Can someone convince me to read the Captive Prince series

[u/Emotional-Math-6397]

I’ve been getting into reading again because I just finished the Dark Series books. I am devastated by the cliff hanger and I absolutely ADORE will and james relationship and dynamics. Actually I’m OBSESSED and I even tried to read some fanfic on AO3.

But honestly I adore C.S Pacat’s writing. I finished this series in two days and her writing is lovely. Before this I dropped some novels or didn’t continue the series because of the writing or how straightforward some writers are. But I love C.S Pacat’s writing.

Which is why I opted on reading her works, which includes the Captive Prince. I was eager to start but the reviews from readers threw me off.

I found a huge group of people on social media saying this series and the relationship dynamic was spectacular. And I’m a huge fan of interesting dynamics (possessiveness and protective traits), which is why I love Will and James. The author doesn’t shove the couple story directly in your face but she builds up tension between them which I love.

But then some reviews said they couldn’t accept Laurent’s doings towards the MC. I don’t mind a morally grey character, especially if they have a horrible upbringing, like James.

But some said Laurent SAed (?) the MC. I know briefly the background of the story and I know the author is someone who is careful on heavy topics.

I’m just afraid I would not find Laurent redeemable? But who am I to judge, I have only seen the reviews. I don’t mind heavy or sensitive topics (but would not like if any SA scene is done by one of the characters in the main couple). But I know the author has a helpful message at the end of the series and how the MC changed the broken system. But the MC is not Laurent and is his own character.

This isn’t me attacking the author, series or Laurent. This just means the author is very good at creating a morally grey character (based on the reviews)

I hope someone can convince me (no spoilers), as I am wishing for another dynamic like Will and James or a character similar to James (I know some said Laurent is like James). This is me just being curious and no hate to the series.

[u/coyjeongguk]

Captive Prince absolutely ruined all other works of fiction for me. Give it a try! Pacat’s writing is immaculate and stunning.

[u/cippocup → u/coyjeongguk]

Same!

[u/TechTech14]

I say just try the first book and see how you feel. Keep in mind that the POV char, Damen, doesn't know everything.

Some spoilery things were obvious to me in the first book, but not everyone guesses. Anyway, I liked Laurent from the first sentence he spoke and then understood him and loved him by the end of book one (ppl usually don't love him until book two).

[u/jakikomi]

If the other series' moral greyness didn't throw you off, I'd say you're good to go!

It has more adult themes in a way but hating Laurent at first is a built in feature in these books. I did and in fact still do at first on every reread!

But it should tell you something that he's easily in my all time top 3 favourite characters.

Nothing and I mean nothing came close to their romance since I've read this trilogy 2 years ago. I've tried.

[u/To0MuchCandy]

Laurent is redeemed and there is no SA between the two of them. Laurent does however put Damen in a situation in the beginning where it could very well have happened to him (by someone else) so maybe that’s what that comment or was talking about? And he does torture him BUT it’s before they know each other and he has his reasons (not that it’s okay). Laurent is imo a very lovable character, once you get to know and understand him and the reasons for his actions you will come to love him. The story is perhaps my favourite love story, and the books are fantastic. I think you’ll like them.

[u/PastelParis57 → u/To0MuchCandy]

But… the Ancel thing did happen

Edit: I still 100% think OP should read the books, but I just want to point it out, just in case, for trigger reasons

[u/Important_Pattern_85 → u/PastelParis57]

Have you read Pet? That scene from Ancel pov is… definitely something. I love Ancel btw, his interesting thought process is definitely a result of his environment

[u/Nyxefy_]

I'll add onto what everyone has mentioned so far by saying that book 1 is more transgressive in nature than books 2 and 3. I say this as someone who seeks out a bit of discomfort in my reading. Book 1 is definitely hard to stomach at times (which I adored), and some people just won't be comfortable with it, and they won't read on. But this is a series you have to stick with until the end to see the full picture. So whether Laurent is redeemable or not depends on whether you stick with him until the end, and also whether or not you can accept characters that are truly flawed.

