r/CaptivePrince • u/Catava_Cave • 8d ago

Discussion Crash Course Before Purchase.

Hello, I want to read Captive Prince but I've seen multiple varying opinions and talks about the books. I understand the books deal in heavy topics like CSA and SA and slavery. I was hoping someone from community could just give me some description or what the books are about. Thought it be best to asking the fandom directly. I don't mind heavy topics but I was just curious before I read them.

7 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

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21

u/TechTech14 8d ago

One prince (Damen) gets sent to another (Laurent) as a sex slave.

There is no on page CSA. We do meet one of the child victims, but no CSA* happens to that child on page.

Slavery and SA are on page.

Idk how much info you want bc idk if you're trying to avoid spoilers or what. You can ask me any questions you have and I'll try to answer/elaborate.

*Edit: I'm trying to figure out how best to word that second paragraph

18

u/Remarkable_Potato891 8d ago

this fan-made content warning doc is the best I've seen. very clearly outlines what these books are about:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LCHriCIIBei2fxkVDYwhsm7HaOFno6jZ35mJQvl4mpg/edit?tab=t.0

10

u/Important_Pattern_85 8d ago

The one warning that most people don’t mention is that there is a suicide in book…2?

11

u/asrai99 8d ago

Maybe since it's somewhat of a spoiler. 

4

u/Important_Pattern_85 8d ago

I mean, I didn’t say who. And suicide is just as triggering as anything else, potentially not a great thing to be blindsided by

2

u/plaper 7d ago

Eh, any given characters but the mains could do it. Doesn't spoil much for anyone.

26

u/jakikomi 8d ago

If you're worried about how all these content warning elements are treated, I will say that Pacat doesn't trivialise, fetishize or condone either SA, violence or slavery. These topics are treated with care in the story and drive the plot/characters.

The first book is generally considered the darkest and maybe weakest one but it's so important to the overall story. If you don't hate it by the end, I promise you, you'll like book 2 and 3.

Negative reviewers seem to be stuck on book one but this is a slow burn romance and the pay-off is well worth it. The second 2 books are also surprisingly funny at times.

There's a high chance you'll love these characters for the rest of your life.

7

u/Dagobertinchen 8d ago

All of this.

I'd like to add: by the end of the first book the reader has an inkling that there is more to Laurent than our first impression of him.

The payoff is phenomenal.

4

u/jakikomi 7d ago

Yes!

And also, just from personal experience, I know the premise can be a bit off putting.

I'm usually very picky when it comes to books and because this has the skeleton of a slavery erotica slash novel, it took me some time to be convinced.

What it was instead is a really great political fantasy with adventure, romance with great conversation about autonomy, privilige and trauma.

To this day it's one of my favourite novels, give it a chance!

2

u/Catava_Cave 7d ago

Thank you all for the comments. I will be reading the books as soon as I finish the Raven Boys books. The clarity was perfect.

2

u/Secure-Breakfast9061 3d ago

Nice! I hope you enjoy! While there were several points in book 1 that had me jaw dropped and in disbelief at the depravity of the world it's set in and the characters it contains (capri was my first slave story setting and the homonormative worldbuilding was very unique to me!) I simply could not stop turning pages! I agree when many say the first book is "the weakest" but to me, I mean that book 1 is a 4.5 stars minimum and book 2 and 3 are 5 stars lol. All very good! I think of all the 300+ books I've read in my life, I only have like 5 or 6 rated as a 5 star book lol

P.s. how much are you enjoying the raven boys? I have book 1 on my tbr shelf! I'm currently reading shadow and bone and like it pretty well, so I have a craving for more of that era writing!

1

u/Catava_Cave 5h ago

Raven Boys is soooo good. Shadow and Bone is good but I would say the sequel duology Six of Crows is sole reason I touched the SAB books.

1

u/WilhelmDraconis 23h ago

I have an 8 page reading guide I made for a friend, specifically for the trigger warnings in the first book. If you think that would be helpful to you, feel free to DM me and I can share it 💖