Jude Duarte is a human living in the High Court of Faerie, needing to prove that she is worthy of being part of their world. She wants a place of her own in the Court, but she must first get past the barrier that is the youngest royal: Insufferable Prince Cardan.
But chaos soon erupts, and the true treachery of how far anyone is willing to go to get what they want is revealed.
I believe that worldbuilding is one of the top three reasons of a book's success, and the Cruel Prince's High Fantasy world is so, so magical. I loved the feeling of being submerged in the spirited, lively world so different from ours and I never wanted to leave. I recommend Holly Black's books to fantasy, Upper MG, YA, and NA readers. I can't wait to finish the trilogy and start The Stolen Heir.