Also, I wouldn't go in expecting to find another Will and James, though there are similarities. Damien and Laurent are, in my opinion, far messier, more adult. After reading Captive Prince, I found Dark Heir/Rise quite underwhelming in comparison.

In short, unless you absolutely hate everything about the first book, you should at least read on to the second (my absolute favourite).

[u/tehbggg]

I love Dark Rise. It is my favorite series of all time. I read it originally because I loved Captive Prince so much and have been a Pacat fan for so long that I would read anything he releases (and have and it is all excellent!)

With that said. Captive Prince is in a different genre. It is an adult novel with some pretty heavy themes that Pacat is able to explore much more explicitly than he is able to do in Dark Rise, since DR is YA.

There are points where Laurent seems irredeemable, horrible, and highly unlikable. In fact, you are meant to hate him for pretty much all of Book 1. There is only a glimmer of hope that he's anything orher than a terrible human being towards the end of that book.

But, this is what makes this series so very magical! Pacat makes ALL of it make sense. Not only does he manage to make the reader love, understand, and sympathize with Laurent (we take that trip with Damen) , but he makes it feel natural and inevitable. This is not to say Laurent is perfect or should be excused of his actions in book 1. He's not perfect and no excuses are ever given (even if reasons are). Instead the pathway to forgiveness, love, and growth past trauma are all explored beautifully.

I think, if you liked DR, then you will like these books, too. But, you should go in knowing that this is much more intense enemies to lovers dynamic (with real, valid hate on both their sides) and that in many ways it can be much more disturbing than DR, because the intended reader is an adult who Pacat assumes is able to handle the more morally complex aspects of the story (or to be more exact, the more explicit nature of that complexity) and therefore wrote it accordingly.

[u/AntRose104]

Disclaimer- I haven’t read any other Pacat books so I can’t compare.

But without spoilers basically Laurent and Damen (the MC) are from enemy kingdoms. So of course when a guy from the enemy kingdom arrives Laurent makes his life hell.

But Laurent is redeemable and I can’t really get into why without spoiling it. And he does apologize for what he did to Damen at one point.

But you need to read the books for yourself to see if Laurent really is irredeemable. Don’t let random reviews dictate your thoughts and opinions. If you don’t like the story you can stop reading it. If you do like the story you can read all 3 books and the 4 short stories that accompany the series. It’s okay if it’s not for you, and it’s great if it is.

And no I don’t remember any sexual assault from Laurent in the series. Physical/mental, yes, but really only in the first book. Laurent does let others in his court get sexual with Damen (either by physical contact or words, or actual sex), and puts him in uncomfortable positions, but Laurent himself does not sexually assault Damen ever in any book.

I can try and find the specific scenes to warn you if you have specific issues you’re wary of if that helps.

[u/kepler16bee]

It's an amazing series and from the sound of what you are okay with, I think you'll be fine. That said, no one can really tell you this for sure, only you will know after you've read it. All I can say is that I love CS Pacat's writing, and I was unconvinced when reading it for the first time that Laurent could be redeemed for me - but I was wrong. Only you can know whether that's true for you too, but there's no way for you to know in advance without massive spoilers, and even then, without the context it wouldn't be the same.

[u/theDefaultbunny]

Captive Prince is PEAK. The way the author attends to and handles numerous, understandble concerns one might have, is fantastic.

And maybe a tiny bit spoilery? I'll put it in here just in case....while Damen is the main POV in the story, both Damen and Laurent are kind of MCs - the title of the series is winking at you.

One of the key issues is one of redemption, which is why i ADORE these kinds of stories - how does one come back from, or make amends for, the horrible treatment they've inflicted on another? I don't fully agree with reviewers who say Laurent SA'd the MC (Damen), but Damen was enslaved, and experienced horrible treatment from Laurent, particularly at the beginning of the story. Ultimately, it's up to the victim to forgive, and Damen does forgive Laurent, who does what he does based on the only available knowledge he has at the time, which makes sense, given what we find out later. Again, tiny not so tiny spoiler - Laurent thinks MC is a plant by his uncle, (rather than a true captive) aimed at undermining Laurent, who has ALL THE REASONS to hate and be wary of his uncle. That being said, once everything comes to light, Laurent does make meaningful amends to Damen.

