Prince’s Gambit

Pacat’s second Captive Prince erotic political romantic fantasy novel, set in a well-drawn fantasy world, continues to follow Damen, Prince of Akielos, who has been enslaved by Laurent, heir to the neighboring and enemy country of Vere. Laurent’s uncle, the regent of Vere, sends Laurent to the border between Akielos and Vere with a group of undertrained soldiers as part of a plot to start a war, kill Laurent, and take the kingship. Damen is torn between wanting his freedom (and protecting his own country’s interests) and his growing admiration and affection for Laurent (and hatred of the Regent’s poisonous political intrigues). Laurent schemes for his life in a setting where it’s impossible to have any idea who is trustworthy. Interlocking layers of betrayal and a realistically complicated unfolding romance help cushion the book against the sense that the overall political plot is waiting to unleash its true potential in the next installment. Pacat sometimes depends too much on romance tropes to propel the characters’ relationships forward, but the writing is assured, intelligent, and consistently entertaining. Agent: Emily Sylvan Kim, Prospect Agency. (July)