I love a good prodigal son story and The Runaway Prince just had my heart. While this is book 3 in a series, you can definitely read it as a standalone. Each book focuses on another member of the royal family of Acuniel, and each novel so far has been another retelling. The Peasant Queen is a retelling of Esther, The Love of a Princess is a Ruth retelling, and now The Runaway Prince is the prodigal son. Here’s some more information on the book before we get into the review:
Crown Prince Roland of Acuniel has spent his life living behind the mask of the perfect prince. And it’s slowly killing him inside. At his wits end, Roland devises a daring plan to escape royal life and forge a new future on his own terms with his betrothed, Lady Elyse of Dallin, at his side. But when Elyse breaks his heart by refusing to go with him, Roland decides to flee alone, leaving Elyse, his family, and the throne far behind.
He trades his princely mask for a new one–that of the celebrated Sir Tristan, fighting in tournaments and stealing hearts all across the continent. He’s finally his own man and life could not be better. Yet why does he still feel empty inside?
When his new life unexpectedly collides with his past, everything Roland thought he wanted is turned upside down. Did he make a mistake in leaving Elyse and Acuniel behind? And if so, how can he ever return home and face the damage he has caused?
“The Runaway Prince” is a retelling of The Prodigal Son parable, and is book three in The Royals of Acuniel Series. While some characters connect, each book can be read as a standalone novel.
Overall Rating for The Runaway Prince
Rating: 5/5
Story (Action and Characters)
I feel like it is so hard to get a prodigal son story right. It can either come across as shallow, cliché, or just annoying. The author here did an amazing job getting the reader to really know and understand Roland, to the point where my heart hurt for him knowing that his innocuous decisions now would make him hit rock bottom later. Even as a retelling, I loved the elements of tension and suspense that had me guessing how everything would play out.
I also really enjoyed seeing an outside perspective through Elyse’s point of view. She could see things that Roland doesn’t, and it really gave a different perspective to the reader. Roland and Elyse’s interactions throughout the novel are great, and even Elyse had to deal with her own flaws and pride. It’s easy in this kind of retelling to make the prodigal son the worst character of the book, but the themes are clear: we are all sinners, and none of us are saved except by Jesus’s sacrifice.
Without spoilers (I mean, as much as you can avoid with a retelling), I really loved the ending. I was tearing up with Roland’s homecoming and surrender. It was such a beautiful reflection of God’s grace, forgiveness, and restoration.
Worldview
This novel, like the other books in the series, is told from a Christian worldview. The characters consistently pray to God for guidance, wisdom, and safety in difficult situations. I loved how Roland had to deal with how he had constructed his own identity for himself and found himself living behind a mask. In his surrender, he finds himself known in Christ and able to rebuild a future with God’s strength and grace. And while Roland was accepted when he came home, not all characters showed him grace. I’m sure that will be explored in future books, but as for Roland’s story, he takes it with humility, accepting that there’s consequences to his actions and praying that God can restore things in the future.
Content
While I would say there is an expectation of content warnings in a prodigal son retelling, I’ll also mention the content warnings for any interested readers:mentions of suicidal thoughts/actions (a character tries to take their life but hears God’s voice), drinking (to drunkenness and passing out), gambling, and relations outside of marriage (mentions of one side character who takes a woman to his room, mentions of the main character’s previous relationships, and one scene where someone tries to seduce the main character and they refuse).
Overall Thoughts
The Runaway Prince is another amazing addition to this series. If you haven’t checked out the first few books in this series, The Peasant Queen and The Love of a Princess, I highly recommend them. I can’t wait to read book 4, The Warrior Prince, which follows the story of Roland’s younger brother, Gareth.
If you’re looking for medieval retellings of stories (fairytales this time), I do recommend checking out the Cornerstone Series. It’s a multi-author series of adult fairytale retellings with strong themes of faith.
