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Kaysee Hood (83 KP) rated The Cruel Prince in Books

Jul 12, 2018  
The Cruel Prince
The Cruel Prince
Holly Black | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.4 (36 Ratings)
Book Rating
Folklore (2 more)
Character Building/Development
Plot Twist
Fae-ly sure this might end badly
Though Holly Black has written quite a bit this is the first book I've read by her and I was impressed by her style, characters, and story she's come up with. She's blended her own tale with folklore about Faeries where she's able to have a simple yet wonderful atmosphere telling Jude's story.

I'm guilty of reading reviews sometimes before the book so I was worried about the declarations of TCP being similar or a copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses, but after finishing the book myself I can say though I understand where someone may feel this way TCP is more based on folklore than ACOTAR series is. Once I was roughly 100 pages in I was wrapped into the story because it was based more on lore rather than taking pieces from it (not that I do not love ACOTAR, but lore and myths will forever hold a special place in my heart). It felt like it gave Black more to work with because the charms do work, the rules are heavily applied, and Mortals HAVE to be more cautious. It felt Jude had more at risk if she failed for herself because of what she wasn't.




I'm loving how more YA books are making these strong female roles with teenage girls and young women overcoming their own doubts, pushing through their fears to make things happen, and learning to trust themselves more than anyone else. Jude is very much becoming one of these characters throughout TCP and you're able to see the development from the beginning to end, which I suspect will occur more in The Wicked King as she attempts to work out the rest of her plan. Not only is Jude a good role model in this sense, it is also great writing skill to be able to show the progress of a character. Even other characters get a bit of development or at the very least you're able to come to an understanding as to why they are acting as they do rather than questioning it. Everyone who meant something for TCP were fleshed out and helped push the plot along.

Speaking of plot I was amazed by it. Even though I had sort of guessed what would happen and who the key players were in the end I had it a bit wrong, which was okay because I personally love surprises and twists. It was nice for a moment to believe something was happening with what information was given then at the very last second it was altered.

I cannot wait for more from this series. TWK seems too far away even though it's less than six months now. It appears Jude is getting more than what she bit off. I want to find out if she can make these promises, what her plan has cost her, and if she can convince the prince-the king- to do what needs to be done until the final phase can be played out. I want to know more of what happens to her sisters and brother. I want to know if Madoc will be an issue in this. There is a lot I'm wondering really.