The Executioner Prince by Luden Gray surprised me with its addictive pacing, tortured characters, dark romance, and gruesome revenge, even if its magical worldbuilding needed more depth.
Well, this certainly wasn’t on my reading bingo card.
When I joined the street team for The Executioner Prince by Luden Gray, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting myself into. Looking at the cover and reading the synopsis, I genuinely didn’t think this book would be my cup of tea. Dark romantasy isn’t usually something I gravitate toward, and I was already preparing myself for the possibility that I wouldn’t particularly enjoy it.
But I had committed to the street team, so I was going to give the book a fair chance. And thank goodness I did because I absolutely loved it.
This is exactly why I enjoy occasionally being pushed outside my reading comfort zone. Sometimes the books you least expect to enjoy end up becoming some of the most memorable reading experiences, and The Executioner Prince was definitely one of those surprises.
Stepping Outside My Fantasy Comfort Zone
I’m primarily an epic fantasy and science fiction reader. I enjoy romance in my fantasy, but I don’t necessarily need the romance to be the central focus of the story. Give me compelling characters, strong worldbuilding, an engaging plot, and a romance that develops naturally alongside everything else, and I’m happy.
That’s not to say I dislike romantasy. I just tend to prefer fantasy with romance rather than stories where the romantic relationship is the primary driving force. If romance is going to play a significant role, I want it to be done well.
So when I realized The Executioner Prince was a dark romantasy, I was hesitant. It’s not a subgenre I typically seek out, and I certainly wouldn’t have expected myself to fall in love with this particular story.
But that’s exactly what happened.
The characterization, pacing, and relationship dynamics completely won me over. Even the darker elements, which I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy, ended up being some of the most compelling aspects of the novel.
Harrow and Thorne Are Beautifully Toxic
Let’s talk about Harrow and Thorne because these two absolutely stole the show.
Their relationship immediately reminded me of Lestat and Louis from Interview with the Vampire. They’re complicated, emotionally intense, and undeniably toxic for one another, but I was completely invested in their dynamic.
There’s something fascinating about two characters who are so drawn to each other while simultaneously bringing out some of their worst qualities. Their relationship isn’t simple, healthy, or particularly easy to navigate, but that’s part of what makes it so compelling within the context of this dark fantasy.
What I especially appreciated was that Harrow and Thorne were interesting characters independently of their romance. Their relationship certainly adds another layer to the story, but neither character exists solely to serve the other’s development.
They have their own histories, motivations, emotional struggles, and identities. That individual depth makes their relationship considerably more engaging because you’re watching two fully realized characters collide rather than simply following a romance between two attractive men.
And I was absolutely here for it.
Harrow: A Knight with a Deadly Secret
Harrow was a fascinating protagonist because he essentially lives a double life.
On one hand, he’s a knight. On the other, he’s known as the Serpent of Netherhelm, a deadly figure who targets nobles who abuse their power. His mission is deeply personal, rooted in his desire to avenge his mother’s death and punish those who have exploited their positions of authority.
And when I say Harrow punishes people, I mean he really punishes them.
There’s a particularly gruesome scene involving three royals that genuinely caught me off guard. Harrow dismembers them and creates a horrifying display with their remains, making it abundantly clear that this is not a character who believes in showing mercy to people he considers deserving of punishment.
It was brutal, disturbing, and undeniably dark.
But here’s the thing: Harrow’s violence isn’t random. He kills with intent, and his actions are driven by a very specific understanding of justice. That doesn’t necessarily make him morally right, but it does make him a compelling character to follow.
I love morally gray characters, especially when their actions force readers to question where justice ends and vengeance begins. Harrow fits beautifully into that category.
Serpentine Magic and a Fascinating Backstory
One of the most interesting aspects of Harrow’s characterization is his connection to serpentine magic.
Having been raised by magical snakes, Harrow possesses abilities that reflect that unusual upbringing. His magic is deeply tied to serpents, and even his physical characteristics reflect that connection, including his forked tongue.
I loved those details because they made his magic feel like an extension of his identity rather than simply another supernatural ability.
His connection to snakes also gives his role as the Serpent of Netherhelm additional significance. It’s not merely an intimidating title; it’s an essential part of who he is and how he interacts with the world.
I thought the author did a particularly good job exploring Harrow’s abilities and providing enough context for readers to understand how his magic functions. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say quite the same thing about every aspect of the magical system.
Thorne Deserved More Page Time
As much as I enjoyed Harrow, I really wanted more of Thorne.
I love tortured, brooding characters, and Thorne is exactly that. He’s emotionally complicated, burdened by his circumstances, and constantly navigating the expectations placed upon him.
He’s the kind of character whose internal struggles are just as interesting as his external conflicts, which is why I was disappointed that we didn’t spend more time inside his head.
Most of the novel is told through Harrow’s perspective, with only a small number of chapters allowing us to experience events from Thorne’s point of view. While I enjoyed Harrow’s narration and the backstory woven throughout the novel, I think the story would have benefited from giving Thorne more opportunities to tell his side.
There’s so much happening beneath his brooding exterior, and I wanted to understand more of his thoughts, motivations, and emotional conflicts.
Especially when it came to Harrow.
Their relationship was already incredibly compelling, but I think additional chapters from Thorne’s perspective could have made their dynamic even richer.
Familiars, Ravens, and Dark Fantasy Atmosphere
Another detail I enjoyed was the inclusion of magical familiars.
