The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

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Q&A:

Physical or Ebook?
Ebook

Have you ever read a book by this author before?
I read The Iron Trial, which was okay and I tried to read The Coldest Girl in Cold Town and couldn’t get into it.

Genre?
YA Fantasy

Star Rating?

Rereadable?
Maybe? There was a lot to this novel. I could see myself rereading it just to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

If it’s a series, would you continue reading it?
The next book is out January 2019. I will definitely be pre-ordering it.

Is this a part of a challenge?
Nope.

Who would you recommend this for?
Anyone who loves YA Fantasy with Fae. Or anyone who enjoys the politics of castle life in a fantasy novel.

Conclusion:

When I first started this book, I kind of thought it was going to be another hyped book that I didn’t like. I think I was just so bummed out by my experience reading To Kill A Kingdom that I was projecting. I’m glad I stuck it through and read it, though, because I really enjoyed it.

Jude was kind of strange at first and it was weird getting into her head, but once you really understood her, it was much much better. I think she’s a pretty damn good MC. She’s strong, feisty, knows how to fight for herself and will most likely never be the damsel in distress. I love main characters like that. She’s a tough cookie, that’s for sure.

The Cruel Prince is definitely an apt name for this novel because Cardan is an awful person. I’m hoping there will be more development for him in later books to show that maybe he has a soft spot, but probably not and I think that would work as well.

I didn’t expect the twists that came at the end of the novel and I’m certainly happy for that. I haven’t been overly impressed with Holly Black books in the past, but I think this is a series that will actually stick for me.

If you’re interested:
Goodreads
Amazon CA
Amazon

Until next time,