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385 pages, ebook
First published February 2, 2016
My first thought after I slightly recovered (heavy emphasis on ‘slightly’) from the Captive Prince magic was, “This deserves a movie series!”
And, “Why isn’t there a movie series yet?”
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Deviantart by: chiihun
Because no series is this vividly detailed yet deceptively good. From the onset, Pacat had created this intricate web – so perfectly woven and exquisitely crafted that you just can’t help but admire it, touch it and before you know it, you’ve been spun in her web, entangling you in silken beauty.
Pacat is a master story teller. Every word, phrase, sentence is purposeful and relevant. Every metaphor, symbolism, and foreshadowing amplified yet subdued. Pacat reinvents the rules of storytelling. Her brand is hers and hers alone.
I love every character she has introduced in each book. Each one, distinct and memorable. In each book, Pacat brought forth new flavors to old and new characters alike. No character stayed dormant with each one continuously evolving and growing along with the story.
Damen and Laurent’s relationship arc was perfectly crafted. In the first half of the series, I was unsure of the romance, because nothing is absolute with Pacat. But I admire how she cultivated their romance such that it stayed more as an undercurrent rather than a raging torrent. When the dam finally broke, all the push and pull of anticipation had been worth it. Straightforward, honest Damen and cold, cunning Laurent – the perfect opposition; Fire and Ice. Until the end, the tension between the two never wavered. These characters alone have added an extra layer to an already gripping and intriguing storyline.
Reading this series can be likened to watching an exclusive game of chess. Every move is well thought of, every twist a revelation. It’s a steadily building series where strategy is key and can either end with a king’s checkmate or both kings on a stalemate. But you have to reach the end to find out. *wink*
"I hated you," said Laurent. "I hated you so badly I thought I’d choke on it. If my uncle hadn’t stopped me, I would have killed you. And then you saved my life, and every time I needed you, you were there, and I hated you for that, too."
"I think if I gave you my heart, you would treat it tenderly."
#1 Captive Prince ★★★★★
#2 Prince's Gambit ★★★★★
#3 King's Rising ★★★★★
A kingdom, or this.
There was a warmth in his chest whenever he looked at Laurent. He didn't look often for that reason.
“I think if I gave you my heart, you would treat it tenderly.”
“I have not the means to defend against this.”
‘Laurent of Vere. They say you’re frigid. They say you rebuff all your suitors, that no man has been good enough to prise your legs apart. I believe you thought it would be brutish and physical, and maybe a part of you even wanted it that way. But you and I both know that Damen does not make love like that. He took you slowly. He kissed you until you started to want it.’
Laurent said, ‘Don’t stop on my account.’
‘You let him undress you. You let him put his hands on you. They say you hate Akielons, but you let one into your bed. You weren’t expecting what it felt like when he touched you. You weren’t expecting the weight of his body, how it felt to have his attention, to have him want you.’
‘You left out the part near the end, when it was so good I let myself forget what he’d done.’
He said, into the stillness, ‘I think if I gave you my heart, you would treat it tenderly.'------ *collapses*
‘When you make love to me like that, I can’t think.’
‘Don’t think,’ said Damen. Damen saw the flickering change, the tension, as the words provoked an internal battle. Damen said, ‘Don’t think.’
‘Don’t,’ said Laurent, ‘toy with me. I—have not the means to—defend against this.’
‘I don’t toy with you.’
‘I—’
‘Don’t think,’ said Damen.
‘Kiss me,’ said Laurent. And then flushed, a rich colour. Don’t think, Damen had said, but Laurent couldn’t do that. Even to sit there after what he had said, he was fighting a battle in his head. The words hung awkwardly, a blurt, but Laurent didn’t take them back, he just waited, his body singing with tension. Instead of leaning in, Damen took Laurent’s hand, brought it towards himself, and kissed his palm, once.
After a moment, Laurent said, ‘He would have liked you.’---- can you TWO CHILL MY HEART CAN'T HANDLE THIS
‘Even after I started courting his little brother?’ said Damen carefully.
‘I would court you,’ said Damen, ‘with all the grace and courtesy that you deserve.’