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Friday, March 2, 2018

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Author: Holly Black
Title: The Cruel Prince
Series: The Folk of the Air #1
Publication: January 2nd 2018
Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
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Synopsis
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 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.
Review 
This book is dark and twisted. It begins with murder of Jude's mother. Her ex-husband Madoc, takes Jude and her sisters back to Faerieland since he feels an obligation to take care of his now deceased wife's children. You would think Jude wants nothing to do with the Fae but she yearns to belong while her twin Taryn is content with her role in this world and Vivi longs for the human world they left. 


What I liked most about this book is the characters, Jude especially. She's clever, unpredictable and more than willing to play the game with Cardan and his minions, who single her out for their cruelty. It feels like because she could die from their antics thrills them even more and they like the power they have over humans. They are downright hateful creatures and her sister Taryn is a quite frankly one of my least favorite characters. Taryn doesn't like that Jude fights back, it's not like they do anything to her...it's always Jude. All she does is tell Jude how much worse she is making things worse by not ignoring them. Jude's  tenacious character and the things she does to fit in are a little crazy but she's a character that takes her fate into her own hands. 


Overall, I enjoyed this book. It started out a little slow but once the pace picked up it was easy to fall into the story. The plot is full of twists, backstabbing and violence. I liked seeing the world through Jude's eyes. The characters aren't one-dimensional and have so many levels that aside from the backstabbing, there are some unexpected kindness in this book. I wanted a little more romance but I'm okay with it building throughout the next few books, if it does happen. I think anyone that likes fairies with a darker tone would enjoy this book. 



40 comments:

  1. I need to read this! I have seen this so many times that I am experiencing a major case of FOMO!

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    1. Yes, it's been floating around but I've seen a lot of people like it.

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  2. I've heard good things about this one and I want to read it too. Great review.

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    1. Hope you get the chance to check it out soon

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  3. I need this book! I'm in love with this authors writing style and have heard such amazing things. Great review!

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    1. Me too. I like that it was dark and that the character held her own.

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  4. I've never read any of Holly Black's books. Looks good. Great review.

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    1. I've read one of her other books and the Spiderwick Chronicles. I like her writing.

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  5. You had me at twists, backstabbing and violence Cricket. Glad the characters were strong and developed.

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    1. Me too. I really liked Jude and Prince Cardan

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  6. I've heard a lot of good things about this one. Great review.

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  7. It keep seeing reviews for this book. It sounds awesome.

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    1. I'm looking forward to the next book to see what happens after that ending.

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  8. Gah I have this book on my book shelves right now, but I haven't pick it up to read yet. I will hopefully read it soon. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post and great review.

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    1. Thanks. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

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  9. wasn't this great? I loved the dark undertone. I didn't like Jude's twin sister, but I LOVED the story. Bah.. thought I wish I waited till book 2 to read it cause I now want it

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    1. I didn't like her sister at all. I have my reasons. Maybe she'll redeem herself in the next book.

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  10. Characters make or break a book. No matter how good the premise or the plot development, without good characters, and book dies an often slow and painful death. So I appreciate that this one has good characters.

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    1. I agree. If I can't like a character sometimes I just can't connect to what they are going through.

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  11. I really like your blog... This story looks good too.

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  12. I'm one-third into the book! And yes, I'm enjoying the book too. Great review!

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    1. That's great, I'm curious how you'll feel about the end.

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  13. oh my this book huh? :) First I hear dall great reviews, then not so good, because of the violence. I kinda like backstabbing and violence, :) What does that say about me??? LOL Great review! I want to read the book again You convinced me LOL

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    1. I think this would be one that I would re-read. It says that you can enjoy the path of the story. Lol, thanks.

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  14. Great review :) I have been looking forward to this book since I first saw it.

    Megan @ Ginger Mom & the Kindle Quest

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    1. Thanks, I haven't read many books by Black but this one caught my eye and I'm glad I read it.

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  15. Well, Tarryn does sound annoying, but you've got me convinced that I want Jude's story in faery land. :)

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    1. She was but I hope you enjoy Jude's perspective.

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  16. I adore Holly Black-- this book sounds right up my alley! I can't wait to check it out

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    1. I like her books as well. I hope you like this one.

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  17. I agree with your review, and I especially liked how you pointed out that the characters are complex and even amidts all the backstabbing and plotting there is kindness too (there is!). I think what I liked most was how plain it was that some good actions are done for the wrong motive, that wicked thing can come from someone you don't expect, etc. I'm also waiting on more romance :P Very interesting review, I enjoyed reading it!

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    1. Thank you. Everything they did had a purpose no matter how twisted it was at the time. I do look forward to more romance but I'm okay with it not being a main focus.

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  18. Fantasy books like this don't hold my interest but my daughter loves them.
    Dianna

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    1. Yeah, there are some genres that don't work for me but maybe your daughter will enjoy this one.

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  19. Awesome review. I can't wait for my copy to get here

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