THE CRUEL PRINCE - Holly Black

“𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓.”

Goodreads rating - 4.04/5 
My rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

Genre - Fantasy, YA, Romance

It is a mesmerizing dive into the dangerous and enchanting world of Faerie, where beauty hides cruelty and power is everything. This young adult fantasy novel, the first in the "Folk of the Air" series, is both dark and captivating, grabbing your attention from the very beginning.

The story centers on Jude Duarte, a mortal girl whose life is shattered at seven years old when her parents are murdered and she and her two sisters are kidnapped to the High Court of Faerie. Growing up in a realm where humans are looked down upon, Jude's struggle to belong and gain power forms the heart of the book. Jude is a character you can't help but root for—she's driven, determined, and ready to do whatever it takes to succeed.

Holly Black does an incredible job of creating a rich, immersive world filled with intriguing characters and political intrigue. The faerie court is a place of stunning beauty and hidden dangers, where alliances are fragile and betrayal is always just around the corner. The relationships between the characters are complex, especially the one between Jude and Prince Cardan, the youngest and most wicked son of the High King. Their interactions are charged with tension, evolving in ways that keep you hooked.

Cardan starts off as the villain you love to hate, but as the story unfolds, he reveals surprising depths. His combination of cruelty and vulnerability makes him a fascinating character, and his evolving relationship with Jude adds a layer of complexity to the story. Their dynamic is a mix of animosity, grudging respect, and a touch of attraction that keeps you guessing.

Black's writing is beautiful and evocative, perfectly capturing the otherworldly feel of Faerie. The vivid descriptions and detailed world-building transport you to a place where danger is always present and nothing is as it seems. The plot moves quickly, with plenty of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Themes of power, ambition, and the search for identity are woven seamlessly into the story, adding depth and meaning.