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The Cruel Prince
Book (2018)
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, comes the first book in a stunning new series about a mortal girl who finds herself caught in a 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.
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.
In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
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.
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.
In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
Book (2018)
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, comes the first book in a stunning new series about a mortal girl who finds herself caught in a 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.
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.
In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
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.
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.
In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
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Content at a glance
More filled segments mean stronger content.
Sex & Nudity
The story features romantic tension and developing relationships between characters, including some kissing and flirtatious, suggestive dialogue. There is no explicit sexual content or nudity depicted.
Violence & Gore
The narrative contains sequences of fantasy combat, sword fighting, and instances of physical injury and bloodshed. Characters face consistent threats of violence and death, making some scenes moderately intense.
Profanity
The language is generally clean, though there is infrequent use of mild words such as "d*mn" and "h*ll" used in contexts of anger or frustration.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
Characters are occasionally depicted consuming wine or magical concoctions at social gatherings or palace events. Substance use is generally treated as a social or cultural activity within the fantasy setting.
Frightening Scenes
The book features a dark and treacherous atmosphere, including moments of psychological manipulation, bullying, and threatening interactions. Readers may find the high-stakes political intrigue and recurring danger to be quite intense.
Key Insights
Quick summary and important considerations
A story about a girl living in a magical kingdom who learns that being smart and brave is the best way to stand up for herself against bullies and powerful rivals.
Content Warnings
Violence
Bullying
Manipulation
Detailed Analysis
In-depth insights for parents and educators
What Parents Need to Know
The setting includes pervasive antagonism, threats of violence, and psychological manipulation. Expect a dark fantasy atmosphere where characters frequently engage in backstabbing and physical combat.
What Kids Can Learn
Teens can explore the importance of assertiveness and identifying healthy versus toxic power dynamics in relationships.
Key Topics Discussed
Power dynamics
Political intrigue
Resilience
Why Parents Might Like It
The story provides a sophisticated exploration of court politics and complex character motivations that subverts standard hero-villain tropes.
Positives & learning
More filled segments mean stronger positive content or learning value.
Positive messages
The narrative emphasizes personal agency, the importance of resilience in hostile environments, and the value of strategic thinking over brute force.
Role models
Characters often operate in morally ambiguous territory, prioritizing survival and influence over traditional altruism or kindness.
Representation
No diverse representations indicated in available information.
Learning
Encourages critical thinking regarding social hierarchies and the consequences of political decision-making.
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