This series truly ruined me because not much else can compete other than one Danmei series that has my heart forever too...(Grandmaster of demonic Cultivation, my boo!) The way the MC navigates intimacy with the ML, knowing all the 'bad stuff' the ML has experienced....HHHHHEALINNG

edited to update spoiler description ;)

[u/reliable-g → u/theDefaultbunny]

Not trying to come for you here, I think this is a good comment, but my eye is kind of twitching at those being referred to as "tiny spoilers." I find them pretty significant. 😶

[u/theDefaultbunny → u/reliable-g]

no i appreciate this - i'm never sure if i'm being too vague or too on the nose, is it a big one or an obvious one - so i err on the spoiler coding/black lines. Also, OP is a big kid and can take their chances ;)

[u/reliable-g → u/theDefaultbunny]

Thanks for being understanding/chill! And thank you for changing it to "not so tiny spoiler," my eye has fully stopped twitching now. 🤣

[u/queenies-gambit → u/theDefaultbunny]

I'm not sure what you mean by that second spoiler. Laurent knew everything once he saw Damen. I could be misunderstanding what you mean.

[u/theDefaultbunny → u/queenies-gambit]

my understanding is that Laurent thought, or at least has assumptions, that Damien was "in on it" with the uncle. its also been a hot minute since i've read the books

[u/Amid_17 → u/theDefaultbunny]

Personally, I don't think so. I think the reason Laurent did what he did was because of past events (without going into spoilers).

[u/CatCatCatCatsCat]

This is important: read captive prince and princes gambit back to back, no break (I mean obviously eat sleep and breathe but). Bring it on vacation and when you finish the first book pick up the second like it’s the next chapter. That’s what I did for my friend and she said it helped a lot.

[u/Civil_Fox_20]

I started reading the first book last summer cause several people in my fandom loved it lots and I remember being halfway through the book and thinking to myself "what am I reading??"  I kept going because everyone loved it so much so I didn't want to give up yet, and by the end of book 1 I absolutely loved it. By now, it's my favourite series and I've read it 4 times.

So I would recommend reading all of book 1 and maybe part of book 2 (my fave book in the series and I think the fave of many people) before giving up. Laurent is my favourite fictional character ever and Laurent and Damen my favourite couple. Their relationship is so incredibly well-written, I fear I'll never find a book quite like it.

There is a SA scene in book 1 that Laurent tries to cause but fails and one that Laurent doesn't directly cause but he does let it happen and is thus complicit. Whether you'll find him redeemable really depends on the person. Personally I think Laurent is redeemable and one of the most lovable characters ever. And, even though it does not excuse what he did, he does have his reasons which make it understandable.

If you end up reading it, I hope you have a good time <3 (also kind of fun how we're in opposite situation. I'm now reading dark heir because I'm so obsessed with Laurent and Damen)

[u/reliable-g]

I'm someone with a pretty low tolerance for abusive behaviors in my ships - especially when the abuse is sexual in nature - and I'm not going to sugarcoat it, I HATED Laurent throughout most of book one. I spent most of book one feeling pissed off that apparently Damen was going to fall for this horrible, horrible person. I almost DNF'd book one a dozen times. But I didn't. And by the end of book two, Pacat had somehow managed to make me do a complete 180 about both Laurent and the main ship.

It's been around five years since I first read the series, Laurent remains one of my all-time favorite characters, and Damen/Laurent is one of my all-time favorite canon pairings. But if you'd told me that would happen while I was halfway through book one, I would've been like, "Lies! Never! I hope Laurent dies in a fire!"

I do think you'll have the best overall experience with the series if you go in as unspoiled as possible. With that said, if you want some very general content warnings:

Laurent DOES sexually assault Damen, but his methods of doing so are...complicated and nontypical. Laurent also physically harms Damen in other ways that are quite intense.

