corin_134340's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Incest
nim22_'s review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Torture, and Violence
tough_cookie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This dark first installment in the Prince's Assassin trilogy introduces readers to Nikolas "Niko" Yazdan, an disillusioned ex-solder haunted by his time in the war against the elves (which, in the kingdom of Loreen, are vicious creatures). He's approached by Prince Vasili Caville, the eldest of the three Caville princes, to sniff out an enemy within the palace. Niko refuses and is arrested, starved until he agrees to work for the ruthless Vasili. But finding a king cobra among the viper pit of royals is no easy task, and the longer Niko investigates, the more extensive he finds the political web of intrigue. He finds refuge in Julian, Prince Vasili's personal guard, and although he isn't sure of his relationship with the prince, Niko nevertheless finds himself falling for Julian. Will he be able to find the would-be assassin and save Julian and Vasili?
This is a dark novel, no doubt. Between the PTSD flashbacks, torture, and sexual abuse, it's not for the faint of heart; I myself had to skip over several parts. I also found the plot annoying, especially the love triangle (I strongly dislike that trope) and the way Niko was always left in the dark, forced to unravel each mystery on his own. This resulted in the main character constantly being the last to know -- and ending up betrayed and/or as bait as a result (another literary device that frustrates me), and when very few of the characters are even likable, that gets old really fast. More than once I thought about dropping this book, but the dichotomy of Niko's character interested me just enough to keep me reading, and thankfully the pace of the story was quick enough that I could get through it quickly. However, I endured enough with this book and will not continue the rest of the trilogy.
This is a dark novel, no doubt. Between the PTSD flashbacks, torture, and sexual abuse, it's not for the faint of heart; I myself had to skip over several parts. I also found the plot annoying, especially the love triangle (I strongly dislike that trope) and the way Niko was always left in the dark, forced to unravel each mystery on his own. This resulted in the main character constantly being the last to know -- and ending up betrayed and/or as bait as a result (another literary device that frustrates me), and when very few of the characters are even likable, that gets old really fast. More than once I thought about dropping this book, but the dichotomy of Niko's character interested me just enough to keep me reading, and thankfully the pace of the story was quick enough that I could get through it quickly. However, I endured enough with this book and will not continue the rest of the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Gore, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, and Murder
sixav's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Drug use
Minor: War, Suicidal thoughts, and Incest
yoda32's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m disappointed because this sounded like everything I love- Grimdark fantasy, lethal Prince, slow burn, enemies to lovers romance- and yet it was meh.
I think my biggest problem was that I couldn’t get attached to Niko. He was just so STUPID. For someone proclaimed to be a deadly soldier known across the land as “the butcher” he was a bit of wimp. Now I get he’s fighting the darkness and all his inner turmoil- which I guess was interesting- but he was betrayed so many times throughout this book and seen NONE OF IT coming. And you’re perhaps wondering- well yeah, isn’t that the meaning of betrayAl. Yes but Niko was a solider trained to spot shit like this! Where was his cunning? Or his distrustful nature he so promised?
Next to Niko infuriating me, don’t even get me started on the “romance” and I’m not talking about the set up enemies to lovers( that I’m interested in). So Niko, along with making terrible decisions, thinks with his dick, and instead of scoping out the terrifying palace, and you know, being the assassin we are promised, he instead falls for Julian, the princes’ personal guard. And we the poor readers- get a whole load of romantic jargon. Which went EXACTLY how I expected it to go.
The plot was meh. I think personally, Niko and Julians romance annoyed me so much that I couldn’t concentrate. Towards the end, the plot became slightly more intriguing, but for the most part.. no.
Now all that being said- there were SOME parts of the book I liked, or else I wouldn’t have finished it.
Firstly- Prince Vasili. He was awful, cruel and conniving. The exact kind of character I love. At least HE embraced his darkness. Also the actual romance is set between him and Niko and despite all my complaints, I’m curious.
Secondly- The author did something I’ve never read about before, she made the elves evil cruel creatures and damn I want to know more.
Thirdly- It’s clear that the dynamic between Niko and Vasili will change from barely tolerating each other to more and despite it all- I’m hooked. I want to know how they fall in love. Like seriously- how!
Anyways, this wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but if you’re intrigued by dark fantasy, and are curious about the lethal Prince Vasili, I recommend you try this. You may like it more than me.
I think my biggest problem was that I couldn’t get attached to Niko. He was just so STUPID. For someone proclaimed to be a deadly soldier known across the land as “the butcher” he was a bit of wimp. Now I get he’s fighting the darkness and all his inner turmoil- which I guess was interesting- but he was betrayed so many times throughout this book and seen NONE OF IT coming. And you’re perhaps wondering- well yeah, isn’t that the meaning of betrayAl. Yes but Niko was a solider trained to spot shit like this! Where was his cunning? Or his distrustful nature he so promised?
Next to Niko infuriating me, don’t even get me started on the “romance” and I’m not talking about the set up enemies to lovers( that I’m interested in). So Niko, along with making terrible decisions, thinks with his dick, and instead of scoping out the terrifying palace, and you know, being the assassin we are promised, he instead falls for Julian, the princes’ personal guard. And we the poor readers- get a whole load of romantic jargon. Which went EXACTLY how I expected it to go.
The plot was meh. I think personally, Niko and Julians romance annoyed me so much that I couldn’t concentrate. Towards the end, the plot became slightly more intriguing, but for the most part.. no.
Now all that being said- there were SOME parts of the book I liked, or else I wouldn’t have finished it.
Firstly- Prince Vasili. He was awful, cruel and conniving. The exact kind of character I love. At least HE embraced his darkness. Also the actual romance is set between him and Niko and despite all my complaints, I’m curious.
Secondly- The author did something I’ve never read about before, she made the elves evil cruel creatures and damn I want to know more.
Thirdly- It’s clear that the dynamic between Niko and Vasili will change from barely tolerating each other to more and despite it all- I’m hooked. I want to know how they fall in love. Like seriously- how!
Anyways, this wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but if you’re intrigued by dark fantasy, and are curious about the lethal Prince Vasili, I recommend you try this. You may like it more than me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Incest
Spoiler
Attempted rape, non con, dubious content, drugged without consent.
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