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readwithria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Jude is such a force to be reckoned with! Her pivot from wanting to be a knight to embracing her newfound skills was so great, and I really enjoyed seeing her grow into her strength.
The political maneuvering was so interesting! I love tactical plays in books like this, and The Cruel Prince was full of them. The planning, the manipulation, the betrayals 😩 SO GOOD
I will definitely be continuing the series asap. 4 stars.
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
oddpilot97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The only tiny critique I have is that the audiobook narrator got a bit whiny at times of high tension. It was a tad grating/melodramatic.
Graphic: Death of parent and Slavery
Moderate: Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Bullying, Blood, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
replovernights's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Death of parent
dramagirl2003's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thoughts while reading
p33: love jude's imagination
p35: well that is a surprise
p39: i can just see jude quickly becoming a killer just to prove madoc wrong. i don't think she'd dare to sneak into the running for knighthood without his approval
p77: based on trope norms, i suspect this is the point that carden starts to secretly admire jude
p88: I'm scared dain is gonna abuse her in some way. faeries are mischievous at heart, no matter how supposedly honourable they are. but then maybe carden will save her, and then it might be alright
p96: hmm bet scattering jude's salt is just a cover for saving her
p100: HE DID THAT ON PURPOSE
p118: oh. my. gosh. no wonder carden is so cruel!
p197: i could never
p200: well due to spoilers i think i know that
p211: interesting. and all of a sudden, now she's a killer
p245: CARDEN KNEW I SWEAR HE MUST HAVE KNOWN AND THAT'S WHY HE'S MISSING
p275: well i did think that
p292: that makes so much sense
p307: well this is a mysterious turn of events. i feel so much more sorry for carden because jude is a badass manipulator who will break him with any fraction of vulnerability he displays
p353: what. a. badass. move.
p358: ah meirda
p365: now that i was not expecting. i'd actually forgotten all about the spoilers after i getting fully invested in the story
quotes
I draw my sword, and he does, too, the scrape of metal loud in the room. I hear distant laughter, but here in the hall, we are alone.
My hands are sweating, but this had the feeling of inevitability, as though this is what I was careening toward the whole time, my whole life.
"You can't beat me."
"I already have."
"I imagine you're not feeling quite yourself," I tell him.
His sword sags a little, and he looks at me in sudden comprehension. "What have you done?"
"I poisoned you. Don't worry. It was a small enough dose. You'll live."
"The cups of wine," he says. "But how did you know which one I would choose?"
"I didn't," I tell him. "I poisoned them both."
"Have I told you how hideous you look tonight?" Carden asks, leaning back in the elaborately carved chair, the warmth of his words turning the question into something like a complement.
"No," I say, glad to be annoyed back into the present. "Tell me."
"I cannot."
Graphic: Bullying and Murder
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Violence, Infidelity, Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy, Infertility, Suicide, War, and Stalking
miss_berry315's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Love how strong and badass Jude is.
The writing and flow of the story are something to get used to, but it works well.
Poor Cardan is just a sad, hurt lil dude who admires the way Jude handles her shit. He's just bad at flirting bc he's scared to get close to people and he deserves a hug and kiss on the forehead and to be told he's doing a good job!!
Original review:
This book had kind of a slow start to it, but about 30% in, I was hooked.
The characters are complex and feel (mostly) realistic, the courtly politics kept me guessing. I wanted to slap Jude the whole damn book, but her decisions make sense for who she is, and that's what makes it so good!
So glad the next books are out so I can keep reading!
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Torture, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, Slavery, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Violence
diana_raquel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Violence, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide, and Trafficking
daenerystargaryen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Grief
Minor: Drug use
yuidf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
orakuruno's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child abuse, Slavery, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Gore, Grief, and Cursing
_ao_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Classism, and Gore
Minor: Grief, Infidelity, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Torture, and War