Reviews

The first ~50% nearly made me give up entirely. I hated the writing style at the start and was constantly frustrated with Jude. However as the action actually started to pick up (and Jude annoyed me less) I started to actually enjoy it enough to at least continue with the series.

I liked this but it truly did not live up to the expectations I had/the hype I've seen

miriamroleff's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

frankahilde's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I got this book as a gift and it’s my first time reading this genre. At first, I had a really hard time concentrating and getting into the story, because everything happens so fast and the pacing is really swift. The sentences are also really short, which is supposed to make reading easier, but if you’re not used to it it’s kind of weird.

After about 50 pages I got used to the writing style though. Still, the same problem I have with the style of writing, I also have with the story. It’s really hard for me to care about anyone or anything that’s happening because nothing really gets time to grow or breathe and the characters and world feel weirdly unfamiliar.

Even at plot twists I found myself not really being surprised.

All of that being said, I still had a good time reading towards the end just because the story is starting to unravel and it happens so quickly, that it really grabbed my attention.

I would like to read the rest of it as well, maybe in the second book I’ll feel more connected to the characters.

steffiko's review against another edition

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2.0

After finishing "The Cruel Prince," I have to say it wasn't at all what I had hoped for or expected. During most of the book it felt like every character in the book was out to get Jude, the main character, and at some point I started to feel so bad for her that I could not enjoy the story anymore.

The writing was also really shallow and didn't give me enough information about the world or the characters. It felt like the story needed more details and world building to feel more realistic. As it was, it was barely scraping the surface.

And don't even get me started on the foreshadowing. It was SO obvious that Locke was going to betray Jude. I mean, come on, how could she not see it coming? Additionally, there were too many instances where things were happening that were painfully obvious to the reader, but Jude seemed to be completely clueless and stayed in the shadows. It made her seem like an unreliable narrator and this was a bit frustrating to read.

The points mentioned above made it hard for me to get obsessed with the story. Also, (sorry about all the Cardan-Fans out there) I hated him. How can we forget what he did in the beginning and almost through all of the book? He teared a boys wings like paper and in the end we just should forget about that and fall in love with him? Sorry, Holly Black, but you didn't convince me there.

Might read the second book though

jlritchie66's review against another edition

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adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It took me awhile to get into this book. It's an easy read that lacks depth, but is an enjoyable read. The Last 10 chapters definitely made the book more engaging. Jude and Cardan make this book just the right amount of unpredictable.

ghenocore's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

i love love love jude and cardan, as soon as i read this book i started on the the second, as i couldn’t hold myself. i just love it.

vimki's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

not a huuuuge fan of bully to lovers but i cant help but liking them together 🥹

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