---
product_id: 95590633
title: "The Cruel Prince"
price: "AR$31767"
currency: ARS
in_stock: null
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.com.ar/products/95590633-the-cruel-prince
store_origin: AR
region: Argentina
---

# Epic world-building Bestseller status 400 pages of fantasy The Cruel Prince

**Price:** AR$31767
**Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock

## Summary

> ✨ Get ready to rule the realm of fantasy!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Cruel Prince
- **How much does it cost?** AR$31767 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Currently out of stock
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.ar](https://www.desertcart.com.ar/products/95590633-the-cruel-prince)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
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## Key Features

- • **Vivid Prose:** Get lost in beautifully crafted language that paints every scene.
- • **Complex Characters:** Experience a rich tapestry of morally ambiguous figures.
- • **Bestselling Fantasy:** Join the ranks of readers enchanted by this modern classic.
- • **Engaging Plot Twists:** Stay on the edge of your seat with unexpected turns.
- • **Unleash Your Imagination:** Dive into a captivating realm of intrigue and betrayal.

## Overview

The Cruel Prince is the first book in The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black, featuring a gripping tale of a mortal girl navigating the treacherous politics of the Faerie world, filled with deception, power struggles, and a touch of romance.

## Description

desertcart.com: The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, 1): 9780316310314: Black, Holly: Books

Review: Jude is the blueprint for a great protagonist - The Folk of the Air is one of my favorite fantasy romance series and a must-read for the genre. Jude and Cardan have easily become two of my all-time favorite leads. Holly Black’s prose is masterful, giving both characters very distinct voices, from Jude’s pragmatism to Cardan’s coy playfulness. The banter between them is top-tier, and their electric chemistry makes for an incredible emotional payoff after so much pining. Be forewarned that this begins as a bully romance; if that trope is a dealbreaker for you, this might not be the best fit. However, for me, it was incredibly satisfying to watch them transition from mutual loathing to a complex, hard-won alliance. While I occasionally found myself wishing the series had more of a New Adult edge in its romantic execution, the story itself is so compelling that it remains a favorite. 1: The Cruel Prince ⭐ 4 1.5 The Lost Sisters ⭐ 2.5 2: The Wicked King ⭐ 4.5 3: The Queen of Nothing ⭐ 4.75 3.5: How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories ⭐ 3.75
Review: Dark, addictive, and impossible to put down - This book completely deserves the hype. The Cruel Prince pulls you into a cruel, political, and morally gray fae world from the very first chapters. The atmosphere is dark, tense, and emotionally charged, and the power dynamics between characters are constantly shifting. Nothing feels safe, and that’s exactly what makes it so addictive. Jude is a strong and complex main character. She’s not perfect, not soft, and definitely not naive. Her ambition, anger, and determination make her feel real, especially in a world that constantly reminds her she doesn’t belong. The writing is sharp, the pacing is excellent, and the court politics keep you hooked without feeling overwhelming. I won’t go into spoilers, but if you like fantasy with enemies to lovers tension, ruthless politics, morally questionable characters, and a dark fairy tale vibe, this book is absolutely worth reading. It’s one of those stories that makes you immediately want to grab the next book in the series.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,341 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #5 in Teen & Young Adult Dark Fantasy #9 in Teen & Young Adult Sword & Sorcery Fantasy #11 in Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Action & Adventure |
| Book 1 of 3  | The Folk of the Air |
| Customer Reviews | 4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (67,839) |
| Dimensions  | 5.5 x 1.4 x 8.25 inches |
| Edition  | Reprint |
| Grade level  | 9 and up |
| ISBN-10  | 031631031X |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0316310314 |
| Item Weight  | 12 ounces |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 416 pages |
| Publication date  | December 4, 2018 |
| Publisher  | Little, Brown Books for Young Readers |
| Reading age  | 15+ years, from customers |

## Images

![The Cruel Prince - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81vCaMmKrWL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jude is the blueprint for a great protagonist
*by J***Y on January 24, 2026*

