C. S. Pacat

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Common Knowledge

Other names: Pacat, S.U.
Freece
Birthdate: 11-09
Gender: genderqueer
Education: University of Melbourne
Agent: Adams Literary
Short biography: As of 2020, Pacat identifies as genderqueer and uses both she/her and he/him pronouns.
Nationality: Australia
Places of residence: Tokyo, Japan

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523 reviews

Sammelsurium 121 reviews

Dark Rise (Dark Rise, 1) by C. S. Pacat

As you start this book, you may think that it's another one of the mediocre "Chosen One" stories that are so ubiquitous in fantasy, especially children's and YA fantasy. You'll immediately notice a lot of capitalized words signifying important worldbuilding vocabulary, a convention that mediocre YA fantasy is infamous for. It's also very, very obvious that this author has read Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. But if you can get past all the mediocrity front-loaded in the first half of the show more book, you may be surprised where the story takes you. There are some great character moments, good twists, and compelling relationships in the latter half of this book. Dark Rise is mostly memorable because it has a lot more to say than most YA: in drawing on Tolkien, Rowling, and other fantasy of the kind in the way it does, it makes a critical commentary on those works that I've never seen presented in this format. The book also alludes strongly and interestingly to themes of queerness, race, and immigration, even without making issues like racism and homophobia explicitly central to the plot. In the end, I found the book to be fairly enjoyable and not at all generic--and though many parts of it were awkward or not to my taste, the ending of this book left me desperate for the next one. show less

Aug 17, 202222 other reviews

Nomomstayandread 1,714 reviews

Prince's Gambit (Captive Prince, #2) by C. S. Pacat

So I very much did not enjoy the first book but I bought the whole series on audio when it was on sale and I hate to waste money. But. Like, this book? Was fun as hell.

Laurent made Damen a deal where if Damen helps Laurent get what he wants, he'll cut off his slave markers and let him go. Laurent ends up treating him as a trusted advisor and helps to get his legion in shape before the big bad comes a knocking. Damen kept questioning himself because he could have run or turned Laurent in to show more the enemy a handful of times and didn't.

I feel like Laurent successfully Stockhom Syndromed both Damen and myself because I found I was rooting for the little monster by the end. Like kind of a lot? And with Damen and I couldn't see how that would have been possible after Book 1.

The narrator added so much to this. Damen is constantly snarky or hesitant to say things out loud and Stephen Bel Davies nailed it. show less

Apr 19, 202683 other reviews

tetiana.90 228 reviews

The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant: A Captive Prince Short Story (Captive Prince Short Stories Book 3) by C. S. Pacat

This was so delightful! Pacat is a master of extremely vivid background characters, and Charls is no exception, so to get a separate short-story about him is an amazing treat.

Charls is endearingly fussy, proper, and not interested in much of anything, except cloth, which also makes him a bit slow on the uptake and creates a plethora of hilarious situations. Also, hijinks! Nothing brings me more joy then Damen and Laurent in disguise getting up to shit – it’s wildly romantic and tells show more you a lot about their relationship.

I usually take a lot of notes and then incorporate them into my reviews, but I decided to just leave them as is. Below is mostly yelling and some favorite quotes, which can also be a bit spoilery, so I’ll just put it under the cut.

• Damen will need to do something about those holes in the knowledge of silk.
• I love Jazar and Dord, they seem like great guys.
• Every time Laurent’s love of horses is mentioned/demonstrated, I suddenly need HELP.

‘There are two Veretian cloth merchants named Charls,’ said the guard.
‘It’s a common name in Vere,’ said Young Charls.
‘More common with every day,’ said Lamen.

I am YELLING.

• Damen has a dimple. THIS IS NOT A DRILL HE HAS A DIMPLE.
• BAR BRAWL
• The throwing of olives goes to demonstrate just how much of a little shit Laurent is. Like, in general.
• The whole dead rabbits debacle had me in stitches!

A Prince’s hands are instruments of refinement. A Prince’s hands are not made to touch a dead rabbit.

And then:

Lamen and the Prince were together at the tree edge. The rabbits were on the ground, except for the one that Lamen was holding by the leg, gingerly. The Prince was wiping his eyes, laughing.

It’s such a delightful, lighthearted picture of them, my heart is melting.

‘Do you think they’re doing it?’

I would like to thank Alexon for asking important questions.

‘Seven hours,’ said Lamen, frowning slightly.

Damen has zero chill when it comes to romantic conquests.

• And, of course, the crowning glory, the quote of quotes:

‘Lamen,’ said Charls, in a shocked voice. ‘Why are you dressed up like the King?’

All in all, I loved every second of it. Will reread multiple times. Simply put: pure joy ❤ show less

Aug 9, 20209 other reviews

1

Eavans 324 reviews

Prince's Gambit (The Captive Prince Trilogy) by C. S. Pacat

Utterly SHOCKED at how much better this book is than the first one. The difference in quality between the two is honestly jaw-dropping. Reminded me of a simplified Game of Thrones plotline and I have fully bought in... Crazy how enjoyable this series can be when it's not using the most banal, porn-brained logic to look at oiled-up ephebes

½

Oct 27, 202483 other reviews

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