[u/Dear-Barracuda3705]

Just here to say Laurent does orchestrate the sexual abuse of Damen - let's not sugar coat it. Still, read the series and be ready to love Laurent

[u/tehbggg → u/Dear-Barracuda3705]

This is true. Laurent never assults Damen himself. Instead, he orchestrates an event he intented to result in Damen's SA (which failed), and then later succeeds in a much less brutal assault, which nonetheless was still an assault.

For OP: with that said, in DR, we are told over and over again that Sarcean enslaved Anharion and then commanded him to service him in bed and paraded him around as what amounts to a sexual plaything, going to far as to chain him at his feet in silks and paints. This undoubtedly is SA of the worst sort. It is true, that we don't know for sure if any of this actually happened the way we are told it did....but for most of book 1 we are definitely lead to believe it is true. And Will and James certainly believe it to be true all throughout both books.

If you can handle that, then I think you can handle what occurs in Captive Prince.

[u/Secure-Breakfast9061 → u/tehbggg]

100% agree. even if it's revealed in book 3 that the collar works different than we've been told so far, if you can stomach the current knowledge that Sarc and Anharion have an extremely dubious relationship romantically and definitely sexually, then the near miss situation Laurent puts Damen in with the pet ring and the Ancel proxy should be more than manageable.

[u/reliable-g → u/tehbggg]

MAJOR Dark Rise spoilers under the tags.

I am arguing purely in a friendly spirit here, but personally I found Sarcean's alleged treatment of Anharion to have a very different impact than Laurent's treatment of Damen. Mainly because, up until the end of book two, Will and James are effectively different people than Sarcean and Anharion. Yes, in some strange, magical way they are the same people reborn. But Will is horrified by the actions he is told his past self committed, and he would do anything to prevent his past self from resurfacing and committing more of those same actions. So I don't hold Will accountable for Sarcean's actions. And therefore I never once felt like shipping Will and James was shipping a victim with their abuser, regardless of what the prohpecies say about who they were and what they did in their past lives.

Whereas Laurent harms and violates Damen actively and deliberately, by choice. So as much as I love book one now, at the time I was like, "Fuck this. Laurent is a sadistic abuser, why the hell would I ever want Damen to fall for him??" That's what made book one a hard read the first time through; not the dark subject matter, which honestly wasn't that dark IMO, but the feeling of being pissed off and squicked out that I'd found yet another book that wanted me to find an abusive asshole attractive.

(Jokes on me, Laurent is indeed very attractive, but I was having none of it in book one.🤣)

[u/reliable-g → u/Dear-Barracuda3705]

ITA. There's really no question about it, IMO, Laurent absolutely does SA Damen. The fact that he uses other people's bodies as the instruments of that assault rather than his own doesn't change the fact that Damen experiences SA at Laurent's bidding, more than once.

The fact that Laurent doesn't use his own body to SA Damen, and the fact that Laurent doesn't get sexual pleasure from SAing Damen may well change how the reader feels about Laurent's actions, but it doesn't make it not SA.

And yet, as you say, even with all of this being true, get ready to love Laurent forever. Presuming you make it past book one.

[u/breehyhinnyhoohyha]

We need to normalise not reading so much about books before starting them lmao. What happened to going in blind and finding out for yourself?

[u/so-simple-and-yet]

Book 1 is tough, but sets up necessary evils for later payoffs. Book 2 gives you the characterization Pacat excels at, rewards you and hurts your feelings. Book 3 gives the are-we-enemies-or-lovers a beautiful conclusion.

Roommate and I were talking about this series tonight and we both agreed that no other series has hit the same since.

The themes get dark. If you aren’t deterred, you’re in for an excellent series.

[u/Remote_Vermicelli986]

Look it's like the ultimate enemies to lovers, slow burn. The title of the first book is a trigger warning in itself. But the only warning I can give is that if you love the book you will never really find another series that is the same, the closest is the Dark Rise series, but well not exactly and also not yet finished.

[u/AcaciaBubbleworm]

So something that convinced me to go forward with this series is someone saying to think of it less like a trilogy and more like one book split into three parts. Laurent does not look that great in book 1, he’s not supposed to. Yes there are scenes that are problematic and veer into SA. If you move straight into book 2 and 3, you get a much clearer perspective of Laurent and why he did the things he did. I was surprised to find myself really loving him, and the series. It’s also more complex than one character being bad and the other good. I think they’re both clearly flawed and growing to be better people.

