The Cruel Prince

My family knows, and some of my students know, but I love book subscription boxes! I actually received The Cruel Prince by Holly Black in one of my book subscriptions, and I read it right away. Of course, I was disappointed then because the series wasn't finished, so I set it aside and decided when the series was finished, I would read it. So, two or three years have passed, and the series is done. I borrowed the book from the online library because CoVid 19 quarantine is happening, and my copy is in my classroom, and I didn't want to go to the school to get a book I could read for free. It was much better reading this the second time, and I feel better about it than I did the first time round.
The story follows Jude and her two sisters, who were taken to live in the land of the Faerie when her mother's first husband killed her mother and father. While growing up in the land, Jude is educated with the other children of the high court, and she is trained by Madoc (her stepfather/kidnapper) to be a knight within the court. As Jude reaches the age of 16, she decides that she will show the other royal children that she can belong in their world. However, when she asks Madoc for permission to become a knight, he tells her that she has to wait longer.
Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, for Jude, the High Prince hires her to be one of his spies. While spying for him, Jude learns about more about his brother, Cardan, who is her same age and whom she despises. Along the way, Jude also finds herself falling for one of Cardan's friends, Locke, and she finds herself more involved with the royal family than she ever wanted to be. The story ends on a cliffhanger, and I don't want to ruin it for you, but if you enjoy fantasy with a bit of romance then you will enjoy this one.
The one thing I liked about the story, but also didn't like, was the relationship that Jude has with her stepfather/kidnapper/killer of her parents. Madoc isn't Jude's blood father, but he raises her as his own because of what he has been taught as a Faerie court, and he trains her well. At times, I found myself forgetting that he was the person who killed her mother and father and brought her to the land, but then he would say or do something that reminded me that he really wasn't the great person he seemed to be.
I also loved the relationship between Jude and Cardan. I have to say that the twist at the end of the book was a shock to me both times, and I can't wait to see how their relationship continues in the remainder of the series. They definitely have a love/hate relationship, and it's going to be fun to see how Holly Black continues their relationship.
The only thing I really hated about this one was Jude's stepmother (Madoc's second wife) and actually, Jude's twin sister, Taryn. I couldn't really stand either of them, and I feel like they both owe Jude more than they are willing to give to her. The two of them are super selfish, in my personal opinion, and I hope that Jude doesn't continue helping them, or at least that she won't help them as much in the next books.
Overall, it was a fun and different type of fantasy to read. Black's plot was not easy to guess, and like I said before, the twist at the end is a shock. This is a well-written fantasy that I know any lover of young adult fantasy will enjoy.