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Marionette, Poppet, Prince #1
Marionette
Laurent had come to Marlas a bright and innocent youth caught up in his brother's excitement, in the romance of battle and the righteousness of their cause. He left the battlefield alone, a stranger to himself, ready to be reshaped into a creature of someone else's design. Time and trauma cut him farther from himself, from the ability to do anything but play the losing game he found himself caught up in.
This is an attempt to examine the first novel from Laurent's POV.
This is an attempt to examine the first novel from Laurent's POV.
- GenresFan Fiction
300 pages, ebook
Published March 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 9, 2026
All the stars for this. Captive Prince from Laurent's perspective.
This might turn into a bit of a long story. And it all stems from my obsession with Pacat’s *Captive Prince*. That obsession only began this year, even though I first read *CaPri* over a decade ago. It all started in a completely new way with the wonderful voice of narrator Stephen Bel Davis, who literally brought Laurent and Damen to life.
Ten years ago, I read a German translation that was abysmal. Right from the opening pages, Pacat describes the slaves' gold collars (slaves, which served as gifts). These collars were adorned with rubies and tanzanites; in the German translation, however, this detail was reduced to mere "red and blue stones." The spark simply didn't catch—it couldn't. I didn't understand the appeal this series held for so many people. It wasn't until this year, reading the original, that I was able to truly experience everything the story has to offer.
And there is so much to it when you consider all the details. I’ve started collecting editions from other countries. The French one is particularly beautiful (hardcover with sprayed edges and stunning illustrations), as are the Polish edition (also hardcover with illustrations) and the Japanese one. Just to show how deeply immersed I’ve become.
I am so glad now I stumbled upon this incredibly interesting and profound fanfiction. I’m generally not a huge fan of fanfic, but over the years I’ve found a few wonderful ones that rank among my all-time favorites (e.g., Eve Ocotilli – *The Violet & the Tom*).
KaerWrites’ fanfic captures the tone of the original trilogy perfectly. *Marionette, Poppet, Prince* is the *Captive Prince* trilogy told from Laurent’s perspective, and it is truly eye-opening. When devouring the original series, you can miss certain details on a first read—at least, that was my experience as I flew through the pages. I was aware that the Regent had abused Laurent when he was a boy, but the full extent of it only really hit home for me through this fanfic. The psychological depth is riveting. I should mention that, as a medical professional, I studied psychology during my training; what Kaer has achieved here is so authentic that it gave me goosebumps. And yes, I admit it: seeing the sex scenes between Damen and Laurent from Laurent’s point of view holds a very special appeal. That small detail—how he couldn't climax the first time Damen pleasured him orally—was... wow... soooo perfect. To be inside his head at that moment. To understand everything. Everything. To read it word for word. To read what was happening at Marla. When reading the originals, you have it in the back of your mind, but not as clearly. Not word for word. Not in such painful detail. Kaer did a truly magnificent job. I’m so, so glad about that.
This FF is produced with extreme care. The depth is incredible. Writing this series from a different POV could be the subject of a master's thesis. It is an absolute success. You shouldn't miss out on it if you’ve read the original series more than once. And the covers are breathtakingly beautiful. A wonderful collaboration. I cannot thank the author enough for taking on this project. It is absolutely brilliant. A fantastic addition that will stand alongside the originals on my shelf. Thank you, dear author!!! For this. A kingdom for this.
This might turn into a bit of a long story. And it all stems from my obsession with Pacat’s *Captive Prince*. That obsession only began this year, even though I first read *CaPri* over a decade ago. It all started in a completely new way with the wonderful voice of narrator Stephen Bel Davis, who literally brought Laurent and Damen to life.
Ten years ago, I read a German translation that was abysmal. Right from the opening pages, Pacat describes the slaves' gold collars (slaves, which served as gifts). These collars were adorned with rubies and tanzanites; in the German translation, however, this detail was reduced to mere "red and blue stones." The spark simply didn't catch—it couldn't. I didn't understand the appeal this series held for so many people. It wasn't until this year, reading the original, that I was able to truly experience everything the story has to offer.
And there is so much to it when you consider all the details. I’ve started collecting editions from other countries. The French one is particularly beautiful (hardcover with sprayed edges and stunning illustrations), as are the Polish edition (also hardcover with illustrations) and the Japanese one. Just to show how deeply immersed I’ve become.
I am so glad now I stumbled upon this incredibly interesting and profound fanfiction. I’m generally not a huge fan of fanfic, but over the years I’ve found a few wonderful ones that rank among my all-time favorites (e.g., Eve Ocotilli – *The Violet & the Tom*).
