CAPTIVE PRINCE by C.S. PACAT

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…

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | GOODREADS

MELISSA'S REVIEW: 4 STARS

Due to a recommendation from a trusted reader I grabbed a paperback copy on bookoutlet a few weeks ago. It's been sitting on my kitchen table untouched, but all the recent buzz on it encouraged me to give it a go. At first start I felt a little discouraged, and I did struggle. The language, the setting, the political nature of the plot, it felt like a bit much. The writing is very different than I'm used to. I had difficulty with many of the words. How humbling is that? For a book to make you need to a dictionary numerous times. But as I continued reading, I found the story to be wildly intriguing and addictive and the writing took a back seat to the story. It snuck up on me and pulled me under. I became wholly invested in the characters and their motives and the delicate balance of power between them. The characters were very diverse - in their actions and inactions, their dress, they way they spoke to and treated others. Damen seemed to come from a place of goodness and loyalty while Laurent seemed to be every bit the villain. The cast of supporting characters are as contemplative and assessing as Damen and Laurent. I suspect many of them will be key players as the story unfolds in books two and three. And really, what's up with Nicaise and Laurent!? I'm watching you boys. I hope whatever is going on there doesn't becoming a point of contention between Damen and Laurent. *thinks* Sensitive readers will balk at the inclusion of sexually depraved acts such as rape and pedophilia and the practice of slavery. Okay, yes, it's vile. But, due my experience (and enjoyment) of "dark" reads these acts did not cause much distress for me while reading. I didn't feel that they are morally out of place given the setting. As a romance reader, I was left feeling mildly disappointed with the romantic nature of the story, even as the book is labeled romance right on the back cover. While there is no sex between the main characters, there is undoubtedly tension burning between the two. I definitely felt Damen's quiet interest in Laurent, but I wanted Laurent to gaze a little longer at Damen, know what I mean? I think there is interest there and I'm hoping that the subsequent books in the series hold more of a romantic nature. Okay, and more sex. Despite my initial unease with the writing I ended up really enjoying it. It felt like a really great first season of a mini series, you know? Sucked me right in and I'm excited and curious about the following books and look forward to seeing the story unfold.