The novel, “The Cruel Prince” written by Holly Black is the first book of the Folk of the Air series. The Cruel Prince is about a mortal by the name of Jude. Her parents were killed when she was young and she was taken to the Faerie world by her step sister’s (Vivienne) legitimate father. Jude also has a twin sister named Taryn. All three of these siblings cried for their losses but soon came to love the Faerie world except Vivienne. But for Taryn and Jude, Madoc, their parents’ murderer became their foster father. Although he killed his ex-wife and her husband, he still treated Taryn and Jude like his own. He taught them how to fight as he was the High King’s general. But in a world of folk, as much as Jude wants to belong there, she can’t. This is because the fey hate mortals, they think that they are weak and they use their powers to their advantage; to control mortals, to make them look and feel and act like fools. Due to Madoc’s status, Jude is able to go to lessons (which is like going to school) with Prince Cardan (the High King’s youngest and most vicious son), Locke, Nicasia, and Valerian (Prince Cardan’s friends – Jude’s tormentors). But with her ambitions to gain a seat on the Court, she defies him, riles him up, and makes him angry as she is a mere mortal, nothing to lose. Though as she continues these palace schemes, Jude finds her own propensity for deception and bloodshed. But, betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in bloodshed, and Jude will be forced to put her life on the line in a perilous situation to make her seemingly impossible choice.
To be honest when I first started this book I was so bored, I didn’t understand the hype but you just have to get into it. As you read more, mid-way through the book that’s when things start to get interesting and after that you just can’t put this book down. This book contains an enemies-to-lovers element as well as fantasy, romance, a lot of goblins, fairies, mermaids – basically characters that come out of a fairytale story. I would recommend this book to ages 14 and up, most likely young adults.
Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer
CBPL Reviews 