Sacred Chickens
  • Sacred Chickens Blog
  • Books, Podcasts, and Other Fun Stuff
  • Contact
  • Sacred Chickens Blog
  • Books, Podcasts, and Other Fun Stuff
  • Contact

Jarad's Choice Monday Book Club: Captive Prince Series Review

3/20/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

Captive Prince Trilogy by C.S. Pacat

Review by Jarad Johnson



I have been trying to formulate what to say on this amazing series since I (sadly) finished it. After the initial whiplash of realizing that I had finished the books, I couldn’t really articulate how I felt other than saying how wonderful the series was, but after that it just became too complicated. I have never read a series that is quite like this one.

When someone says that a book is unique, I often wonder what that means. Of course, there are some tropes and themes that all authors use or have used. Sometimes it seems like the same stories are recycled time and time again; there can be a sense of redundancy. But, there are a few books that seem like they create a whole new world, and for me that’s true of this series. It’s an amazing love story, and a sprawling, epic political drama. It defies stereotype and is truly a standout in the genres it straddles.

After much contemplation, I asked myself what made these books so great. I think a big part of it was the love story between the two main characters, Damen and Laurent. Yes, it’s great and amazing that they are in a male relationship, but it was also nice that their sexuality wasn’t the entire plot, but it served to enhance it. The series would have been amazing still, because of the author’s talent, if the two characters were not a couple. But, it became integral to the storyline that they were, because it was so skillfully woven throughout. Oftentimes, I find that LGBTQ+ characters in novels are either two-dimensional side characters whose sexuality I the main thing that the reader knows about them or written embodiments of common stereotypes. This is not the case here. The two are written as real people, with real struggles and real heartache. Sadly, that is a rarity.

Even though the novel does have heavy, overarching LGBTQ+ themes, that does not mean that it is only geared towards those of us in that community. Anyone can read these books, literally anyone, can read this book series, and unless you have a heart of stone, you will fall head over heels for these characters. These are books that can appeal to anyone. I feel that some stories, like this one, enrich our lives. That’s the joy of reading an amazing novel, being able to empathize with people who may not be exactly like ourselves (and why I inwardly cringe when someone tells me that they don’t read).
And if reading is fundamental, so is good writing. The author displays a keen ability to weave a vivid and colorful narrative, which helps bring such amazing characters and storylines to life. Through her writing, you there is no doubt of Laurent’s coldness or Dements’ terror when Laurent is in danger. She makes you feel it with them, which I regard as a great talent.

The plot is also superbly done in both books two and three. I really loved the intense war strategy as Laurent tried to outmaneuver his uncle, and almost always coming out to or three steps ahead. As a chess fan, I can say that it was like watching a brilliant match between two masterful players. Watching the moves and countermoves and manipulation on both sides really kept the plot interesting. In addition to the characterization, there are  layers of believable political intrigue.

 I am disappointed that there are only three books in the series and that I will be leaving these characters back on the shelf, I do not regret getting lost in those pages. It was truly an amazing read.




Picture
Jarad attends Middle Tennessee State University, loves tea, and tries to spend every spare second reading.  Jarad is majoring in English.  Bless his heart!  Let's all light a candle for him and send him happy thoughts!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    ​BUY NOW!

    Click Photo above to buy ebook or paperback from Amazon.

    ​Here's the link to
    Barnes and Noble

    Or order through your favorite independent bookstore!​
    email Julie

    Categories

    All
    Author Spotlight
    Blog Post
    Digging In
    Essay
    Film/Tv Review
    Gardening
    Music Review
    Original Poem
    Original Story
    Poetry
    Politics
    Random Thoughts
    Recommendations
    Review
    Uncle Morty
    Uncle Morty On Writing
    Weekend Reading
    Writing Contest

    Archives

    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    October 2023
    June 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

    RSS Feed