Tortured Love—a Review of "Pawn of the Cruel Princess"

I want to preface this review by saying I don’t normally read dark romance, so take everything I way with a grain of salt. Obviously, my opinion is biased, but considering this genre is a little out of my comfort zone, I debated whether I should review it at all.

In a nutshell, it’s so dark that I skimmed over certain scenes. So unless dark romance is your jam, make sure you read the trigger warnings and the blurb well. I didn’t.

What I Liked

Ruelle and Ducayne had such an intriguing relationship in this story. Ruelle, the second princess with a penchant for knives and torture, immediately stands out as a deeply damaged but complex character. She’s seen as a sadistic torturer by those around her, yet on the inside, there’s a vulnerable, innocent, and broken girl, starved for affection. I loved how the book gave us this contrast—Ruelle craves the attention she never got and is defined by the brutality she’s forced into by her father. It made her more than just a caricature of evil, and instead, someone who is tragically shaped by her circumstances.

Then, there’s Ducayne, who is everything Ruelle isn’t. Even though he’s forced into the role of Ruelle’s pleasure thrall—a term I still have mixed feelings about—he’s anything but submissive. His wit, strength, and experience in seduction made his interactions with Ruelle genuinely enjoyable. Their banter was fantastic, and watching Ducayne challenge Ruelle to see beyond the sadistic image she’s been burdened with was one of the strongest elements of the story. He doesn’t just play the role of her victim; he forces her to break the mold, pushing her to take control without relying on violence or fear.

The back-and-forth between them adds depth to their relationship, and the darker themes of pleasure and pain are explored in a way that’s daring, even if at times uncomfortable. Ducayne, who frequently finds himself at the sharp end of Ruelle’s knives, handled the tension with a mix of confidence and humor, which balanced out some of the more intense scenes.

What didn’t resonate with me

Despite the great dynamic between the leads, there were parts of the story that didn’t sit well with me. First off, the whole Pleasure Thrall concept was extremely disturbing. While I enjoy dark fantasy (this was too dark) and understand that some elements of this genre can be uncomfortable, the way the thralls were used and abused throughout the book felt too close to reality. There were moments where I had to pause and take a breather, especially when it came to the graphic descriptions of how the thralls were treated. 

The transition from enemies to lovers also felt rushed. One minute, Ducayne is Ruelle’s captive, and after a single sexual encounter, he seems to have completely fallen for her. It bordered on “insta-love,” which is a trope I typically don’t enjoy much (but I'm used to), and it felt like their connection could have been explored with more depth over time. While their physical chemistry was clear, the emotional bond seemed to appear out of nowhere. This also ties into the fact that the book is plot-heavy, which left less room for character development. Both Ruelle and Ducayne felt a bit one-dimensional at times, which made it harder to connect with them on a deeper level.

Themes and Tropes:

• Enemies-to-Lovers: The shift from captor and captive to lovers is central to the plot, though as I mentioned, it could have been more gradual. Still, the tension and chemistry between Ruelle and Ducayne kept me engaged.
• Dark Romance/Smut: This book dives deep into dark romance, and if that’s your thing, you’ll likely enjoy the mix of violence and sensuality. Pain and pleasure are almost indistinguishable at points, which might be unsettling for some readers, but it fits the tone of the story.
• Sadistic Pleasure: Ruelle’s relationship with pain, both in terms of inflicting it and experiencing it, is a major theme. The book doesn’t shy away from graphic depictions of violence, so it’s not for the faint-hearted.
• Murder Mystery: There’s a murder mystery plot interwoven with the romance, which added layers of intrigue but also ramped up the violence and bloodshed. At times, it felt like a bit much, but it did keep the stakes high.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Pawn of the Cruel princess is an intense ride. It’s a dark romance that delivers both in terms of plot and graphic content. The relationship between Ruelle and Ducayne, though not perfect in execution, was the highlight for me, and I found myself rooting for these two flawed characters to find their version of a happily-ever-after.

That said, the book is not without its issues. The rushed emotional connection, the extreme violence, and the disturbingly realistic depiction of slavery were all things that detracted from my overall enjoyment. But if you’re someone who enjoys a dark and twisted romance with plenty of smut and a fast-paced plot, this one’s worth picking up—just be prepared for some uncomfortable moments along the way.