Both Harrow and Thorne have blackbird familiars, adding another layer to the novel’s witchy, gothic atmosphere. I particularly liked Harrow’s familiar, Crawley, and the way these magical companions contribute to the overall aesthetic of the story.
Between the serpentine magic, familiars, morally gray characters, and gruesome acts of vengeance, The Executioner Prince creates a wonderfully dark atmosphere.
And considering that I wasn’t initially convinced this type of fantasy would appeal to me, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the darker elements.
The violence is certainly intense, but it feels consistent with the world and the characters inhabiting it. This isn’t a story about noble heroes making morally uncomplicated decisions, and I appreciated that the author embraced that darkness rather than trying to soften it.
The Magic System Needed More Development
My biggest criticism of The Executioner Prince comes down to the worldbuilding, particularly the mythology surrounding the Titans and the magical abilities connected to them.
While I could generally follow what was happening, I didn’t always feel grounded in the rules governing magic within this world.
Harrow’s serpentine abilities were relatively easy to understand because the novel spends considerable time exploring his history and his connection to magical snakes. His magic has a clear relationship with his identity, making it easier to understand how and why his abilities function.
Thorne’s magic, however, was less clearly defined for me.
Much of the royal magic appears connected to the Titans and the mythology surrounding them, but I didn’t feel that those connections were explored thoroughly enough. I understood the general concept, but I wanted more information about the Titans themselves, their significance, and how their influence shaped the magical system.
I don’t need every fantasy novel to explain every magical rule immediately. In fact, I enjoy discovering how a world functions as the story progresses. But I do need enough information to understand the foundations of the system, particularly when magic plays such an important role in the characters’ identities and abilities.
That additional context would have made the world feel more immersive and helped me better understand the differences between Harrow’s magic and Thorne’s.
Excellent Pacing Kept Me Hooked
One thing I absolutely loved was the pacing.
From beginning to end, The Executioner Prince kept me invested in what was happening. The story moves confidently between character development, relationship tension, violent confrontations, and revelations about the characters’ histories without losing its momentum.
I never felt like the novel was dragging or that the author was spending too much time on unnecessary scenes. Even the backstory woven throughout Harrow’s perspective felt purposeful because it helped establish his motivations and explain how he became the person we meet in the present.
The pacing also allows the relationship between Harrow and Thorne to develop alongside the larger plot rather than bringing everything to a halt whenever the romance takes center stage.
That’s something I particularly appreciated as a reader who generally prefers fantasy with romance rather than romance that happens to take place in a fantasy setting.
The story maintained my interest because there was always something happening beyond the relationship, even when that relationship remained one of the most compelling elements of the novel.
That Ending Has Me Demanding Book Two
And then we have the ending.
Excuse me, Luden Gray. What exactly do you expect me to do with that?
After spending an entire novel becoming invested in Harrow and Thorne’s complicated relationship, we’re left with circumstances that force them apart because of royal obligations.
They’re not necessarily broken up, but they’re separated, and I am not okay with that.
I need my boys back together.
In fact, I was so invested that I actually reached out to the author to ask whether there would be a second book. Thankfully, she confirmed that she was already working on the sequel.
Good, because I need answers.
I need more Harrow and Thorne, more of their wonderfully complicated relationship, and hopefully a deeper exploration of the magic and mythology surrounding this world.
I also wouldn’t complain about getting significantly more chapters from Thorne’s perspective.
Just saying.
Just saying.
Why I Love Being Surprised by Books
One of the things this reading experience reminded me of is how valuable it can be to step outside your usual reading preferences.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to the genres and authors you already love. Reading should be enjoyable, and life is too short to force yourself through books that genuinely aren’t working for you.
But sometimes, taking a chance on something unfamiliar leads to an incredible surprise.
I went into The Executioner Prince expecting it might not be for me, and instead I discovered a story I thoroughly enjoyed and an author whose future work I’m now genuinely interested in reading.
That’s one of the reasons I appreciate opportunities like street teams. They occasionally introduce me to books I probably wouldn’t have selected for myself, and sometimes those books end up becoming unexpected favorites.
This was definitely one of those times.
Final Thoughts
The Executioner Prince by Luden Gray completely exceeded my expectations.
I went into this dark romantasy convinced it probably wouldn’t be my cup of tea, only to find myself completely invested in its morally gray characters, brutal revenge, complicated romance, and addictive storytelling.
Harrow and Thorne were fantastic characters, both individually and together. Their beautifully toxic relationship reminded me of Lestat and Louis from Interview with the Vampire, and I loved the emotional intensity and tension between them.
Harrow’s dual identity as a knight and the Serpent of Netherhelm made him especially compelling, while Thorne’s tortured, brooding personality left me wanting considerably more time inside his perspective.
My biggest issue was the worldbuilding. I wanted a stronger foundation for the magical system, particularly the mythology surrounding the Titans and the way their influence connects to the royal bloodlines. A little more explanation would have made the world feel even richer.
But beyond that, I genuinely loved this book.
The pacing was excellent, the characterization was strong, and the relationship dynamics kept me hooked from beginning to end. Even the darker, more gruesome elements worked for me, which was something I absolutely didn’t expect going into the story.
And now that I know a sequel is in the works, I’m eagerly waiting to see what happens next.
I need my boys reunited, preferably sooner rather than later.
The Executioner Prince was a fantastic reminder that sometimes the best reading experiences come from books you never expected to love.
Highly recommended.
