C.S. Pacat

"His identity now revealed, Damen must face his master Prince Laurent as Damianos of Akielos, the man Laurent has sworn to kill...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?"--Provided by publisher.

Book Three of the Captive Prince Trilogy

Kings Rising

Geoffrey Froggatt

** spoiler alert **
           “To gain everything and lose everything in the space of a moment. That is the fate of all princes destined for the throne.”

The final book in the Captive Prince trilogy took my breath away. 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 mobilizing 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? Content warning for slavery, pedophilia, incest, child abuse and death. The culmination of the intense slow burn of Damen and Laurent’s relationship was so satisfying to watch. The revelation that Laurent knew who Damen really was the moment he laid eyes on him floored me and gave so much new perspective on the previous two books and all the intimate moments that came before this. Jokaste’s final note to Damen was so simple and so succinct. It was so cutting. If Laurent's surmises are correct and she is to be believed, Jokaste was genuinely in love with Damen but found out about Kastor's planned coup, and powerless to stop it, pretended to join Kastor's faction in order to convince him to send Damen to Vere as a slave in the hope that he would join forces with Laurent and bring Kastor down. It cost her Damen's love and branded her as a traitor to her King, but it worked. Through Laurent’s eyes, Jokaste is not the cold chess player she wanted everyone to think she was. That’s why Jokaste’s letter to Damen hits so hard: if that confrontation between Laurent and Jokaste never happened, we wouldn’t have understood her at all. I loved the weight of the reveal that Jokaste wasn’t who we thought she was. Nicaise is mentioned several times, since he was one of the three people killed by the Regent for finding out his secret. We find out that Nicaise found, read, and stole the letter that condemned the Regent and meant to give it to Laurent but after being stopped by Damen gave it instead to Paschal, who kept the letter and now uses it to prove the Regent's guilt. In this, Nicaise was an instrumental part in the Regent's downfall. This serves as a sort of satisfying vengeance in Nicaise's part: though he was abused and killed by the Regent, he was one of the people who finally brought him to justice. The poetic justice of Damen and Laurent killing each other’s brother and falling for each other is so beautiful. The events of the plot are kicked off by Damen killing Laurent's brother at Delpha. They are ultimately concluded by Laurent killing Damen's brother in Ios. My only complaint is that it ended so suddenly, it left me craving more, I desired so much to know what happened next. Even though I feel like it ended too suddenly, I still feel like this choice was beautifully written and intentionally made to leave the reader devastated. I would love to see an HBO prestige television adaptation of this trilogy, with the budget of Game of Thrones.

“A kingdom, or this.”

i had to pace myself not to devour this in one day and suffer the whiplash of all the feelings, but it's safe to say i'd gladly offer my soul to cs pacat.

Callisone Dozier

I will admit when I started King's Rising, I wasn't sure how Pacat would finish this story, but I had high expectations. I was not disappointed, this was a beautiful ending for our two Kings.

Perfect. Go and read it now. End of review.

No, but seriously, I really enjoyed this series. Kings rising is enthralling from the start and surprising. There were some things I just did not expect.

Of course there are lots of dramatic turns - Laurent is a part of this story, so of course there are - and everything comes together nicely.

I was a mess after finishing this. Why isn't there more? Hopefully C.S. Pacat will write more books (non Captive Prince ones as well) soon.

Ley Stanton

She seems to have misplaced the last chapter of the book

Chiara Vitale Zelaia

Honestly with Kings Rising, I don't feel the need to rewrite a review as much as I did with the other two books of the series. It's the perfect conclusion to a series, one that gathers all the strings of the story and brings them to a heart-stopping and satisfying conclusion. You love the characters you've already met. You love the characters you get to meet in this book. You just LOVE.
It's 2019, it's the 4th time I read this series, and my excitement, emotion, anticipation, fear, is just as strong as it was 3 years ago when I first read it. This is a story that creeps into your heart. You can't run from it, you can't escape it. These are the characters that drag you into a different world and leave you not just a story, but a lesson.
Some people argue that this is a story about war, about slavery. I think this is a story about Love. The real kind, the one that forces you to look in the mirror and face your mistakes and forces you to choose the person you want to be. It's a story about trust, about vulnerabilty, about acceptance. This is a story of Hope. No other book gives me as much hope as much as Damen and Laurent's story. I will always be grateful to C.S. Pacat for having written it and I will forever promote this series to everyone who will listen to me.
A kingdom, or this. I know the answer. I'll chose this series forever.
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This book can't be rated anything less than five stars. I need at least 100 stars for this mindblowing rollercoaster of a finale and all the stars in all creation for this trilogy. I've screamed, I've cried, I've died and I've been revived! I feel blessed and cursed! For an entire week since I've started the trilogy I haven't been able to talk about anything else. My family thinks I'm insane, my friends think I'm insane. Hell, even my dog looks at me like I've lost my mind and I probably have but I. REGRET. NOTHING.
King's Rising was a wonderful conclusion to a beautiful story. Everything from the main plot to the relationships between the characters to the slow burn of Damen and Laurent's love was simply majestic. I guarantee you won't be able to put the book down if you start it. I guarantee you won't be able to keep yourself from being embarrasing and that your mind will be blown. I guarantee there will be times when you'll clutch your tablet, your phone, your book, your ebook reader or whatever platform you're using to read this masterpiece and you'll scream "JUST KISS ALREADY!" You'll feel repressed and free. Everything you'll feel will terrify you but it will ALL BE WORTH IT.
Trust me.
A kingdom, or this.

