I can’t get over how freaking bloodily fantastic The Cruel Prince is!!
I was going to be chill about the whole thing bUT WELL THAT SHIP SAILED AND HERE I AM SO EXTRA IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK OF STABBY MARVELLOUSNESS. I WANT 9 MORE. AND I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT A YEAR FOR THE SEQUEL.
I’m already a huge fan of Holly Black and adore her original faerie series, Tithe, and also The Darkest Part of The Forest just STOLE my heart. The Coldest Girl In Coldtown was amazing (but I need to reread because I remember…yep? nothing) and The Curseworker trilogy was afjdkalsd.
Okay so you get it. I’m a mild fan.
The Cruel Prince will satisfy all your cravings for a dark, murderous faerie tale. This is about the monsters in the woods. It has enchantments and torture and massacres and conniving. And best of all, this book features cruel cleverness and wit. I absolutely love it. (My only complain, literally only is that I thought it’d be darker…hah…hahah…yes I can see you throwing salt at me and running away. Shh. I’m fine and normal.)
Anyway, onwards.
➸ First off, this is the ultimate Slytherin book.
It’s really complex and twisty with fey royalty plots and conniving courts and the intrigue and the backstabbing and twisted plotting. The fey are very awesome at getting around the “we can’t lie” thing. I have taken notes. Because obviously this is the kind of book you learn from. #NoPleaseDontRunawayFromMeImNiceSometimesImSure It’s CLEVER and complex and I crave that in a book and I got so so much of it.
➸ It’s set in faerieland itself, so you’re in for all the lush scenery and terrible danger.
I’M SO FREAKING HAPPY ABOUT THIS. It’s saturated in the rich luscious world. The descriptions were gorgeous and popped off the page. Everything was beautiful and pure deadly. Like: “hey welcome to my hOME where the fruit will kill you and there are death monsters in the pond and also if you piss off a gentry fey, you’ll die!” I am so so in love with this brutally nasty and yet luringly gorgeous world.
10/10 chances I will eventually be lured to faeries land and hopefully be like Jude and stab a lot of stuff and survive.
➸ There’s plenty of blood and stabbing.
We are not here to muddle about, my fiends. There is murder and it is chilling.
➸ I really loved Jude!
She’s such a complicated person, born fully human and being fostered by her parent’s murderer (who is also her human mum’s ex-husband…look the fey world is complicated). She’s been raised in the fey world where she’ll always be despised for her mortality. The bullying was done really well and actually rang bitterly of many people’s bullying experiences. I’m so impressed with this?! We have fey courts and magic — but BOOM — there is also a storyline about bullying, being an oddball and being vulnerable and just what that can drive you to do. Jude spends her life trying to fit in, changing herself, and eventually just saying “NO” and fighting back. She wasn’t overconfident or heartless, but she was badass and such a schemer.
➸ There’s a lot of emphasis on family!
It features Jude’s two sisters: Taryn (her twin, and also annoying tbh) and Vivi (her half sister, and half fey). Also Oak is the “sort of brother” and maybe 6 or 7? But HE’S SUCH A CUTE BRAT. Love Oak. Orianna was so interesting, though very cold. And Madoc was downright freaky terrible. He’s born for war, but also has kindness? But he’s BAD but also does good things?!?? Hello morally grey catastrophes.
➸ I do feel things about Prince Cardan…
He’s so cruel and makes Jude’s life miserable…which is 100% the recipe for me to hate him. I do NOT like the trope of “ooh I like you so I’ll be mean to you” story lines but, thankfully, it wasn’t like that! I loved the twists in their interactions, but this isn’t the kind of ship you’d expect. (Is it even a ship!?) The romance in this book is never what you’ll expect. And Cardan also has a thoroughly tragic side that…oh wow. I…ugh are these feelings? Make them stop.
➸ I really took my time reading.
Every page was gorgeous and satisfying and interesting. I can’t even with how detailed the world was and how smoothly the plot ran. I LOVED Jude’s narration and watching her change from someone struggling not to be walked over, to someone an acorn and a thumbprint away from manipulating the world.
➸ PLUS THE ENDING. HOLY YES.
I DECLARE FAVOURITE OF 2018 ALREADY.
If you haven’t read this one, GET THEE ONTO IT. It’s murderous and twisty and has complicated characters. Things get bloody and there are girls with swords and wicked monsters and crafty plots. Be entranced. It’s terrible beauty and everything I was hoping for.
