u/ElegantNetwork1394

I just finished the conclusion of the series, Kings Rising.

And what an ending it was. The plot threads all came together and character relationships paid off.

Our heros finally joined forces against the villainous Regent, but first they needed to unify their armies.

I have some disjointed observations and comments (apologies for the lack of cohesion).

After a skirmish, Laurent declared that any Veretian who fought an Akelon would be killed, saying that surely they wouldn't harm someone who couldnt fight back. That made me pause because essentially women and children have always been in that position. Laurent should well know the end result.

I thought it was an interesting choice for the two princes to both risk their lives in a game while they were essentially at war.

Lazar pursued Pallas in a way that would have him lifting his skirt ASAP, just made me chuckle.

Do you think the baby is Damen's son or Damen's nephew? I wonder how Jokaste could even know since she seemed to have been with both brothers simultaneously.

Laurent didnt think that Jokaste would use Damens child as leverage against him. That seems like odd reasoning to me. Again, if its not his son, its still his nephew, still his family that he could perhaps raise as an heir. And more importantly, its Jokastes child either way. Id think shed feel pretty much the same about leveraging it. But maybe I'm missing something crucial.

Nicaise really had very few scenes compared to how meaningful he was throughout the trilogy. The Regent said that Laurent killed him. Did he actually think that would work on Laurent? Perhaps it did when he was a child. Makes me wonder if Nicaise is the only one of his boys to die.

The first two books had major incidents when Laurent lost his temper but this time it was Damen who completely took leave of his senses when the Regent cruely taunted Laurent about his abuse. The heaviness of that revelation really sat with me.

It was great that Laurent was able to end the Regents arc and to expose him for what he was. Most of them get away with it irl.

Ultimately, I felt like Laurent faced his demons and was able to defeat them this time. Damen became a wiser man and better person because he learned that slavery is wrong and seemed intent to end it (though I cant recall the passage).

I love the mirror images like how the ending was set in the slave baths from the beginning of the trilogy and how the ghosts of Marlas faced off again.

Really, it game me chills. I can't recall how I first heard of these books but Im glad they did. They live in my head rent-free now.

Ask me anything.

Here are my responses to books 1 and 2.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CaptivePrince/comments/1vcsp9i/book_1_reflections/

https://www.reddit.com/r/CaptivePrince/comments/1vfpj9s/book_2_reactions/

Thank you for reading my thoughts.

Does it suit her?

I just finished Princes Gambit over the weekend using a combination of English​ and French audio, ebook, and paper editions.

I will never love the English narrators voice. It sounds too contemporary to me, but he does a good variation of voices for the male characters.

Book 2 is a big change. Damen is more active and the adult content has shifted considerably since the setting is amongst free men rather than slaves/pets.

I enjoyed all of the intrigue, machinations, shifting alliances, and surprise betrayals. This is why I read fantasy novels. I love it when a book makes me think, "Of course! The clues were there all along."

Laurent is cold. I didn't think his treatment of Aimeric was justified. He almost seemed like a jealous lover himself.

And why did he turn so hard against Jord? Laurent himself said that he did not know who the traitor was so why did he expect his captain to know?

Though it makes Laurent less likeable, I do admire the character consistency of being unpleasant rather than having a rushed hero arc.

It feels to me like it shows that child abuse has lasting affects. Victims arent going to just come to some tearful realization and change their every instinct. Abuse alters the course of lives.

But...at the same time, it kind of felt forced. Laurent is usually very careful and measured. It felt out of character to me for him to basically throw a protracted tantrum for no real reason. Aimeric was already captured and it didnt seem like the revelation of his true loyalties really changed anything. It didn't move any chess pieces on the board.

Yes, it resulted in the end of Aimerics arc but that's why it felt like the plot needed it to happen rather than being something that a typically strategic Laurent would choose.

Anyway...
Now we have a full romance plot. I think Damen officially fell for Laurent when he put Rolos cap on his mouse hair.
"Damen felt it then, the first dizzy edge of new emotion, and he let go his hold of Laurent like a man fearing a precipice; and yet was helpless."

Of course, he always liked Laurents looks.

The love scene near the end of the book was sweet. Perhaps a bit restrained compared to the descriptions in book 1.

Poor Nicaise. He didnt deserve that.

In my post about Book 1, I forgot to mention something about Nicaise. He's 14 but "nowhere near puberty" and his voice hasnt changed?

I know puberty hits ppl differently but I did find that that distracting. I wonder if we are really supposed to be imaging a 10 or 12yro but maybe it got cut or the publisher shied away from it.

My favorite parts of Prince's Gambit were the double turnabout at Ravenel the Regents takeover, and the dueteroganists first time together.

What were your favorites?

As before, ask me anything.

I recently finished reading Captive Prince book 1 in French. I used a combination of my paperback omnibus volume and the audible French version. The audible narrator has a nice voice, and each chapter begins and ends with a musical score that really fits the tone of this story.

Damen's descent into slavery at the hands of a traitorous brother is much like BenHur and the biblical story of Joseph. Gladiator isn't entirely different either especially since Maximus's household was slaughtered like Damen's. It's interesting how western literary traditions latched onto this trope. And I wonder what precipitated it. Does anyone know if it's common in African or Asian storytelling as well?

Laurent is probably the most interesting character, and the story seems to revolve around his actions or inactions despite Damen being the POV character. Laurent is clever and can be charming. He reminds me of how teachers say "if you just put as much effort into your homework..."

The Regent almost seemed like a good guy at first, saving Damen from Laurent's whims. But of course, of course he's a child predator. Really, if that sort of behavior is allowed, there would be a lot more partakers, as we've seen with situations such as the Catholic Church and the Epstein files. For such an adult and such a dark story, it's really quite quaint and optimistic for the Regents proclivities to be portrayed as an outlier among all the nations.

Poor baby Erasmus. He was treated so cruelly, and he is a complete innocent. I'm glad that Torveld saved him but I find myself still feeling sorry for this 19 yro who is now paired with a 40 yr old man. In a way it's not that happy of an ending to me.

Do we ever find out what happens to older slaves and pets? All the described characters are young and healthy and beautiful. Can there be older pets? Is there a retirement plan for slaves?

All in all, I quite enjoyed the book with its wordplay and plots twists, the lush descriptions and unflinching approach to intimacy. I would read it again.

Feel free to ask me any questions you might have.

Kit is all dressed up and ready to walk her dog (Beanie Baby Brutus.)

Do your dolls have pets?

It's a pajama party and everyone is invited.

Kaya and Tyson want to see your dolls in their pjs!

Can anyone tell me what the French Collectors edition is really like?

https://www.amazon.fr/-/en/Prince-Captif-LInt%C3%A9grale-C-S-Pacat/dp/B0C42NQH37/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?sr=8-1

The listing states that it contains the trilogy and 3 short stories but I cannot tell whether it has illustrations or sprayed edges or a ribbon bookmark or anything.

Can anyone please help me? I read French so Id like to add it to my collection but I want to make sure its actually special.

Who are your favorite Star Wars villains?