Title: Kings Rising (Captive Prince #3)
Author: C.S. Pacat
Publisher: Berkley Books
Release Date: February 2nd 2016
Standalone/Series: Third book in the Captive Prince series
Genre: Fantasy – Romance – Adult
Goodreads link
My rating in stars: 5 stars
My rating in words: New all-time favorite!
What it’s about:
The epic conclusion to the internationally acclaimed Captive Prince trilogy.
Damianos of Akielos has returned.
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, 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 Regent’s final, deadly play for the throne?
My thoughts:
This whole series was perfection. It was amazingly addictive and my only regret is that I devoured it too quickly and now it’s over and I will never again know the joy of reading this for the first time. Major book hangover feels right here!
I guess now I will just have to commit my life to praising this series to everyone I meet and keep talking about it. I will not stop until everyone and their dog has read this series. Seriously, why haven’t you read this yet? What are you waiting for?
This was the perfect ending to the series. All questions were answered, all suspicions confirmed or denied, all truths were brought out in the open. I had several theories since the first book and I was confirmed about some and I turned out to be wrong about others. It was everything I could have wanted and more. It was glorious.
In case I did not yet make it clear enough in my reviews of book one and two, let me state my case again on why you should read this series:
- The amazingly well-rounded, well thought-out characters and their character growth throughout the series. I have become so attached to these characters, it’s crazy. I love them both, but I have a soft spot for Laurent, my troubled, witty, intelligent, funny, strategic, cold yet sweetly vulnerable Prince of Vere. When he smiles, I become a useless puddle on the floor.
- The romance. The build-up, the slow (excruciatingly slow) burn, the pay-off. It was exquisite and my new favorite romance story ever.
- The world building. It was a brutal and violent world but so intriguing and well thought out. I adored the Ancient Rome / ancient Greece inspired setting. And while I love this book for the characters and the romance, it is only a small part of what’s going on. So much is happening and the politics, the strategies, the betrayals, the war plans, the twists and turns are a pleasure to read. It is all so carefully thought out and the seeds are already planted from the beginning and it is just so cleverly done!
I am so happy that there are still 3 short stories coming because I need more of this world and I need more of Damen and Laurent.
Please go read this series. You will not regret it. But make sure you have all 3 books ready because this is more addictive than sugar and you will want to read the whole thing in one sitting.
Favorite quotes:
“Don’t, said Laurent, toy with me. I – have not the means to defend against this.”
“You’ve spent a morning with him and you’re warning me off. Just wait,’ said Damen, ‘until you’ve spent a full day with him.’
‘You mean that he improves with time?’
‘Not exactly,’ said Damen.”
“How can you trust me, after what your own brother did to you?”
“Because he was false”, said Damen, “and you are true. I have never known a truer man.”