This was a really enjoyable read. I liked the two points of view, one of Prince Ashoka who is desperate to be different from his father and siblings and stop the senseless killing of mayakari (witch like women who are mainly pacifists and can communicate with nature spirits). But he is the youngest child, seen as weak and silly by his Brutish older brother and ruthless older sister. The other POV is of Shakti, a mayakari herself, who wants revenge for the killing of her people, especially her Aunt.

The story itself has a lot of politics in it, which usually puts me off, especially in fantasy books. But in this case, it works. The author hasn't got too bogged down in the nitty gritty that can turn chapters into tedious discussions around a table. Instead, it's presented differently and requires no long talks. Which i loved. You get the story and the politics but none of the boredom.

The characters are great. Each with a different, strong personality and clear character development.

After finishing this, I'm excited to read the next in the series!

The Prince Without Sorrow was one of my most anticipated debuts of the year, and it certainly lived up to my expectations!

The one thing I will say is that I'm a bit confused why this book seems to be marketed as a romantasy, at least according to the Goodreads tags, as there really hasn't been much romance so far.
Instead, the book focuses a lot more on the plot, morals and politics, and I really loved the dynamics and character arcs.

A witch who seeks violence despite being raised in a pacifist witch society, and a prince born into a violent family who is a pacifist, it made for such an interesting combination while not feeling forced or tropey.
Speaking of tropes, there is one plot trope that I am not typically a fan of, but I loved how it was executed here. I can't say more, but I think it put such an interesting spin on it all.

The world is amazing as well, I always love Indian-inspired fantasies.

I think the main reason why this book resonated so much with me is because it unfortunately is quite reminiscent of the current political climate.
Power hungry rulers who are blinded by their own bigotry, not caring about the harm they cause on their quest for expansion and to push their agenda, and a resistance who just wants peace – let's just say it all sounds a bit familiar. I think the author did a fantastic job with the different parties of the ruling family, including a bloodthirsty princess and an emperor who maybe isn't the brightest, but makes up for that with his ambition.

Overall, I really loved this book and I'm very excited to see how things develop in the sequel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

Drawing on inspiration for ancient folklore this tales weaves together elements of romantic angst and political intrigue. Tense court politics will captivate readers while the unjust discrimination against witches will leave them fuming. An epic story of betrayal, ambition and vengeance.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐅𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐕𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐣𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚

LOVED THIS
the story navigates around two characters that might seem different but the way they see death is really similar.
He was thought from a really young age how he should use strength to make sure people would follow him but he has always been the prince with a soft sport for the people in the lower class and people not treat how they deserve.
He prefer knowledge and intelligent to make people follow him.

Shakti is the "enemies" of the empire according to the prince's father. She is what his father has been fighting all his life: a witch.
And his goal has been to kill all her spieces.
Once hi army murder her aunt Shaktii send a curse to the emperor and she goes against the Mayakari code of peace.

that is when Ashoka and Shaktii meet. He has always been trying to save the Mayakari and his father has always been trying to kill them all.
the prince believe that there is a way to cooperate with them.

it was such a well written book and to see how death was seen by eveycharacters. And how each one of them could manipulate somoeone idea just with their words and in some case actions.