I’m aware that “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,

[For instance the moment with Ancel and Damen in the gardens!!! I’ll never ever be okay with that scene!!! (hide spoiler)

I’m aware thatis 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. (view spoiler) 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!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!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*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! XDOh 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 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!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*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 Gansey and mo mhuirnín kept me entertained with their different opinions (and their strong emotions *lol*) and it was such a pleasure to be able to discuss this book! =)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"]>