Reviewed by jesstheaudiobookworm on
The Cruel Prince was easily the best audiobook I’ve heard in a very long time. It was the last thing I heard before falling asleep at night and the first thing I turned on in the morning. I didn’t want it to end.
Story-wise, I was riveted. The atmospheric setting was highly reminiscent of The Darkest Part of the Forest, but better because almost all of it took place in the faerie world. Before hearing The Cruel Prince, The Darkest Part of the Forest had been my favorite tale from Holly Black. I’ve heard several other of her titles, but this was better than them all. Holly Black obviously knows that she excels at writing faerie stories. She’s also creative enough to be able to stick with the subject without giving the impression of stagnation.
While I prefer the plot of The Cruel Prince, I do think there were a few things Black did better in The Darkest Part of the Forest. When reviewing The Darkest Part of the Forest, I praised Black’s ability to create such a multi-dimensional main character in Hazel. Hazel was an ordinary teenage girl during the day and a Fae warrior at night. By contrast, The Cruel Prince’s protagonist Jude felt more one dimensional. In The Cruel Prince, it seemed as though Black split the characteristics of Hazel into two separate characters, the twins Jude and Taryn. I believe doing so flattened each twin into a less dynamic and less interesting YA trope. I disliked Taryn, tolerated Jude, and adored Hazel.
Taryn was the most stereotypical of the sisters and I began to dislike her increasingly as the sisterly bond was sacrificed at the expense of the plot. Having a boy come between two sisters seemed so unoriginal and overplayed. I can see where that sub plot is leading because I’ve seen it so many times before. But that was the only part of Black’s tale that dared to disappoint me. If the character of Taryn was flat and shallow, Cardan was a layered onion.
I will admit that I judged Cardan completely wrong. I’ve never bought into the whole “boy pulls girl’s pigtail because he likes her” thing– seriously, don’t teach your little girls to put up with that– but Holly Black gave us a valid underlying cause for his behavior. Once I understood his situation, it put his behavior into perspective. It still didn’t excuse it, mind you, and I hope the issue continues to be addressed later in the series. But it’s the equivalent of “boy pulls girl’s pigtail because he likes her and doesn’t know how to appropriately handle such feelings because he has never been shown affection”. See the difference?
Holly Black has addressed psychological abuse in a story about faeries. It’s not a fairytale, it’s a tale about faeries. In my opinion, Holly Black is redefining this section of the genre and we are all benefiting from it. Fantasy genre, this should be the bar to which you all try to measure up.
I know it’s only January, but this may end up being one of my favorite books I hear this year. I’m partially devastated that I’ll have to wait until 2019 for the sequel, but I also know that it will be more than worth the wait.
Narration review: I’ve heard (and interviewed) Caitlin Kelly before, but never like this. Caitlin, congratulations on being able to lend your amazing voice and talents to such an incredible story! Tonally, Caitlin was a perfect match for a faerie story. Her voice has this light, airy quality typically associated with the fae and fantasy, in general.
Kelly’s characters completely hit the mark. I particularly loved her voicing of Oak, the young fae child. She also gave appropriate distinction to Jude and Taryn. The differences in their personalities really came through in the audiobook in a way that should make traditional book readers envious. And Cardan’s emotional depth was intensified to the max. It’s performances like this that make me so grateful to be an audiobook listener. ♣︎
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 23 January, 2018: Finished reading
- 23 January, 2018: Reviewed