Jude is a mortal girl raised in the treacherous, glittering High Court of Faerie, where she is despised for her humanity and desperate to belong. To carve out a place among immortals who scorn her, she’ll have to outmaneuver them at their own deadly game. Holly Black’s dark, addictive fantasy is pure court-intrigue catnip.
Get the The Cruel Prince Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printWhat The Cruel Prince is about
Stolen away to Faerie as a child, Jude has grown up among the fae despite being mortal, contending with cruelty, scorn, and the ever-present threat of those who would happily see her gone. Chief among her tormentors is a prince of the royal family, whose contempt only sharpens her resolve. Determined to claim power in a world that insists she doesn’t deserve it, Jude wades into the shifting alliances and dangerous ambitions of the High Court.
What follows is a story of palace politics, shifting loyalties, and a heroine willing to get her hands dirty to survive. Holly Black blends a richly imagined Faerie with morally complex characters and sharp, propulsive tension. It’s a young adult fantasy built on scheming and survival rather than easy answers, and it has earned a devoted following for its prickly protagonist and its willingness to let her be ruthless.
| Author | Holly Black |
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Why The Cruel Prince is great on audio
On audio, the book’s atmosphere of menace and courtly intrigue comes alive, with Jude’s wry, guarded narration drawing you straight into her head. The performance suits long, immersive listening sessions, making it easy to get swept into Faerie’s politics on a commute or a quiet evening. It’s an especially good fit if you love being narrated to by a sharp, first-person voice.
Who should listen
Listen if you love morally gray heroines, slow-burn rivalries, and the kind of fantasy where the real weapon is a well-placed scheme. Readers who prefer cozy, low-stakes stories or who dislike prickly, sometimes ruthless protagonists may want to skip it. If court intrigue and a heroine who refuses to play victim sound appealing, this one is for you.
If you like The Cruel Prince, listen to these next
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- Divergent by Veronica Roth
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
How to listen to The Cruel Prince
The Cruel Prince is available on Audible and Amazon. If you’re new to Audible you can listen with a free trial, or buy the audiobook (also in Kindle and print) on Amazon.
Get the The Cruel Prince Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printFrequently asked questions
How can I listen to The Cruel Prince audiobook?
You can find it on Audible and Amazon. If you’re new to Audible, you can start with a free trial and use it to begin listening, or you can simply purchase the audiobook on Amazon.
Is The Cruel Prince part of a series?
Yes. It’s the first book in Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series, so if you fall for Jude’s story there’s more to continue with.
Is The Cruel Prince appropriate for younger readers?
It’s published as young adult fantasy and features violence, scheming, and dark, dangerous themes set in the fae courts, so it leans toward older teens and adults rather than younger kids.
Do I need to know fae lore before starting?
No prior knowledge is required. The book establishes its version of Faerie and its rules as you go, so newcomers to fae fantasy can jump right in.