I ’ megabyte aware that “Captive Prince” is a highly controversial book and I know that many people have a lot of interracial feelings about it. As it seems you either hate it or you love it. There is no in-between. I think most of that is ascribable to the fact that it deals with subjects we feel very uncomfortable with. Our advanced minds have a tendency to shy away from those kinds of things, but fair because a script makes you feel disgusted and angry, this hush doesn ’ t mechanically mean that it ’ s a bad book. sure ,“Captive Prince” is a highly controversial book and I know that many people have a lot of mixed feelings about it. As it seems you either hate it or you love it. There is no in-between. I think most of that is due to the fact that it deals with subjects we feel very uncomfortable with. Our modern minds have a tendency to shy away from those kinds of things, but just because a book makes you feel disgusted and angry, this still doesn’t automatically mean that it’s a bad book. Sure, C.S. Pacat confronts us with a lot of heavy topics. (And I’m not going to sugar-coat them!!! Just to make that perfectly clear!) There is rape, slavery, sexual abuse, torture, violence and even the mention of paedophilia. Just to name a few of them and there are scenes that no doubt will revolt you immensely. [ For example the moment with Ancel and Damen in the gardens ! ! ! I ’ ll never ever be okay with that scene ! ! ! ( hide pamperer )
BUT
In contrast to the generally prevailing opinion, she always touches those delicate subjects with care. Well at least with as much care as is possible in such a book… In my subjective opinion she doesn’t glorify the conditions of the pets and slaves at Vere’s court and she definitely doesn’t sympathize with their tormentors. I think the fact we see everything through Damen’s eyes, the eyes of a mistreated slave, is testimonial enough that C.S. Pacat is not okay with the things that happen to the slaves in the book!
You are permanently disgusted by us, aren’t you?” said Laurent.
I guess that quote says it all! So yes, I do get why the topics in this book rub people the wrong way and I know that “Captive Prince” might not be for everyone. I still want you to keep in mind that things like that are nothing new though. Throughout the long history of mankind those subjects have always been a part of our lives. There were plenty of wars and people have always been tortured, raped, abused and enslaved! Damn it! Who am I kidding? Things like that still happen all around the world. Just take a closer look at other countries (or even your own) and you’ll know what I mean. So yeah, I think what I want to say is that C.S. Pacat shouldn’t be blamed for mentioning those topics, because for some people they were actually reality (ancient Rome and Greece instantly come to mind) and in fact still are a part of some people’s reality. We should neither forget that nor ignore it. Whilst it’s true that Pacat sometimes has a tendency to exaggerate excessively and easily slips into clichés that doesn’t mean that all parts of the historical accuracy are wrong. 😉 The author obviously aims to provoke and we are supposed to feel uncomfortable when we read her book. I can only speak for myself but in my case it definitely worked.
Well, this said I’m glad that the world in Pacat’s book is just fictional and that I can finally get to the fun part: My actual review!
The plot:
Betrayed by his own brother and shipped into the lands of his enemies Prince Damianos of Akielos ends up in the foreign land of Vere. Brought as a gift for Prince Laurent he is supposed to be the young heir’s pleasure slave, a role that revolts Damen immensely and makes it exceptionally difficult to keep a low profile. Powerless and enslaved he has no other choice than to obey though, his hope to find a way to escape the only thing that helps him to endure. As long as no one knows about his true identity he has a chance at survival…. But sooner or later someone is bound to find out that he’s not who he claims to be. Will Damen be able to escape the corrupt court of Vere or will someone blow his cover before he even gets a decent chance to flee?
I know the story sounds so cliché and cheesy! And in fact it is! But damn did I enjoy this reread! *lol* I think it’s because I know what’s coming in the next two books and to be aware of the plot made this reread such an interesting experience. I noticed so many things I didn’t see the first time around and I have to give Pacat kudos for dropping so many subtle hints. XD I think she didn’t really know what she wanted to achieve with the first book and mainly aimed to shock her audience, but boy does it get better in “Prince’s Gambit”.
Anyway, let’s head to the characters section! I can’t wait to gush about those two! *lol*
The characters:
Damen – The pleasure slave
”Why not?” said Damen. “I don’t share your craven habit of hitting only those who cannot hit back, and I take no pleasure in hurting those weaker than myself.” Driven past reason, the words came out in his own language.
