The Cruel Prince by Holly Black is probably one of the best fae books I’ve ever read. After getting through ACOTAR and 75% through ACOMAF, I was looking for other fae writers. Though I found plenty of Indie authors, I had heard of Holly Black but never read her books. After much procrastinating, I bought the first book in the Folk of the Air trilogy. Well, about halfway through, I bought the second book. After I was halfway through the second one, I bought the third. I lost sleep over these books. My god, she can write fae very well. Sorry Sarah J Maas fans, but Holly is better at writing fairies. Holly’s fairies are vicious and sexy and much more what I think the fae would be if they are real (they could be real folks, we don’t know what lurks out there). As much as Jude, the main character, is abused by Prince Cardan and his crew, I still wanted to see Jude make out with Cardan. Why are the bad boy fae guys so fucking hot and you just don’t care what they do to you?
It is generally accepted that the second book, The Wicked King is the best one of the trilogy. I admit, it’s fantastic. I love how much The Cruel Prince sets things up, but yes, The Wicked King is better. But this review is about The Cruel Prince. Not only does Holly create these very immersive worlds for the fae to live in, but she has created memorable personalities for them too. Though Sarah’s Rhysand is THE fairy heartthrob, Prince Cardan is better placed as a man of power and authority. It’s his subtlety that makes him more dangerous. It’s his friends who are outright malicious little devils. Cardan is slick in his cat and mouse with Jude. Their chemistry is perfectly fitted for human -fae. Neither trusts each other, but the attraction is there. Neither one understands the attraction. Another bonus. I hate when characters are just drunk on lust and can’t help being horny around the love interest. Jude and Cardan don’t want to be “interested” in each other. Sometimes, the unknown romance is better than the known romance.
The politics in this book is off the charts. Jesus, these fairies are just whacking each other left and right. No wonder Cardan wants to stay out of it and hides when his family is being slaughtered. But I liked it. Holly, if nothing else, shocks you with stuff like that. Beginning to end, you are left wanting more. Holly is an amazing writer. The worlds she creates you want to get lost in. I’d not recommend hooking up with one of her fairies, unless you are willing to become a monster of sorts to survive it.
Leave a Reply