Of Princes and Patriots turned out to be quite different from what I expected going in.
The story starts with Chanchai as a young boy in Siam, but it slowly grows into something much bigger. His life takes him through Bangkok, England, royal circles, war and major changes in Thailand. I really liked seeing how his experiences shaped him over the years.
What stood out to me most was the mix of history and mystery. The historical parts are detailed, but there is always this strange unanswered question surrounding Chanchai and what happened to him as a child. That mystery kept me curious throughout the book.
I also enjoyed the human side of the story. Friendship, kindness, loyalty, family and belonging are all important parts of Chanchai's journey. Sometimes the relationships and emotional moments felt more important to me than the supernatural mystery itself.
This isn't a book I'd describe as nonstop action. It takes its time and feels more like following one person's life while watching a country change around him. Some sections were slower for me, but I think that slower pace also gives the story its character.
Overall, I enjoyed the combination of historical fiction, mystery and speculative elements. Chanchai is an unusual character, and by the end I was left with quite a few questions about where his story is going next.
Definitely an interesting start to the Chronicles of the Threlphax series, and I'm curious to see what comes next.