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The Cruel Prince

The Folk of the Air, Book 1

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The Cruel Prince

Written by: Holly Black
Narrated by: Caitlin Kelly
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About this listen

The start of a thrilling new fantasy series from best-selling author Holly Black about a mortal girl who finds herself caught in a dangerous web of royal faerie intrigue.

Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever. And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

One terrible morning, Jude and her sisters see their parents murdered in front of them. The terrifying assassin abducts all three girls to the world of Faerie, where Jude is installed in the royal court but mocked and tormented by the Faerie royalty for being mortal. As Jude grows older, she realises that she will need to take part in the dangerous deceptions of the fey to ever truly belong. But the stairway to power is fraught with shadows and betrayal. And looming over all is the infuriating, arrogant and charismatic Prince Cardan.

Dramatic and thrilling fantasy blends seamlessly with enthralling storytelling to create a fully realised and seductive world, brim-full of magic and romance.

©2018 Holly Black (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Royalty Science Fiction & Fantasy Young Adult
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What listeners say about The Cruel Prince

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Slow start, but overall great.

It took awhile to get into, but once the story started flowing it was hard to stop listening. A little predictable at times, but overall I enjoyed it and am now listening to sequel.

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1 person found this helpful

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great read

good story. I enjoyed the main character for evolution of the story. could have had a more concluded ending though

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Really good just a little slow in the beginning

I really enjoyed this book I was worried at first because it was a little slow and more juvenile then I had expected it to be.

I’m disappointed in her twin sisters story I really wanted the sisters to always have each other’s backs especially after what happened to their parents.

The boys in this book are just that boys not men, a bunch of spoiled brats it’s annoying.

I like Jude her character development is pretty good and so is the world building.

I’m interested in seeing what happens next I’m going to start the next book right now

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Exciting Fantasy Story with Problematic Romances

Overall I think this is a really great audiobook: Holly Black did such an amazing job building the Faery world, that it was easy to get immersed. The plot was interesting, exciting, and full of twists. The narration was excellent. But the romance elements were problematic for me. I don't want to veer into spoiler territory, so I'll just say that the whole "boy is mean/abusive to girl, but only because he really likes her," is an outdated cliché, and that the young adult readers that this book is marketed towards deserve better.

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11 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Overall a great story!

Really enjoyed this book and I’m glad that I’ve finally read it. I do wish there was a bit more world building but other than that it’s great! I love the enemies to lovers trope so it did not disappoint.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not your Typical Supernatural Romance

I had no idea why I downloaded this. I've regarded the supernatural romance genre with the same distance I would a leper but this one surprised me. All romance elements are downplayed an in its place is a girl trying to survive the intrigue of fairy court who treat her like the mouse who won't take the cheese. She earns all her skills with sacrifice and her personality comes through. Worldbuilding is fantastic and I gobbled up the trilogy. Incredible.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exceeded My Expectations

I found this book to be very entertaining. I was unfamiliar with any other Holly Black books and sort of purchased this on a whim as I wanted something for a trip I was taking. The internal dialogue of the main character was excellent and the narration brought it all together. #Audible1

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Better than I thought.

At first it had the sounding of another teen drama, however once I was halfway through I was starting to get interested in the characters and story. By the time the end came I was thoroughly enjoying the story. I think I may have to get the second book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Growing up in Faery is hard.

I place this on the Fairy Tale shelf because it's a story about the Fair Folk, not because it's based on a folk tale.
Coming of Age, and Young Adult because it's about teenage angst, bullying, and adolescent decision-making.
Family, because it's complicated.
Race, because Elves, Humans, and everything (EveryONE, no THING is in many cases correct) in between.
Espionage, politics... I've said too much.
Oh. And it's a continued story, and I care enough to keep reading.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not a fantastic story.

A bit childish to my taste. Maybe it was overrated, maybe I had too high expectations. Bad romance all over the place. The performance was good though ! She has a nice voice making it easy to listen to this audiobook.

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2 people found this helpful