THANK YOU TO ALLEN & UNWIN FOR THE REVIEW-COPY. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black was published January 2018.
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.
➸ similar titles to try…
\\ click to read reviews //
OKAY I SAW THE TITLE OF YOUR POST AND CLICKED SO FAST.
This book. Is. My. Favourite.
*flails for a hundred years and cries because when is the sequel coming out* THAT ENDING THOUGH. I love this book so much, ugh, and I think I shall die waiting for book two. xD Great review! 😀
IT’S MY FAVOURITE TOO, WHAT AM I EVEN GOING TO DO WITH MYSELF HAVING TO WAIT SOOOO LONG FOR THE NEXT ONE. *screams from the rooftops*
I am SO excited to read this book. Judging from what people are saying about, I’m going to absolutely LOVE it. It seems to include everything I love/want from a faerie novel. There’s nothing like a good Fae book. <3 I can see you've recommended LADY MIDNIGHT in the 'You should try' section, and honestly, the parts in LORD OF SHADOWS that were set in the faerie lands were my hands-down FAVORITE. Everything was just so magical and dangerous and beautiful!? I just…loved it. I could legit read a whole CC set in the faerie lands, haha.
YOU’RE GOIGN TO ADORE IT!! AND IF YOU DON’T, I’LL CHASE YOU WITH A FAERIE DAGGER!! (Just kidding ah hahahaha I’m really not that coordinated. 😂😂)(Also no pressure.😂) And zomg there was not enough faerie world in the Shadowhunter books so that’s a huge part of why I love this one so much?! It is actually IN faerieland and not something they just visit occasionally. Ahhh the world building!! AHHH!!!!
Yes, I totally agree about the bullying storyline! It was like… okay so these guys are ageless beings who can do magic but they’re also bitchy teenagers. Cool. They genuinely felt young, which meant there were two different levels of conflict in the book — the big political kingdom-shaping stuff and the smaller personal stuff — and it all felt just as important.
Also yes definitely reread Coldest Girl in Coldtown. I reread it in December and it was great.
I know right?!😂 I loved it for some reason. Those poor faerie princelings, so offended whenever Jules kicked them. Bless her. She is truly the greatest. (I still want to know more about Cardan though UGH I shouldn’t like him but yet.)
Definitely going to reread The Coldest Girl. Sometimes I think about that book and…nope. Blank.😂 And yet it’s 5stars so I really liked it apparently!??
First of all, i looooove your pictures!
Secondly, this book sounds awesome. I’ve read the first 2 curse workers books, and thought Holly Black was great. Somehow still haven’t gotten around to read the 3rd book, but now with this one out i should get my shit together, for real.
Third: after that quote i’m craving venison. Like really badly…
Nice review! 🙂
Aww thank you!! I love this book so much and it was SO easy to photograph afdjsakld sucH GORGEOUSNESS. And the Curseworker books are amazing right?! I love Cassel!
Aw man, now I’m even more excited about this one!! I’ve had the ARC just chilling on my bedside table waiting for me to pick it up (GODDAMN YOU, MONSTROUS TBR OF DOOM) and Holly Black is obvs a god of fantasy fae writing so EEEEE.
All good things here which is excellent to see. Also omg the quote about the food, excuse me whilst I go prepare myself a feast.
DUDE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING. GO READ IT NOW AND THEN COME CRY WITH ME THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR FOR THE SEQUEL. *screams softly* 😂 And honestly this book will make you hungry. I realise faerie food is “dangerous” but omg. I want it. *
* Reason #389 pls do not leave Cait unattended in faerieland.
Okay this book have been getting ALL THE HYPE lately and I can’t wait to read it! I’ve heard amazing things about Holly Black’s writing and I love fey every since the Iron Fey series…. and dark faes? they are my favorite. I really can’t wait to read this!
It deserves the hype, I promise!! 😂 And omg I still need to read the Iron Fey series too ahhhh.
I usually shy away from too much violence, but this is tempting…
There definitely is a lot of stabbing, I’ll admit!
*adds it to my tbr pile* *faints at the monstruos tbr pile*
I love fairies, I mean I LOVE FAIRIES, but I haven’t found many books that deserve 5/5 stars in my opinion. I FEEL SO LOST. But I’ll read this if it’s your 2018 favourite already, cuz I trust in your taste in books xD Besides, it sounds really cool. Fairies bullying humans? There’s a buch of food in it? Blood and stabbing? I… gotta read. Now. Why I don’t have it??
