Yun's Reviews > The Cruel Prince
The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)
by
Wow, what a start to the trilogy! I'm not sure what I expected going into The Cruel Prince, but it certainly wasn't this much fun or this much nastiness.
Jude was only seven years old when her parents were brutally murdered in front of her eyes. The man who killed them took her and her sisters to the High Court of Faerie, to be brought up as one of them. Yet, in the ten years since, Jude has never felt like she belonged. As a mortal, she is always less than in the eyes of the Faeries. In particular, she makes an enemy of the cruel Prince Cardan. When treachery comes to the High Court, Jude must figure out what she's really capable of in order to grab the power she so desires.
Right off the bat, it's clear that every character in here is somewhat morally corrupt, including our heroine Jude. To survive and thrive, they must continually scheme and do bad things. While I don't normally gravitate towards this sort of story, it works here because everyone's motivations make sense. I feel an emotional connection with each character, so I'm able to cheer them on, even as their actions become crazier and more questionable. It sure makes for an entertaining read, one I can't look away from.
The writing is truly top-notch, with a sharpness that keeps me on my toes. I particularly enjoyed the dialogue, which is so witty and scathing that it feels like every line is worth savoring and rereading. The worldbuilding is easy and effortless, drawing the reader seamless into this universe. It proceeds bit by bit, so there's never any confusion or info dumping. And the way every tidbit eventually fits together is satisfying to the extreme.
There's so much packed into this one story: politics, family drama, revenge, power, and murder. There's even a bit of romantic intrigue disguised as mutual hate, which is quite delicious. Everything builds up slowly, increasing in tension until we reach a turning point about halfway through. After that, the gloves are off, and we are treated to one surprise after another. I never knew what the next chapter would bring, so I was turning the pages as fast as I could.
When I think of a fantasy story I want to sink my teeth into, I'm looking for a few things: sharp writing, well-plotted story, compelling characters, and seamless worldbuilding. And if there's a dash of romance, I certainly wouldn't object. Well, this book has them all, and I'm in awe over how flawlessly everything came together. I can't wait for more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
#2. The Wicked King
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
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Yun's review
bookshelves: favorites, favorite-series
Feb 17, 2022
bookshelves: favorites, favorite-series
Read 2 times. Last read February 13, 2022 to February 16, 2022.
I do not yearn to be their equal. In my heart, I yearn to best them.
Wow, what a start to the trilogy! I'm not sure what I expected going into The Cruel Prince, but it certainly wasn't this much fun or this much nastiness.
Jude was only seven years old when her parents were brutally murdered in front of her eyes. The man who killed them took her and her sisters to the High Court of Faerie, to be brought up as one of them. Yet, in the ten years since, Jude has never felt like she belonged. As a mortal, she is always less than in the eyes of the Faeries. In particular, she makes an enemy of the cruel Prince Cardan. When treachery comes to the High Court, Jude must figure out what she's really capable of in order to grab the power she so desires.
Right off the bat, it's clear that every character in here is somewhat morally corrupt, including our heroine Jude. To survive and thrive, they must continually scheme and do bad things. While I don't normally gravitate towards this sort of story, it works here because everyone's motivations make sense. I feel an emotional connection with each character, so I'm able to cheer them on, even as their actions become crazier and more questionable. It sure makes for an entertaining read, one I can't look away from.
The writing is truly top-notch, with a sharpness that keeps me on my toes. I particularly enjoyed the dialogue, which is so witty and scathing that it feels like every line is worth savoring and rereading. The worldbuilding is easy and effortless, drawing the reader seamless into this universe. It proceeds bit by bit, so there's never any confusion or info dumping. And the way every tidbit eventually fits together is satisfying to the extreme.
There's so much packed into this one story: politics, family drama, revenge, power, and murder. There's even a bit of romantic intrigue disguised as mutual hate, which is quite delicious. Everything builds up slowly, increasing in tension until we reach a turning point about halfway through. After that, the gloves are off, and we are treated to one surprise after another. I never knew what the next chapter would bring, so I was turning the pages as fast as I could.
