an embarrassingly unhinged deep dive into The Cruel Prince | plot recap

The Ghost slowly disappearing through part two feels very on brand for him ghost emoji
I hope you enjoy the video!!!
Love ya
Please go check these artists out they are all unbelievably talented and brought these characters to life ❤️
Artists:
@annalisejensen - / annalisejensen
- Lord Roiben: pCwa9Y3RyR...
@artsbyaddie - / artsbyaddie
- Cardan: / cmrexxpvwii
- Taryn: / ckqjb81ozpu
- Vivienne: / ckgwr3cvv5u
- Heather: / ckld_x6vhjg
@bethgilbert_art - / bethgilbert_art
- Jude: pCge-DpmrB...
- Locke: pChxVTWHrx...
- Valerian: pCguXpDVN_...
@blinchik_art - / blinchik_art
- Oriana: pCXogZzAtg...
@colouranomaly - / colouranomaly
- Nicasia: pCg4h5_OJd...
@ellieoffrell - / ellieoffrell
- Severin: pB5_iRcjAh...
@kalinahansonart - / kalinahansonart
- Madoc: pCQtwcL1pf...
- Oak: pCQtwcL1pf...
@rachelhankeart - / rachelhankeart
- The Roach: / buf5ka8nixi
- The Bomb: / bt4ffmbhtwy
- The Ghost: / bt46-2ghkab
- Check out her art of these characters in a Fae Crate Hangover Kit for The Wicked King (!!!!!!!!): faecrate.com/pages/past-hango...
The original map of Elfhame by Kathleen Jennings: www.kathleenjennings.com/crue...
Trigger Warnings for The Cruel Prince by Holly Black as listed on: triggerwarningdatabase.com/20...
- Body shaming
- Slut-shaming
- Slavery
- Physical & psychological child abuse
- Cheating
- Disownment
- Nightmares mentioned
- Suicide, on-page
- Coerced self-harm
- Alcohol consumption & abuse
- Drug use & drugging
- Self-harm (mithridatism)
- Death of a pregnant character mentioned
- Blood and gore depiction, including dead bodies & emesis
- Graphic physical injuries
- Decapitation & dismemberment mentioned
- Grief & loss depiction
- Death of mother and father, on-page
- Death of friend
- Death of a sister & brother
- Death by a fall mentioned
- Drowning
- Murder and attempted murder
- Knife and sword violence & stabbing
- Strangulation
- Torture
- Kidnapping & captivity
- Loss of autonomy (glamour magic)
- War themes discussed
- Bullying
Check out The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
Thank you @JennyNicholson , @mikesmic , and @caricanread for inspiring me to make this video ❤️
Music:
Fun Beat by Pikatoste: • ✨ fun beat ✨
Follow me on socials!
Tik Tok: @idkpaigely
Instagram: @idkpaigely
an embarrassingly unhinged deep dive into The Cruel Prince | plot recap

[@anachelidze8558]

Jude is so “my father is the worst man alive & I am his favorite daughter” coded 💕

[@idkpaigely]

YES!!! The superior father daughter trope 💪🏻💕💀

[@wondergirl1586]

Didn’t she actually say that in the books? 😭

[@HannahMcInroy]

If Taryn has no haters, I’m dead.

[@momomomo__]

if taryn has no defenders, i'm dead

[@lalacheorry]

REAL!

[@sketchycat6223]

@@momomomo__​​⁠REAL. If the book were from her pov I think she’d have less haters. She’s just as afraid as Jude is, Jude turns her fear into anger, but Taryn’s fear is disguised as acceptance. Jude acts as though Taryn is bowing down to the fae willingly, but there just isn’t any other path for her. They both have their flaws.

[@majedm3582]

Frrrr

[@MadeleinesMadeleines]

@@sketchycat6223it’s one thing being afraid it’s another selling your own sister out multiple times. So yea F her 😇

[@sinthuchiva515]

Please please do wicked king and every other book ever. Your humour and the way you explain things. Chefs kiss. This video is criminally underrated and I will be suing someone.

