A review by marippe
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

3.0

The beginning is super slow and the plot kinda feels all over the place, esp with all the little storylines and characters to follow. I do think it picks up towards the end.
I dunno if this book really knows what it is - the school stuff, romance drama felt incredibly immature in comparison to the royal politics that is being played out. It didn't mesh well for me.

Jude grew on me a lot. At first I wasn't too sure about her because I didn't really understand her brain. I still don't fully get her but I liked her a lot more towards the end, shes more layered than you think initially. I'm interested to see the plot goes but it didn't really grab me? Idk.

With Cardan, I get I can see how people like him. I didn't really vibe with the bully shit, idk it made everything feel so childish.
He hates her because he's attracted to her stooooop. That "boys pulling girls ponytail because he likes her" stuff is such an ick


I think the stuff with Taryn could've been interesting if written a bit better.
I did like when Jude said "I get why he chose her. I just wish she had chosen me." I found that sad, but Jude kinda forgave Taryn too easily. I think that's in Jude's character, since she has soft spots for her siblings and she seems to be a forgiving person, but I don't think it felt that satisfying.

With Mardoc, I think the concept of loving the man who murdered your parents is interesting, but it didn't come across that well? Like I'm being told that their relationship is complex but I don't totally see how it is. I'm being told not shown it. Also, is his betrayal of Dain really that shocking? He literally murdered 2 people and kidnapped 3 children like c'mon now.
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