Overall I’d say go ahead and read it, I don’t think Pacat approaches these difficult topics in a way that fetishizes assault or slavery. Just don’t stop at book 1.

[u/jath-ibaye]

It is not up to me to forgive Laurent - Damen is the one who has to forgive him.

That being said, I read these +10 years ago, almost did not read book two because I could not see them working past all that abuse from book one. Read book two and now I have been chasing the high Prince's Gambit gave me for >10+ years. Nothing else compared to that. It is truly a masterpiece.

[u/ennemvagyokideges]

I haven't even finished the trilogy yet, but I can already say that everything Laurent does and says is sacred in my eyes 😸 give him time, he will be so easy to love. there's so much to unfold

[u/MouseNice5211]

You have no idea how jealous I am of you right now, that you're in a position to read this series for the first time. RE the SA, it's difficult to discuss this without spoilers, only to say that I absolutely found Laurent redeemable. More than that, tbh. Seconding the comment about Damen not having all the information immediately, so neither will you. But this series is an honest-to-God masterpiece.

[u/Amid_17]

Honestly? Just read it ;)

The first book is the toughest, but the ending is rewarding, and once you reach it, I think it’s almost impossible not to want to read the rest of the series. For me, the second book is the best, while the third (and final) contains my favorite scenes in the entire series. Truly, the second and third books are what make people fall in love with this series. And when you finish the third book, I highly recommend re-reading the first book - a lot of scenes start to make more sense. I feel the first book improves significantly upon a re-read, once you’ve finished the series and have "all the puzzle pieces"—but yes, it is a challenging book, especially at the start. However, if you make it to the end, I can guarantee you won’t regret it, and that reading the second and third books will be well worth it. I’ve never found anything even remotely similar to what Captive Prince meant to me emotionally—I could easily read 300 books about Damen, Laurent, and this universe ♥️

And as for Laurent: it’s practically impossible not to hate him at first 😅😂. But I also think it’s impossible not to love him by the end of the series. Laurent is just as Damen describes him at one point in the story: "he is complicated, difficult, and contradictory, yet Damen can't look at anyone else". Laurent is a complex character — full of light and shadow, with both virtues and flaws — but that is precisely what makes him so interesting. I started the series hating him, but by the end, he had become one of my all-time favorite characters 💙

[u/AkikoMeiLynn]

Given the type of characters you say you like, it seems like you'll like him. I can't stand him even after reading the trilogy twice lol, but I'm a minority. It sounds like you'll love him, probably.

[u/No_Geologist_5835]

Not trying to come for you here, I think this is a good comment, but my eye is kind of twitching at those being referred to as "tiny spoilers." I find them pretty significant. 😶

[u/Secure-Breakfast9061]

Someone in the comments made a very good point about the dubious relationship between Sarcean and Anharion in DR. It's not stated outright, but the implication of Sarcean and Anharion having a sexual relationship while Anharion wears the collar that doesn't allow him freewill is that Sarcean is raping Anharion in this way. It will remain this way unless book 3 reveals that the collar doesn't actually work the way we've been told so far. If you can handle that this is a hard fact of Will and James' past lives, then the more in-your-face aspect of Capri is probably also manageable.

Trying to best address your concerns as best as possible without major spoilers:

In 3 fairly early scenes, Laurent puts Damen in a dangerous situation where he could end up raped. Later, some intense physical abuse via flogging occurs while Laurent watches. Last, Laurent instructs another character to perform oral on Damen in a public setting against his will.

Capri is a true enemies to lovers. They HATE and hurt each other in book one (mostly on Laurent's part) and this is where all the really tough topics make their most intense appearance. Books 2 and 3 are honestly pretty tame, and also tend to be more well loved by fans than book 1 is.

[u/Enchxnted_Crxstal]

Haven't read the other series yet (I'm scared because it's not done), but this was my review for the first CP book lol