KaerWrites’ fanfic captures the tone of the original trilogy perfectly. *Marionette, Poppet, Prince* is the *Captive Prince* trilogy told from Laurent’s perspective, and it is truly eye-opening. When devouring the original series, you can miss certain details on a first read—at least, that was my experience as I flew through the pages. I was aware that the Regent had abused Laurent when he was a boy, but the full extent of it only really hit home for me through this fanfic. The psychological depth is riveting. I should mention that, as a medical professional, I studied psychology during my training; what Kaer has achieved here is so authentic that it gave me goosebumps. And yes, I admit it: seeing the sex scenes between Damen and Laurent from Laurent’s point of view holds a very special appeal. That small detail—how he couldn't climax the first time Damen pleasured him orally—was... wow... soooo perfect. To be inside his head at that moment. To understand everything. Everything. To read it word for word. To read what was happening at Marla. When reading the originals, you have it in the back of your mind, but not as clearly. Not word for word. Not in such painful detail. Kaer did a truly magnificent job. I’m so, so glad about that.
This FF is produced with extreme care. The depth is incredible. Writing this series from a different POV could be the subject of a master's thesis. It is an absolute success. You shouldn't miss out on it if you’ve read the original series more than once. And the covers are breathtakingly beautiful. A wonderful collaboration. I cannot thank the author enough for taking on this project. It is absolutely brilliant. A fantastic addition that will stand alongside the originals on my shelf. Thank you, dear author!!! For this. A kingdom for this.
July 31, 2025
It’s not just a fan fiction. I genuinely feel like this book could have been completely canon, because the re-telling is so good. The captive prince trilogy genuinely is the best book I have ever read, and because nothing will ever get close, I tried to read this book, to see everything from Laurent’s POV. It was super accurate and a perfect re-telling to see it from the other POV, and not Damen’s. The writing style was almost exactly the same and the characters were perfectly analyzed. I don’t know if I agreed with everything that was written down about Laurent, but I understand the analyzation here. It was good and entertaining. Obviously not the real deal, because nobody could copy C.S.Pacat perfectly. But it was the most accurate pov I have read so far. Can’t wait to read the next two books aswell. I will never get over this trilogy goddammit.
EDIT: oh and I gave 4 stars, bc it was good, but obviously less good than the OG trilogy :)
EDIT: oh and I gave 4 stars, bc it was good, but obviously less good than the OG trilogy :)
June 9, 2025
When nothing scratches the itch that Captive Prince left behind, the only solution is more Captive Prince (from another POV).
August 17, 2025
BREF
je voulais son pdv…
bon laurent est BEAUCOUP TROP into it et pas assez froid imo mais cv c cool
je voulais son pdv…
bon laurent est BEAUCOUP TROP into it et pas assez froid imo mais cv c cool
March 6, 2026
My life had changed since realizing I can put fanfic in my goodreads lol
April 28, 2026
Laurent, my shayla 🥹😭
Read
April 7, 2025This was devastating. I have a deep appreciation for character analyses.
April 19, 2025
very very very accurate! and really well written too, even tho i’m reading scenes that i’ve read before doesn’t feel repetitive
November 20, 2024
Cette fanfic est juste INCROYABLE ! La plume est tellement similaire à celle de C.S. Pacat, qu’on croirait la sienne ✨
J’ai adoré découvrir le point de vue de Laurent qui apporte une toute autre perspective à l’histoire originelle et permet aussi de mieux comprendre certains détails de l’intrigue.
Pour les français, sachez que je l’ai traduite sur Ao3 ainsi que les 2 tomes suivants. Mon profil est AkaJuliet, vous pouvez la retrouver sous le même nom à savoir « Marionette » 🫶🏻
J’ai adoré découvrir le point de vue de Laurent qui apporte une toute autre perspective à l’histoire originelle et permet aussi de mieux comprendre certains détails de l’intrigue.
Pour les français, sachez que je l’ai traduite sur Ao3 ainsi que les 2 tomes suivants. Mon profil est AkaJuliet, vous pouvez la retrouver sous le même nom à savoir « Marionette » 🫶🏻
Want to Read
February 23, 2026I need advice! I haven’t read this yet but I am rereading The Captive Prince trilogy and just came across KaerWrites. Does anyone have advice on wether I should
1. tandem read
2. Read Pacat’s full trilogy then KaerWrites full Trilogy
Or
3. Read Captive Prince, then Marionette, then Prince’s Gambit, then Poppit and so on
Any advice is greatly appreciated💛
1. tandem read
2. Read Pacat’s full trilogy then KaerWrites full Trilogy
Or
3. Read Captive Prince, then Marionette, then Prince’s Gambit, then Poppit and so on
Any advice is greatly appreciated💛
May 26, 2025
2,5 for effort and the cover art
July 10, 2026
This was a fucking masterpiece, holy shit.
Like fit into every head canon I've ever had and somehow made them BETTER.
Like fit into every head canon I've ever had and somehow made them BETTER.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews