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Captive Prince Short Stories #1-4
The Summer Palace and Other Stories
Follow Damen, Laurent and the supporting characters of Captive Prince on a series of adventures set in and around the events of the novels - and beyond, to learn what happens after the final page in the trilogy is turned.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2018
About the author
C.S. Pacat
66 books14k followersC.S. Pacat is the USA-Today best-selling author of Dark Rise, the Captive Prince trilogy, and the GLAAD-nominated graphic novels Fence.
Born in Australia and educated at the University of Melbourne, C.S. Pacat has lived in a number of cities, including Tokyo and Perugia, and currently resides and writes in Melbourne.
Born in Australia and educated at the University of Melbourne, C.S. Pacat has lived in a number of cities, including Tokyo and Perugia, and currently resides and writes in Melbourne.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 529 reviews
January 16, 2020
In a last ditch effort to get some of my lingering questions answered, I shelled out some (e-)cash for the short story collection. The end result however, didn't quite live up to my expectations.
Green But for a Season - 2*
This was a bittersweet stream of consciousness on Jord's part, regarding his life serving under Laurent, and the initial stages of his relationship with Aimeric.
While I enjoyed his impressions on Laurent's approach to leadership, when it came to Jord's relationship with Aimeric I didn't feel like it was sufficiently explored. I would've appreciated a view into some of their more intimate moments, and maybe some thoughts on the young noble's final actions. Additionally, the alternating timeline made the entire storyline rather confusing.
The Summer Palace - 2.3*
On the way to Ios, in book 3, Damen suggests to Laurent a holiday of sorts at the royal summer palace. This story is basically a full-out fan service for anyone eager enough to follow the two protagonists through an extremely long foreplay.
I feel like I should've liked it a lot more, but Laurent washing Damen in an outdoor hot spring was more boring, than sensual. And I read it twice, just to be certain that the problem was not my mood.
The Adventures of Charls the Veretian Cloth Merchant - 3.5*
I wasn't too keen to follow a merchant from book 2 that I barely recalled, until I realized that this was actually a story of Damen and Laurent's adventures set after book 3.
It was utterly hilarious, with the occasional heart fluttering moment, and even a dash of truly surprising adventure.
Pet - 3*
If anyone had ever asked me which secondary character I least wanted more of an insight into, Ancel would've all but topped the list. Red-headed aloof beauty, rather more concerned with getting into Laurent's pants, than the reader's hearts, he didn't leave too much of an impression on me in book 1. Here however, we get a wholly different side of him, with quite a thrilling tactical approach to life, peppered with plenty of sexy times. Too bad none of this found its way into the main story.
Score: 2.7/5 stars
Some of it was boring, some funny, some surprisingly deep, but mostly this collection felt like a half-assed effort at fan service. As far as I'm concerned, only two short stories are worth reading, with Ancel's almost begging for its own full-length novel.
If you feel like all this is worth your time and money, then by all means give the stories a chance.
============
Review of book 1: Captive Prince
Review of book 2: Prince's Gambit
Review of book 3: Kings Rising
Green But for a Season - 2*
This was a bittersweet stream of consciousness on Jord's part, regarding his life serving under Laurent, and the initial stages of his relationship with Aimeric.
While I enjoyed his impressions on Laurent's approach to leadership, when it came to Jord's relationship with Aimeric I didn't feel like it was sufficiently explored. I would've appreciated a view into some of their more intimate moments, and maybe some thoughts on the young noble's final actions. Additionally, the alternating timeline made the entire storyline rather confusing.
The Summer Palace - 2.3*
On the way to Ios, in book 3, Damen suggests to Laurent a holiday of sorts at the royal summer palace. This story is basically a full-out fan service for anyone eager enough to follow the two protagonists through an extremely long foreplay.
I feel like I should've liked it a lot more, but Laurent washing Damen in an outdoor hot spring was more boring, than sensual. And I read it twice, just to be certain that the problem was not my mood.
The Adventures of Charls the Veretian Cloth Merchant - 3.5*
I wasn't too keen to follow a merchant from book 2 that I barely recalled, until I realized that this was actually a story of Damen and Laurent's adventures set after book 3.
It was utterly hilarious, with the occasional heart fluttering moment, and even a dash of truly surprising adventure.
Pet - 3*
If anyone had ever asked me which secondary character I least wanted more of an insight into, Ancel would've all but topped the list. Red-headed aloof beauty, rather more concerned with getting into Laurent's pants, than the reader's hearts, he didn't leave too much of an impression on me in book 1. Here however, we get a wholly different side of him, with quite a thrilling tactical approach to life, peppered with plenty of sexy times. Too bad none of this found its way into the main story.
Score: 2.7/5 stars
Some of it was boring, some funny, some surprisingly deep, but mostly this collection felt like a half-assed effort at fan service. As far as I'm concerned, only two short stories are worth reading, with Ancel's almost begging for its own full-length novel.
If you feel like all this is worth your time and money, then by all means give the stories a chance.
============
Review of book 1: Captive Prince
Review of book 2: Prince's Gambit
Review of book 3: Kings Rising
October 2, 2022
“You were watching the road”
One of the most romantic quotes of all time.
There is no one as GOOD as C.S. Pacat to deliver the best final words to finish a book:
After reading each of these I feel like something inside of me explodes.
And in just a few months: Dark Rise 🌈
One of the most romantic quotes of all time.
There is no one as GOOD as C.S. Pacat to deliver the best final words to finish a book:
After reading each of these I feel like something inside of me explodes.
And in just a few months: Dark Rise 🌈
Read
May 21, 2020I'm here for Damen x Laurent in "The Summer Palace" bc the ending of King's Rising was no way near enough ok thanks bye
> "Green for but a Season" (short, brief, focusing on Jord & Aimeric, and knowing how it ends . . . it's sad)
> "The Summer Palace" (the epilogue to King's Rising that I NEEDED THANK GOD. Damen x Laurent goodness. I'm happy. Finally, some questions are answered)
> "The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant" (about Charls, yes, but also about Laurent & Damen (as "Lamen" lmao) doing some undercover work to investigate the slave trade and then, Lauren't coronation as King of Vere at the end.)
> "Pet" (the longest story in the collection. I didn't like Ancel . . . and yet I did like this story. Ancel x Berenger was cute; I shipped it. I hope they were reunited, one day, and had happiness.)
Anyway I now need another short story collection set after Laurent & Damen are kings and are now trying to build their joint kingdom and honestly it could be 100% domestic fluff and I wouldn't care -
> "Green for but a Season" (short, brief, focusing on Jord & Aimeric, and knowing how it ends . . . it's sad)
> "The Summer Palace" (the epilogue to King's Rising that I NEEDED THANK GOD. Damen x Laurent goodness. I'm happy. Finally, some questions are answered)
> "The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant" (about Charls, yes, but also about Laurent & Damen (as "Lamen" lmao) doing some undercover work to investigate the slave trade and then, Lauren't coronation as King of Vere at the end.)
> "Pet" (the longest story in the collection. I didn't like Ancel . . . and yet I did like this story. Ancel x Berenger was cute; I shipped it. I hope they were reunited, one day, and had happiness.)
Anyway I now need another short story collection set after Laurent & Damen are kings and are now trying to build their joint kingdom and honestly it could be 100% domestic fluff and I wouldn't care -
November 7, 2022
Tengo reseñas individuales de todos los relatos de este libro, pero, en resumen, estas fueron mis calificaciones.
Green but for a season : 3 estrellas.
The adventures of Charls, the Veretian cloth merchant : 3.5 estrellas.
The Summer palace : 4.5 estrellas.
The pet : 4 estrellas.
Green but for a season : 3 estrellas.
The adventures of Charls, the Veretian cloth merchant : 3.5 estrellas.
The Summer palace : 4.5 estrellas.
The pet : 4 estrellas.
June 15, 2023
Green but for a Season – 4 stars
The Summer Palace – 5 stars
The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant – 5 stars
Pet – 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
The Summer Palace – 5 stars
The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant – 5 stars
Pet – 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
January 26, 2023
laurent !! tucking !! a !! flower !! behind !! damen’s !! ear !!!!
so what if this is my only source of serotonin SO WHAT
so what if this is my only source of serotonin SO WHAT
January 30, 2024
Greet but for a Season - ⭐⭐
The Summer Palace - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant -⭐
Pet - ⭐⭐
The Summer Palace - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant -⭐
Pet - ⭐⭐
May 1, 2019
Green but for a Season - 2 stars
I like Jord but I still have a bad taste in my mouth about Aimeric's betrayal so I probably should've just skipped this one altogether but I did like the flashbacks of Laurent when he was just forming his Prince's Guard. That was about the extent of my liking though.
The Summer Palace - 5 stars
Read it twice. It's an epilogue of sort to Kings Rising and they are SO adorable and in love it made my inner squishy marshmallow roll over in one of those classic pupper moves of 'more belly rubs, please'.
They visit Damen's mother's Summer Palace and grow closer, cementing their connection and making plans for the future.
The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant - 4 stars
I found the whole dynamic between Laurent and Charls amusing in the stories and the Lamen thing is entertaining as all get out. The ending made me chuckle.
Pet
I'm not sure I really care about this one so I'm not going to read it. I may come back to it one day but right now I don't feel like it.
I like Jord but I still have a bad taste in my mouth about Aimeric's betrayal so I probably should've just skipped this one altogether but I did like the flashbacks of Laurent when he was just forming his Prince's Guard. That was about the extent of my liking though.
The Summer Palace - 5 stars
He loved the way Laurent kissed, as if Damen was the only person that he had ever kissed, or would ever want to.
Read it twice. It's an epilogue of sort to Kings Rising and they are SO adorable and in love it made my inner squishy marshmallow roll over in one of those classic pupper moves of 'more belly rubs, please'.
Having made the decision to let Damen in, Laurent had not gone back on it. When the walls went up, it was with Damen inside them.
They visit Damen's mother's Summer Palace and grow closer, cementing their connection and making plans for the future.
'I thought, I have lost everything and gained you, and I would almost make the trade if I didn't know it had happened that way for you, too.'
It was so close to his own thoughts-that everything he knew was gone, but that this was here in its place, this one bright thing.
The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant - 4 stars
I found the whole dynamic between Laurent and Charls amusing in the stories and the Lamen thing is entertaining as all get out. The ending made me chuckle.
Pet
I'm not sure I really care about this one so I'm not going to read it. I may come back to it one day but right now I don't feel like it.
April 24, 2019
I've rated and reviewed each individual story in their entries 😊
They are all awesome 😉
They are all awesome 😉
August 26, 2020
This was a joy! If read The Summer Palace before but not the others. Each one gave me something I didn't know I needed and really felt like a rounding out of the series. Would I still give my soul for another book? Probably but this did help!
June 15, 2021
What an amazing series. I'm rarely this satisfied with how a story ends but I have to say this does it.
Now if only Pacat decided to also tell everything from Laurent's POV 😅 That might possibly be the only thing to make it even better.
PS.: Shoutout to random tumblr user #2187 who told me that Captive Prince would put my heart back together again after The Song of Achilles so thoroughly destroyed it. You were right.
Now if only Pacat decided to also tell everything from Laurent's POV 😅 That might possibly be the only thing to make it even better.
PS.: Shoutout to random tumblr user #2187 who told me that Captive Prince would put my heart back together again after The Song of Achilles so thoroughly destroyed it. You were right.
