Title: Captive Prince
Series: Captive Prince, Book 1
Author: C.S. Pacat
Genre: Fantasy Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: April 7, 2015 by Berkley
Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos, but when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.
Beautiful, manipulative and deadly, his new master Prince Laurent epitomizes the worst of the court at Vere. But in the lethal political web of the Veretian court, nothing is as it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country.
For Damen, there is just one rule: never, ever reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reason to hate him than anyone else . . .
Reviewed by: Crissy
Why I Read This Book: Of all genres, Fantasy is one of my favorites. Losing myself in a completely different world full of imagination and the unknown is part of why I love reading so much. Then I read this blurb. A should-be king is gifted into slavery to his enemies by his wicked half-brother? This book was definitely for me.
In A Nutshell: This book is a winner. If you are a lover of high fantasy, enemies-to-lovers, and tension filled drama, this book is for you. I loved it.
The Setup: When his father dies unexpectedly, Damen should have been king of Akeilos. Instead, he was arrested and sold into slavery by his half-brother, who told the kingdom Damen had died as well. Gifted to Prince Laurent of Vere, sworn enemy of Akeilos, Damen finds himself at the mercy of a man who has no idea who he is but hates and tortures him on principle—and because the deceased prince of Akeilos killed Laurent’s older brother.
What I Liked: This story is engrossing from the beginning. The author did a really great job capturing my interest in the first few pages. It’s a very plot driven book, full of action and tension and ire. The pacing of the story is quick but inviting. At the same time, there are times when I knew disaster was heading for Damen, but I couldn’t look away. I didn’t want to for fear that I would miss something. It’s such a gripping story, I don’t even mind that I lost sleep reading it.
What I Also Liked: From the get-go, the relationship between Damen and Laurent is so epically doomed for failure. The hate on both sides is almost tangible. And it’s definitely painful—mostly for Damen. But then they turn a corner and what they have is less hurtful and more of a work in curiosity, but no less intense. Don’t get me wrong, their journey is filled with angst and animosity and lies and secrets. It’s killer. The way these guys work piece together a working distrust for the Regent into a trust for one another that neither of them expected is what makes this story amazing.
Enemies-to-lovers is one of my all-time favorite tropes. And this one is done so right. There were times I wasn’t sure that these guys would ever find common ground, yet I cheered them on the entire way, knowing that when they did it would be explosive. And I was not disappointed.
In My Opinion: Captive Prince is not one of my top five fantasy recs. It’s exciting and fast-paced and perfect. Keep in mind that it is part of a trilogy, so the story arc is not completed fully. The author left me wanting in the best of ways. A definite must read.
Crissy’s Rating:
Gah! This book sounds so amazing. I saw it pop up on Netgalley a while back but when I went to request it, I couldn't find it anymore. :( I really need to get a copy and set time aside to read it but unfortunately, if it's not a review book, it gets pushed to the back of the line. Glad to see you enjoyed it so much.
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