The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

 

Title: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Rating: 4 stars

Review Writer: Ava P.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black follows Jude, a mortal girl living in the treacherous world of Faeries, where deception and power struggles define everyday life. When she and her sisters are brought to the realm of Faerie, Jude must navigate its dangerous politics and cruel inhabitants, including the charming but ruthless Prince Cardan. Determined to earn a place in the faerie court, Jude faces unimaginable challenges that test her loyalty, ambition, and strength. I liked the complex and detailed descriptions of the book’s settings - it really gives the reader a clear view of what the unusual world of Faerie looks like and helps the reader understand and almost see how magical the mysterious world is. Additionally, I really liked how Holly Black made Jude so empowering.  Jude is fearless, strong, and incredibly cunning which I really liked because it made the story more entertaining. One of the only things I disliked about the book was how sometimes the plot was a little hard to understand as it was so intricately written - at points, I was very confused about what was going on. In addition to that, not much information is given at the beginning which makes it even more confusing as readers almost have to figure out certain parts on their own. I would recommend this book to readers who like political fantasies and plot twists on every page with a very small romance subplot. Overall I rate this book 4/5 stars.

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

Book: The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Readers: Angelina C.

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black takes place eight years after the events of The Cruel Prince, following Suren and Oak’s quest across Elfhame and the Mortal Lands. Since the events of The Cruel Prince, Suren has been living alone in the woods, freeing mortals from unfriendly fairy bargains. That all changes when she is pursued by the storm hag, a woman serving her wicked mother, the ruler of the Ice Needle Citadel. Saved by Oak, she is unwillingly swept up in his quest, unsure of his ultimate goal. She has no choice but to help him, even if it means shielding her heart and journeying to the last place she wants to be: The Ice Needle Citadel. 

For me, this book was an exciting and long awaited return to Elfhame and the world of The Cruel Prince. Initially, I was unsure if I was going to enjoy this book due to it following a character I didn't think I would like. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Suren is an amazingly real character who draws sympathy from the readers from page one. As for the other characters, they are unique and fun to read about, but also feel like they could easily exist in the real world. The plot was interesting, not as interesting as The Cruel Prince series, but it was still very enjoyable and kept me wanting to read more. The end of this book left my jaw on the floor. Finally, the world was as twisted and beautiful as ever. I was excited to see new places in this world and it did not disappoint. This book is perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and those who want to read about morally gray fairies and a twisted, heart-pumping, fairytale.

The Cruel Prince

Book: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black 

Reviewer: Yasmin

Rating: 5 Stars

Jude is a human girl living in Fairy who desperately wants to fit in, despite being looked down upon by all those around her. Her daily life consists of avoiding her peers’ cruel trickery and mockery, and Jude’s temper doesn’t help her to lay low. Her mortal enemy, the youngest fairy prince, Cardan, never fails to remind her of that fact. However, as Jude’s desire to prove herself gets her more and more embroiled in the royal games of Fairy, she quickly finds herself in mortal danger, and her only chance of survival is her unlikely allyship with Cardan. 

This book is a fast-paced fantasy adventure like no other, with twists and turns along the way that you’ll never see coming. The trickery, deception, and betrayal had me at the edge of my seat and frantically trying to predict what would happen next. You’ll quickly get attached to the well-crafted characters and find yourself laughing along to their antics while they simultaneously fight for their lives, and plot twist after plot twist will keep you breathless in that fast-paced, unpredictable, exciting adventure. This book has the perfect blend of humor, romance, and suspense, topping it all off with a riveting cliffhanger that will have you reaching for the next book in no time. 

I highly recommend this book to fans of the fantasy genre in general, especially those who enjoy authors like Cassandra Clare, Victoria Aveyard, and more