The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: Spicy Chapters, Reviews & Free Download
Story Summary
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black is the first book in The Folk of the Air trilogy — a dark fantasy full of politics, betrayal, and enemies-to-lovers tension that set the standard for modern fae romance.
The story follows Jude Duarte, a mortal girl living in the world of Faerie after her parents are murdered by Madoc, a fae general who takes her and her sisters to raise as his own. Despite being human, Jude dreams of earning respect and power in a world that despises her.
At the center of her struggle is Prince Cardan Greenbriar, the youngest and most wicked son of the High King — cruel, beautiful, and impossible to ignore. Their rivalry grows into something sharper and far more dangerous as Jude schemes her way into the deadly politics of Elfhame.
It’s a story about ambition, deception, and desire — where power is intoxicating, loyalty is treacherous, and every smile hides a blade.
Main Characters
Jude Duarte
Age: 17
Ethnicity: Mortal
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Hazel
Identity: Spy / mortal in the fae court
Ambitious, clever, and unapologetically human — Jude will risk everything for power in a world built to break her.
Cardan Greenbriar
Age: 18
Ethnicity: Faerie
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Golden
Identity: Prince of Elfhame / heir to the throne
Cruel, cunning, and magnetic — Cardan hides vulnerability behind arrogance, using charm like a weapon.
Every Spicy Chapter – Breakdown & Highlights
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While The Cruel Prince isn’t explicit, it’s heavy on tension — that charged, enemies-to-lovers chemistry that makes every stare and taunt feel dangerous. Holly Black writes “spice” through power, proximity, and restraint rather than detail, turning every confrontation into something that burns.
Chapter 18 – The Balcony
At a royal party, Jude tries to remain invisible among the fae who mock her humanity. Cardan corners her on a balcony, amused by her defiance. He toys with her fear, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek — a cruel gesture that feels too intimate.
There’s no kiss, just silence and tension that hangs like a knife between them.
“He looks at me like he wants to devour me — or destroy me. I can’t tell which.”
Chapter 21 – The Confrontation
When Jude’s secret plans begin to unravel, Cardan catches her spying. He pins her to a wall, hand at her throat, eyes burning with fury. The air between them is thick — anger, yes, but something more. This is where their hatred starts to feel like attraction.
“He leans close enough that I can feel his breath on my throat, and I hate that I shiver.”
Chapter 26 – The Dance
At another royal celebration, Cardan asks Jude to dance — mocking her, testing her. But as the music swells and they move together, the line between pretense and feeling blurs. His hand lingers too long at her waist, and she can’t tell if it’s part of the act.
“We move together like we’ve been doing this forever — enemies pretending not to be.”
Chapter 29 – The Betrayal
Jude turns Cardan’s arrogance against him, tricking him into revealing secrets he meant to keep. When he realizes what she’s done, their argument ends with them inches apart — furious, breathless, and caught in something they can’t name.
“For one heartbeat, I think he might kiss me. For another, I wish he would.”
Chapter 33 – The Crowning
In the final scene, Jude crowns Cardan as the new High King — not out of love, but strategy. When she places the crown on his head, their eyes lock in fury and disbelief. He’s betrayed, she’s triumphant, and their bond is now inextricable.
“His crown gleams under the torchlight, and I know he’ll never forgive me — but he’ll never forget me, either.”
Goodreads Reader Reactions
The Cruel Prince holds a 4.2-star rating on Goodreads and has become a staple of the dark YA fantasy genre. Readers call it “addictive, political, and painfully delicious.”
Positive Reactions:
“Jude Duarte is the blueprint for morally gray heroines.”
“Cardan is cruel, brilliant, and impossible not to love.”
“The worldbuilding is lush, the writing razor-sharp, and the tension is everything.”
Fans praise Holly Black for her command of political intrigue and her ability to make romance feel like warfare. Every scene between Jude and Cardan balances insult and affection in perfect measure.
“It’s not about love — it’s about power, and how love becomes its own kind of weapon.”
Critical Reactions:
“The beginning is slow, but the last 100 pages are pure chaos.”
“If you’re expecting romance right away, this one makes you work for it.”
Overall:
Readers describe The Cruel Prince as “a slow burn built on manipulation, pride, and obsession.”
“There’s no clean romance here — only ambition, betrayal, and chemistry sharp enough to draw blood.”
Related Books – The Folk of the Air Series
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Holly Black’s Folk of the Air universe expands across multiple novels and novellas, following the political games, betrayals, and twisted love stories of Elfhame.
Main Trilogy (Reading Order)
1️⃣ The Cruel Prince (2018) – Jude’s introduction to Faerie and her dangerous bond with Cardan.
2️⃣ The Wicked King (2019) – Jude holds power in Elfhame, ruling from the shadows as the king’s puppet — or his partner.
3️⃣ The Queen of Nothing (2020) – The explosive conclusion where love, loyalty, and vengeance collide.
Companion Works
- How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (2020) – A beautifully illustrated novella told from Cardan’s perspective, showing how his hatred and love for Jude evolved.
- The Stolen Heir (2023) – The first book in a spin-off duology set eight years later, following Oak (Jude’s brother) and Suren.
- The Prisoner’s Throne (2024) – The second part of the Stolen Heir duology, continuing Oak’s story and exploring the aftermath of Elfhame’s rule.
Suggested Reading Order
1️⃣ The Cruel Prince
2️⃣ The Wicked King
3️⃣ The Queen of Nothing
4️⃣ How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories
5️⃣ The Stolen Heir
6️⃣ The Prisoner’s Throne
In short: read the main trilogy for Jude and Cardan’s story, then continue with Oak’s duology for the next generation of Elfhame’s drama.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many books are in The Cruel Prince series?
Three main novels, plus companion novellas and a spin-off duology.
Q: What is The Cruel Prince about?
A mortal girl named Jude fights for power and survival in the brutal world of Faerie while navigating a dangerous, magnetic connection with Prince Cardan.
Q: How old is Jude in The Cruel Prince?
She’s 17 years old.
Q: How old is Cardan in The Cruel Prince?
He’s 18 years old.
Q: Is The Cruel Prince series finished?
Yes, the main trilogy is complete, but the Stolen Heir duology continues in the same world.
Q: Who does Jude end up with in The Cruel Prince?
By the end of the trilogy, Jude ends up with Cardan, the High King of Elfhame.
Q: Does The Cruel Prince have spice?
Only light tension and emotional heat — it’s driven by chemistry, not explicit scenes.
Q: What is the theme of The Cruel Prince?
Power, survival, and identity — it’s about learning how to play the game instead of being destroyed by it.
Q: How old is Oak in The Cruel Prince?
Oak, Jude’s younger brother, is seven years old in the first book.
Q: What book comes after The Cruel Prince?
The Wicked King.
Q: Who is Locke in The Cruel Prince?
Locke is one of Cardan’s charming but manipulative friends who briefly entangles both Jude and her sister Taryn in his deceit.
Q: How to read The Cruel Prince series?
In publication order: The Cruel Prince, The Wicked King, The Queen of Nothing, followed by How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories and the Stolen Heir duology.
