This book honestly took me by surprise.
When I started reading Of Princes and Patriots, I wasn't really sure where the story was going. It begins with Chanchai as a young boy in Siam, and at first his life feels heartbreaking. He is alone, struggling to survive, and doesn't even seem to understand why so many strange things happen around him.
But as I kept reading, I became more interested in Chanchai himself. His relationship with Prisana really stood out to me. There are some genuinely emotional moments between them, especially because Chanchai is trying to understand friendship, family and where he actually belongs.
Then comes his education, his relationship with Teacher Patterson, and eventually his journey to England. I liked seeing how much Chanchai changes through these experiences. He starts as a confused child and slowly becomes someone who wants to learn, understand the world and make something of himself.
One thing I wasn't expecting was how much history and culture are included. The story moves through Siam and later England, and there are a lot of details about education, society, language and different cultures. At times I felt like I was learning about the world along with Chanchai.
And then there is the mysterious side of the story... 👀
There are things about Chanchai that don't have simple explanations, and that was probably what kept me turning the pages. I kept wondering what was actually happening and what his future would look like.
I wouldn't call this a super-fast read. The story takes its time, but I think that's part of what makes Chanchai's journey feel believable.
Overall, this was a really interesting mix of history, mystery, friendship, personal growth and a little bit of the unexplained.
Definitely a book that made me curious about what happens next.Â