Essentially, 'The Cruel Prince' was nothing like I expected and better than I could have dreamed. It is/was one of my most-anticipated 2018 releases and I do think it deserves the hype that currently surrounds it.
I do not often give books a full five stars, but I enjoyed 'The Cruel Prince' so much that it felt right. It is not a flawless book (no novel is, really) but it is highly enjoyable and gripping. It is a vicious novel and it surprised me with its dark political intrigue.
Upon starting 'The Cruel Prince', I was fascinatingly confused - I did not realise it would mix in contemporary but it lends a very interesting turn to the novel, and scenes set in the contemporary world are far and few between. I loved the whimsical and wild feel of Faerie, and the inclusion of other creatures such as phookas and nymphs and goblins and trolls.
However, the strongest point of this book is not the worldbuilding but the characterisation. Time and time again, I was surprised by the characters in this book - they have many, many layers and their actions at different points of the novel contradicted the impressions I had initially formed about each of them.
Jude is an incredibly satisfying heroine to follow – it is pleasing to see her taking agency and placing her fate in her own hands. Cardan is fascinating – for the entirety of the novel, I wondered whether he was a villain, a love interest, an accomplice, or a pawn. And the fact is, he’s everything. But somehow he also manages to be vulnerable, and funny, and on some occasions, somewhat likeable.
Honestly? I adored this book. I cannot wait for everyone to experience the magic that is The Cruel Prince when it comes out in early January! I urge everyone to pick it up, and in the meantime, I will be reading other Holly Black books.
I do not often give books a full five stars, but I enjoyed 'The Cruel Prince' so much that it felt right. It is not a flawless book (no novel is, really) but it is highly enjoyable and gripping. It is a vicious novel and it surprised me with its dark political intrigue.
Upon starting 'The Cruel Prince', I was fascinatingly confused - I did not realise it would mix in contemporary but it lends a very interesting turn to the novel, and scenes set in the contemporary world are far and few between. I loved the whimsical and wild feel of Faerie, and the inclusion of other creatures such as phookas and nymphs and goblins and trolls.
However, the strongest point of this book is not the worldbuilding but the characterisation. Time and time again, I was surprised by the characters in this book - they have many, many layers and their actions at different points of the novel contradicted the impressions I had initially formed about each of them.
Jude is an incredibly satisfying heroine to follow – it is pleasing to see her taking agency and placing her fate in her own hands. Cardan is fascinating – for the entirety of the novel, I wondered whether he was a villain, a love interest, an accomplice, or a pawn. And the fact is, he’s everything. But somehow he also manages to be vulnerable, and funny, and on some occasions, somewhat likeable.
Honestly? I adored this book. I cannot wait for everyone to experience the magic that is The Cruel Prince when it comes out in early January! I urge everyone to pick it up, and in the meantime, I will be reading other Holly Black books.