Trying to find your way in a world full of enemies

In The Cruel Prince, you follow the story of Jude, who is taken—along with her two sisters—to the treacherous High Court of Faerie by the very man who murdered their parents. Yes, let that sink in.

Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to truly belong in this brutal, magical world, despite being mortal. But many of the fae loathe humans, especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and most vicious son of the High King. Can Jude stand her ground and survive among them?

The book starts off strong—the dramatic opening scene instantly pulls you into the story and refuses to let go. The world-building is incredibly vivid; it feels like you're walking through the enchanted woods yourself.

That said, the middle of the book lost a bit of its spark. The pace slowed, not much seemed to happen, and I struggled to follow the storyline at times. But thankfully, the final chapters pulled me right back in. The tension builds, the plot becomes clearer and then, a twist I did not see coming. It definitely made me eager to pick up the next book.

Final thoughts: If you're looking for a dark, immersive fantasy world to get lost in, The Cruel Prince is a great pick. Just a heads-up: if you find the middle dragging, stick with it, it’s absolutely worth it by the end.