December 16, 2019
"I can't read."
ANCEL YOU ARE AN ICON.
Okay well. That had to be said. Obviously the first time I read all of these novellas I reviewed them all separately but I thought I’d add the compilation this time. It’s no secret that Captive Prince is my religion, and I love these stories that give us extra glimpses into the world.
I loved the education we got on the world of pets in Ancel’s novella. He’s such a fun and hilarious character. He’s a shameless sassy bitch and I LOVE HIM. Watching him rise through talent and cleverness was fun, and, of course, I die for the extra glimpses of Lamen that we got. It was very interesting to read the bower scene from another person’s eyes. I am so curious now to see how Ancel and Berenger have benefitted from supporting Laurent. I will forever crave another novel and I like all the threads these novellas left for the future.
Jord’s novella is my least favorite because Aimeric SUCKS. But it was cool from a human point of view to see how Aimeric was lying and yet enjoying the part he was playing. But you can see all the moments Jord missed. Aimeric telling Jord to leave Laurent’s tent first, obviously so he cal rifle through his papers. It was definitely a nice glimpse into those characters but not my favorite.
I have to talk about The Adventures of Charls first, even though chronologically it’s the last novella, because I will just scream about The Summer Palace. So the Adventures of Charls. I LOVE CHARLS. This novella was just so fun. Charls is a hilarious narrator and I loved seeing Lamen in disguise once again. Also actual Lamen, Damen, is wonderful to see through the eyes of Charls. Warmly handsome, dimple in his cheek, easy temperament, easy smile. I love Damen. And I love how Charls sees him too. And like THE LAMEN IN THIS NOVELLA. With the ease of long familiarity Lamen kissed the prince. I DIE. Lamen is love. Lamen is life. Lamen is my religion. LAURENT DOESN’T EVEN HESITATE WITH DAMEN AT ALL ANYMORE. In fact, he wraps his arms around Damen’s neck and they kiss more and then Laurent says something and Damen laughs and puts his head on Laurent’s shoulder. I am not calm okay. LAURENT’S CORONATION. LAMEN WHY ARE YOU DRESSED UP LIKE THE KING! Golden. This novella is golden. I also really enjoyed the small glimpse into potential future politics with slavery. Please give us a novel of them unifying their countries and getting married!!! Thanks Pacat.
Okay, I am finally back to scream about The Summer Palace. This is just THE SWEETEST NOVELLA. And I was struck immediately after my reread that Damen's fantasy of showing Laurent his country and finding him windswept in a chiton looking over the sea CAME TRUE. Anyway, this novella is pure fluff and the sweetest comfort. I love the moment when Damen kisses Laurent after he arrives and remarks on the sweet newness of Laurent touching him. Damen's joy at seeing that Laurent was watching the road for him. Not working, not riding. Waiting. For Damen. The scene in the baths is as sweetly painful as ever. I remember just burning inside the first time I read it. Like my heart could not handle the healing that was happening between them. There is no gloss over or forgetting the pain they caused each other and this scene was such a catharsis I didn't even know we, as readers, needed. But it was such a tender healing and it pretty much killed me. I don't think I've ever read this novella without shedding a tear. Among all the wonderful romances I have ever read, this one will always stand paramount. There's nothing that can compare with all the strife and love and pain they went through to be together and so rewards like this are so poignant. I really, really want more of them. To read about their lives together. But if we never get it, this series is utterly satisfying, and this beautiful, perfect epilogue will be here forever. I know that they are living in pure, blissful happiness forever.
ANCEL YOU ARE AN ICON.
Okay well. That had to be said. Obviously the first time I read all of these novellas I reviewed them all separately but I thought I’d add the compilation this time. It’s no secret that Captive Prince is my religion, and I love these stories that give us extra glimpses into the world.
I loved the education we got on the world of pets in Ancel’s novella. He’s such a fun and hilarious character. He’s a shameless sassy bitch and I LOVE HIM. Watching him rise through talent and cleverness was fun, and, of course, I die for the extra glimpses of Lamen that we got. It was very interesting to read the bower scene from another person’s eyes. I am so curious now to see how Ancel and Berenger have benefitted from supporting Laurent. I will forever crave another novel and I like all the threads these novellas left for the future.
Jord’s novella is my least favorite because Aimeric SUCKS. But it was cool from a human point of view to see how Aimeric was lying and yet enjoying the part he was playing. But you can see all the moments Jord missed. Aimeric telling Jord to leave Laurent’s tent first, obviously so he cal rifle through his papers. It was definitely a nice glimpse into those characters but not my favorite.
I have to talk about The Adventures of Charls first, even though chronologically it’s the last novella, because I will just scream about The Summer Palace. So the Adventures of Charls. I LOVE CHARLS. This novella was just so fun. Charls is a hilarious narrator and I loved seeing Lamen in disguise once again. Also actual Lamen, Damen, is wonderful to see through the eyes of Charls. Warmly handsome, dimple in his cheek, easy temperament, easy smile. I love Damen. And I love how Charls sees him too. And like THE LAMEN IN THIS NOVELLA. With the ease of long familiarity Lamen kissed the prince. I DIE. Lamen is love. Lamen is life. Lamen is my religion. LAURENT DOESN’T EVEN HESITATE WITH DAMEN AT ALL ANYMORE. In fact, he wraps his arms around Damen’s neck and they kiss more and then Laurent says something and Damen laughs and puts his head on Laurent’s shoulder. I am not calm okay. LAURENT’S CORONATION. LAMEN WHY ARE YOU DRESSED UP LIKE THE KING! Golden. This novella is golden. I also really enjoyed the small glimpse into potential future politics with slavery. Please give us a novel of them unifying their countries and getting married!!! Thanks Pacat.
