The stunning conslusion of worldwide phenomenon—from the boldly original author of Captive Prince and Prince’s Gambit.His identity now revealed, Damen must face his master Prince Laurent as Damianos of Akielos, the man Laurent has sworn to kill. On the brink of a momentous battle, the future of both their countries hangs in the balance. In the south, Kastor’s forces are massing. In the north, … Kastor’s forces are massing. In the north, the Regent’s armies are mobilising for war. Damen’s only hope of reclaiming his throne is to fight together with Laurent against their usurpers.
Forced into an uneasy alliance the two princes journey deep into Akielos, where they face their most dangerous opposition yet. But even if the fragile trust they have built survives the revelation of Damen’s identity—can it stand against the Regents final, deadly play for the throne?
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Not much I can say besides this was one of the best series I’ve ever read! Damen and Laurent were absolute perfection. They were swoon and they were emotion and they were beautiful!
There are reveals that had me excited and other reveals I wasn’t expecting! I can’t express how much I love the world the author has built here. Yes, it’s dark, but yes, it’s awesome! And the side characters were wonderful, too!
Overall, this is a series I could read over and over again! My only complaint is I wanted an epilogue, but I’ll get to read that in the short story collection!
I found this saga addictive, I couldn’t put it down, I really enjoyed how Damen was such a great warrior and still he could love with all his heart and renounce to everything for the one he loves.
And prince Laurent, has a place in my heart, he was so smart and skilled….and his vulnerability when he finally accepted his feelings, it was so sweet, it warmed my heart.
I can’t even begin to describe how much I love this trilogy.
“To gain everything and lose everything in the space of a moment. That is the fate of all princes destined for the throne.”
I love, love this author’s writing style. The descriptions are not frivolous. Every sentence serves a purpose, an insight into a character or situation.
“The inches of air between them were nothing, and everything.”
Damen and Laurent have so many layers to be discovered that is gradually done throughout all 3 books. Their character arcs are phenomenal. It takes a lot to convince me that the gap between them can be bridged (nothing like death and servitude as divisive plots) and this is achieved successfully.
“You know, you’re going to have to unchain me at some point.”
“I will. At some point.”
I am obsessed with Laurent.
I am obsessed with Damen.
I am obsessed with how Damen thaws the ice known as Laurent.
I love how Laurent brings clarity to Damen’s true purpose.
I love how they discover themselves and each other.
I love the plotting, the politics, the loyalties, the battles, the angst.
“If it hurt, it was fitting; it was simply kingship.”
It is impossible to fully appreciate the intricacies of Laurent, and therefore the whole story, by the end of the first book. Partly that’s because the story is told through Damen’s eyes, and he doesn’t understand everything and therefore neither can the reader. We see Laurent learn to appreciate Damen’s honour and integrity, and slowly, Damen starts to realise that Laurent is far more than the pretty boy he seems on the surface.
Even right at the end I was thinking ‘How can they possibly resolve this situation? How can this all work out? They’re doomed!’ This book was so far from predictable. It was incredibly clever, and my hat goes off to the author.
There were numerous times that I had to use the dictionary function on my Kindle, and I feel a little sorry for those who read it in paperback format. However, it didn’t really disrupt the flow. You could gather the meaning from the context if you weren’t inclined to look it up.
I read all three books in three days. That’s 950 pages that I just devoured because I couldn’t put them down. Clever, captivating and highly recommended. Five stars all round.
I’d like to call the Captive Prince Trilogy classics despite them being released only a few years ago. They’re that good. I love them all, Kings Rising too.
It’s such an intricate tale of political intrigue and deceit. It’s impossible to foresee the twists in the storyline, the only predictable thing with it is that it’s completely unpredictable. It absolutely fantastic. I’m rarely this fascinated by a story but The Captive Prince Trilogy is truly a work of art. Not only is the world-building out of this world(!), but it’s clear with the amount of detail the extensive research that went into these books.
There are so many things I loved about this trilogy. It’s raw, cruel and shocking, but it’s also surprisingly sophisticated. The complicated relationship between Damen and Laurent, the conflicting emotions of them both, the reluctant understanding and acceptance of someone who’s supposed to be an adversary. What atrocious acts can be forgiven? What is needed to move past a tainted past? It’s both appalling and beautiful.
And what makes this read even more amazing are the incredible political plots unfurling as the story progresses. Just epic. My one and only objection is the very abrupt ending of the story. There was no epilogue!
But either way, I simply can’t recommend these books enough. I’m super stingy with calling books five-star reads. But these books earns those stars and more. Read them!
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This was a great ending to a series that started a little slow for me. They definitely all need to be read together to get the full effect of the story.
“There can be no failure to a man who has not lost his courage, his character, his self-respect, or his self-confidence. He is still a King.” (Orison Swett Marden)
Two kingdoms at war, two princes at odds, political intrigue and personal betrayal – welcome to the last chapter of Damen and Laurent’s journey to reclaim their birth right to be free and to rule. The story is so engrossing, so gripping. The opposing sides are racing against time to destroy each other, and at the center of it all are two young men in love. Damen and Laurent true to themselves enter in alliance. On the surface everything is a spectacular pageantry but underneath it all is a volatile relationship between two equals rife with jealousy and conflict.
But there comes a moment when something changes between them. Laurent becomes shy and unsure, he opens up to Damen. Those moments are so tender. During the day both men are stoic and sharing covert glances but in private at night they are gentle and loving. I loved the second part of the book. The truth of what happened to him rocks Damen’s world, every action and word uttered by Laurent before takes on a new meaning. Things are not what they seem. The climax of the story is spectacular. They dare to attempt impossible. Laurent’s cunning plan and Damen’s maneuver disclose treachery and murder weeding out the traitors and turning the tide. There are moments they come too close to losing but both men are too smart for that.
This is an amazing story of courage, devotion and unquestionable loyalty. It’s subtle, emotionally honest and provocative. I loved Damen and Laurent’s love story and their quest for truth and revenge, and I highly recommend it!
Sadly my least favourite of the three but that’s likely due to all the expectations after the first two books. Still it’s a very satisfying resolution.
There were some real twists in this final book. At one point I exclaimed “Oh No” out loud while I was sat in a carriage full of train passengers. It’s engrossing and I was very sad when it was all over.