Tami

4,5 stars.For me this reads like a blend of [b:Beauty's Punishment|18750|Beauty's Punishment (Sleeping Beauty, #2)|A.N. Roquelaure|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347048117s/18750.jpg|1020574]/[b:Beauty's Release|25190|Beauty's Release (Sleeping Beauty, #3)|A.N. Roquelaure|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347048222s/25190.jpg|1020573] and [b:A Game of Thrones|13496|A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)|George R.R. Martin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1359134576s/13496.jpg|1466917]. This volume introduces the Prince Damen who is through treachery sold into slavery in an enemy country, where he is supposed to serve the crown prince Laurent (another memento as this is also the name of one of the "captive princes" in the Beauty-series). The story ends when after some intrigues and manipulations and assassination attempts on Laurent, the crown prince is forced to leave for the border to Damen's home country.It is not a romance novel, not even a kiss happens between the main characters, but there is a lot of sexual tension and some not so subtle hints as to why Laurent is so "frigid". I love how clear the characters shine only through their dialogue and action - showing, not telling at its best.I found this extremely well written and an interesting, if not totally original, setting.