The growth Tal goes through from hiding in the castle as the magical fourth royal child to someone who is strong, confident, and determined to save the ones he loves was amazing. While that does happen, the magic plays a HUGE part in this book and I really loved it.

I just thought it was a historical romance about a guy going on his coming of age tour falling for a guy who is hanging with pirates. THIS WAS SO CUTE!!!! Going into this book, I had no idea it was a fantasy romance. Overall a fun, sweet, and fluffy fantasy read! Mostly it was driven by the romance but I didn’t mind that. I think the plot was interesting but with it being based in the world politics, it suffered a little from the sparse world building. Pretty much all of the characters in here cared for and loved each other fiercely. Tal and Athlen were both such adorable characters and I loved watching their romance blossom, even if it did happen quickly. You kind of dive head first into the story and I found that a bit jarring so it took some time for me to find my footing. I think I may have enjoyed it more if that had been expanded upon. It took me a bit to get into because I felt the world building was lacking. Pirates aren’t even really a *huge* part of the story honestly. It’s a lot more than a prince/pirate love story, and I’ll leave at that because I think it might be spoilery if I elaborate. I was expecting a historical romance but the fantasy was a nice surprise. This was really sweet! It’s a gay high fantasy romance story. Tal must escape if he hopes to save his family and the kingdom. But before they can pursue anything further, Tal is kidnapped by pirates and held ransom in a plot to reveal his rumored powers and instigate a war. That is, until Tal runs into Athlen days later on dry land, very much alive, and as charming-and secretive-as ever.

So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal feels responsible and heartbroken, knowing Athlen could not have survived in the open ocean. Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is surprised to feel an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. His first taste of adventure comes just two days into the journey, when their crew discovers a mysterious prisoner on a burning derelict vessel. After spending most of his life cloistered behind palace walls as he learns to keep his forbidden magic secret, he can finally see his family’s kingdom for the first time. Prince Tal has long awaited his coming-of-age tour.

A young prince must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour in this swoony adventure that is The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Pirates of the Caribbean.

In deeper waters by ft lukens