The Negatives

The Cruel Prince is a little dark but even as a person who doesn’t typically enjoy stories of that kind, I really liked this book. Besides, the Cruel Prince has proved that Jude is more than capable of handling darkness. (She’s got her own share of it.) If you are looking for some fluffy clouds, this is probably not the story you are searching for.

If you find the beginning a bit slow, I urge you to keep reading because things are about to get real. Talk about the floor literally falling out from underneath you, this story is a wild ride.

THE Positives

I guess I’ll start this review with Jude Durante, who is my new hero. She was strong, tough, and such an inspiration. There were so many moments when I kept waiting for her to accept her defeat or get discouraged but she never missed a beat. I would feel myself giving up, only for Jude to come up with some plan I never even considered.

So good.

I was worried that Jude would fall into some of the typical YA heroine stereotypes, but the characters Holly Black has created have so much more depth than that. Jude is not your typical hero, here to save the day. Jude is busy saving herself. I felt that every character in the book was well developed and had a clear personality and motivations. I even found myself liking our Cruel Prince who had such personality.

I must also take a moment to fan-girl over Black’s writing style which is not only action packed and full of movement but also a beauty to read.

I found myself totally caught up in this journey, unable to put the book down. I actually bought The Cruel Prince to take with me on vacation and I finished most of it before we had even left. The plot line is never predictable and the pacing is gripping.

The LAST WORD

A dynamic tale of magic and power that makes you wonder what exactly it means to be human. This book makes for a wonderful introduction into the world of faeries, even for those who are not typically a fan of the genre.

What are you still doing here? Go read this book!