A review by lilyliod
Kings Rising by C.S. Pacat

5.0

This book is everything I wanted from the end of the trilogy and more.

SpoilerThe angst is god tier, because Damen isn't exactly fighting his feelings, but Laurent is obviously determined to not let them be a thing. Because Auguste's death still hangs above them and those horrible days of slavery (the scars!!) do too (and probably always will). What little time they got to actually talk was filled with tension. It was painful, it was amazing!

Watching Laurent play everyone from the Akieleon side and being just, so magnetic and so damn hot. I worried for my poor pinning Damen who was already in having such a hard time already!

And when they finally got to talk, it was everything ! Those chapters, with the promises, the hope, and the talk of the future. Those are my favorite ! I wish I could bottle all those sweet, emotion packed moments and keep them with me.

One aspect I loved was also the fact that they didn't just pretend the hatred was never there, didn't pretend that what they had done to each other suddenly didn't exist because they were feeling something more. That the something more didn't miraculously eclipse the hatred, I love that.

I love that it was part of the struggle for both of them.


I enjoyed this trilogy more than I thought I would. I didn't expect I'd grow so found of both of the characters, as well as the supporting cast (shoutout to Jord, Lazel, Pallas and Nikandros I love them so much !). Didn't expect I'd get so invested I'd carry them with me beyond the last page of the books, but I'm really glad I do!

I may have guessed a lot of the plots, but it didn't make the whole experience any less enjoyable, because the characters made it worth it.

Definitely a rereadable series ! Loved it to bits !