Bentoboxcreature22 answers “Hey! I really want to read this book but I...”

Sara Inês asked this question about Captive Prince (Captive Prince, #1):

Hey! I really want to read this book but I have to ask first: Is this one of those books that "romanticize" rape and violence?

Bentoboxcreature22 So, I know you're probably not still looking for an answer to this question, but I thought I would answer just in case any other potential readers wou…moreSo, I know you're probably not still looking for an answer to this question, but I thought I would answer just in case any other potential readers would like to know :)

Short answer:
Yes to rape, no to non-sexual violence.

Long answer (minor spoilers):
Personally, I really enjoy this series because of the romance. However, it is a bit of a guilty pleasure read for me, as it does have really problematic content surrounding sexual assault, mainly in the first book. People who say there is no rape in the main relationship are incorrect. While Laurent never rapes Damen himself, in the first book he has others sexually assault Damen three times, and there is one instance in the first book that can be interpreted as Laurent assaulting Damen himself* (see the end of this comment if you want specifics).

As user ladron mentioned in a previous comment, one instance of assault is definitely romanticized, at the time and later in the series, when Damen and Laurent are having consensual sex and they refer to it as an arousing event. The characters never discuss the incidents as sexual assault.

It is worth noting that Laurent's actions should be taken in context of his own experiences and the society in which he lives, although these factors don't excuse his actions. In my opinion, their relationship gets a lot healthier over the course of the books. However, if the romanticization of sexual assault is a trigger or squick for you, you may want to avoid these books.

I wouldn't say that non-sexual violence is romanticized at any point.

*SPOILERS: Damen is forced by Laurent and others to participate in what is essentially a gladiator fight, but instead of trying to kill each other, each man is trying to overpower and rape his opponent. Damen is drugged, bathed, and anally penetrated with fingers against his consent before the "match," and during the match another man tries to rape him.

Later, Damen is chained down while Laurent has another man perform oral sex on Damen against his will. This incident is sexualized and romanticized by the main characters and the author in the first and second books.

There is also an instance where Damen is forced to bathe Laurent, which I consider to be sexual assault.(less)

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