Summary
The Cruel Prince is the first book in Holly Black's critically acclaimed young adult fantasy series The Folk of the Air. Published in 2018, this New York Times bestseller introduces readers to the treacherous world of Faerie through the eyes of Jude, a mortal girl navigating deadly political intrigues. Black's lush prose and complex characters have earned the series a devoted following among both teens and adults.
Set in the High Court of Faerie, the story follows 17-year-old Jude as she strives to earn a place among the fey nobility despite her human weaknesses. Her greatest rival is the cruel and beautiful Prince Cardan, youngest son of the High King. Their contentious relationship forms the heart of a tale filled with courtly schemes, forbidden magic, and dangerous quests.
The Cruel Prince has inspired a wealth of fan art and cosplay. The book's exploration of power, identity, and moral ambiguity in a fantastical setting has drawn comparisons to works like Game of Thrones. With its richly imagined world and compelling antihero romance, the series continues to captivate readers years after its initial release.
Plot
At age 7, Jude and her two sisters are stolen away to live in the High Court of Faerie after their parents are murdered. Ten years later, Jude desperately wants to belong in the faerie world despite being human. However, many of the fey despise humans, especially the cruel and beautiful Prince Cardan, youngest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, Jude must defy Cardan and face the consequences. She becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. As she competes for a position as a knight, Jude also finds herself becoming a spy for one of the rival princes vying for the throne.
Jude's twin sister Taryn tries to secure her own position through an arranged marriage, while their older sister Vivi rebels against faerie society. As tensions rise between different factions at Court, Jude realizes a civil war is brewing that threatens to destroy the entire realm of Faerie.
To save her sisters and Faerie itself, Jude must risk her life in a dangerous alliance and use all her newfound skills at deception and strategy. Her choices will determine the fate of the kingdom, even as she struggles with her complicated feelings toward the wicked Prince Cardan.
Themes
Power struggles and political intrigue
Belonging and identity in a foreign world
Cruelty and its consequences
Ambition and the pursuit of power
Family loyalty versus individual desires
The corrupting nature of power
Overcoming prejudice and discrimination
Setting
The story of The Cruel Prince takes place in the magical realm of Faerie, a hidden world existing alongside the human world. Specifically, much of the action occurs in the High Court of Faerie, ruled over by the High King. This fantastical setting blends elements of traditional fairy tales with a darker, more dangerous atmosphere befitting the book's young adult audience.
Within Faerie, the story focuses on several key locations. The royal palace serves as a central hub, where political intrigue and power struggles play out among the fey nobility. The surrounding forests and wilderness of Faerie provide a backdrop of natural beauty tinged with lurking dangers. Human protagonist Jude must navigate both the glittering court and the perilous wilds as she seeks to find her place in this alien world.
Characters
Jude Duarte: The protagonist and narrator. A mortal girl living in Faerie who aspires to gain power and status in the fey world despite being human. Clever, ambitious, and ruthless, Jude trains in combat and political intrigue to prove herself. She harbors a complicated hatred and attraction towards Prince Cardan.
Prince Cardan: The youngest son of the High King of Faerie. Cruel, capricious, and beautiful, he torments Jude at school but is also drawn to her. Cardan hides vulnerability and pain beneath his wicked exterior. His relationship with Jude evolves in unexpected ways throughout the story.
Madoc: Jude's adoptive father and the general of the High King's armies. A ruthless faerie who murdered Jude's parents but raised her as his own. He trained Jude in combat and strategy, shaping her into a warrior.
Taryn Duarte: Jude's twin sister. Unlike Jude, Taryn aims to assimilate into faerie society through marriage. She becomes engaged to a faerie lord, causing tension with Jude.
Vivi Duarte: Jude and Taryn's older half-sister. A faerie who prefers the mortal world and struggles to fit in with either realm. She offers Jude an escape from Faerie if needed.
Locke: A faerie courtier who becomes involved with both Jude and Taryn, playing them against each other. His motives are unclear but he enjoys sowing chaos.
The Ghost: A spy who works for Jude, helping her gather information on the royal court. His true identity remains a mystery for much of the story.
Quick facts
The book is the first in Holly Black's Folk of the Air trilogy, followed by The Wicked King and The Queen of Nothing.
Holly Black was inspired to write the series after reading about changelings in European folklore.
The main character, Jude, was named after the patron saint of lost causes.
Black intentionally made the faerie world cruel and dangerous, in contrast to more whimsical portrayals.
The book debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list for young adult hardcover books.
Black wrote the first draft of the novel during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
The audiobook is narrated by Caitlin Kelly, who also voiced the rest of the trilogy.
Several scenes were inspired by Black's own experiences being bullied as a teenager.
The book's map of Elfhame was illustrated by Rovina Cai.
A special edition was released featuring fan art and bonus content from Holly Black.
About the Author
Holly Black is a prolific and acclaimed author of fantasy fiction for young adults and children. She has achieved remarkable commercial success, with over 26 million books sold worldwide and her works translated into more than 30 languages. Black's writing has garnered numerous accolades, including a Nebula Award, a Newbery Honor, and a Mythopoeic Award. She has also been a finalist for prestigious honors like the Eisner Award and Lodestar Award.
Black's most famous works include The Cruel Prince and other novels in the Folk of the Air series. Her writing often explores dark fantasy themes and reimagines faerie folklore for modern young adult audiences. In addition to novels, Black has written short stories and comics, demonstrating her versatility across different formats of speculative fiction. Her ability to craft immersive fantasy worlds and complex characters has earned her a dedicated fanbase.
As a #1 New York Times bestselling author, Black has established herself as one of the leading voices in contemporary young adult fantasy literature. Her work has crossed over into other media, with some of her stories being adapted for film. This speaks to the broad appeal and cinematic quality of her vivid storytelling. Black's commercial and critical success has cemented her influence on the fantasy genre for young readers. Holly Black currently resides in New England with her husband and son. In a charming detail that seems fitting for a fantasy author, their home is said to contain a “secret library.”