When I think of a fantasy story I want to sink my teeth into, I'm looking for a few things: sharp writing, well-plotted story, compelling characters, and seamless worldbuilding. And if there's a dash of romance, I certainly wouldn't object. Well, this book has them all, and I'm in awe over how flawlessly everything came together. I can't wait for more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
#2. The Wicked King
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
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Reading Progress
November 23, 2019
–
Started Reading
November 23, 2019
– Shelved
November 24, 2019
–
Finished Reading
February 13, 2022
–
Started Reading
February 16, 2022
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 202 (202 new)
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Peter
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Nov 25, 2019 11:23AM
![Peter](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1516912354p1/63168028.jpg)
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![Mary Beth](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1479858526p1/14233569.jpg)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thank you, Mary Beth! I don't read much fantasy either, but lately, the ones I have read have been so excellent that I wonder why I don't read more haha. :)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thank you, Lindsay! Me too, especially because I waited so long to read this! :)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thank you, Paige! I'm so impatient, I hate having to wait a year to find out what happens next. Also my memory is terrible, so I can't remember enough of what happened in the previous books. So my only choice is to wait until a series is all out before I start haha. :)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thank you, Julie, me too! 💟
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thank you, Meredith! I'm super glad too, especially because I waited like two years to read this. It would be doubly disappointing if I waited all that time for something crappy. :)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thank you, Holly! I'm glad we both enjoyed this one! Yay, two more for you to look forward to! :)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thank you, Richard! :)
![C. (Comment, never msg).](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1720305231p1/10501026.jpg)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thank you, Carolyn! I try to read a variety of genres... it keeps the books interesting! :)
![Federico DN](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1709366504p1/29005117.jpg)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thank you, Federico! I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this series. If you ever get the chance to read them, I hope you love them as much as I did. :)
![Constantine](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1688651251p1/7115890.jpg)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thank you, Constantine! Haha, I'm terrible at waiting, but also I have a bad memory, so reading a series back-to-back is the only way to go for me! 😊
![Gary](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1499717454p1/27528763.jpg)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thanks, Gary! It was an amazing story, one of my favorites for the year! I read the whole trilogy in 5 days, so that really goes to show how much I enjoyed it! :)
![Donna](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1611894395p1/6206369.jpg)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thanks, Donna! I'm not a huge fantasy reader either, but I've realized over the last year or two that when I do read that genre, I very much enjoy it. It's as you say, that it's a great escape and a lot of fun. I hope you get a chance to read this one, and you enjoy it! :)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Hi Christina! This is probably one of my favorite YA fantasy series! I'll be so curious to see what you think! Hope you enjoy! :)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thanks, Joanna! This was a reread of a favorite, so I know I'm going to love it! :)
![len ❀ is a little inactive :(](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1721527923p1/51318038.jpg)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thanks, Elena! This is actually an old favorite of mine! I wanted to do a reread in the lead up to Holly Black's new book release lol. I totally get how books hits readers in different ways... sorry this wasn't up to snuff for you. If you try again, I hope you have better luck! 💖
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thanks, JustJJ! Yay glad we're both fans! Can't wait for her new book! :)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thanks, Darla! Glad you're a huge fan too! Can't wait for HB's new book! :)
![Michelle](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1720451053p1/53328737.jpg)
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Wonderful review, so nice that you have enjoyed this fantasy story. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 🌺"
Thanks, Swaroop! Appreciate your kind words! 🤗
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Thanks, Michelle! I totally understand that not every genre is for every reader! But if you're ever in the mood for YA fantasy, I can't recommend this series enough! It's my absolute favorite! 💖
![Yun](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1679228223p1/30181442.jpg)
Glad you're a fan too, Leilani! This is probably my favorite YA fantasy of all time! :)