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The Cruel Prince

The Folk of the Air: Book #1

by Holly Black

Narrator Caitlin Kelly

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Length 12 hours 36 minutes

Language English

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Bookseller recommendation

“When young Jude's parents are murdered, she and her sisters are stolen away to live in Faerie. Jude only wants to fit in, but the fey are untrustworthy and dislike all things human. In this enemies to lovers trilogy, Jude constantly spars with the wicked Prince Cardan as she discovers her own growing powers. I am such a fan of Holly Black and this series! ”
— Suzanne • Underground Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Holly Black is a master at her craft, dropping us into the land of Faerie in a way that captures the attention as effortlessly as one of the Folk of the Air enchants humans in her story. Jude is our guide through the strange, beautiful, and terrifying world of Elfhame where she was raised by Madoc, her half-sister’s father, after he murdered their mother and Jude’s human father. All she’s ever wanted was to belong, wishing to become a knight. But it’s not easy being a human in Elfhame, even when you’ve been raised by a fierce and widely respected Faerie. At least not for Jude. With unexpected twists and characters you’ll love and hate, sometimes at the same time, this is one Faerie tale you don’t want to miss. And once you’ve had a taste, you won’t want to stop until you’ve finished the entire series as quickly as you can.”
— Dany • Rediscovered Books

Bookseller recommendation

“If you love sharp-fanged Fairylands, twisted court politics, enemies-to-lovers, and a heroine as hard-nosed, badass, and morally gray as she is secretly loyal and true-hearted, you’ll love the Folk of the Air series! I particularly relished how this trilogy reflects on and interweaves childhood trauma, romantic relationships, and power dynamics, all while being fun, surprising, and a little feral the whole time. ”
— Megan • Underground Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I ate this trilogy right up! And in return it destroyed me (in a good way!) If you're looking for a fun fantasy read to keep you up at night with plots and scheming, you've hit the jackpot. So much fun!”
— Lafe • Oblong Books

Summary
About the author

#2 in Bestselling YA Fiction Audiobooks

By #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, the first book in a stunning new series about a mortal girl who finds herself caught in a web of royal faerie intrigue.

Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

Fantasy YA Fiction

Holly Black is the bestselling author of contemporary fantasy novels for teens and children, including Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale and the #1 New York Times bestselling Spiderwick series. She has been a finalist for the Mythopoeic Award and the Eisner Award, and the recipient of the Andre Norton Award. Holly lives in Massachusetts with her husband, Theo, in a house with a secret library. Her website is www.blackholly.com.