Is “The Cruel Prince” Overrated?

A Complete and Honest Book Review

Hello, young writers and readers!

Today I am reviewing the popular YA fantasy novel The Cruel Prince, written by esteemed author Holly Black. I read this book recently because I’d heard lots of good things about it and honestly… was not disappointed. There were some slow parts and stuff I didn’t agree with, but all in all, it was a fabulous book. So, let’s dive into the different elements of this book that really made me enjoy it and will hopefully give you a little description to help you decide if you’d like to read The Cruel Prince or not.

For me, Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince was one of those books that sneaks up on you. It starts with a sense of intrigue, then sinks its claws in, pulling you deeper into the twisted, enchanting world of Elfhame. If you’re into faeries, court politics, morally complex characters, and a good bit of romance, then buckle up because this book will most likely be your next obsession.

Summary

The Cruel Prince is the first book in The Folk of the Air trilogy (which I didn’t even know the name of until I searched it on Goodreads). The story stars seventeen-year-old Jude Duarte, a mortal girl living in the High Court of Faerie in a fantastical world called Elfhame. When she was just seven, Jude’s parents were brutally murdered by a faerie named Madoc, who then takes Jude and her two sisters (one of whom is half-faerie) back to Elfhame to raise them as his own. Ten years later, and Jude is now a teenager trying to navigate the treacherous politics of the fae court, where she’s constantly reminded that she doesn’t belong.

The plot follows Jude’s struggle to gain power in a world that views mortals as weak and disposable (which could be seen as some sort of political symbolism, I guess…). To survive, she must learn to outwit and outmaneuver the faeries who delight in tormenting her, especially the cruel Prince Cardan, who seems to have it out for her more than anyone else. But as Jude soon discovers, nothing in the world of faeries is ever straightforward. Secrets, betrayal, and shifting alliances make for a dangerous game, and Jude has no choice but to play if she wants to protect herself and the people she cares about. (And that’s all I’m going to say for now because if I go any further, I’ll probably end up spoiling something…)

World-Building + Atmosphere

One of Holly Black’s greatest strengths in The Cruel Prince is her world-building. The world of Elfhame is a character in its own right: beautiful, dangerous, and full of dark enchantment. Holly Black’s faeries are not the glittering, gentle creatures like Tinker Bell or Gru, but are cunning, merciless, and driven by their own twisted sense of pleasure and honor. Holly Black’s elegant description of Elfhame’s beauty and brutality is absolutely fascinating and draws you in from the first chapter.

The court politics are also incredibly detailed, with various factions vying for power and influence. Jude is constantly deliberating who to trust and how to stay one step ahead of those who want to see her fail… or worse. The lush description of the setting, from the court’s glittering halls to the dangerous forests that surround them, made me feel like I was right there with Jude, immersed in the magic and chaos.

Iffy Content

I completely adored almost everything about The Cruel Prince, but some of the stuff in it will probably be considered “iffy” to others, so I’ll list that out. For one, the violence. Faeries in Holly Black’s world are, as expected from the title, very cruel, and there are some scenes of intense bullying, physical harm, emotional manipulation, and…*spoiler* murder. Jude faces a lot of cruelty at the hands of Cardan and his friends in the first part of the book, which can be pretty uncomfortable to read, especially since it can be observed as psychological abuse.

Another thing that I know most Christians will not like is the representation of LGBTQ+ characters. Like most popular YA novels, there were a few LGBTQ+ characters, which I personally didn’t have much of a problem with. But I know it can be a problem some people. So, to set a disclaimer, there is LGBTQ+ representation in The Cruel Prince, mainly Jude’s older sister Vivienne who is bisexual and has a girlfriend.

Other than the violent themes and LGBTQ+ representation, there really aren’t any other aspects of the book that could bother certain readers. Overall, it’s truly a phenomenal book with ultimately good themes and intentions.

The Romance

I guess this could be considered iffy for some people, but if you don’t like romance, why would you read this book in the first place? If you enjoy romance that is subtle and heartfelt, The Cruel Prince might not be for you. However, if you enjoy a good enemies to lovers theme with a side of deep psychological tension, you’re definitely in for a treat.

*A bit of a spoiler warning*

Jude and Cardan’s relationship is complicated, messy, and at times just downright toxic. For most of the book, Cardan goes out of his way to make Jude’s life miserable. He torments her, humiliates her, and seems to take pleasure in her pain. So the transition to romance is very, very slow. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there’s more to Cardan than meets the eye. He’s not just a sadistic bully; he’s a product of his own messed-up environment. And Jude, with her resilience and ambition, starts to intrigue him.