Thank you very much for this great review <3
Ooh so you’re a tough marker?!😂 I’m like moderately tough hahah. This was like an instant 5-stars after I’d just read a few chapters. FEY ARE AMAZING THOUGH. THEY’RE TERRIFYING AND BEAUTIFUL.
*flails and falls over* I’M READING THIS BOOK THIS WEEK. I actually saw it at the library over the weekend and knew there was a lot of hubbub about it and read the back and thought, meh, probably not. But then I read the first, like, 10 pages and was like, well, now maybe…
But now I’m so glad I thought to borrow it before someone else had the chance! xD Now I can learn all the lessons before someone else tries to take over the county first. I mean…
AHHH I’M SO HAPPY YOU’RE READING IT TOO. *flails about madly* It’s definitely gotten a lot of hype and it’s WORTH IT. (Also so glad you got first in line to borrow it!)
I JUST FINISHED READING IT AND OMG WHAT IS LIFE NOW? I took a whole afternoon off work because once I started, there was no way I was putting it down. NOW, WHERE ARE THE REST OF THE WORDS? WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO WAIT? *cries* Ugh, it was just so perfect, and everything in your review is spot on.
And now I’m so torn because I totally pictured Locke at first, all charming and suave, like Yoko Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho, with that sexy voice and everything, and now I’m conflicted because I like Yoko Kurama and not Locke anymore…
I TOTALLY HEAR YOU. IT’S THE BEST AND ALSO THAT ENDING WAS NOT OKAY. I NEED MORE IMMEDIATELY. *hyperventilates a little*
Agh Locke…I totally think he’s charming and suave and also evil.😂
I’ve had this on my tbr FOREVER (I’m thinking since it was announced?) but I still haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. But I’ve heard so many different people say they love it, and Holly Black does fae so well.
I’ve basically only seen one person dislike it and like 98593 people love it. 😂 SO! It’s worth it ahhhhh! And I think hyped books from established authors are more likely to not be disappointing, because you know their style a little more? Less misplaced expectations?
YES CAIT.
this book was amazing and that ending was SOOOO good.
it just sucks that we have to wait forever for the next one 🙁
like nooo, i need to know what happens to jude now
I KNOW RIGHT?! HOW DARE THEY MAKE US WAIT A YEAR FOR THE SEQUEL. I CANNOT EVEN.
I haven’t read any Holly Black books yet. (I am very ashamed.)
No shame here!! There are too many books we all need to read, amirite?!😂
I’m slowly starting to realize how book-shallow I truly am. Even though I usually leap at anything with the word “prince” or “princess” in the title, I admit, I’ve been so turned off by this book because I think the cover is SO boring (and maybe even a little bit ugly). That and I’ve never been a huge fan of fairies. Buuuuuut I keep hearing such great things about this novel, and despite my aversion to them I do still have a fairy book planned to be written, so maybe I should pick up a copy at some point. For research reasons.
NOOO IT’S AMAZING AND PERFECT, I SWEAR!😍I actually really like the cover, but I admit it’s not the most exciting cover I’ve ever seen haha. 😂
I skimmed through this because I’m reading it soon and I don’t want to be spoiled in anyway but I’m so glad you loved this one Cait, this seemed perfect for you!
Thanks for sharing,
~Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
I will be hanging out eagerly for your review!! AHHHHH.😍
You definitely reminded me that I need to finish the Curseworkers series, I really liked what I read from that one! I loved this one for the same reasons you did, it was super dark and I loved poor Jude trying to navigate her “family”. Cardan had me feeling all sorts of things! He was a super jerk and I refused to ship it, but then he started to grow on me, and I want to know SO MUCH MORE ABOUT HIM AND HIS TRAGIC PAST.
Now join us as we wait impatiently for The Wicked King!
I know right?! I don’t feel *right* about shipping Jude/Cardan even though he’s apparently in love with her…like, that whole “I like you so I’m mean to you” trope is NOT ON. But I don’t think the book romanticised it at all?! So I’m excited to see where it goes. I want them to like each other but they gotta shape up. 😍😍
tbh, this doesn’t sound like some thing I would like (😬) but it does sound like something my friend would (he likes stabby YA and stuff) so I’m going to rec it to him because he would love it
I’m glad it was still a useful review for you haha!!😂
Well clearly I need to read this ASAP. It sounds just like something I would ADORE: stabby things and dark faerie tales and YES PLEASE.