I feel soo damn sorry for what happens to him in this book! He doesn’t deserve any of the things that happen to him (not that anyone would ever deserve such things!!) and he’s such a precious and innocent soul. Even enslaved and in the hands of the enemy he still tries everything possible in order to help his people and to remain true to himself. No matter what happens to him, he always does what he thinks is right and if that means that he’ll take a beating for his convictions and beliefs he still goes through with it! I love that about him! He’s brave and honourable and at the corrupt and thoroughly tainted court of Vere to be like that is actually more than just an achievement! XD
”He wanted to face Kastor, his brother, and ask him, man to man, why he had done what he had done. But life in Akielos went on without Damianos. These slaves had no one else to help them.
And what did it mean, to be a prince, if he did not strive to protect those weaker than himself?”
”This place sickened him. Anywhere else, you simply killed your enemy with a sword. Or poisoned him, if you had the honourless instincts of an assassin. Here, it was layer upon layer of constructed double-dealing, dark, polished and unpleasant.”
Laurent – The cast-iron bitch
”Laurent was indeed good at talking. He accepted sympathy gracefully. He put his position rationally. He stopped the flow of talk when it became dangerously critical of his uncle. He said nothing that could be taken as an open slight on the Regency. Yet no one who talked to him could have any doubt that his uncle was behaving at best misguidedly and at worst treasonously.”
Oh Laurent! My ruthless and poisonous “nest of scorpions”! He’s so damn cruel and obnoxious in this book, I can totally see why everyone hates him! *lol* My weird and crazy mind always likes a good villain though so it’s no surprise I actually ended up loving him. XD Laurent is such a complex and well-thought-out character, it’s a pleasure to read about all his cunning and almost artful schemes. Well, at least for me it was. I know one of my fellow buddy readers hated him fiercely! Haha! ;-P The prince of Vere isn’t all controlled anger and hate though; he has a soft side too. Admittedly we really don’t see a lot of it in the first book (which actually is the reason why it’s the weakest and worst book of the entire series) but since I know that this is going to change I really can’t wait to read book two. And yes, I admit it: Laurent’s cunning and strategical mind is sexy! Don’t blame me, just like Damen I stand by my opinion. 😉
”I’ll offer for you, if you like. When the time comes. I wouldn’t want you in my bed, but you’d have all the same privileges. You might prefer that. I’d offer.”
Laurent went very still; then he deliberately shifted in his seat and leaned in, bringing his lips right to Damen’s ear. “I think I’m out of stabbing range, he’s got short arms. Or perhaps he’ll try to throw a sugarplum? That is difficult. If I duck, he’ll hit Torveld.”
Laurent took it without saying anything. He tucked it carefully into a fold of his riding clothes. Then after a moment, he reached out, and touched Nicaise’s chin with one knuckle.
“You look better without all the paint,” said Laurent.
Nicaise – The pet
”I don’t need you. He’s promised. He’s not going to give me up.” Nicaise’s voice was smug and self-satisfied.
“He gives them all up,” said Laurent, “even if you’re more enterprising than the others have been.”
I will always have a soft spot for Nicaise. I know he’s bitchy and at least as insufferable as Laurent, I can’t help but like him though. When it comes down to it, he’s just a product of his environment and he’s still so very young. I hate and despise the Regent for choosing him as his pet and the thought of them together makes me feel sick to my stomach. >_< It’s obvious Nicaise and Laurent care about each other deeply, yet they have no other choice than to play by the Regent’s rules. Poor, young and innocent Nicaise… Urgh… he was 10 when he started to serve the Regent… 10 for Christ’s sake!!! I’ll never get over that! ”Don’t underestimate him because of his age. He has experienced things many adults have not, and his mind is no longer that of a child. Though even a child may learn how to manipulate an adult.”
”He ordered everyone out of his apartments. I wouldn’t try to see him.”
“Why not?” Nicaise said. He looked past Damen towards Laurent’s chamber. “What happened? Is he all right?”
The Regent – Mr. I-freaking-hate-him-so-much
”Do you think it pleases me to discipline my own nephew? No uncle acts with a heavier heart. Shoulder your responsibilities – ride to Delfeur – show me you have even a drop fo your brother’s blood and I will joyfully restore it all.”