[@idkpaigely]

thank you thank you thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@border_line.]

@@idkpaigelyyes pls do these w the rest of the series i love the storytelling!!

[@1confusedkitty745]

Everything this comment says

[@akikoa198]

​@@idkpaigelyThank you so much!! Will be looking forward to the rest of the series n other new projects u come up with!!!❤❤

[@moonrose7067]

Yessss that would be amazing!❤

[@jumisjam]

did i already read this entire series? yes. will i still watch bc honestly it was a fever dream? yes.

[@shreyavatsana]

Same fr

[@marthahilke]

have i read this series 6 times? yes. will i still watch it bc i will consume any type of content abt it i can? yes

[@snowfire321]

i love watching unhinged recaps of things i've already read

[@Percyswisegirl]

Same

[@Percyswisegirl]

​@@snowfire321 YEAHH

[@jsmith3798]

Vivi is an underrated character as far as I’m concerned. Gotta give her credit for sticking to her word, and I find the unconditional love for her siblings very endearing. It exists between Jude and Taryn also, and it always comes back around, which I appreciate, but not the same. Vivi would never do the things that Taryn does.

[@idkpaigely]

totally agree that there's not enough Vivi love out there, and I definitely love her as much as the twins and Oak, but I do think they all have their faults. Like Vivi wouldn't have done what Taryn did, but I think the way she treats Heather in the Wicked King is pretty infuriating. Nobody's perfect but they are all awesome ❤️❤️❤️

[@jsmith3798]

@@idkpaigely That's true.. It gets to a point where, although you want it to work out and for them to be together, you find yourself wondering if she deserves Heather..

[@kportz19]

I think that Taryn stealing the fabric out from under Jude’s nose was very bratty but that’s also just very much twin sister vibes. Like they share a face there’s bound to be some resentment there

[@idkpaigely]

10000%!!!!! I love the sibling dynamic in this series - vicious fights and unconditional love 💕

[@yoogrldude]

Also I mean, she was expecting to be proposed to that night. Kinda makes sense she’d want to stand out

[@cynthiaolivares8275]

The way they continuously betray each other always has me GAGGED

[@stardust1815]

I love how the first poem is about how wonderful it would be to be a fae child, and then the book opens and it’s so unhinged and gives off completely different vibes. Pretty clever if you ask me. 🧚‍♀️ 🌺

[@Wnderyrs]

5:15 literally only 5 mins in and I just need to compliment you on how interactive-ish it’s feeling w the Jude’s brain jar & the puzzle pieces. As a frequent watcher of these types of videos, it’s really helpful and a fun way to stay engaged in the video

[@idkpaigely]

Thank you, I'm so glad!! Had to pull out all the stops for JudexCardan 💕

[@hamdiyazid200]

I dont understand why is she doing that?

[@depgabby]

⁠@@hamdiyazid200with each Pearl in the jar she gets closer to figuring stuff out lol

[@astelius]

*when Jude was with Locke and we didn’t know what he was doing, I was like ‘awww they’re kinda cute’ and my friend who had already read the book was like ‘that will fade 🤭’ AND I WAS SO CONFUSED UNTIL THAT HAPPENED*

[@mahaabaalkhail]

the way I finished the video AND STILL wanna read the book just shows how well done this recap is

[@idkpaigely]

❤️❤️❤️

[@iwouldgiveyouthemoon_]

PLEASE read it the series is so good. i’ve literally read it four times in the past year and still want to watch this video

[@nitebreak]

⁠@@iwouldgiveyouthemoon_i have reread it 3 times, but i might make it a fourth

[@renardroi1136]

ive read cruel prince twice (i never reread books) and now Im an hour into this. nobody understands me like holly black understands me. we are all kindred spirits in this comment section i think. thank you for this video god... i love the jar i love your descriptions and your voice. top tier vid

[@kjarakravik4837]

I would not have discovered my love of reading if I hadn't read Tithe at age eleven and I'm eternally grateful

[@idkpaigely]

❤️❤️❤️

[@mystical-cinnamoon]

Real I’ve done the same thing I legit never reread books but I might reread these a 3rd time ngl Holly black is the best

[@orcaa13]

i love collecting 20something girlies who make unhinged feature film length videos about books. each one i find pushes me closer to the edge myself

[@daisyhollins7050]

Amazing, I was so surprised no one else had made an unhinged recap of this so far and didn’t want to have to read it myself!