SO MUCH STAB STAB. IT’S MADE FOR WE DARKHEARTED FEY LOVING CREATURES.
YAAAAY!! Okay, I’m so glad you liked it because I’ve been on the fence about adding this to my TBR, but you’ve pushed me over! I AM SO EXCITED TO READ IT NOW!
Plus hayoooo dress with pockets. That’s all anyone ever wants ever.
OH. What a coincidence! It just showed up on my doorstep today!!!!
It’s like it was MEANT TO BE.
I know right?! The pockets just cemented the fact that Jude is awesome and the most relatable. She got so excited haha.😂
So glad you liked it! I just started and was expecting to be let down (the hype! the hype!) but it is already so good!
I know right?! SO much hype! Although I feel hype for established authors is generally a bit more trustworthy than hype for debuts. 😂 I’m horrible to say that though ahhaah.
OKAY SO I SAW THIS (and have seen 6789876 other reviews) and was like “Well, Cait, I’m going to have to order this” BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS BEEN SCREAMING ABOUT IT SO NOW I BETTER LIKE IT. So I ordered it!! AND AM EXCITED BECAUSE IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL AND DEVOUR-ABLE (?)
I’M SO GLAD YOU CAVED AND GOT IT. IT’S SO GOOD THOUGH. WE CAN LIKE FLAIL ETERNALLY TOGETHER OVER IT.😍😍
ooooh, sounds epic! 😀
IT IS!! I can’t flail enough!!
I just got this book today and I’m so excited to read it! I love all things Fae and dark, so this book sounds fantastic!!!
AHHHHHhhhhh I hope you love it!! 😍
YES to everything you’ve said. I read The Cruel Prince and I loved it so much. It’s so dark and luscious and compelling. And perfect for us Slytherins. Also, Cardan and Jude are so angsty and twisted and I SHIP IT. I had a hard time coming up with a coherent review for it, because my immediate thought was something like, “very cunning, such stab,” but I mean, what else do we need in a book??
My only complain is that we have to wait for the sequel. #RUDE
CARDAN AND JUDE AFJDKSALFD. I don’t even know what I think of them. They’re both so cunning and Cardan is secretly tRAGIC and Jude is secretly the most cunning Slytherin of all jafdskadl. Alice. Help me I’m so obsessed.
Also “very cunning, stab stab” is actually the only review we all need.
Absolutely stunning review, Cait! I have to mention how beautiful your graphics are too! Your review and graphics go hand in hand! 😮 I’ve only seen high praise for this new novel by Holly Black (alright, maybe 95% positive) and I’m glad to hear your fan of it! Dark, complex and clever. Key words to keep me excited! 😀
Aww thank you!! That’s like the absolute nicest thing to hear!! <3 Also this book is getting SO much hype (and I think it's well deserved haha) and I've only seen one person not like it too. Definitely worth reading. 😍
YAY! I’ve been waiting for a review from you for a bit! Personally, I’ve never read any of Holly Black. I’ve meant too, but I just can’t ever find the time to sit down and actually read it. So far, I’m either going to read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown or The Cruel Prince. Decisions. Decisions. So many books, and so little time.
Awww, waiting for a review?! THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY. <3 *sends you all the cake* And honestly any Holly Black book is a good place to start. 😍 I'm totally biased and adore all her works. But The Cruel Prince is probably my ultimate favourite…but very very close to The Darkest Part of the Forest (AHHH and the Curseworkers. Okay shh fine. I love all her stuff too much.)
So… I haven’t actually read any Holly Black books… *hides in my box of shame* (except the Spidewick Chronicles, she wrote some of that right?) But you describing this as a dark ferrytale and the perfect Slytherin novel just makes me want to pick this up now! Great review!
(Psst. So you’re a Slytherin?)
Elise I am SO Slytherin it’s actually hilarious.😂 Hence all the Slythery appreciation for this one. AND YES PLS READ IT AND LOVE IT AND FLAIL WITH ME. (No pressure.😂)
😂 I’m glad that we have now established that you are a Slytherin. *waves* Hi I’m just your resident Hufflepuff here *makes badger noises* Am I intimidating yet?
