgive him for the absolute atrocities he committed in the first book, I commend Pacat for allowing him to grow, and for allowing him and Damen's relationship to take a true enemies to lovers pathway. My biggest concerns with this were that it definitely came off as a little Stockholm Syndromey, and it seemed a bit like Damen and Laurent went from zero to a hundred pretty fast on their attraction and affection for each other, when I think they probably needed another book to get to that place, particularly when we take into account the truly awful things Laurent did to him in the first book.
Overall, I found this book to be a real improvement on the first one, and despite the issues I still have with this series, I'll be happily reading the third and final installment!