Update 2018: My review is still the same! #TrashAndProud

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, 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?

Becky

Gah, now I've read the whole series I'm of two minds. I loved every moment of it. I mean, I read the majority of the series in a single day. If that's not love for a series I don't know what is! It was so addictive and I needed to know what would happen after the events of book two. How would Laurent react to the true identity of Damen. And what would that mean for their relationship? I needed to know!

I do think that the reveal was done well and the emotions felt real. I also loved that although Damen was no longer the slave he had started as he still reacted instinctively to commands Laurent gave because that is what they were used to together. Seeing them go through everything together and then learning to view each other as men was such an interesting read.

I loved the development of the story as the two sought to regain their kingdoms and having to rely upon one another to do it. There were a lot of twists and turns to get them to the end and I was hooked on every word. 

My only issue with the book was the ending! On the one hand, I loved how it wrapped up and how questions were answered without laying out every piece in front of you. Yet, I also felt a little disappointed by it. It felt a little rushed at times. I could have done with a bit more to the end of the story. A chapter or two more just so it didn't feel like everything dropped into place so conveniently. It seemed a bit too tied with a bow. I don't know. Maybe that is binge fatigue talking but the ending almost felt like a let down but as I loved the book as a whole I couldn't mark it down for one grumble.

Toni Turner

Oh boy oh boy.
This was a fantastic time.
I don't even know what to say. 
I didn't even update..at all while reading this because I just kept reading it. 
It had everything I wanted. It all happened.
It was basically perfect. 
I'm actually really sad it's over. 
Oh wait.
Wow.
It is actually over..

Its been a long time since I've finished a series.
This is upsetting.

Tiffany Robinson

The series was so good so I am kind of bummed that it is over. The couple of times that had Laurents pov was interesting so I would have liked to see more of that.

a ray

like a 4.8. what can I say; the twists, the turns, damen being a dumbass, Laurent being a badass. it's a great book

Kareema A Godhrawala

3.6

The book was very great throughout, I liked how the relations between the two rival groups developed and how they eventually became stronger allies. However, the ending was anticlimactic and really really rushed, as if the author had frantically written out the ending without the careful consideration she had given everything else. 

I also read The Summer Palace a short story after Kings Rising and usually for me short stories are an optional thing but there were some really important things addressed in the short story that I thought should have been in the main series so everybody could read it. It didn’t improve the rushed ending but it did improve and built upon Damen and Laurent’s relationship in such a positive way despite their crude and contradictory past. (Slavery, family killing, etc.)

Sophie Elaina 

So, this was fantastic and I don’t know what to do now it’s over.😭 I’ve never wanted more from a series as much as this one, and I can’t believe I’m saying this because I didn’t really like the first book. But boy did Prince’s Gambit and King’s Rising surprise the heck out of me. This trilogy now has a spot saved on my favourites shelf. And excuse me while I go read all of the short stories now.

Mary Graham

** spoiler alert **
           New favorite series. 

The love scenes in this were so heartbreakingly beautiful. My heart is so happy right now. The only thing is I wish there had been a little bit more to the ending, but that's okay because my two loves are together and my heart is full

Tulika Pal

It was in one word SPECTACULAR.

I mean I'm just lying here my arm flung over my eyes bc it seriously hurts to think how much I loved this book. 

The plot that had so many turns and swerves and shocks and so full with anticipation, not one moment of tedium. Nothing excessive. Not the dialogues, not the story, not even the romance. The sexual tension Ohmygod - This book defined it. And to see Laurent so tender and NERVOUS fguhdsci. His character portrayal was done in such succinct manner. The subtle gestures that were characteristic of his, with which he was described were done so flawlessly. So artfully. And don't know about anyone else but I LOVED how he planned everything ahead of time, how calculating he was, with something intelligent up his sleeves to surprise us every time. My heart breaks for him. 😭 And Damen's character arc was also soo sublime and beautifully done, I loved him. I loved them so much together.