I’ll add it to my TBR (which let’s be real… means nothing) but hopefully I can pick it up soon and love it, then I’ll flail with you
Oh yes you are TERRIFYING.😂 I’d like to think my secondary is a Hufflepuff but my sister keeps denying it.😂
Whattt, tell your sister that she should stop denying her fabulous Hufflepuffness!
So I… sort of haven’t had much luck with Holly Black so far… But then again, everything I’ve read by her has been middle grade… So I sort of want to give this one a try, because it sounds amazing, and honestly I think I was just too old for her MG books, and will enjoy this one more. I hope.
I definitely prefer her YA to her MG books!! I liked Spiderwick but not the Iron Trials series so much?? Which is so weird because that’s by both my favourite authors.😂
EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD LOVES THIS BOOK????
i guess you sold me. looks like i will cave into the immense weight of peer pressure and read it.
YES THEY DO AND THEY HAVE GOOD REASON WHY HAVEN’T YOU READ IT YET. I’M GOING TO SIT ON YOU UNTIL YOU DO.
Oh I just read and reviewed this one too!
I really loved it, and was already a Holly Black fan, though must admit her novels haven’t touched my heart in quite this way since Tithe (which will always be an ultimate favourite for me).
I agree about Jude, she was the drawcard for me in this book, she is just such an excellent character, and her journey was amazing! I loved how much she changed and am so fascinated to see how far she is willing to go!
This was my book club book for this month! A great way to start the new year 🙂
Thanks for the review, I always enjoy reading your posts!!
Omg Jude is actually TERRIFYING and I love it. I also love how she’s not super confident, because it makes her really relatable. Like she’s badass despite her fear?! I WANT TO BE JUDE WHEN I GROW UP. (Except I think I would die in the fey world but whatever.)😂
So many great reviews for this book, so much doubt that I will love it. I really enjoyed Black’s previously written The Coldest Girl in Coldtown; however, that does not lessen the burden to like this. I am literally carrying huge amounts of chips on my shoulders just because I am scared I may not go with the hype. Anyway, Cait, you did a fantastic review; however, I love all your reviews so I cannot really justify why. I might try this book in the future once the faerie oceans calm down a bit so I cross the water to finish my journey.
WOW! That last sentence was weird. Really weird. Sorry for giving you nightmares about crossing some kind of body of water in faerie land. 😛
Being scared of the hype is such a real struggle!! I knew I’d love this because Holly Black’s writing is my favourite, but aHHH expectations!! (Lmao your comment was amazing.😂 I love it!)
Literally everything about your review makes me want to pick this up! I swear there has been a lot of hype about Cruel Prince but I want to ignore that and just go with my gut feeling of ‘I will like this’. Even if I am not the hugest fan of girls being called Jude. It’s my favourite boy’s name so it just feels weird? D:
As for faerie books – I do like them! And highly suggest Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier. It is also a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. It is ALL about family and love and faeries and dancing. I think you will like it, Cait! There is also a bit of darkness, so that will surely win you over, haha.
There is a lot of hype around this one BUT WORTH IT. I always feel safer with hype when it’s like an established author ahhahaha. That’s probably horrible to admit.😂 (Also omg my sister is like 90% sure she’s calling her new baby Jude!! So it’s so weird. He’s a boy Jude though I do like it for a girl after I’ll Give You The Sun too!)
Actually another friend keeps telling me to read Juliet Marillier so maybe this is the shove I need?!
OOOH FAERIES! My heart was thumping hard reading your review. You know my love for murder and a book that is bloody and filled with Courts and faeries DEFINITELY GOT AN ACCELERATION IN MY TBR PILE. If I can get my hands on this book, I will read it next. (amazing how a book can move past the other 1000+ books on the tbr hoho sorry but my love for blood, faeries and complex love pairings come first)
I first had this faerie addiction because of Sarah J. Maas. Her ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ series just made me crazy and it’s the kind of series you can’t easily get over with. Reading your review made me crave the twisty minds of High Kings and the magic of the Courts (and the sexiness of male faeries). Have you read this series? If not, stop staring off space and rush to a bookstore now.
I haven’t read a Holly Black book but you said she’s a good writer and has a love for torture and stuff so I am definitely going to get my hands on her books. If I do, I’ll let you know. 😉
HOORAY TO BLOOD AND MURDER! Wait. That sounded good. I officially have a new battle cry.
