The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: A Book Review
Genre: Fantasy
While slow to get into, Holly Black starts a thrilling story of two sisters coming into their own in a world that only seeks to destroy them in The Cruel Prince. In a quite masterful way, Black is able to make the two sisters extremely alike in their pursuit of what they want, but allows each to make their own decisions leading to vastly different outcomes.
The character development throughout the story is deep and fulfilling – although at the beginning a little gruff. I would have preferred to see more of a transition between the Prologue and the start of the story (I feel it would have been easier to get into and like/understand the characters more), but as it is works. It also helps make the characters more realistic since no one really goes around telling their backstory. The character development was done so well though that I could understand how Jude hated to love Madoc as I felt the same way.
The world building was also unique and well developed. I thought it was cool that given the right place, people in the faerie realm can actually see the mortal world making them separate, but both within reach. I also thought that the world seemed both realistic in their details as well as whimsical.
The only other problem I have with The Cruel Prince isn’t truly a problem at all. I don’t like how it ended. I want more – not that cliffhanger – not with Cardan mocking her – not with the promise of more to come whether cruel or pleasurable. Of course, that is why the cliffhanger technique exists – to spur readers into getting the next book as quickly as possible and finding out what happens next. It is definitely working.
Who would most enjoy the work and who should stay clear (if necessary):
Fans of the original fairy myths and legends would enjoy this story. If you think fairies are nice delicate little creatures like Tinkerbell or those in Sleeping Beauty, you are in for a harsh awakening.
Other books like the one reviewed:
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Burdugo
A Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff
Beneath the Keep by Erika Johansen
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Aesop’s Fables by Aesop
| Plot: | 10 / 10 |
| Characters: | 10 / 10 |
| Writing: | 9 / 10 |
| Editor: | 9 / 10 |
| Total | 38 / 40 |
Title: The Cruel Prince
Author: Holly Black
Edition: First Trade Paperback
Published: December 4, 2018
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
ISBN: 9780316310314
If you want to get it: Amazon; Barnes&Noble
Rosey Reviews 