There was such a perfectness to the ending, a symmetry, both having meted out the same fates to themselves. I cannot get enough of them. 😭💜

I can never "review" the books I love, it seems lol

Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I enjoyed this book so much that I was sad to have finished it. Damen and Laurent are the definition of power couple. Great chatacters, build up, love story, politics ... everything was perfect and always so surprising! This book never had a dull moment. Five stars, but I'd give it more if I could.

Heather Killeen

Well, as expected, I devoured this book in one day. This series is SO DAMN GOOD, I can't even describe all the ways in any kind of coherent manner so I just won't.

Manon van Heumen

It's been a year since I read the first two books, but reading this book makes me want to reread them! I didn't particularly enjoy them, but I think I might now! I absolutely loved this book.

Katerina Thorson

5/5
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**I use the CAWPILE rating system created by BookRoast to do my reviews

Character – 10/10
I think the best thing about this series is the character development and how far Pacat took her characters. One of the biggest things I loved is that we finally understand why Laurent is the way he is and what the true issues with his Uncle are. I was just blown away and the tears that were brought to my eyes. I just couldn't. Laurent is a very strong character and was the biggest drive in the plot. And of course the developing relationship with Damen was just stunning. I also LOVE that we finally got to see into Laurent's POV, even if it was for only a few chapters. To be able to see inside his mind was a gift. I want to say Laurent is perfect in the sense that he is a not a perfect character. The flaws on that boy is so real.

Then there is Damen, I just ugh. The emotions that Damen goes through I can't help but feel them. Here is a man that has to take on his role as king and still struggle with his past as a slave and an exiled prince. It was all too much at times. There were points I just wanted to hold both Laurent and Damen because dear lord the feels they gave out. I think what I loved the most about Damen and Laurent's relationship was that there was NO simplicity about it. In fact they had everything thrown against them. I mean Damen killed Laurent's brother, that's kind of a hard thing to push aside. I think there were so many beautiful and horrifying moments between these characters that it all just felt so real.

Atmosphere – 9/10
The world building and the in-depth view Pacat takes on the world she creates is stunning. I felt immersed into the multiple cultures that make up this fantasy and I loved every minute of it. I think the Kingsmeeting site was such a cool idea! I mean it almost sounds like our Vatican City in Rome. There were just so many points of interest that I wish there was more time spent in them. However, due to plot it's just not possible.

Writing Style – 9/10
With every book, I feel like Pacat's writing get's better and better. I don't know if this was her first series to be written? Anyway, there was so much growth in her writing. Just like in my last review she didn't have choppy sentences, or repeated phrases. Even her foreshadowing wasn't as obvious this time. I mean yes there were some places you could guess what was happening. But I think most fantasy readers can guess the main premise of a "shit's about to go down" situation. Her words flowed together and created such a beautiful story.

Plot – 8.5/10
Pacat definitely knows how to push a plot with action, intrigue, and the fluff that we all need. I think up until the last pages of the book the plot was constantly thickening and delving deep into the scheme of everything. I was finally given ALOT of closure and answers to questions that I had. Which is what a final book in a trilogy should do. There was, however, something I didn't like and that was the ending. It was just so bland! I mean I liked it, but I just needed more than what we were given. It was so abrupt and I felt like there was something missing still. 

Intrigue – 9/10
Just as the second book, Prince's Gambit, kept me hook I had no issues staying focused with Kings Rising. I just felt so sucked into the lying, scheming, the battle plans, the brewing romance. I just never wanted to put it down. Which I didn't until I called it at 3A.M with only 60 pages left. And yup I stayed up all night just thinking of what could happen. Yah, no sleep for me.

Logic – 8.5/10
Once again the logic that was placed in this book was hard to discern between the book and Laurent's scheming. However, there is one thing I didn't like and it was the logic of the ending. I get that it happened that way and I get why it happened but it just felt so wrong after all that has gone on in the story line. (view spoiler)[What I am trying to say is I did not like the fact that Damen forgave his brother so easily after he had him bound and sold for slavery. He forgave him! There was no logic in it. I mean yes Kastor was his brother but it was like seriously. And then at the very end, when Laurent faces off against Kastor to save Damen, Damen was all "No Laurent don't kill Kastor. He's my brother." Then when Laurent does, all he thinks is "the brother he knew died a long time ago". Yah no sense in any of that. (hide spoiler)]

Enjoyment – 10/10
Once again, I absolutely enjoyed Pacat's story. From the very beginning I was hooked. I mean seriously that intro into the final book was just perfection. The thrill I got that Damen was finally known to the world, I just can't explain it. I just felt like everything was done so right with this book. And of course and got more of Laurent and Damen, so I am HAPPY!

P.s I pulled an all nighter to finish this book 😆. Am I tired and grumpy? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes.

Kings Rising Book Three of the Captive Prince Trilogy

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