[@idkpaigely]

Thank you so much!!! I’m glad it was helpful 😊

[@signesoderstrom153]

"all you need to know at the moment is that Jude hates him. Passionately." I'm dead 😭

[@doctergoogle]

Please I am begging you, do a part 2, your energy is just so perfect for this

[@iwanttobelieve9593]

Finally I’ll understand what my girlfriend is talking about when she rants to me about these books, thank you!

[@idkpaigely]

lol that's so awesome!!!!!! glad I could help 🫡

[@rachelldonohue8960]

Thank you for this, I hope you continue with the series! I'd been on the fence whether I wanted to read this series and you convinced me! My thoughts on Taryn, the stealing of the fabric was foreshadowing showing that Taryn would be comfortable with taking something from Jude, like perhaps a boyfriend. While it may not have been malicious, it showed that Taryn didn't value Judes feelings more than her own, or even the same amount as her own.

[@idkpaigely]

Love this take!!!! I've never thought of it that way before

[@realnookes6482]

Yes, and like how in the end Jude ends up with the better dress, Jude also ends up with the better partner

[@camicami125]

this is feeding my cruel prince obsession

[@idkpaigely]

❤️🧚🏻✨

[@Shirin-ys8wh]

I read the books but the way you’re recapping it is AMAZING PLEASE do the wicked king,the queen of nothing and the stolen heir

[@kanej383]

"our fav little snake, prince cardan" THE FORESHADOWING

[@idkpaigely]

(teehee)

[@taroknight8464]

I’m obsessed with the way you describe these characters, your manor of speaking is inherently poetic. I’ve had the “she’s very blue coded. Mean girl, beautiful, blue.” Line stuck in my head all day.

[@espeon7o]

Queen Orlaugh as Ursula 💀 I love it. Excellent work on this recap, doing this is a Herculean task. 😊 You’re amazing! 🎉

[@idkpaigely]

thank you!!!! 💕💜💗

[@hellomynameis________]

Girl, your enthusiasm is literally infectious. I‘ve never read the series, but the way you told the story has me so invested! Like I wanna go read it, but I’m scared I won’t enjoy it as much as I enjoyed watching you recap it lol. You did such a good job, and I would 1000% watch more of these(for other series too!) (Also you could totally be an audiobook narrator if you wanted to, your voice and tone are perfect for it)

[@idkpaigely]

thank you!!!! definitely check out the books, Holly Black is a much better story teller than me she's AMAZING ❤️❤️❤️

[@wanderingjadah]

I haven't read the books, but I stumbled across the audiobooks on KZbin (the channel is Ultimate Audiobooks) and I highly recommend them- the reader does all the voices, and I was super entertained. I don't normally read fantasy and I didn't even know about this series at all, but I was hooked lol.

[@user-gb1os7tu9t]

PLEASE DO THE WICKED KING AND THE QUEEN OF NOTHING IM BEGGING YOU ❤this was so good!

[@idkpaigely]

❤️❤️❤️

[@eli-cl4wo]

PLEASE continue this series, this was incredible and i need to know what happens next

[@idkpaigely]

Thank you!!!! I really hope I can continue!!!

