The Cruel Prince

Wow, it's fascinating how long it took me to dive into this series! I've been exploring genres beyond YA for a while, but when the books I was reading started prioritizing smut over storyline, I realized I needed to return to YA to satisfy my craving for a captivating fantasy plot.

DISCLAIMER: Spoilers ahead!

This book was good but maybe no amazing. It didn't have that "WOAH Fourth Wing" level of excitement, but I'd still give it 5 stars, especially as a YA novel. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. It was a quick read, which was great. I loved Jude's sassy personality and how the author cleverly made the twin issue a major problem when the crown was mistakenly given to her twin instead of her.

This is one of those rare books that portrays Fairies like the classics do—sneaky, manipulative, cunning, and unable to lie. It's a thrilling adventure, and I was thrilled to discover it after abandoning several adult fantasy books that left me yearning for more plot. There's almost no romance in this first book, aside from a crush and a single kiss between the main characters. Instead, it focuses on how Jude, raised by a war General, uses her knowledge to craft an ingenious plan to overthrow the crown after it had already been taken.

Overall, a pretty good story and I am excited to continue on to the next book.