The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black Book Review

Title: The Cruel Prince
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 
Release Date: January 2, 2018
Pages: 370

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever. 

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven 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.

As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal 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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My Thoughts

When Jude was little, her parents were murdered, resulting in her sisters and her moving to the faerie world to be brought up. Ten years later, Jude lives among the fae, but the reminder of her being human is always there.

There's always something left to lose.

When chaos breaks out in the Courts, sides are taken quickly. The High King will soon crown his successor and his youngest son, Prince Cardan, could potentially take the crown because it doesn't automatically go to the oldest.

"Cardan and me. He ruins things. That's what he likes. To ruin things."

Both of them are stubborn and betrayals are everywhere. What are they willing to risk to ensure they get what they want?

His voice is replete with danger, lush with menace.

Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5) 

Oh my gosh, I love this book so much. The Fae world that the author created was so amazing and original. Everything about that world seems so good and I really want to see this series as an on-screen adaptation.

The chemistry and romance between Jude and Prince Cardan is so good. The best for enemies-to-lovers. I can't wait to see what they have to grow into.

Overall, The Cruel Prince was such a spectacular read. And yes, I spent my lunchtime reading it because I just couldn't put it down. I didn't expect anything and the cliffhanger killed me. I can't wait to start the second book!

About the Author

Holly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over thirty fantasy novels for kids and teens. She has been a finalist for an Eisner Award and the Lodestar Award, and the recipient of the Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula, and a Newbery Honor. Her books have been translated into 32 languages worldwide and adapted for film. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library.