Okay, I am finally back to scream about The Summer Palace. This is just THE SWEETEST NOVELLA. And I was struck immediately after my reread that Damen's fantasy of showing Laurent his country and finding him windswept in a chiton looking over the sea CAME TRUE. Anyway, this novella is pure fluff and the sweetest comfort. I love the moment when Damen kisses Laurent after he arrives and remarks on the sweet newness of Laurent touching him. Damen's joy at seeing that Laurent was watching the road for him. Not working, not riding. Waiting. For Damen. The scene in the baths is as sweetly painful as ever. I remember just burning inside the first time I read it. Like my heart could not handle the healing that was happening between them. There is no gloss over or forgetting the pain they caused each other and this scene was such a catharsis I didn't even know we, as readers, needed. But it was such a tender healing and it pretty much killed me. I don't think I've ever read this novella without shedding a tear. Among all the wonderful romances I have ever read, this one will always stand paramount. There's nothing that can compare with all the strife and love and pain they went through to be together and so rewards like this are so poignant. I really, really want more of them. To read about their lives together. But if we never get it, this series is utterly satisfying, and this beautiful, perfect epilogue will be here forever. I know that they are living in pure, blissful happiness forever.
September 9, 2023
Nao estava pronta pra deixar esses personagens e descobri que tinha esse livro de short stories. ESTOU OBCECADA POR ESSE UNIVERSO E ESSES PERSONAGENS SE PUDESSE LERIA MAIS UM LIVRO DESSE DE SHORT STORIES. ESTOU AGORA MESMO JA PROCURANDO FICS NO AO3 PRA LER PQ SIMPLESMENTE NAO QUERO DEIXAR ESSES PERSONAGENS
March 3, 2020
If you are a fan of the Captive Prince series, this short story collection is a must-read!
January 22, 2023
5 stars for summer palace idc about anything else!!!!!
September 30, 2022
✩ three+
the summer palace = instant five stars. it's everything an epilogue should be and i think more authors need to take note.
as for the rest of the short stories, i mean- 😅 i sort of liked pet, does that count? oh and charls by far had me laughing out loud with the whole lamen thing.
❛… it was infuriating to fight you. frightening to have you on my side.❜
❛frightening?❜
❛you didn’t know how afraid I was of you?❜
❛of me? or of yourself?❜
❛of what was happening between us.❜
the summer palace = instant five stars. it's everything an epilogue should be and i think more authors need to take note.
as for the rest of the short stories, i mean- 😅 i sort of liked pet, does that count? oh and charls by far had me laughing out loud with the whole lamen thing.
Currently reading
May 15, 2024pre-read:
did i have a captive prince trilogy hangover after i read the series in january this year? YES! did i miss damen and laurent? ALSO YES! but these two didn't get off of my mind after reading the trilogy (at the same time, you look their fanarts 24/7)? ABSOLUTELY F---ING YES! 🤩
and also, can't we talk about the cover of this version? 😫🤌
did i have a captive prince trilogy hangover after i read the series in january this year? YES! did i miss damen and laurent? ALSO YES! but these two didn't get off of my mind after reading the trilogy (
and also, can't we talk about the cover of this version? 😫🤌
January 27, 2023
reread 2023
A MILLION STARS FOR THE SUMMER PALACE SHORT STORY THE REST DOESN'T MATTER
I FEEL ALIVEEE
reread 2022
only reread the summer palace and the adventures of chars because they are the short stories that really matter!!
laurent tucking a flower into damen’s hair!!! hsjshjs
original review
Green but for a Season (Re-read) 3 stars
This was fine. It’s set during the first half of Prince’s Gambit, and it gives some background on Jord. I don’t have anything to say about it exactly...
The Summer Palace (Re-read) 5 stars
This was fantastic. It serves as an epilogue and there’s so many great emotional moments between Damen and Laurent.
The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant (Re-read) 4 stars
Pet 3 stars
A MILLION STARS FOR THE SUMMER PALACE SHORT STORY THE REST DOESN'T MATTER
I FEEL ALIVEEE
reread 2022
only reread the summer palace and the adventures of chars because they are the short stories that really matter!!
laurent tucking a flower into damen’s hair!!! hsjshjs
original review
Green but for a Season (Re-read) 3 stars
This was fine. It’s set during the first half of Prince’s Gambit, and it gives some background on Jord. I don’t have anything to say about it exactly...
The Summer Palace (Re-read) 5 stars
This was fantastic. It serves as an epilogue and there’s so many great emotional moments between Damen and Laurent.
The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant (Re-read) 4 stars
Pet 3 stars
February 7, 2020
this collection of short stories is set within the same world as the captive prince trilogy:
~ 'green but for a season' 1 star
~ 'the summer palace' 5 stars
~ 'the adventures of charls, the veretian cloth merchant' 4 stars
~ 'pet' 2 stars
two were great, two were okay. 'the summer palace' is the epilogue we all wanted to read following kings rising. it added years back to my life. years i tell ya. cleansed my soul. made me soft. i would give my kingdom for these two.
~ 'green but for a season' 1 star
~ 'the summer palace' 5 stars
~ 'the adventures of charls, the veretian cloth merchant' 4 stars
~ 'pet' 2 stars
two were great, two were okay. 'the summer palace' is the epilogue we all wanted to read following kings rising. it added years back to my life. years i tell ya. cleansed my soul. made me soft. i would give my kingdom for these two.
August 23, 2019
Yeah I only reread The Summer Palace and Charls, AKA the only short stories that matter, and I'm marking this as read lmao
Also can I just say that reading this whole series again in my native language has been...............even more of an emotional journey than rereading it in English
Also can I just say that reading this whole series again in my native language has been...............even more of an emotional journey than rereading it in English
October 3, 2022
This was exactly the kind of closure I needed to move on from this series and avoid the post-series blues. The Summer Palace short story (5 stars) was especially wonderful and imo a must-read “true ending” to the story.
