81 | B- | 3.75 ★ | Good

Ah, I can't believe the first trilogy in the Perilous Courts saga has come to an end, with all three princes of the Silaise court happily in love.

While I was really looking forward to Audric's novel, it is, ultimately, my least favorite of the bunch. Mostly because I felt like the relationship between Audric and Corin was very much insta-love. The two have one secret night together before they know of the other's identities. Before everything becomes complicated. And instant-lust is something I'm on board with. But all the complicated feelings after, despite having rarely interacted? The devastation and quick transition into "love" territory? It just didn't feel earned. Don't get me wrong, they're adorable and sweet together, and they deserve their happily ever after, but I wish we got to see their relationship grow in a similar manner to that of the first two books rather than this whiplash of everlasting emotions.

That being said, I was really happy Audric got his happily ever after with a man of his choice. While love after marriage is a good trope, I think I would've always been sad if Audric, of all people, was the one to fall under it. Audric, who always sacrifices for his kingdom. Audric, who is the most obedient and somber. Audric, who always acts with the knowledge he is the heir and needs to be worthy of it. If Audric didn't have even this one little thing to himself, it would've been devastating.

Count your blessings because not only does Audric get his very own man, but he also breaks a few orders on the way, even if he does do it because he thinks (rightfully so) that he's in the right. I have loved Audric through his brothers' novels, and I love him still--the man is so attractively competent. Do you know how happy I was to see

that we were only at the 33% mark, and he was already piecing together the truth behind Geoffrey’s magic?

It wasn't dragged out through pages on pages of angst, nor was the smart character "dumbed" down in favor of a drawn-out conflict.

Audric is smart, steadfast, and sincere in every action.

Corin is a bit more of a complicated character for me. I like this sweet little fella, but I also feel like his growth--and there was definitely growth there--wasn't earned. Corin's self-image is in the gutter after years of neglect and scathing remarks. Every time we heard his inner voice, my heart clenched. But. As someone who has struggled with low self-esteem, it's not something that's easy to shake off. It takes years and constant effort, and you still find yourself sometimes crying into your pillow, lamenting how utterly useless and worthless and unlovable you are. So it didn't quite sit with me how... quickly and easily Corin was able to shake the majority of it due

to external factors such as his magic and the love of his man

. While it's always heartwarming to see a person come out of their shell and learn to love themselves, I would've liked to see a more internal and personal process of that.

Whereas I wasn't 100% on board with their romantic progression, I really enjoyed their sex life (lol). It was a pleasant surprise

for Audric to be the pain kink brother and an even better surprise to read all the vine plays. Finally, one of the brothers uses his tree magic for personal gain lol

Another element that I kind of struggle with is the villains. As always, that is--by far--the weakest plot element in the Perilous Court series. In this one,

we dispatched a trilogy-long villain, "Cyril" (and whatever his pseudonym was).

Yet, we still know pretty much nothing about this character - not their motivations, not who they are, not their background, nothing. They're a blank character, there to cause the external conflict in the novel but nothing more substantial.

I would also like to know a little bit more about

their powers and how they work together. For all the couples thus far, not only have they matched each other, but also their magic. Yet, we get very little into that. I would like to hear and see more about how their magic interacts.

 Plot - 17/20
Characters - 16/20
Relationships - 16/20
Writing - 15/20
Reading Experience - 17/20
Final score: 81 

 #MM Romance
 #Competancy Kink Unlocked
#Prince
#Fiance's Brother
#Insta Lust
#Insta Love-Ish