The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, Book 1) By Holly Black

Holly Black's enchanting series opens with mortal Jude navigating the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Enraptured by the otherworldly beauty of the fey, especially the captivating yet despised Prince Cardan, Jude yearns to belong despite her mortality. Traumatized by her parents' murder and abduction to Faerie, she faces a decade of challenges, fueling her determination.

To secure her place at court, Jude defies Prince Cardan, setting off a chain of palace intrigues and self-discovery. The toxic blend of hate and fascination intensifies, leading Jude into a world of bloodshed and deception. As civil war looms over the Courts of Faerie, Jude must forge perilous alliances to save her sisters and the realm itself.

The narrative unfolds with Holly Black's signature blend of lush prose and dark enchantment. Jude's journey is a riveting exploration of ambition, survival, and the cost of embracing one's capacity for violence. Against the backdrop of faerie politics and feuds, the mortal girl grapples with her identity, challenging both her enemies and herself.

With its rich world-building and complex characters, this series promises a spellbinding dive into the realms of faerie, where beauty conceals danger, and alliances come at a perilous price. Holly Black weaves a tapestry of intrigue and peril, where mortal and magical collide, shaping the destiny of Jude and the fate of Faerie. 📚❤️