There’s a lot of tension between them, and their dynamic shifts from outright hatred to something more complex, as most enemies-to-lovers novels do. But don’t expect a full-blown love story in this book; this isn’t a romance novel. Their relationship is just beginning, and there’s still a lot of unresolved issues between them by the end. However, the slow burn and the undeniable chemistry make it one of the more interesting and certainly intriguing romances I’ve read in a YA fantasy.

Plot + Pacing

The plot of The Cruel Prince is full of suspense, mystery, and twists. Just when you think you’ve figured out where things are headed, Holly Black throws another curveball. The pacing is near perfect; there’s always something happening, whether it’s a deadly duel, a dangerous scheme, or an unexpected betrayal. While the book spends a good chunk of time setting up the complex politics and world of Faerie (which is a bit slow…), it’s nothing that will make you want to put down the book or skip ahead.

In my opinion, Holly Black does a great job with setting up these subplots and situations that domino-effect up the outstanding climax. The last few chapters— well, the last ten chapters honestly are a wild ride, and the ending sets up the sequel (The Wicked King) so perfectly. All in all, Holly Black is a great craftswoman and sets up every element in The Cruel Prince to keep you wanting to know what Jude’s going to do or what’s going to happen to her.

Character Development

Now, let’s talk about the characters. Jude is a fantastic protagonist. She’s not your typical “chosen one” or morally upright hero we see in a lot of YA fantasy. She’s ruthless, cunning, and willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants, but she also has flaws, which honestly make her seem more realistic than the typical female protagonists we see in YA fantasy. Jude knows she’s at a disadvantage as a mortal in Faerie, but she refuses to let that stop her, and watching her navigate the court and rise to power is incredibly satisfying.

Then there’s Cardan, who is equally fascinating, though in a very different way. He starts off as a pretty unlikeable character and a clear minor antagonist: arrogant, cruel, and spoiled. But as the story progresses, we begin to see glimpses of vulnerability and depth beneath his harsh exterior. By the end of the book, it’s clear that there’s much more to him than we first thought, and I can’t wait to see how his character continues to develop in the next books.

The supporting characters, like Jude’s sisters Taryn and Vivi or Cardan’s friends Valerian, Locke, and Nicasia, as well as the various faeries at court, do a good job of adding layers to the story. Madoc, in particular, is a standout character, a warrior torn between his love for Jude and his duty to Faerie. He’s a morally grey figure, much like Jude, and their complicated relationship deepens the story’s emotional weight.

Themes + Morals

Beyond the romance and court politics, The Cruel Prince explores some pretty deep themes, including power, which is a pretty major one. Who has power, who wants power, and what people are willing to do to get it. Jude’s desire for power is a driving force throughout the book, and we see how her ambition shapes her actions and relationships.

Identity is another major theme. Jude struggles with her place in Faerie as a mortal and constantly questions where she belongs. Her journey is about more than just survival; it’s about carving out her own place in a world that doesn’t want her.

The book also touches on the idea of loyalty and betrayal. Elfhame is chock-full of double-crossers and backstabbers, and Jude learns the hard way that trusting the wrong person can be deadly. But she also discovers that sometimes, the biggest betrayals come from those closest to you… (I hope that didn’t spoil anything.)

Is It Overrated?

There’s a reason The Cruel Prince has garnered so much attention and such a dedicated fanbase. Holly Black has created an incredibly immersive world filled with complex characters and high-stakes intrigue. The story keeps you guessing, the characters are mysterious and endlessly interesting, and the romance is entertainingly complicated. It’s a book that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page, and it’s one I find myself recommending over and over (and obsessing over nonstop).

So, overall, I’d say that Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince is not at all overrated. It deserves at the attention and love it’s received just because of how much of a fantastical masterpiece it is. If you like fantasy, light romance, suspense, and conspiracy, The Cruel Prince should definitely be on your TBR list as I presume it will lead up to become your next obsession.

If you end up reading it, please tag me in a note with some thoughts or leave a comment on this post! :)

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I hope you enjoyed this book review of the amazing fantasy novel The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. If you did, please give this post a like and subscribe to The YA Section if you haven’t already. Let me know if you’d like to read a review of Book Two in the Folk of the Air trilogy, titled The Wicked King; I’d love to review it and compare it to The Cruel Prince.

That’s all I have for now! Best of luck with your writing endeavors and I will see you in my next post!

Have a blessed day! :)