The Folk of the Air is one of my favorite fantasy romance series and a must-read for the genre. Jude and Cardan have easily become two of my all-time favorite leads. Holly Black’s prose is masterful, giving both characters very distinct voices, from Jude’s pragmatism to Cardan’s coy playfulness. The banter between them is top-tier, and their electric chemistry makes for an incredible emotional payoff after so much pining. Be forewarned that this begins as a bully romance; if that trope is a dealbreaker for you, this might not be the best fit. However, for me, it was incredibly satisfying to watch them transition from mutual loathing to a complex, hard-won alliance. While I occasionally found myself wishing the series had more of a New Adult edge in its romantic execution, the story itself is so compelling that it remains a favorite. 1: The Cruel Prince ⭐ 4 1.5 The Lost Sisters ⭐ 2.5 2: The Wicked King ⭐ 4.5 3: The Queen of Nothing ⭐ 4.75 3.5: How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories ⭐ 3.75

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dark, addictive, and impossible to put down
*by M***A on December 18, 2025*

This book completely deserves the hype. The Cruel Prince pulls you into a cruel, political, and morally gray fae world from the very first chapters. The atmosphere is dark, tense, and emotionally charged, and the power dynamics between characters are constantly shifting. Nothing feels safe, and that’s exactly what makes it so addictive. Jude is a strong and complex main character. She’s not perfect, not soft, and definitely not naive. Her ambition, anger, and determination make her feel real, especially in a world that constantly reminds her she doesn’t belong. The writing is sharp, the pacing is excellent, and the court politics keep you hooked without feeling overwhelming. I won’t go into spoilers, but if you like fantasy with enemies to lovers tension, ruthless politics, morally questionable characters, and a dark fairy tale vibe, this book is absolutely worth reading. It’s one of those stories that makes you immediately want to grab the next book in the series.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so I have been exposed to her writing style before and have enjoyed her stories
*by D***H on July 12, 2018*

Rating: 4.75/5 Stars Title: The Cruel Prince Author: Holly Black Synopsis: 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. Initial thoughts: I have read a few of Holly Black’s work when I was younger and I’m currently reading the Magisterium series she is writing with Cassandra Clare as they come out, so I have been exposed to her writing style before and have enjoyed her stories. This one I started a little late though because I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the characters as one of them is openly ‘cruel’. I decided to finally pick it up because there are so many people who have said that they enjoyed the story that was written. Excited for a new story involving magic and fae, I felt that I should give it a chance even if there was a chance I wouldn’t like the characters. Plot: What I liked: The main focus wasn't on the romance. Of course there was some romance (if you can actually call the toxic manipulation through emotions romance), but the main focus of this story seemed to be political and world building through the character’s actions which was something I really enjoyed. Jude was also a character that surprised me. I liked her characters a lot and how she handled situations based on her prior experiences learning from past mistakes. I also liked how Black made every character unique in personality and appearance. What I didn't like: I didn't really understand how Jude was so invested in a world that truly only hurt her and why she didn't want to leave. That seemed to be the only thing I had real issue with in this book. Characters: Jude: I liked her and how scheming she was. She was clever and used her skills to her advantage. She was stubborn and stuck to her goals trying to plan ahead even when things didn't always work out. Taryn: She was very selfish and only really thought about how things would affect her. She didn't seem to care about hurting others that trusted her so long as she got what she wanted. She was very similar to Jude in this way. Vivienne: I loved her! She was such a fun character and really cared about her family (other than her father) and was willing to get into trouble for them. Madoc: He was a very interesting character that played father figure and teacher, but also a warlord general. I enjoyed him and the way that he thought throughout the book. Valerian and Nicasia: They were horrible and I kind of hated them throughout the entire book. They were fantastic antagonists, but they really pushing boundaries when it came to what it was that they desired verses what their path toward it was. Prince Cardan: I think that he was the one who surprised me the most through this book. I didn't like him and I didn't hate him either. I hope he continues to surprise me. Oriana and Oak: I didn't like Oriana at first, but she grew on me pretty quickly. And Oak is just precious. Such a cute kid. Prince Dain: It felt almost wrong to like him. I liked him, but didn't trust him as far as I could throw him which isn't very far. The Court of Shadows: I loved each and every one of them! They were fantastic and willing to include which I found endearing to their characters. Overall: I really enjoyed this book and how it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and pulled plot twists that actually surprised me. I will be starting the second book when it comes out and look forward to seeing how Black handles the plot that she set up in the cliffhanger she had at the end of the book. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a gripping and dark fairytale.

## Frequently Bought Together

- The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, 1)
- The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air, 2)
- The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air, 3)

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*Product available on Desertcart Argentina*
*Store origin: AR*
*Last updated: 2026-02-11*