Now I'm really interested in a meatier sequel, where Jensen has to become politically savvy very quickly because the nobles are starting to riot thanks to their preferred leader being so aptly disposed and the king not being prepared to rule after decades of inforced silence. I'm pretty certain that anyone who can't figure out some form of sign language or to write a note down (unless the curse covered any form of communication, which it didn't, or there's some sort of brain injury going on, which there wasn't) isn't really going to be capable of running a kingdom.
Plus something with the issues in finding an heir because the Queen had reasons to look down on someone from a far distant swamp who wouldn't know their culture or their ways. Jared has reason enough to want to learn, but why would the people accept a foreign ruler who happens to be related to the prince consort but shares no nationality with them?
And Jensen and Jared discovering that it's one thing to fall in immediate lust but swinging a relationship when the only thing you know about the other is that you have mutual sexual attraction is considerably difficult.
Preferably with some mutterings and discontent from the commoners and minor nobility who weren't in with the Queen at the fiat that no one can marry until Jensen does, because that really is a stupid thing to request.
With more about magic and wizards! About the dangers of curses! With towers and trolls and fairies and swans and all of the other fairy tale elements, because those shouldn't be forgotten even if the story did become grimmer and political.
I think you hit the nail on the head about why the story, while cute and fun, doesn't quite satisfy. It is framed as a love story and not as a fairy tale.
Re: J2_EA: The Prince, the Other Prince & the Pea [R] by ancastar
Now I'm really interested in a meatier sequel, where Jensen has to become politically savvy very quickly because the nobles are starting to riot thanks to their preferred leader being so aptly disposed and the king not being prepared to rule after decades of inforced silence. I'm pretty certain that anyone who can't figure out some form of sign language or to write a note down (unless the curse covered any form of communication, which it didn't, or there's some sort of brain injury going on, which there wasn't) isn't really going to be capable of running a kingdom.
Plus something with the issues in finding an heir because the Queen had reasons to look down on someone from a far distant swamp who wouldn't know their culture or their ways. Jared has reason enough to want to learn, but why would the people accept a foreign ruler who happens to be related to the prince consort but shares no nationality with them?
And Jensen and Jared discovering that it's one thing to fall in immediate lust but swinging a relationship when the only thing you know about the other is that you have mutual sexual attraction is considerably difficult.
Preferably with some mutterings and discontent from the commoners and minor nobility who weren't in with the Queen at the fiat that no one can marry until Jensen does, because that really is a stupid thing to request.
With more about magic and wizards! About the dangers of curses! With towers and trolls and fairies and swans and all of the other fairy tale elements, because those shouldn't be forgotten even if the story did become grimmer and political.
I think you hit the nail on the head about why the story, while cute and fun, doesn't quite satisfy. It is framed as a love story and not as a fairy tale.