“If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.” - Jude
This is the third time I’m reading a Faerie novel, the first being Aprilynne Pike’s Wings series which I totally adored and a Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely series. I also read about the Fey in Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series and was aware that there are two kinds of faerie stories: the cute ‘Tinkerbell’ kind and the dark kind. Cruel Prince is obviously the latter, and I AM JUST BLOWN AWAY BY THIS STORY!
The Cruel Prince is the first of three books in The Folk of The Air series. I heard many great things about Holly Black’s work and this is my first time reading her books. Safe to say, I am now a fan. I devoured the trilogy in a week and haven’t picked up anything in days because my heart was still in Elfhame. I had a serious case of book hangover that I am currently re-reading the whole thing!
“I am going to keep on defying you. I am going to shame you with my defiance. You remind me that I am a mere mortal and you are a prince of Faerie. Well, let me remind you that means you have much to lose and I have nothing. You may win in the end, you may ensorcell me and hurt me and humiliate me, but I will make sure you lose everything I can take from you on the way down. I promise you this is the least of what I can do.” - Jude
Cruel Prince follows the story of Jude Duarte, a mortal who was raised in Faerieland and her pursuit for power and acceptance among the folk. Usually changelings are the other way around, so it was refreshing to read about a human living among the Fey. What I love about this book more than its page-turner plot is the worldbuilding and characters. I felt like Holly really knew her characters from the beginning and gave us these solid personalities. And I’m not just talking about Jude and Prince Cardan, but the supporting characters, as well. Their dialogue, mannerisms, and just overall role play in the book was consistent and believable.
I love how Cardan is portrayed as the villain in Jude’s life while bigger enemies lurked in the background, setting up higher stakes and creating earth-shattering plot twists that you barely saw coming because you were so immersed in the world and what was happening in the plot presently. Elfhame is such an fun world to imagine and Holly’s writing style is irresistibly readable—somewhere in the middle of contemporary and whimsical, which is how I would describe the whole book.
“Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It’s disgusting, and I can’t stop.” - Cardan
The romantic element was subtle, which made it all the more maddening. We all know it’s going to be an enemies to lovers story and I was just dying to see how their relationship will unfold through the series. Let me tell you, ‘hating’ has never been this sexy.
Cruel Prince has all you want in a dark fantasy: magic, palace intrigue, a sexy faerie prince, and a fierce heroine. Buckle up! You’re in for a ride—one that will have you catching your breath as you turn the very last page. Highly recommended!!!
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Design and photo by: Kaye Allen
