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A review by litkive
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Doubting in between 2.75 and 3 stars....
I blame booktok for entering this book with certain expectations that were not met. Either way, I cannot say I am completely disappointed, yet I am not too convinced about this book. I undoubtedly like the world, the cold sharp ruthlessness of the Folk. I like the scheming, the betrayal and blunt selfishness not masked under falsity. It leaves room for plot twists and exciting scenes. Nevertheless, I felt that there was so much potential left hanging.
I am sure Jude will turn into a strong character and she will learn from her mistakes, but she acted so rashly, so arrogantly. Her arrogance blinded her to so many opportunities and made her act so foolish sometimes. She is not the great spy she believes herself to be, though I think we are slowly getting there. Excited to see how she will handle everything in the next books. Personally, I think she still has a lot to learn from herself and how things work at Court. The hatred that drives her will end up firing her pursuit of power but it will also end up consuming her. I hope she learns that power does not only come in the form of fear but also as kindness. Kindness does not equal being naive. Having said that, I cannot help but despite Taryn. I don't want to see her change and lose her kindness, but she truly cannot be so naive as she appears to be.
As for Cardan, he made it very difficult for me not to despise him. I am all for the morally grey characters but some things just don't sit right with me. There is no excuse for the despicable things he has done, no matter how much he has been suffering on his own. I still think I need to know more, to learn about his thoughts more to truly understand him as a character. Despite his facade, I doubt he truly enjoys what he does.
This book is led by two characters that are too afraid of themselves, of what they can do, of what will be done to them and turn fear into a thorn-filled shield. Hurting others but ultimately hurting themselves too. Although I found the very detailed descriptions gorgeous, sometimes they were a bit too much for me. I enjoyed the last third of the book more than the rest due to some things happening in the end. Nice plot twist, though I cannot help but feel like there are some plot wholes.
I am very much looking forward to book two because I think this was a perfect yet solid start for a very thrilling story in Faerie.
I blame booktok for entering this book with certain expectations that were not met. Either way, I cannot say I am completely disappointed, yet I am not too convinced about this book. I undoubtedly like the world, the cold sharp ruthlessness of the Folk. I like the scheming, the betrayal and blunt selfishness not masked under falsity. It leaves room for plot twists and exciting scenes. Nevertheless, I felt that there was so much potential left hanging.
I am sure Jude will turn into a strong character and she will learn from her mistakes, but she acted so rashly, so arrogantly. Her arrogance blinded her to so many opportunities and made her act so foolish sometimes. She is not the great spy she believes herself to be, though I think we are slowly getting there. Excited to see how she will handle everything in the next books. Personally, I think she still has a lot to learn from herself and how things work at Court. The hatred that drives her will end up firing her pursuit of power but it will also end up consuming her. I hope she learns that power does not only come in the form of fear but also as kindness. Kindness does not equal being naive. Having said that, I cannot help but despite Taryn. I don't want to see her change and lose her kindness, but she truly cannot be so naive as she appears to be.
As for Cardan, he made it very difficult for me not to despise him. I am all for the morally grey characters but some things just don't sit right with me. There is no excuse for the despicable things he has done, no matter how much he has been suffering on his own. I still think I need to know more, to learn about his thoughts more to truly understand him as a character. Despite his facade, I doubt he truly enjoys what he does.
This book is led by two characters that are too afraid of themselves, of what they can do, of what will be done to them and turn fear into a thorn-filled shield. Hurting others but ultimately hurting themselves too. Although I found the very detailed descriptions gorgeous, sometimes they were a bit too much for me. I enjoyed the last third of the book more than the rest due to some things happening in the end. Nice plot twist, though I cannot help but feel like there are some plot wholes.
I am very much looking forward to book two because I think this was a perfect yet solid start for a very thrilling story in Faerie.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder