Okay, after seeing a bazillion of raving reviews for this one (and the sequel) I caved.
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This would be an easy answer. The more complicated and Okay, after seeing a bazillion of raving reviews for this one (and the sequel) I caved.
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This would be an easy answer. The more complicated and the true one is that I like it BUT.
So, let's have a look at the but. (No typo here 😊) And a fair warning might be a bit spoilerish.
- The first thing I have to say is that this might be a bit of my fault because through seeing a bazillion of reviews I did not manage to hide from some spoilers. So, I knew a bit what to expect.
- A thing I was dying to say: their school/lessons/lectures/whateveryouwanttocallit make no sense! Hear me out. It is for the Gentry children, but Jude and Taryn get to go as well. Supposedly Vivi should be there as well. And here is the first thing, is it mandatory? Or is it not? Because it seems like no one really cares if the kids are there. Vivi does not go. Taryn skipped classes once. Jude skipped them as well. Valerian skipped them. The teachers do not really pay attention to what's happening in their classes. They even change the topic of the classes when a Prince does not like it. Come on, I would guess that the King was the one who formed this "school" and the teachers should answer to him and not to the whims of his youngest son. I don't have a problem with the bullying (being in the book not that I think it's a normal thing. It's not). But I have a huge problem with the fact that it once took place in a class where the teacher clearly saw it and did nothing. Probably beside leaving. Like, what the...? All the kids in these class are somehow important. Their parents clearly are. And even if a Prince were to truly hurt a Generals daughter, there would be consequences. Maybe not for said Prince but I would bet that the tutor would be the one to face the consequences. It makes no sense! If they did all of it out of classes then okay but like this? Do not tell me that none of the kids talked about what they did to the General's daughter. And that none of their parents thought: "The young Prince has NO power, but the General is connected to the future King! Well, there is something to gain in telling him that his daughter is being mistreated."
- Am I the only one who got a massive City of Bones feel at the beginning? You know the whole (view spoiler)[ Jude's mum, and Jocelyn both faked their death by setting their houses on fire and then hid away for years. With their husband's child. Until said husband found them. (hide spoiler)]
- So, of course, I have to talk about the HYPE. Do I think it deserves the hype? Maybe. Did I succumb to the hype? Not yet. Not yet? Yes. And here's why. The beginning of the Cruel Prince was a bit slow. Somehow cliché. Only around the half, it started to really move. However, if the second book will follow in the same manner as the second half of the Cruel Prince than you can bet that I will sign on the dotted line for the Hype.
So, enough for the but and let's move on.
- And of course, I have to talk about Cardan's tail! 🐩 I'm sorry, I cannot help myself. I have so many questions. Like does he wiggle his tail when he's happy? When he kisses someone? Sleeps with someone? And when he's afraid does he tuck his tail between his leg? (No double meaning here! 🤣) I'm so sorry, but I just need to know more about his tail!
- I'm sort of conflicted about Jude. I like her. Like half of her. I like the bloodthirsty side of her, the one that wants revenge and wants power and is very good at scheming! The Slytherin part of her. 🐍 However, I do not like that part of her that is impulsive good-doer.
I am an idiot. An impulsive idiot. 🦁
- I do not like Taryn. Not because she is a (view spoiler)[backstabber who thinks only about herself (hide spoiler)] But because she is no good at it. Because she will get herself hurt very bad with this approach and then she is going to blame others for it. But I'm willing to bet on one thing; she will have a moment before this book ends: (view spoiler)[She held the crown, she had the power. If she went and gave the crown to Balekin, she could have possible gain something. However, she let Jude take it from her and Jude is still angry so Taryn will be getting nothing. Taryn will be angry; she will believe she deserves a reward and then she'll do something stupid to backstab Jude. (hide spoiler)]
- And since I went down the road, talking about both twins. Now is the time to have a look at Locke. And you may be surprised what I'm going to tell you. I liked him. I want more of him. I'm not mad at him for what he did. Because no matter what for that particular play, he needed someone to dance with him. He had no obligation to anyone. No one should have expected better of him. And honestly, he even gave a fair warning at the beginning! He likes drama; if there is none he will create it! But all of it was based only on one thing. Taryn's silence. I hope there will be more of his schemes in the next books. And honestly? He might be a fabulous member of the Court of Shadows.
- And when I'm talking about twins who are not at the best terms together I have to wonder. The Ghost mistook them for each other. I say that he is a terrible spy! Come one, he knows about the fact that Jude has a twin. He saw Jude previously. He knows what she's wearing. Don't tell me that that it was a stressful situation! He should have been aware of the fact that it was Taryn and not Jude! However, that brings me to the next thing. Are we going to see one of the twins pretending to be the other? Will Taryn get her revenge by pretending that she's Jude?
“You’re scheming.” I am so tired of her suspicion, so very tired. “You always think that,” I say. “It’s just that for once you’re right.” Leaving her to worry what that might mean.
- I knew it was not all. I'm actually surprised that Jude was able to best Madoc. (view spoiler)[I would expect that King's General would be taking poisons to built up his resistance. But it seems that he did not do it, otherwise he would consider Jude and Taryn doing the same if it would give them a fighting chance. But I'm still surprised that a General would not be trying his best to be resistant to anything and everything! (hide spoiler)]
What I liked the most is the fact that the book is full of pain. There is no holding back. There is torture. They try to kill Jude. Jude purposely hurts herself to make herself stronger. It is full of stabbing, killing, murder, torture, more backstabbing and treason. There is murder by treason, and there is treason by murder. This book is a very Slytherin kind of a book. And I really hope that it won't change in the next book. I need more Slytherin books! I love stabbity stab kind of books!
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