[@sophhh_c]

The royal family being succession characters is everything 🔥🔥

[@lpchambers3681]

As someone that has read both the books and listen to the audiobooks. I am so sorry, but I feel that I must let you know about some of the pronunciations… The magical bargain, the geas- is said like “guess” but with a -sh sound at the end, “g-eh-sh” And her last name is Duarte, said with an accent at the end- “duar-t-eh” LOVE this video 🫶

[@idkpaigely]

L. M. A. O. I am actually laughing at how wrong I was, especially for geas 💀😂 thanks for telling me!!!!!!!

[@lancelotandmerlin]

i started reading this series over a year ago and stopped in the middle of the wicked king. now i picked it up again, finished the rest of the wicked king and queen of nothing in a heartbeat. now i'm sad it's over but this is such a nice recap of the first book that I remember so little of and a way for me to still enjoy something that has to do with the series. definitely would love to see more of this, you're great!

[@idkpaigely]

thank you!!!! I'm so glad it brought a little Elfhame whimsy back to you 💕

[@notwithoutpizza4702]

Read the one about Oak!

[@lookitskatiex]

24:36 Honestly this is a brilliant way to portray different reactions to trauma.

[@lookitskatiex]

1:57:28 also Cardan is so into getting bossed around by her it’s not even funny

[@bashfulnath]

This video is amazing but the mike’s mic olivia wilde nod made it iconic

[@cgibbons65]

You have no idea how much this video means to me. The folk of the air series has been my favorite since it came out so getting to listen to you recap it all in such a fun way made my heart so happy!

[@idkpaigely]

that's so incredible to hear, thank you so much!!!!! ❤️💕💖

[@lordofmistakesl3413]

The way Jude ATE everyone up when she crowned Cardan *silent screams*

[@delaneyhoward2685]

reading is so often a pretty solitary activity so I’m obsessed with this vibe! every time you just silently put marbles in really made me laugh. also this made me realize that I’ve read this book maybe a concerning amount of times? with the way my mind was literally filling in with dialogue and quoting things with you. also also, unrelated but I love your hair

[@idkpaigely]

thank you!!! there can never be too much JudeXCardan 💕💕💕

[@alexbeautyvlog3102]

There arent enough comments here for all the work put in. It was great cant wait for the wicked king

[@idkpaigely]

thank you!!!! 💕💕

[@shelbymc4372]

girl i am ALSO taryn apologist ty for speaking the truth

[@idkpaigely]

Taryn is for the non confrontational lover girlies ✨💕🧚🏻

[@Just.one.paige2024]

You are the face of this book series just as cari is the face of ACOTAR. I do need more!

[@agoericke62]

Thank you so much for doing this!! I read Cruel Prince Earlier in the Year and waited too long to pick up the next book, so this was a perfect recap! I hope you continue the series!

[@idkpaigely]

Yay I’m so glad it was helpful!!!!! Thank you ❤️❤️

[@phoenixwing5133]

Finally, someone has done it. The Cruel Prince plot recap. I'm ready.

[@Rkhfb]

Oh my god I’m revisiting this series after sooo long and all I can remember is how much I hated Taryn 😂

[@AshR24]

I love the contrast between all of the sisters. Viv inherently belongs and doesn't want to, Taryn will break herself to fit the mould and Jude will break the mould to fit her.

[@linnecai]

The Fae description, you've sold me lol. This was one of the first fae books I every read and the descriptions of them in other books still throw me like wdym? theyre not medium ugly and on a cigarette/chocolate diet ?😂

[@idkpaigely]

LOL it's truly such a shock when they're described as like a John Cena muscle head 💀

[@yourmomoclock.channel]

This is literally the best book to do an unhinged recap on! The recap was so good btw!

[@idkpaigely]

Thank you so much!!!!!

[@LilNinja72]

I LOVED this. After I finished the series, it never left my mind. I miss this world and characters already. I also love how you giggle after your own jokes

[@vilksu]

Based on how I've heard people talk about this book before I thought it wouldn't be my cup of tea at all, but it actually sounds awesome, maybe I'll give it a go now even though I already know the whole plot lol

[@bbyyerim]

me too lol

[@QuartzFire.]

This is so fun and detailed! Makes me remember all the little things in the books that needed some more explanation! Like how Grimsen gives Cardan an earring for eavesdropping at the Queen of Mirth event in The Wicked King, but I'm not sure what conversations Cardan used it to secretly listen to!! Please make a video on the other two books in the trilogy. Would love to hear your analysis!

[@Shuru10]

This felt like reading the book again and really put me back into the mood to finish the book! (left it off after she captures him after the bloodbath)

[@mckenziebaker7604]

ive been waiting for someone to do this with this level of unhingedness or else i was going to have to do it myself so thank you

[@joannapamerr]

i just finished the whole series literally last night, and i wasn't done with it yet and wanted to be put back in the magic. your descriptions and recap is the absolute best

[@idkpaigely]

thank you so much!!! I'm glad it could bring you back into Elfhame 🧚🏻🍃✨

[@RainTheStrawberry]

have i read this series 5 time over? yes. will i watch this video talking about the plot? yes.

[@katierose6424]

This is one of the recaps dome in this format where I've come away WANTING to engage with the source material as opposed to extremely grateful I've never touched it 😂

[@cesca_wren]

I don't know how you managed to make this video so entertaining for someone who has already read this series like 3 times! So funny and the perfect level of depth

[@nadiateague6742]

This isn’t embarrassing! This is a masterpiece!!

[@aj_san3788]

not three minutes you had me rolling with the "Timothée Chalmette vibe" comment. A little bit sickly but hot

[@thefishthefishfish]

i just finished this book and i really love the excited/delighted laugh at every jardan scene because that's exactly what i sounded like too

[@idkpaigely]

it's unavoidable, they're just too perfect 😭

[@louiseseynaeve7389]

Please do this epic job for the other books in the series as well. Every one of your jokes and giggles gives me a spark of joy. Well done! 👑

[@kali8526]

i love how u broke this down SO much please continue this series feel like u could make even the bible feel so animated 😭

[@foxlikesrox]

SLAY GIRLIE!!!! This video is criminally underrated and I really do hope you do the rest of the books, I read cruel prince and wicked king when I was like 13 and this was an unhinged walk down memory lane, ily!!!

[@idkpaigely]

💕💕💕

[@q0rpz368]

As someone who watched after reading the first book herself, I adored this! so nice to hear someone else retell the story and to feel like I was able to excite over it with someone else! Hope to enjoy many other recaps from you! 💕🙏 The effort you put into this was astounding!

[@idkpaigely]

thank you!!!!! the goal is always to obsess together 💕

[@jooj3699]

Will be naming my kid Jude in the hopes that they’re half as cool as this Jude.

[@FreshBakedElla]

your organised recap is so incredibly type A I love it

[@brittanylikesmemes_]

wow, the cruel prince is my favorite book of all time. I have read it in full tens of times. and honestly, this breakdown is so good it was and will continue to be a great substitute any time I want to relive my favorite book without actually re reading the entire thing. you did a great job bringing an energy that really makes you *feel* the twists and turns. even though I knew everything that would happen, I still felt the excitement and chills. 10/10. great job!

[@idkpaigely]

thank you so much!!! hopefully we can keep the energy going 💪🏻💪🏻

[@gabriellecarvalho7261]

Omg, I can't believe I just watched a 2hour video about the cruel prince. I just finished the book and I'm so obsessed that I didn't even realize it was 2 hours long! Please make more, I love it!

[@ariannas1403]

PLEASE do the rest of the series. This is probably the best recap I’ve ever watched where I really understood the plot, the characters, the vibes, everything.

[@Densomsadet]

Great video! Thank you algorithm Gods for bringing me here 🙏 A great addition to my rotation of recap videos (since I’ve already watched Jenny, Mike and Caris videos 2000 times). Keep doing these please! 🎉🎉

[@idkpaigely]

Thank you so much!!!!!! ❤️❤️

[@mukelani40]

It’s like you knew that I want to understand the book without having to read it🤣

[@rebecavasquez7394]

pls pls pls pls pls do wicked kind and queen of nothing best book recap ever!!!

[@tajeemcmuffin]

This is so well done, great job! About Taryn stealing Jude's fabric - in that moment, i thought of it more like her calling dibs. Jude was just looking at the fabric, no? She didn't say anything yet out loud. I feel like this is real sibling moment. Not something i would be mad about.

[@sukha3795]

Wow okay, its the way my ADHD doesn’t even allow me to sit through 3 min TikTok video’s without 2x speed and I watched this video on normal speed and wanted more when it was over. It’s like when I’m on ft with my bestie at 2am when shes explaining the lore of her day, I was giggling and kicking my feet along with you. Thank you for putting in the work you did for this video, I hope you will make similar videos for the rest of the books in the series🫶🏼

[@aghostswhisper]

love this sis!! amazing work, i was waiting for someone to recap my fav series

[@MadiZerr-uc4kl]

I passionately adore these books, and you’ve done them so much justice with this!!! The map, the marble jar, the pictures…it’s all perfect. Thank you for your service❤️❤️❤️

[@idkpaigely]

anything for Queen Jude 🫡

[@promisedjubileedaniels]

YES. THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED. I mean, convince me to waste my time. Everyone and their cousin have been saying this should be my next listen.

[@anna_nguyenie]

THANK YOU I’ve been really interested in watching videos like these

[@iyanadennis5778]

please continue !! Loved this video.

[@MY-sk6dd]

I LOVED THIS!!! We need the rest of the series😭

[@aaytennnn]

girllllll thank you for this, you are the queen no one else. pls do the whole series soon!

[@socks3624]

I love how well done this is, can’t wait for more

[@oatmealt9042]

i’d watch 10 hours worth of tcp content from you, this is one of my favourite comfort videos

[@abbie7099]

This was soo good! We need a deep dive for the next 2 books!!!

[@majkavecerova1327]

oooh i love this i just finished the stolen heir so this is like perfect timing! And i love how you made this concept your own

[@katgreer6113]

ive been waiting for SOMEBODY to do this FINALLY. how did i not see this

[@rachelzimmermann8249]

This is so good! Please continue the series ! Your thoughts and commentary are very interesting and you get across the vibes of the book so well!

[@asmrelara]

IF LOVING CARDANS TAIL IS WRONG I DONT WANNA BE RIGHT

[@idkpaigely]

we're on the right side of history with this one 🫡

[@hopekeeley2122]

I mean if your gonna be an otherworldly being might as well look the part right?

[@yay4645]

I LOVED THIS!! waiting for the next parts😁

[@cynthiagall8368]

I’m addicted now I need more!!! You’re awesome at this!!!❤

[@Gopiga-ku3go]

THIS IS INCREDIBLE OMG

[@TheMusicalJenius]

Please continue this series! LOVED IT

[@chiarakikimatteazzi4840]

Omg i love these videos!! Please please go on with the series ❤

[@user-iv3kb3xb1e]

I love your videos!❤ Cant wait for the wicked king part;D

[@olivefitz2232]

Girl this was so enjoyable and easy to follow. Excited to see what's next!

[@neeteegrace]

you have the exact right energy/vibe for this video thank you so much it was such a fun watch

[@mcmusic96]

loved the recap! tfota is one of my favorite series!!

[@onlybeees]

Please do part 2, this was so good

[@assds908]

this was the best thing I’ve watched in months and I can’t wait for the second part!

[@laurenahmed7216]

This was a fantastic recap! I hope to see you make more recaps of the Cruel Prince series.

[@bekka20]

I'm so looking forward to the next episode!

[@ameliarivera5792]

the way im going to rewatch this every time i want to reread but dont have the time to, i cant wait to see if you end up making recaps of the other books :)

[@user-cv3ps5fg5q]

i really really really hope you do this for the next two books! this was amazing because I read this series such a long time ago and missed them all!

[@liyanachuu]

pls do the wicked king and the queen of nothing!! loved this so much 😭😭😭😭

[@tvdbridgit]

OMG pls pls make one about Wicked King this was spot on girl, I read The Cruel Prince a while back and wanted a refresh and this was perfection

[@namunamnamunam]

u seem to be such a kind soul 🥹 ur energy is wonderful!