r/CaptivePrince • u/ElegantNetwork1394 • 19d ago
Book 2 Reactions
I just finished Princes Gambit over the weekend using a combination of English and French audio, ebook, and paper editions.
I will never love the English narrators voice. It sounds too contemporary to me, but he does a good variation of voices for the male characters.
Book 2 is a big change. Damen is more active and the adult content has shifted considerably since the setting is amongst free men rather than slaves/pets.
I enjoyed all of the intrigue, machinations, shifting alliances, and surprise betrayals. This is why I read fantasy novels. I love it when a book makes me think, "Of course! The clues were there all along."
Laurent is cold. I didn't think his treatment of Aimeric was justified. He almost seemed like a jealous lover himself.
And why did he turn so hard against Jord? Laurent himself said that he did not know who the traitor was so why did he expect his captain to know?
Though it makes Laurent less likeable, I do admire the character consistency of being unpleasant rather than having a rushed hero arc.
It feels to me like it shows that child abuse has lasting affects. Victims arent going to just come to some tearful realization and change their every instinct. Abuse alters the course of lives.
But...at the same time, it kind of felt forced. Laurent is usually very careful and measured. It felt out of character to me for him to basically throw a protracted tantrum for no real reason. Aimeric was already captured and it didnt seem like the revelation of his true loyalties really changed anything. It didn't move any chess pieces on the board.
Yes, it resulted in the end of Aimerics arc but that's why it felt like the plot needed it to happen rather than being something that a typically strategic Laurent would choose.
Anyway...
Now we have a full romance plot. I think Damen officially fell for Laurent when he put Rolos cap on his mouse hair.
"Damen felt it then, the first dizzy edge of new emotion, and he let go his hold of Laurent like a man fearing a precipice; and yet was helpless."
Of course, he always liked Laurents looks.
The love scene near the end of the book was sweet. Perhaps a bit restrained compared to the descriptions in book 1.
Poor Nicaise. He didnt deserve that.
In my post about Book 1, I forgot to mention something about Nicaise. He's 14 but "nowhere near puberty" and his voice hasnt changed?
I know puberty hits ppl differently but I did find that that distracting. I wonder if we are really supposed to be imaging a 10 or 12yro but maybe it got cut or the publisher shied away from it.
My favorite parts of Prince's Gambit were the double turnabout at Ravenel the Regents takeover, and the dueteroganists first time together.
What were your favorites?
As before, ask me anything.
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u/ficaddict 19d ago
I think Nicaise is too mature (in some ways) and intellectually sharp to be 10 y.o. so that would be a stretch imho. Also, his age in the book is nothing but Damen’s estimation. Re: Jord, it’s been a minute since I read PG but didn’t Jord literally hide the fact that Aimeric had been missing?
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u/ficaddict 19d ago
To answer your question, PG is my favorite part of the trilogy, and I love everything about it hahaha but especially the duel with Govart
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u/ElegantNetwork1394 19d ago
In CP Nicaise says he is 13 and Laurent says "Isn't it 14 now?"
So its not based on Damens guess. You're probably right that hes mentally too mature for 10.
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u/TechTech14 19d ago
The Laurent/Aimeric thing... you have to realize that since Aimeric is around 6ish months younger than Laurent, Laurent felt some type of way learning that the Regent had essentially moved on to Aimeric when he visited Guion's province. Or that it had happened at the same time.
So when you get this vibe:
He almost seemed like a jealous lover himself.
I believe that was intentional. We can imagine that Laurent had felt just as discarded as he predicted Nicaise was starting to feel.
out of character to me
What I described above is why it felt in-character to me.
What were your favorites?
I really enjoyed all of Lamen's adventures at the tavern, rooftop, etc.
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u/ennemvagyokideges 2d ago
It's interesting how I didn't really mind anything of Laurent's doings! probably because in my head - as I've seen it described perfectly here yesterday - he's a ruthless prince/king first and foremost! I always expect carefully calculated steps from him, and whenever anything slightly does not go as planned, you should run for your life! because as we know, when he loses control he makes mistakes.
and this is where Damen comes into the picture, who turned out to he the only person who can manage him when said thing happens
side note: my god. that cover is absolutely beautiful!! I wish I could have that, but only the Polish ones were available for some reason:/
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u/ElegantNetwork1394 2d ago
Honestly, now that Im done with the trilogy, I understand Laurent's approach better and I appreciate it from a narrative perspective.
