If you are in need of a novel with elements including exciting adventure in fantasy worlds, surprising tales of back-stabbing, murder/bloodshed, and a wonderful description of all of it, then The Cruel Prince, by Holly Black is the book for you. These truly outstanding 416 pages of literature tell the story of a young girl named Jude, who is taken to the enchanting world of Faerie at the age of 7. The man who takes them there is named Madoc, who is a scheming general who’s plans surprise everyone. He takes her and her two sisters, as her older sister happens to be his daughter, to this magical land, which is truly very corrupt. While the story starts with a review of these events that took place when she was a very young girl, the majority of the book is told from her 17 year point of view, including some flash-backs. Her story is one of betrayal, manipulation (of classmates, family, and others), murder, and her struggle to be taken seriously. I was shocked by the plot twists, backstabbing, and the overall plot details. The splendid storytelling in this novel will shock you and leave you wanting more. The memorable and exciting details included will leave you just as surprised as I was. While the middle of the book may seem almost boring, the plot twists that happen right as that thought pops into your head will completely change that. Even though the middle might not be quite as exciting, there are still many details that are crucial to the plot, and the “boring” part does not last long. My advice to readers is that if you are nearing the end, make sure you have a good amount of time, as you will not want to put the book down. You also will want to have the second book in this trilogy close, as you most likely will want to read it immediately. I would not read this book if bloodshed disturbs you, as there is some violence. I hope you find this book as exciting and action-packed as I did.
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