October 18, 2023
“You were watching the road” and the spin of the Earth on its axis was never the same again
I loved every single one of these stories I love these characters I love Charls I love this universe what exactly am I supposed to do now
I loved every single one of these stories I love these characters I love Charls I love this universe what exactly am I supposed to do now
February 9, 2022
“Il palazzo d’estate e altre storie” è una raccolta di novelle, figlia di una saga che ho amato dall’inizio alla fine. Ero un po’ spaventata prima di iniziare perché, in realtà, a differenza di molti io ho apprezzato molto il finale di “Ascesa dei re”, anche se tronco. Soprattutto perché tronco.
In più, la formula della novella/raccolta di novelle inserita a complemento o aggiunta di una saga non è qualcosa che mi fa impazzire.
Ma ho amato così tanto Damen e Laurent, e in generale la scrittura di C.S. Pacat, che non ho potuto proprio farne a meno!
“Fugace è l’innocenza”, la novella che segue il rapporto tra Jord e Aimeric, è quella che mi è piaciuta di meno. L’ho trovata lenta e un po’ ridondante, e non ho ritrovato quello stile magnetico e accattivante che tanto mi ha inglobata nella saga. Però di certo è interessante vedere i retroscena di come si è formata la Guardia del Principe.
“Il palazzo d’estate”, è la novella da molti considerata la vera fine della saga, perché narra un dolce momento tra Laurent e Damen, dopo la confusione e il dolore di Ascesa dei re. Eppure, a me non ha convinto. Non fraintendiamoci: vedere Damen e Laurent interagire, avvicinarsi, mi ha scaldato moltissimo il cuore perché mi sono tanto affezionata a questi due. Però non ho trovato che mi abbia arricchito di niente rispetto a dove eravamo rimasti. E lo so, una novella raramente aggiunge qualcosa alla trama, ma non doveva per forza essere piena di colpi di scena per inserire qualcosa di nuovo. Per farlo, sarebbe bastato a mio avviso vedere la scena dal POV di Laurent. Soprattutto dopo le rivelazioni finali del terzo volume. La mente di Damen è più semplice, più limpida, la conosciamo meglio e ormai non ha più segreti. Quella di Laurent tesse trame continue, è sempre pronta a calcolare le mosse di tutti. E ora, durante la pace, di fronte alle prospettiva di ricostruirsi, sarebbe stato interessante vedere come affronta il suo rapporto con Damen.
Così resa, invece, mi è sembrata un po’ insipida. Scritta bene, dolce, ma niente di che.
“Le avventure di Charls, il mercante di stoffe veriano” di questi racconti è in assoluto il più divertente. Vedere Damen e Laurent attraverso gli occhi del mercante, che abbiamo visto solo in qualche scena della trilogia, è bello perché genuino. La mente di Charls è semplice, è anche fin troppo ingenuo, e questo crea dei veri e propri siparietti comici che mi hanno fatto ridere. La fine poi, un tocco di classe. Leggera, accattivante, ben fatta!
Ma, la vera chicca di questa raccolta, è in assoluto “Il prediletto”, che narra la storia di Ancel e della sua ascesa a corte. Questa è la novella più lunga, suddivisa in quattro capitoli. Mi ha fatto tornare a Vere, nella corte maligna di Arles, con tutte le sue finzioni è congetture. Mi ha fatto ritrovare quella magia e quello stile che ha contraddistinto la saga. Crudo, vero, tangibile. Avrei voluto non finisse così presto! Se dovessi dare un voto solo a questa novella sarebbe 5 stelle.
Nel complesso: raccolta carina, ma non bellissima. Secondo me non è così necessaria, ma la consiglio vivamente anche solo per rivedere D. e L., e soprattutto per il racconto finale su Ancel.
3.5/5
In più, la formula della novella/raccolta di novelle inserita a complemento o aggiunta di una saga non è qualcosa che mi fa impazzire.
Ma ho amato così tanto Damen e Laurent, e in generale la scrittura di C.S. Pacat, che non ho potuto proprio farne a meno!
“Fugace è l’innocenza”, la novella che segue il rapporto tra Jord e Aimeric, è quella che mi è piaciuta di meno. L’ho trovata lenta e un po’ ridondante, e non ho ritrovato quello stile magnetico e accattivante che tanto mi ha inglobata nella saga. Però di certo è interessante vedere i retroscena di come si è formata la Guardia del Principe.
“Il palazzo d’estate”, è la novella da molti considerata la vera fine della saga, perché narra un dolce momento tra Laurent e Damen, dopo la confusione e il dolore di Ascesa dei re. Eppure, a me non ha convinto. Non fraintendiamoci: vedere Damen e Laurent interagire, avvicinarsi, mi ha scaldato moltissimo il cuore perché mi sono tanto affezionata a questi due. Però non ho trovato che mi abbia arricchito di niente rispetto a dove eravamo rimasti. E lo so, una novella raramente aggiunge qualcosa alla trama, ma non doveva per forza essere piena di colpi di scena per inserire qualcosa di nuovo. Per farlo, sarebbe bastato a mio avviso vedere la scena dal POV di Laurent. Soprattutto dopo le rivelazioni finali del terzo volume. La mente di Damen è più semplice, più limpida, la conosciamo meglio e ormai non ha più segreti. Quella di Laurent tesse trame continue, è sempre pronta a calcolare le mosse di tutti. E ora, durante la pace, di fronte alle prospettiva di ricostruirsi, sarebbe stato interessante vedere come affronta il suo rapporto con Damen.
Così resa, invece, mi è sembrata un po’ insipida. Scritta bene, dolce, ma niente di che.