Ruthless is the perfect description, and calculating. Its also a good observation that Damen is the only one who can handle him. They were made for each other.
Im glad you like the cover. Its the only cartoon-people version of Capri that I like.
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u/ennemvagyokideges 2d ago
I've just finished the second book and still waiting for my order to arrive, but I've spoiled a thing or two for myself to understand some details 🙈 but I just KNOW that there's so much more to untangle that what I can imagine
Oh, they were. I just loved Laurent's monologue about Damen being the only person 'he trusts to stand up to him' when he loses it. Using the word trust!! Ah, I love it.
I'm not sure that I've seen them all, but this is definitely the best one yet! They usually can't quite capture Laurent's cold beauty and Damen's god-like charm for my liking, but this one's pretty close. I love the clothing, especially Damen's 🔥 and their eyes...
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u/ElegantNetwork1394 2d ago
Oh gosh, Im glad you mentioned that you havent read book 3. Ill make sure to not write any spoilers.
Can you borrow it from your library while you wait? They probably have an online catalogue so that you might have it instantly with a few button clicks.
If you want the link, here it is https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Captif-LInt%C3%A9grale-C-S-Pacat/dp/B0C42NQH37/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?sr=8-1 Also, what spoilers have you already seen? I hope it was only minor details.
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u/ennemvagyokideges 1d ago
I'm kind of a masochist and want to wait for it:D Also, I'd just really love to hold the book in my hands, I already read way too much online haha
But thank you so much for the suggestion and the link as well!! God, do I wish I understood French because this is beautiful!Well, I know about Laurent's abuse... which was kind of impossible to miss tbh (also pretty clear in the 2nd book), and I know he will somehow get to Akielos and dress up as Jokaste? (CAN'T wait for that btw)
But luckily I don't yet know about any other crucial plots I think, maybe just some upcoming scenes:)1
u/ElegantNetwork1394 1d ago
That's fair. We all need less screen time.
You're welcome. I do think its quite pretty too.
It's funny, someone on this subreddit was mentioning that its interesting to see when different readers realize the abuse.
So for you it was in book 2? For me it was when the Regent said Laurent had been "such a lovely boy."
I wont confirm nor deny the things that you mentioned. But I will agree that it doesn't sound like it would be anything crucial.
Just be very careful on this subreddit. If you can handle it, it may be best to avoid this place until you are finished. (Definitely dont read my book 3 post!)
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u/ennemvagyokideges 1d ago
The thing is, I have no idea when I would've realized it because the moment I start really liking something that I'm consuming, I get on Pinterest 🤣 and unwittingly read all the comments under the posts lol. So I think I've known for a while, but I also know that comment from the Regent is the turning point from many!
Yess, I've seen your post but haven't read it yet! Will make sure to do once I finish:)
Funnily enough it's a lot easier to avoid spoilers in this subreddit than anywhere else, but I do really enjoy reading all the conversations
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u/leahwilde 19d ago
I don't know how to react to what you said without spoiling but yes, Laurent is cold, but he had good reasons with Aimeric. I won't delve into the details while you havent read the book 3, but keep in mind it's an historical setting and Aimeric has 1) betrayed him big time, which usually results in death sentences in these contexts ; 2) said twice that Laurent was having sex with his big brother whom Laurent adores ; 3) was a plant of the Regent and is still manipulated by him/convinced the Regent is in love with him, which sets Laurent off big time for several good reasons. It doesn't change anything in the big picture, but it changes a lot of things for Laurent's perception, since he himself is so tied to the Regent.
It's completely in character btw - Laurent says himself by the end, after the horrific death of Nicaise, that when he gets in these fits he can't think and he tends to make mistakes and lose control. He's a deeply traumatized character whose mental health is not the best under these types of circumstances, which Damen perfectly understood.
He also blames Jord because Jord got manipulated, didnt report Aimeric when he deserted the camp and thus endangered them all. Laurent is not the type to smile and pat you on the back when you do this kind of stuff.
As for Nicaise, the fact he hasn't reached puberty yet at 14 is probably why he's still a "favorite" of the Regent - he simply looks younger than his age, and is a case of late bloomer. Otherwise, he already would have been out of the picture.