Did anyone of you ever notice that the people of Vere always consider the Akielons to be barbaric and brute? Considering what I saw of the Regents court I’d rather say it’s the other way around!! They hide behind their sophisticated demeanour and their complicated clothes but in fact they are the true barbarians of the story, none more so than the Regent himself!!! I despise and hate that man so much and I truly hope he burns in the nine circles of hell. Come to think of it, his actions might easily cause him to end up in all of them. *lol* So yes, the Regent is a villain I hate with a fierce passion and I can’t wait for him to get what he deserves!!! *grrrr*
”Why must you always defy me? I hate it when we are at odds, yet you force me to chastise you. You seem determined to wreck everything in your path. Blessed with gifts, you squander them. Given opportunities, you waste them. I hate to see you grown up like this,” said the Regent, “when you were such a lovely boy.”
This said, I really enjoyed my re-read and I can’t wait to see the “true Laurent” in the next book! XD I think what made this even more fun was the fact that it was a buddy read with my two lovely girls! My adorable
I can’t wait to dive into “Prince’s Gambit”! 😉 Now it’s finally getting cute and nice! <3
[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]>[“br”]> I ’ m aware thatis a highly controversial book and I know that many people have a lot of mix feelings about it. As it seems you either hate it or you love it. There is no in-between. I think most of that is due to the fact that it deals with subjects we feel very uncomfortable with. Our advanced minds have a tendency to shy away from those kinds of things, but barely because a reserve makes you feel disgusted and angry, this even doesn ’ t mechanically mean that it ’ s a regretful book. certain, C.S. Pacat confronts us with a bunch of heavy topics. ( And I ’ m not going to sugar-coat them ! ! ! Just to make that absolutely clear ! ) There is rape, slavery, intimate maltreatment, torture, violence and even the mention of pedophilia. Just to name a few of them and there are scenes that no doubt will revolt you vastly. ( view spoiler ) In contrast to the by and large prevail opinion, she always touches those delicate subjects with care. well at least with a much worry as is possible in such a book… In my immanent public opinion she doesn ’ thymine glorify the conditions of the pets and slaves at Vere ’ mho motor hotel and she decidedly doesn ’ thyroxine sympathize with their tormentors. I think the fact we see everything through Damen ’ mho eyes, the eyes of a mistreated slave, is testimonial enough that C.S. Pacat is not all right with the things that happen to the slaves in the koran ! I guess that quotation says it all ! So yes, I do get why the topics in this book rub people the wrong way and I know that “ Captive Prince ” might not be for everyone. I still want you to keep in beware that things like that are nothing new though. Throughout the long history of world those subjects have constantly been a function of our lives. There were plenty of wars and people have always been tortured, raped, abused and enslaved ! Damn it ! Who am I kidding ? Things like that still happen all around the world. Just take a closer front at other countries ( or flush your own ) and you ’ ll know what I mean. therefore yea, I think what I want to say is that C.S. Pacat shouldn ’ metric ton be blamed for mentioning those topics, because for some people they were actually reality ( ancient Rome and Greece instantaneously come to mind ) and in fact still are a function of some people ’ second reality. We should neither forget that nor ignore it. Whilst it ’ s true that Pacat sometimes has a tendency to exaggerate excessively and easily slips into clichés that doesn ’ triiodothyronine mean that all parts of the historical accuracy are improper. ; – ) The writer obviously aims to provoke and we are supposed to feel uncomfortable when we read her book. I can only speak for myself but in my case it decidedly worked.Well, this said I ’ meter glad that the world in Pacat ’ randomness bible is just fictional and that I can finally get to the playfulness part : My actual review ! Betrayed by his own brother and shipped into the lands of his enemies Prince Damianos of Akielos ends up in the alien land of Vere. Brought as a give for Prince Laurent he is supposed to be the young heir ’ randomness pleasure slave, a function that revolts Damen vastly and makes it exceptionally difficult to keep a humble profile. Powerless and enslaved he has no other choice than to obey though, his hope to find a way to escape the merely thing that helps him to endure. ampere long as no one knows about his true identity he has a probability at survival…. But sooner or later person is bound to find out that he ’ mho not who he claims to be. Will Damen be able to escape the corrupt motor hotel of Vere or will person blow his embrace before he even gets a becoming casual to flee ? I know the narrative sounds then cliché and bum ! And in fact it is ! But damn did I enjoy this reread ! *lol* I think it ’ s because I know what ’ second coming in the next two books and to be aware of the plot made this reread such an matter to experience. I noticed therefore many things I didn ’ triiodothyronine see the first time around and I have to give Pacat kudos for dropping so many insidious hints. XD I think she didn ’ t very know what she wanted to achieve with the beginning book and chiefly aimed to shock her audience, but boy does it get better in “ Prince ’ s Gambit ” .Anyway, let ’ s mind to the characters section ! I can ’ metric ton wait to gush about those two ! *lol*I feel soo damn deplorable for what happens to him in this script ! He doesn ’ t deserve any of the things that happen to him ( not that anyone would always deserve such things ! ! ) and he ’ s such a precious and innocent soul. even enslaved and in the hands of the enemy he even tries everything possible in order to help his people and to remain true to himself. No count what happens to him, he constantly does what he thinks is proper and if that means that he ’ ll take a pulsate for his convictions and beliefs he calm goes through with it ! I love that about him ! He ’ randomness brave and ethical and at the crooked and thoroughly defile motor hotel of Vere to be like that is actually more than just an accomplishment ! XDOh Laurent ! My pitiless and poisonous “ nest of scorpions ” ! He ’ s thus blasted barbarous and objectionable in this bible, I can wholly see why everyone hates him ! *lol* My eldritch and crazy mind constantly likes a well villain though so it ’ s no surprise I actually ended up loving him. XD Laurent is such a building complex and well-thought-out character, it ’ s a joy to read about all his craft and about artful schemes. well, at least for me it was. I know one of my boyfriend buddy readers hated him ferociously ! Haha ! ; -P The prince of Vere isn ’ t all controlled anger and hate though ; he has a voiced side excessively. true we in truth don ’ thymine see a batch of it in the first book ( which actually is the reason why it ’ s the weakest and worst koran of the entire series ) but since I know that this is going to change I actually can ’ thymine expect to read book two. And yes, I admit it : Laurent ’ s craft and strategic mind is aphrodisiac ! Don ’ triiodothyronine blame me, just like Damen I stand by my opinion. ; – ) I will constantly have a soft spot for Nicaise. I know he ’ randomness bitchy and at least angstrom impossible as Laurent, I can ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate help but like him though. When it comes down to it, he ’ south just a merchandise of his environment and he ’ randomness still so very young. I hate and despise the Regent for choosing him as his positron emission tomography and the think of them together makes me feel ghastly to my stomach. > _ < It ’ randomness obvious Nicaise and Laurent worry about each other deeply, yet they have no early choice than to play by the Regent ’ second rules. Poor, unseasoned and innocent Nicaise… Urgh… he was 10 when he started to serve the Regent… 10 for Christ ’ s sake ! ! ! I ’ ll never get over that ! Did anyone of you ever notice that the people of Vere constantly consider the Akielons to be barbarian and beast ? Considering what I saw of the Regents court I ’ five hundred rather say it ’ s the early direction around ! ! They hide behind their sophisticate demeanor and their complicate clothes but in fact they are the true barbarians of the story, none more then than the Regent himself ! ! ! I despise and hate that man so much and I rightfully hope he burns in the nine circles of hell. Come to think of it, his actions might easily cause him to end up in all of them. *lol* then yes, the Regent is a villain I hate with a boisterous mania and I can ’ t wait for him to get what he deserves ! ! ! *grrrr*This said, I truly enjoyed my re-read and I can ’ thymine delay to see the “ genuine Laurent ” in the following book ! XD I think what made this even more fun was the fact that it was a buddy read with my two lovely girls ! My adorable Gansey and molybdenum mhuirnín kept me entertained with their different opinions ( and their firm emotions *lol* ) and it was such a pleasure to be able to discuss this bible ! = ) I can ’ thyroxine wait to dive into “ Prince ’ s Gambit ” ! ; - ) now it ’ south last getting cunning and nice ! < 3 [ `` bromine '' ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ red brigades ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] > [ “ bromine ” ] >
Read more: The Best Philosophy Books Of All Time
