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A review by divine529
Prince's Gambit by C.S. Pacat
adventurous
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is the second installment in the "Captive Prince" trilogy, and while it's definitely still a "book candy" series for me, I liked this book a bit better than the last.
This book picks up right where the last one left off, with Damen, Laurent and a whole bunch of soldiers embarking out to go to Aquitart, all the while playing a chess game of war and military strategy along the way, and their feelings continue to develop from there.
Laurent and Damen's relationship continues to bother me with the utter devotion and loyalty Damen has for Laurent after the events of the last book. It was good to see the shift in mindset, but still weird that it happens so fast. I'm also 100% convinced that Laurent knows who Damen is and has most likely the whole time which would explain, but not excuse, a lot of things from the prior book. I liked some of the side characters a bit more this book too. I'm also so glad for less rape and CSA - still present for sure, but not as explicit and prevalent as in the first book.
Some things that really grate on me though is the continued portrayal of Laurent's lack of relationships and sexual interactions (he definitely reads as asexual spectrum to me - probably demi). I hate that his personality of being cold and cruel in particular transfers to his sexual identity (a lot of it is a trauma response I'm sure too). Also Damen's reluctant bisexuality was portrayed in a frustrating way at times.
It was also a lot clearer this book why people call this a gay GoT.
Overall, still not the best thing ever ("book candy") but enjoyable in a way too.
This book picks up right where the last one left off, with Damen, Laurent and a whole bunch of soldiers embarking out to go to Aquitart, all the while playing a chess game of war and military strategy along the way, and their feelings continue to develop from there.
Laurent and Damen's relationship continues to bother me with the utter devotion and loyalty Damen has for Laurent after the events of the last book. It was good to see the shift in mindset, but still weird that it happens so fast. I'm also 100% convinced that Laurent knows who Damen is and has most likely the whole time which would explain, but not excuse, a lot of things from the prior book. I liked some of the side characters a bit more this book too. I'm also so glad for less rape and CSA - still present for sure, but not as explicit and prevalent as in the first book.
Some things that really grate on me though is the continued portrayal of Laurent's lack of relationships and sexual interactions (he definitely reads as asexual spectrum to me - probably demi). I hate that his personality of being cold and cruel in particular transfers to his sexual identity (a lot of it is a trauma response I'm sure too). Also Damen's reluctant bisexuality was portrayed in a frustrating way at times.
It was also a lot clearer this book why people call this a gay GoT.
Overall, still not the best thing ever ("book candy") but enjoyable in a way too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Child death, Drug use, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Acephobia/Arophobia, and War
Minor: Animal death, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, and Gaslighting