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The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)

Holly Black

Start date: February 1, 2018

Finish date: February 28, 2018

Discussion: Book of the Month

Why we're reading this: Voted as our "Most Popular Books Published in January 2017" February BOM…more
[close] Voted as our "Most Popular Books Published in January 2017" February BOM

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* BOM: Group Read History [2025]
By Steph , Serious series addict · 11 posts · 25 views

last updated 18 hours, 22 min ago

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What Members Thought

Jan 23, 2018 A Grimm Review rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2025, read-2018, read-2023

It's been a while since I picked up a book by Holly Black, not for lack of enjoyment for her writing, but because of my excessive reading ADD. The Cruel Prince, however, kept popping up everywhere I went and refused to be ignored so it jumped my ever growing TBR pile to the top and I'm glad it did. As per usual Holly does an amazing job drawing you into the story and showing you the brutal truth hiding behind the beautiful world of Faerie.

The Cruel Prince is narrated through the character of Ju ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 15, 2019 Mariya rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, faeries, fantasy

Wow! What will be most people's favorite was one of the worst books I have ever read! And to be completely honest I just don't get it and probably never will! THE CRUEL PRINCE was not really on my radar, and even after reading the synopsis it didn't really interest me. The only reason I gave it a chance was because it was in a book subscription box I received and the massive hype surrounding this book. The majority of ratings were in the 4-5 star range. And I am just siting here dumbfounded tryi Wow! What will be most people's favorite was one of the worst books I have ever read! And to be completely honest I just don't get it and probably never will! THE CRUEL PRINCE was not really on my radar, and even after reading the synopsis it didn't really interest me. The only reason I gave it a chance was because it was in a book subscription box I received and the massive hype surrounding this book. The majority of ratings were in the 4-5 star range. And I am just siting here dumbfounded trying to figure out why do people like THE CRUEL PRINCE so much!

Now I do have to say the beginning really did pull me in. But what really made me rage at this book was the constant bullying and harassment going on. Jude begins to stand up for herself, but a lot of times didn't think of the consequences of her actions and sometimes should have watched her back more. Taryn who is Jude's sister decides to give in and then they will leave them alone. They have always given in and they still bully them. And because of this Taryn and Jude have a somewhat distance between them a bit as they both have their own idea how they want to handle the harassment.

Now bullying and harassment does exist in books and I can tolerant it, but the way it is done in THE CRUEL PRINCE just makes something in me snap and rage. And not only that, but because Jude stands up for herself she suffers greatly for that and it is at the point where it is humiliation and attempted murder and for what? Because she stands up for herself and defies them? Because she is human? It is just ridiculous and juvenile to me!

Also, I just couldn't get myself immersed in this world or care about the characters! Now like I said before I could not stand the bullying and harassment, but if I could have enjoyed the world-building or gave a shit about any of these characters this book could have possibly went in a completely different direction for me. Every single character in this book has an agenda of some sort, which isn't a bad thing if I could get behind them and root for them, but that's not the case. I would say the only character who doesn't is Viv, Jude's older sister. And she is probably the most sane person in this entire book.

Now I was told that the second half of the book was way better. You know what? I can agree with that! The last 100 pages of the book was a tad bit better, but still, it was basically a bunch of children fighting over the goddamn crown to be king and it was utter bullshit. And let's not forget Jude and Cardan! These two don't even have an actual conversation until like 70-80% of the book. Really? And he hates her because he likes her?

There are so many more reasons I didn't like this book, but I just don't want to waste anymore time talking about it and I don't want to give this book anymore of my time than it has already taken. I did not like THE CRUEL PRINCE and for the life of me I don't understand why everyone likes the book so much! I cannot believe I tortured myself by reading the entire book! I feel like this book is so overhyped and it was one of the worst books I have every read!

...more

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Sep 02, 2019 Michelle rated it liked it

girl grows up where she is not wanted girl joins with the enemy to safeguard herself and her family.

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 10, 2019 Kaitlynne rated it liked it

I've meant to read this book for so long that it isn't even funny. The things I heard about it, were either really good or meh, no in between. I had an extremely hard time getting into this book until it was about 75% through, then it started to get interesting. I will probably at least attempt to read book number 2, because I've heard much better things about it and it's only just barely been released. I'm curious to see how Jude is going to get herself out of the mess she's made. ...more

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