Have a good day reading, Cait 😊
-R
I see you have MOST EXCELLENT TASTE THEN. *cheers in the dark background* And omg yes totally shove this one to the front of the TBR line. TBRs are made to be annoyed at us after all and you wont’ regret this amazingness.😍
Lmao I have read ACOTAR and definitely will not be reading the rest.😂 I’m not a fan of SJM but I’m happy that you like her stuff!
This sounds so so good. The coldest girl was a little cold for me but I liked it still, and The Curseworkers is AMAZING (i’m trying to get my brother to read it). I don’t seem to read many faerie books these days, alas! But a book that is dark and edgy which I like is Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox. Bonus points for the author being a New Zealander!
The Curseworker books were so funny and epic and clever?!?😍 Ugh I love them so much. (YES! Convert your brother!!) I actually don’t think many people publish much faerie books these days either??
I actually haven’t read a ton of faerie books. But… I really enjoyed The Blue Girl by Charles de Lint.
Faerie books are like one of my really biggest passions. 😍 I aDORE them but barely ever read enough.
I see so many people in love with this book! I WANT THAT TOO! I’m scared to wander in faerie territory again and not like it, though. 😕 I read Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones, it was terribly awkward, but at the same time I loooved the faerie side of it. So, I don’t know? I’ll let some time go by, I think.
It’s soooo good though ahh!! But I haven’t read Wintersong yet (although I need to) so I can’t comment on if it was similar.😭
Omg just finished this one and it’s AMAZING!!!!! 😭😭😭😭 I binged the crap out of this one. SO GREAT!!
ISN’T IT JUST?!? I can’t even with how good it was.
CaiT why are you like thiiiis?!? I’m basically waiting in agony now for my hold to become available at my library. IT’S LIKE THE RAVEN CYCLE ALL OVER AGAIN. I saw your recommendation, got it, fell in live and spent the next 2 months drowned in Blue’s world and in Library holds. Hahaha that happened in This Savage Song too. Now this.. I cry. I read the first 5 chapters from my library’s online preview. Let’s just say that I’m not exactly looking forward to the wait for my book now (idk how long exactly but it might be anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months..hahaha…I’m not sobbing, YOU’RE sobbing) . Also like I read some reviews so I know that Cardan is like not the worst human ever despite his awfulness, but I think that I should hate but now I just can’tttt because I know that there’s a reason and that usually doesn’t excuse much for me BuT? I just can’t help but not hate him as much as I know I probably should So confused. But maybe I need to wait until I go past the fifth chapter xD. I’m also so glad to hear it’s light on the romance. I loved that so much in This Savage Song which thankfully had no romance. So nice (except idk what that make out thing was in Our Dark Duet???). Maybe I can survive by finally listening to act 2 of Hamilton (I don’t even like listening to music and yet I’m Hamiltrash what’s going on help).
Anyways thanks again for the recommendation that will undoubtedly make me sob even more when I finish it! This is why you’re the best!
Honestly I’m just here to ruin lives with epic book recommendations YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS BY NOW.😂 Fingers crossed the library spits it at you really really fast isntead of having to wait 900 years though agh. And omg don’t look at me about Cardan, I secretly like him even though I feel bad about it BECAUSE HE’S SLIGHTLY EVIL. Ahhh. Okay but I’ll say no more!! You’ll see. 😉
SOMEONE HELP. I ended up buying this book because I couldn’t wait for the library and it arrived on the first of February. I didn’t didn’t have much time during the week, but I finished by Sunday morning. AND WHAT ARE THESE FEELINGS I’M GETTING. I shouldn’t still be in shock considering its been 4 days since I finished. Yet I am. I checked out The Darkest Part of the Forest, and I’m seeing similarities and I’m freaking out (in a good way). I need to read every Holly Black book now.
ANYWAYS. THAT CLIFF HANGER WILL BE THE END OF ME. ALSO I REALLY ~WANT~ TO LOVE CARDAN BUT IT’S HARD. THAT FAERIE FRUIT INCIDENT MAKES IT SORTA DIFFICULT. But I do agree with you that this could have been darker, because I wouldn’t mind if it was.
Also I’m struggling to think of possible ways that Cardan and Jude could work out in the next book. Like maybe dancing at a revel? Except would they even dance because Cardan threw some serious salt in that last page. And I’m not sure Jude would even trust dancing with him, because if she thinks he hates her, I don’t think she’d risk being unable to stop dancing. (SPOILER— does the High King even dance?? Probably but I never saw the other one dance..)
Anyways, despite the fact that Cardan is slightly scary and I’m nervous to see his reign, I do think he was at least a bit endearing near the end. Like, a drunk, charming sort of endearing.
I love dark fey novels so I’m super excited about this. And all the hype it’s been getting only makes it more exciting, but also a hell of a lot more daunting.
Yesss the hype did not lie!! I feel like hype is a bit safer when it’s an established author?! (As mean as I am to say that.😂)
AAAAGGGGGHHH, we talked about a lot of the same things!!!!! I just posted my review https://goo.gl/uKBJu3 so I was looking for some thoughts since there are no comments yet. I enjoyed reading your PASSIONATE review. CARDAN – ugh, that name is SO BEAUTIFUL.
Btw, I looooove the style of your blog – all the formatting and other aesthetics.
P.S. WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL. WHY DO AUTHORS DO THIS TO US???
Aww thank you so much about my blog! It’s really nice to know you like it! And AGGGH CARDAN I’M SO CONFLICTED I LOVE AND HATE HIM. (Also can we just, like, have the sequel now thanks???)
Oh my, ANOTHER book and author to start collecting! Especially if there are treacherous High Courts of Faeriekin.
Your TBR and you are MOST WELCOME. 😂
It had me at the cover <3 My Slytherin heart is looking forward to it! I may already have added it because of THAT COVER, but I'll check.
Omg I totally agree right?! Just such a gorgeous (even though it’s simple!) cover. 😍😍
This is the third great review of the book I’ve read this week. Alright, that’s a surefire sign I gotta save up for it!
YES IT’S CALLING TO YOU!! It’s so so very worth it!
So glad you enjoyed The Cruel Prince! It’s definitely one of my most anticipated reads which I actually pre-ordered!(I rarely pre-order books which shows how desperate I was to get my hands on this one!) It arrived a couple of days ago and I cannot wait to start reading it!Holly Black is definitely one of the few authors whose books I buy without a second thought and I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up loving this!
SAME THOUGH. If the cover says “Holly Black” I have to have it immediately. 😂😂And she totally never disappoints!! It’s so great ahh!!
I haven’t read this book yet, but I have heard it draws you in within the first chapter or two. I will have to get it from the library (#poorcollegestudent) and devour it during spring break or a weekend!
Omg it draws you straight in for sURE! I loved ever page (I seriously didn’t want it to end haha) And hey libraries are so great for trying out books! I’m sure most libraries will get it in too, since Holly Black is pretty famous. 😀
YESSSS Cait I’m so glad you loved this book as well! How good was Jude and all the twists and complexity. I loved how everything panned out on the end too *whispers* cardann
IT WAS JUST SO AMAZING AFDSKADLF JEANN. WE DESERVE THIS FANTASTICNESS OF FAERIE DARKNESS. I so so want to see how Cardan and Jude end up, these two little dark-hearted Slytherins. 😍
I actually just got this book because I read this… HOLY MOLY! I never get books based on reviews!!! It was totally worth it though.. The Cruel Prince is the ABSOLUTE best faerieland book I’ve read… 😉
Ahhh so so glad you loved it too! EVERYTHING WAS BEYOND PERFECT. 😍😍 I’m pretty sure Holly Black is just queen of the faerie books by this point.
this is on my top TBR list!! I’ve heard so many good things about it
Ahhh I’m so glad to hear that!! I hope you love it!
Do you like the the book “Seven Black Diamonds” or any other Marissa Marr books? She writes a lot of books about dark faeries so I was just wondering :).
I have read it actually but unfortunately didn’t like that one. 😭😭
Do you like the book “Seven Black Diamonds” or any other book by Marissa Marr?
I personally didn’t like this book, I feel that the mixture of modern and faerieland will only serve to date this book. Jude is really bratty and whiny??? She’s always complaining about not fitting in because she’s human and she wants to be fae, once was fine, but multiple times becomes super repetitive and annoying.
Well I loved every moment of it lmao so agree to disagree 100% I guess. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I literally just finished reading lol it was SO AMAZING!! I think i have a hangover lol i literally cant wait for the wicked king i already preordered it but in the meanwhile, i been looking for other books similar to this one
do you have any recommendations? books with faes and faeries? bc im totally obsessed w them rn
(already read court of thorns and roses series; thats the only other book ik that also has faes and faeries)
You should definitely try Holly Black’s other books! So Tithe and The Darkest Part of the Forest. Also Lament and Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater. 😍