Book Description
Imagine being a human girl in a world of faeries and magical creatures…
Seven-year-old Jude and her two sisters were forcefully whisked away to Elfhame from the mortal world after the murder of her two parents. Aside from her twin Taryn being the only human growing up in the High Court can be more than tough, especially with the wicked young Prince Caden and his friends constantly reminding her that she doesn’t belong in their world.
As tensions rise amid political bloodshed and treachery in court, Jude must find a way to carve out a place for herself and protect her family, even if it means betraying those around her.
Review
I wish I had read this book sooner! I had seen the series pop up over the years, either in bookstores or online and I was always interested but I never got around to reading it until now. I was scrolling through books on my Kindle to see if there was anything good on Kindle Unlimited and I’m so glad I did because the ENTIRE The Folk of Air series was available with just a single click of a button. I took it as a sign and started the first book and since then I haven’t stopped.
I love how descriptive the setting is, the environment and its inhabitants are described as beautiful yet terrifying. Each sentence conjured up vivid images that my imagination could easily grasp and expand. Holly Black created a vibrant and complex magical world filled with supernatural creatures from fairies to goblins and giant toads that act as vehicles. It’s safe to say that the author’s detailed worldbuilding completely captivated me from the start. There wasn’t any distance between me and the story, it felt like I was right there in Elfhame alongside Jude, watching every scene play out before me.
Jude is a female main character I had not expected. It’s been a while since I resonated with a badass female character and Jude was THAT girl for me. From her clever and wilful personality to her take-no-prisoners attitude, she’s certainly not one to be taken lightly. Her fierce grit and hunger for power despite being at the bottom of the food chain were inspiring to read and had me eagerly anticipating her next move.
The complex dynamic between Prince Cardan and Jude was entirely on brand with the enemies-to-lovers trope. Their hatred for each other fuels the narrative by acting as the driving force for many of Jude’s unpredictable and sudden actions. Their competitive hatred for each other is no doubt the beating heart of the story, containing surprising twists and turns that will constantly keep you on your toes. My feelings about Cardan kept fluctuating to a point where it became maddening, but isn’t that the tell-tale sign of a great enemies-to-lovers main character? You’ll love to hate him and hate to love him.
Final Thoughts
The Cruel Prince most definitely lived up to its hype. Each character was unique and ambitious and had their own hidden agendas and secret alliances that were impossible to predict. It’s a thrilling yet deadly game with dangerous plays that had me reeling with excitement.
Put this on your TBR (to-be-read) list if you enjoy YA fantasy with a kick-ass female lead, faeries, political intrigue, and a hint of romance. You won’t be able to put these novels down, I promise!
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