The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air)

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black deftly weaves a darkly enchanting tale set in the treacherous world of Faerie. This riveting narrative follows Jude Duarte, a mortal girl whose world is shattered when she and her sisters witness the brutal murder of their parents by a violent Faerie assassin. Despite the trauma, the sisters are abducted to the perilous realm of Faerie where Jude is thrust into the royal court, a place of unparalleled beauty and lurking danger.

As Jude navigates this volatile landscape, she is constantly reminded of her mortal origins, making her an easy target for the cruel taunts and menacing tricks of the Faerie nobility. Among her tormentors is the enigmatic and arrogant Prince Cardan, whose allure is as undeniable as his cruelty. Jude loathes him, yet she knows that to survive and win honour in this unforgiving world, she must challenge the very beings that despise her.

With time, Jude learns that mere survival is not enough. To carve out a place of power and respect within Faerie, she must engage in risky political manoeuvring, deceit, and alliances fraught with betrayal. The stakes are perilously high, but Jude's determination to belong and wield influence pushes her into the heart of the court's deadly intrigues. Her journey is a gripping exploration of ambition, resilience, and the complexity of human and Faerie psychology.

This enthralling story will captivate readers who relish tales of fantasy imbued with moral ambiguity and richly drawn characters. It comes highly recommended for fans of Sarah J. Maas's works and Leigh Bardugo's Grisha trilogy.

"Holly Black spins a thrilling tale of intrigue and magic in her newest novel... Unmissable for fans of Sarah J. Mass and the Grisha trilogy" - Buzzfeed UK