“Le avventure di Charls, il mercante di stoffe veriano” di questi racconti è in assoluto il più divertente. Vedere Damen e Laurent attraverso gli occhi del mercante, che abbiamo visto solo in qualche scena della trilogia, è bello perché genuino. La mente di Charls è semplice, è anche fin troppo ingenuo, e questo crea dei veri e propri siparietti comici che mi hanno fatto ridere. La fine poi, un tocco di classe. Leggera, accattivante, ben fatta!
Ma, la vera chicca di questa raccolta, è in assoluto “Il prediletto”, che narra la storia di Ancel e della sua ascesa a corte. Questa è la novella più lunga, suddivisa in quattro capitoli. Mi ha fatto tornare a Vere, nella corte maligna di Arles, con tutte le sue finzioni è congetture. Mi ha fatto ritrovare quella magia e quello stile che ha contraddistinto la saga. Crudo, vero, tangibile. Avrei voluto non finisse così presto! Se dovessi dare un voto solo a questa novella sarebbe 5 stelle.
Nel complesso: raccolta carina, ma non bellissima. Secondo me non è così necessaria, ma la consiglio vivamente anche solo per rivedere D. e L., e soprattutto per il racconto finale su Ancel.
3.5/5
July 3, 2021
“Having made the decision to let Damen in, Laurent had not gone back on it. When the walls went up, it was with Damen inside them.”
I am so happy and pleased that C.S. Pacat decided to write these little stories and compile them together! The Captive Prince trilogy is one of my favorites for a long while now, and I will forever love it. I love the characters, I love the world, I love the politics and the intrigue, I love what those books make me feel. I reread the trilogy last year and felt every bit of what I've felt the first time. Obviously, I HAD to read this, and honestly it took me a long ass time to buy it.
The Summer Palace and Other Stories comprises 4 short stories, including one with paragraphs. We follow Damen, Laurent and other supporting characters on a series of adventures set before, during, and after the events of the original trilogy. They allow us to have a different perspective over things that we've read about before and that we saw through other characters' point of view.
Instead of doing my normal review where I go over plot, characters, etc, I'll review each story separately.
➣ Green but for a Season
I was very excited to get to know more about Jord, one important side character and one of my favorites. Having served Laurent for a long time, it was very interesting to see the prince and his leadership from another perspective that wasn't Damen's. Jord's character was consistent and solid, even with the conflict of falling in love with Aimeric.
However, and in spite of being a short-story, it felt super short, a bit rushed, and very impersonal. I couldn't really connect, and I wanted to because I love Jord. After having read Pet and dwelling a bit about it, I felt like this could have been written a different way and have been made a little bit longer. I thought Jord and Aimeric's romance could have been explored a little more. But I also trust Pacat and know that it's like this for a reason. Maybe there wasn't much more to say about Jord and Aimeric. Since I couldn't really connect, my rating for it is around 3 stars.
➣ The Summer Palace
Being the main story and all, I felt like I should have loved it way more than I did. This was pure fanservice, but a welcomed one (isn't all fanservice welcomed??) as it was promised by the characters in Kings Rising, so it also serves as an epilogue to it. I was so happy to finally read it, although I was a bit disappointed with it not being... steamy enough? I think? I mean, in Captive Prince we have a similar scene that felt way more heavy to me than this one. All in all, it wasn't the fanservice I was expecting.
“He loved the way Laurent kissed, as if Damen was the only person that he had ever kissed, or would ever want to.”
BUT it served perfectly to show how much Laurent and even Damen had grown and changed through the course of the three books. It was perfect to cement and solidify their relationship, as they opened up to each other. Laurent was completely vulnerable to Damen, and Damen was too to Laurent. I mean, Laurent washing someone? It was very beautiful to see them finally able to be happy without worries, just loving each other. My babies deserve to be happy. I was content with the story overall, so my rating is 4 stars.
➣ The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant
At the beginning I thought this was about the real Charls. Ok, it was probably going to be interesting, so as soon as I realized it was about Laurent disguised as Charls, I was ecstatic. I totally switched up who was who. When I started reading it, I thought Damen was the fake Charls and Laurent was Lamen. I don't know why I made that mistake because hello??? Damen = Lamen??? Kinda obvious...
It was so enjoyable to see Laurent and Damen from the real Charls' point of view, to really see the way Laurent's mind works because he absolutely stole the spotlight here. It was also so nice to see Laurent and Damen completely at ease around each other, and the ending was SO AMUSING! Super funny, super cute, with very heartwarming moments, and Charls' ignorance to what was really happening was absolutely the cherry on top, his narration is just hilarious! It was golden. I completely loved it, so my rating is obviously full 5 stars!
➣ Pet
Well, well, well! I was very impressed by this story. It was even divided by chapters, so I knew it was going to be good. And it was! I loved it! I wasn't too keen on Ancel during the trilogy, always thought he was too clingy and nosy, but reading about him here made me love him. We really see how he grew up and came to be the character that's introduced to us in Captive Prince. It's even sadder to think of how much of a product of that decadent society he is. I wonder, if he had been born in Damen's country, what would have happened to him? His story is just sad, but it's also so funny to see how clever and smart he really is, how he uses his wits and charm to make his way to get what he wants. He's actually pretty funny and very sassy! I felt really nostalgic about the whole vibe of the first book while reading this. I mean, we even have access to a very important - and rather controversial - scene told from his point of view, finally allowing us to see what really happened and how it came to be.
“I can't read.”
Even though this was the longest story of the 4, I wish it was even longer. It honestly felt like a new novel, and I feel like Pacat could really extend it and make, at least, a novella out of it. If the author ever feels like writing something - anything! - about Ancel, even if it was 600 pages long, I'd read it! *wink wink* As you can guess by now, rating is 5 stars!
“It was so close to his own thoughts-that everything he knew was gone, but that this was here in its place, this one bright thing.”
All in all, reading these short stories made me want to reread, AGAIN, the whole trilogy. I just love it all so much, I just love these characters so much, and knowing they're happy and full of fluff just makes me happy! They are fun stories, but also heavy ones, and I think that's important. My truest complaint about these are that they are just. too. short. I would DIE (happy) if Pacat ever decided to write another book about Damen and Laurent, or even more short stories. I'm not ready to say goodbye to this world forever!
“He returned his eyes to the road, and the first part of his journey. South, and home.”
DISCLAIMER: these stories are mainly happy and don't focus or barely touch the following content warnings: sex slavery, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, torture, violence, prostitution, prostituion of minors, adult/minor relationship. (I mean, if you're reading this one, you don't necessarily need content warnings!)
August 26, 2023
this was a very enjoyable epilogue collection. The Summer Palace was a very sweet reunion of Laurent & Damen, while The Adventure of Charls was a delight (oh the return of Lamen lol). i love when Pacat's humor shines through in her storytelling. i was entertained by Ancel's superficial ambitions in Pet and yet, it still managed to find heart with his character. i think the one i cared for the least was Green but for a Season, but only bc of Aimeric.
since Kings Rising ended so abruptly (albeit triumphantly), this was a nice button to put on the story of the Captive Prince to give readers a little more satisfaction.
since Kings Rising ended so abruptly (albeit triumphantly), this was a nice button to put on the story of the Captive Prince to give readers a little more satisfaction.
October 9, 2019
❝ I’ll take care of your son. I’ll protect his kingdom as if it were my own. I’ll give my life for his people. ❞
Captive Prince è la mia trilogia preferita e ringrazio ancora l’autrice per questi due meravigliosi personaggi e per i feels che ci hanno regalato. Finalmente le novelle sono arrivate anche in Italia, “Il palazzo d’estate e altre storie” è uscito ad Agosto per triskelledizioni che dona tante gioie.
In questa raccolta abbiamo l’approfondimento di alcuni personaggi secondari e la novella più importante, la seconda, “The summer Palace”, che amplia il finale di Kings rising, nella quale Laurent e Damen hanno modo di parlare in modo onesto, senza più maschere. Ciascuno si mostra all’occhio dell’altro per quello che è, con tutta la sua sofferenza ma anche voglia di andare avanti, per costruire un futuro insieme. Il primo racconto parla della storia tra Jord e Aimeric, con qualche scatto dal passato dove Jord diventa la guardia di Laurent. Segue poi l’avventura di Charls, durante un viaggio attraverso la provincia di Aegina. È un mercante veriano già incontrato nel terzo libro, con un Damen nuovamente in incognito e un Laurent che lancia olive. L’ultima novella mostra il percorso di Ancel e il suo debutto nella corte di Vere. La sua personalità è interessante e la sua ambizione lo rende potente. La mia preferita naturalmente è la seconda. Se ancora non l’avete fatto, date una possibilità a questa trilogia. 👑⚔️
Captive Prince è la mia trilogia preferita e ringrazio ancora l’autrice per questi due meravigliosi personaggi e per i feels che ci hanno regalato. Finalmente le novelle sono arrivate anche in Italia, “Il palazzo d’estate e altre storie” è uscito ad Agosto per triskelledizioni che dona tante gioie.
In questa raccolta abbiamo l’approfondimento di alcuni personaggi secondari e la novella più importante, la seconda, “The summer Palace”, che amplia il finale di Kings rising, nella quale Laurent e Damen hanno modo di parlare in modo onesto, senza più maschere. Ciascuno si mostra all’occhio dell’altro per quello che è, con tutta la sua sofferenza ma anche voglia di andare avanti, per costruire un futuro insieme. Il primo racconto parla della storia tra Jord e Aimeric, con qualche scatto dal passato dove Jord diventa la guardia di Laurent. Segue poi l’avventura di Charls, durante un viaggio attraverso la provincia di Aegina. È un mercante veriano già incontrato nel terzo libro, con un Damen nuovamente in incognito e un Laurent che lancia olive. L’ultima novella mostra il percorso di Ancel e il suo debutto nella corte di Vere. La sua personalità è interessante e la sua ambizione lo rende potente. La mia preferita naturalmente è la seconda. Se ancora non l’avete fatto, date una possibilità a questa trilogia. 👑⚔️
January 28, 2022
After I don't know how many years I've finally read these: they were as lovely and bittersweet and hopeful and romantic as I expected.
I'm not the biggest fan of short stories or novellas, but I loved these. "The Summer Palace" was, obviously, my favourite: Laurent and Damon are, years later, still one of my most cherished literary couples and I loved seeing them interact again. Laurent being all shy and insecure and Damen desperately devoted to him will always be my undoing.
"The Adventures of Charls, the Verentian Cloth Merchant" was a close second: funny and heart-warming and just lovely.
C.S. Pacat's storytelling and prose was as beautiful as I remembered and I think I might have highlighted half of the book.
GAH, I'm kind of tempted to re-read the Captive Prince trilogy now. It was one of my first queer stories and it will always, always have a special place in my heart.
I'm not the biggest fan of short stories or novellas, but I loved these. "The Summer Palace" was, obviously, my favourite: Laurent and Damon are, years later, still one of my most cherished literary couples and I loved seeing them interact again. Laurent being all shy and insecure and Damen desperately devoted to him will always be my undoing.
"The Adventures of Charls, the Verentian Cloth Merchant" was a close second: funny and heart-warming and just lovely.
C.S. Pacat's storytelling and prose was as beautiful as I remembered and I think I might have highlighted half of the book.
GAH, I'm kind of tempted to re-read the Captive Prince trilogy now. It was one of my first queer stories and it will always, always have a special place in my heart.
