As a break between endless ARCs, I decided to go back to an old favourite. It’s genuinely been ten years since reading this, and apart from the vibes, I remembered very little.

The Captive Prince is difficult to review. It is graphic, with many uncomfortable scenes and subjects. Some people enjoy reading these; for me, this book is entirely saved by its main characters.
The slowly evolving relationship between Damen and Laurent barely makes an appearance in books one; it’s truly just breadcrumbs for the devastation to come.
I enjoy Laurent as a character a lot; his repression and his sharp mind; I enjoy the tension as Damen keeps his true identity to himself. It’s very well written, despite the many uncomfortable subjects. I still love this series, though I would say book 1 is the weakest of the three; and you need to read the next one to truly see its potential.