The Cruel Prince (book) by Holly Black
Bibliographic Information
Title: The Cruel Prince
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Copyright Date: January 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0316310277
Page Count: 384
Genre/Format
Fantasy/Book
Reading Level/Interest Level
Grades 9+ (SLJ)
Awards
Lodestar Award finalist
Locus Awards second place
Inky Award (2019)
Goodreads Choice Award (nomination)
Junior lIbrary Guild selection
Starred Reviews in Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and School Library Journal
Summary
At the age of seven Jude witness the death of her parents at the hands of a male fairy, Madoc. Ten years pass as she and her older sister (who is Madoc’s daughter) and her twin sister grow up with Madoc, his new wife, and their son in Faerie. Jude wishes to be a knight so that she can claim her own power and live in Faerie without being ridiculed as a mortal.
Madoc forbids her from being a knight, and after wrestling with notions of good behavior, Jude decides to stop being weak and good. She makes a deal with a princeling fairy in order to gain power and a place in the High Court. As the children of the High King wage war on each other, she is soon enmeshed in palace politics and bloodshed as she reinvents herself. Things don’t turn out as she planned, though, and she will need to take huge risks to save herself, her sisters, and Faerie.
About the Author
Holly Black is a bestselling author of contemporary fantasy novels. She published her first book, Tithe: A Modern Fairie Tale in 2002. She has published many books since then, and they have been translated into 32 languages.
The Cruel Prince debuted on the The New York Times bestseller list and remained there for four weeks.
She’s been a finalist for an Eisner Award as well as the Lodestar Award, and the recipient of the Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula, and a Newbery Honor.
Critical Evaluation
I picked up this book to read in reference for crafting a research paper on heroines in modern fantasy, and I wasn’t disappointed. It was a quick read, and I can see why it has appeal.
“Jude is a mighty heroine; strong, smart, cunning, and yet completely vulnerable. Teens meet her as she’s no longer interested in restraining her emotions and actions and is willing to give up anything in order to work for what she wants, which makes for a powerful and dangerous damsel getting herself out of distress. ”
Creative Use for a Library Program
Host a sword maker like The Sword Casting Guy for a class on making swords.
What I envisioned when Jude was fighting in the tournament
Speed-Round Talk
Jude is a mortal seven-year-old, and her parents are killed by a male faerie before he takes her and her sisters to Faerie to live with him. She comes to know him as a father figure, but life in Faerie as a human girl isn’t easy, and she wants power, but how far will she go to claim it?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
The book has graphic violence and isn’t for everyone. The book overall presents a modern heroine. It has multiple starred reviews.
Reason for Inclusion
This book presents a strong female protagonist who, just like most teens, makes mistakes and must deal with the consequences. Readers who enjoy fantasy series, fairy tale elements, and dark drama will enjoy it.
Bonus Information
This is the first book of a four-book series!
References
Black, H. (n.d.) About. Retrieved December 8, 2024 from, https://blackholly.com/about/
Black, H. (n.d.) About [photograph]. Retrieved December 8, 2024 from, https://blackholly.com/about/
Black, H. (n.d.). The cruel prince. Retrieved December 8, 2024 from, https://blackholly.com/books/the-cruel-prince/
Black, H. (2018, January 2). The cruel prince. Little, Brown and Company.
Game of Thrones (@gameofthrones). (2017, July 17). Episode 1 HBO GIF by Game of Thrones [GIF]. Giphy. https://giphy.com/gifs/gameofthrones-game-of-thrones-hbo-l0IyiyNeArXJuxENa
Moore, E. (2017, October 26). The cruel prince by Holly Black | SLJ Review [Review of the book The cruel prince by H. Black]. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/story/cruel-prince-holly-black-slj-review
*Book Cover Image is property of publisher, Little, Brown and Company; taken from Amazon.