Romantasy · Young adult
The Cruel Prince
A human girl raised in the fae High Court after her parents' murder longs to belong in a place that despises her. She chases power through its schemes, which pits her against the cruel prince who torments her most.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2018
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in The Folk of the Air
Read this if you want a twisty, scheming fae court story with an ambitious heroine and a hero who is both enemy and temptation.
Skip this if you want warm characters, since almost everyone here lies, bullies or plays a game.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Cruel Prince
- What is The Cruel Prince about?
- A human girl raised in the fae High Court after her parents' murder longs to belong in a place that despises her. She chases power through its schemes, which pits her against the cruel prince who torments her most.
- Who should read The Cruel Prince?
- Read it if you want a twisty, scheming fae court story with an ambitious heroine and a hero who is both enemy and temptation. Skip it if you want warm characters, since almost everyone here lies, bullies or plays a game.
- How long and how fast is The Cruel Prince?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read, first published in 2018.
- Does The Cruel Prince have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Bullying, Manipulation.
- Can I borrow The Cruel Prince for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Cruel Prince; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Cruel Prince?
- Readers who liked it often move on to A Court of Thorns and Roses, Six of Crows, Uprooted.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Cruel Prince
-
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Another fae-court fantasy, with more romance and a very different, less cruel male lead.
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Six of Crows A comparably clever and morally murky YA fantasy with scheming and double-crosses.
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Uprooted A fairy-tale fantasy with a powerful, prickly hero and a heroine who finds her own strength.
Romantasy
