A review by cheraquili
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

3.75

 

"Nicasia’s wrong about me. I don’t desire to do as well in the tournament as one of the fey. I want to win. I do not yearn to be their equal.
In my heart, I yearn to best them."

3.75/5 stars

It has been quite a while since I read this book, but I remember that surprisingly, I really enjoyed this novel! Cardan is also a cutie, even though his personality sucks imo. However, I admit that I liked the first 75% of this book way better than the last quarter bit.

I am a killer and a liar and a spy.
I get why he chose her. I just wish she had chosen me.

Having said that, I will surely continue reading this series!








Other quotes I liked:

And Cardan watching me from across the room, standing beside the king, laughing at my pretension.
Laughing like he knows this is a fantasy that won’t ever be real.


Cardan’s gaze catches mine, and I can’t help the evil smile that pulls up the corners of my mouth. His eyes are bright as coals, his hatred a living thing, shimmering in the air between us like the air above black rocks on a blazing summer day.

He leans against the fountain, letting a slow, lazy smile grow on his mouth. “It’s funny, that’s all.”
“Funny?” I echo, furious. “You think that was funny?”
He shakes his head, still smiling. “No. It’s funny how you get under his skin.”


“My name is Jude Duarte. I was born on November thirteenth, 2001. My favorite color is green. I like fog and sad ballads and chocolate-covered raisins. I can’t swim. Now tell me, which part was the lie? Did I lie at all? Because what’s so great about lying is the not knowing.”


I think of Valerian’s words when he tried to glamour me into jumping out of the tower. Being born mortal is like being born already dead.


“You can’t save our mother, you know. She’s already dead.”
I feel as though she has slapped me.

“I know,” I say. And I do. I have wished for many things over the years, but the first wish of my heart was that none of this was real.

“Do not reveal your mastery over glamour. Do not reveal all that you can do. Show your power by appearing powerless. That is what I need from you.”


“I curse you. Three times, I curse you. As you’ve murdered me, may your hands always be stained with blood. May death be your only companion. May you—”


I think of the future I thought I was going to have and the one yawning in front of me like a chasm.