September 8, 2019
Avevo già letto queste novelle in lingua originale, ma rileggerle è sempre una gioia. Tutti sanno quanto ho amato la trilogia di Captive Prince, le novelle non fanno eccezzione. Non posso che assegnare a questo volumetto le cinque stelle piene.
May 19, 2023
Laurent y Damen siendo felices es todo lo que esta bien.
April 16, 2019
Aw, I'm so glad I bought these short stories! They're for the people who don't want to leave the world of Akielos and Vere just yet. Here is the order I read them in, and it turns out, it really read well this way:
The Summer Palace
Of course I read this one first; it was the whole reason I bought the book! At the end of Kings Rising, I wished there was an epilogue, and I assumed this was it. Now that I've read it, I'm going to say this is the first part of the epilogue. Damen and Laurent are vacationing in the summer palace, and the short story, emphasis on short, is about Damen arriving and reuniting with Laurent. It is another swoon-worthy, passionate love scene, which I can't get enough of! Those two are so adorable! During the scene, something that happened in the first book is addressed and then tenderly and lovingly healed.
Green but for a Season
I read this one next, because I wanted to read more about Jord and Aimeric's relationship. This is the shortest story with only 22 pages. It wasn't so much about their relationship as it was Jord's perspective during the beginning of their journey south to the border. He thinks back on Laurent reforming the Prince's Guard when he was fifteen and what it means to him to be his captain. It gave us more information about the Prince's Guard and life before Captive Prince. It also showed how Jord and Aimeric got to be in a relationship, though it stopped there, so no love scenes. I did like it, because it just gave us more context for the series, even though I did wish for a little more Aimeric, because... poor Aimeric.
The Pet
This was the longest story, with actual chapters. I loved it! It starts out with Ancel working in a brothel in a small village and shows how he rose to be the pet of the richest merchant in that village to the richest man that does business with him to a wealthy man that eventually takes him to the capital and the court. Ancel is a force! You kinda get a sense about him from Captive Prince, because even if he's not that prominent in the series, he's still memorable. His personality is crazy, fearless, a force to be reckoned with. I loved him. It did show the scene in Captive Prince with him, Damen, and Laurent, (we all know what scene I'm talking about...), and it was so crazy to read it from his perspective. His story really drives home the point that everybody has their own story and their own reasons for doing things. By the end of the story, I was so invested in him and happy with how it turned out! Ancel has his own love story!
The Adventures of Charls
I highly recommend reading this one last, because I feel like it is the second part of the epilogue. It takes place about a year after the end of Kings Rising, and Charls is doing trying to do business in Akielos with the new joined court expanding and mixing their cultures. Laurent and 'Lamen' show up and start traveling with Charls again, and it is just the hilarious and marvelous experience that they always have when they're on a secret mission. It's adorable, and it's so gratifying to read about their relationship a year later when things have settled down, and yet they're still the same, crazy people in disguises. Plus, the story ends with Laurent's Ascension to the throne!
I'm so glad that I bought this collection of novellas. I think they all enhanced the story so much. It gave us more depth into the series and the characters, and if you're not ready to leave the original series behind, this kind of gives you the everyday, behind the scenes look into the story. It made me smile and swoon, and I just love this series so much!
The Summer Palace
Of course I read this one first; it was the whole reason I bought the book! At the end of Kings Rising, I wished there was an epilogue, and I assumed this was it. Now that I've read it, I'm going to say this is the first part of the epilogue. Damen and Laurent are vacationing in the summer palace, and the short story, emphasis on short, is about Damen arriving and reuniting with Laurent. It is another swoon-worthy, passionate love scene, which I can't get enough of! Those two are so adorable! During the scene, something that happened in the first book is addressed and then tenderly and lovingly healed.
Green but for a Season
I read this one next, because I wanted to read more about Jord and Aimeric's relationship. This is the shortest story with only 22 pages. It wasn't so much about their relationship as it was Jord's perspective during the beginning of their journey south to the border. He thinks back on Laurent reforming the Prince's Guard when he was fifteen and what it means to him to be his captain. It gave us more information about the Prince's Guard and life before Captive Prince. It also showed how Jord and Aimeric got to be in a relationship, though it stopped there, so no love scenes. I did like it, because it just gave us more context for the series, even though I did wish for a little more Aimeric, because... poor Aimeric.
The Pet
This was the longest story, with actual chapters. I loved it! It starts out with Ancel working in a brothel in a small village and shows how he rose to be the pet of the richest merchant in that village to the richest man that does business with him to a wealthy man that eventually takes him to the capital and the court. Ancel is a force! You kinda get a sense about him from Captive Prince, because even if he's not that prominent in the series, he's still memorable. His personality is crazy, fearless, a force to be reckoned with. I loved him. It did show the scene in Captive Prince with him, Damen, and Laurent, (we all know what scene I'm talking about...), and it was so crazy to read it from his perspective. His story really drives home the point that everybody has their own story and their own reasons for doing things. By the end of the story, I was so invested in him and happy with how it turned out! Ancel has his own love story!
The Adventures of Charls
I highly recommend reading this one last, because I feel like it is the second part of the epilogue. It takes place about a year after the end of Kings Rising, and Charls is doing trying to do business in Akielos with the new joined court expanding and mixing their cultures. Laurent and 'Lamen' show up and start traveling with Charls again, and it is just the hilarious and marvelous experience that they always have when they're on a secret mission. It's adorable, and it's so gratifying to read about their relationship a year later when things have settled down, and yet they're still the same, crazy people in disguises. Plus, the story ends with Laurent's Ascension to the throne!
I'm so glad that I bought this collection of novellas. I think they all enhanced the story so much. It gave us more depth into the series and the characters, and if you're not ready to leave the original series behind, this kind of gives you the everyday, behind the scenes look into the story. It made me smile and swoon, and I just love this series so much!
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