The Cruel Prince (Spoiler Free) | REVIEW

[@Notanotherbooktuber]

When I'm looking for a down to earth review I know I can find one by you. I love that you discuss plot//character development//writing aspects of a novel and that your opinions are typically different than the general popular reviewers. Very refreshing and honest! KEEP REVIEWING

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Christine Roland thank you 💜

[@Notanotherbooktuber]

Thanks for the recs, I’ll check them out! Always looking for adult books to add to my reading list.

[@KittyAndTheBooks]

Yay for a big KZbinr who doesn't simply gush about every new release. :)

[@Aimlesslytash]

Nice fairies were introduced to me later in life. I was creeped out by fairies as a child because of the stories I was told. Hell even Tinkerbell was mean, she would have taken Wendy out if given the chance.

[@randomreader]

I love your eyeshadow! This review was fantastic! I don't watch tons of reviews for books I haven't read, even if they are spoiler free, but I just love watching all of your reviews so I go ahead and watch the ones that are spoiler free.

[@Winx67]

You’re literally the most honest youtuber I know. Your reviews are trustworthy, down to earth and right to the point. Thanks to you I’ve known which books to pick up and which don’t (thank you for making me read the Shatter Me series, by the way ;) ) What a fantastic job you’re doing, Sam! :D

[@scrollsofdragons362]

A cruel being in a fantasy book I would think would be more like a villain, not a high school bully! I thought it came off a bit like a high school in a faerie land when I read a few snippets of it, thats a lil disappointing if I wanted that I would have read a contemporary.

[@sarahlaurent2239]

I love your candor and fresh perspective on all the YA you cover!

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Sarah Laurent thank you!

[@karkatvantas9557]

If you're interested in reading more of Holly Black's fae stories, I cannot recommend The Darkest Part of the Forest highly enough. I'm fairly certain that the books are set in the same world, but from this description it sounds like The Darkest Part of the Forest is a lot darker and definitely has a colder portrayal of the fae. It's a sort of mystery thriller set in the backdrop of a human town known for its high concentration of fae creatures, and the main tourist attraction is a horned boy sleeping in a glass casket. One day the casket is found broken open, the boy disappears, and all hell breaks loose.

[@veronicacastillo8650]

That book hella confused me. I had to re read that 3x to understand and i still can't👩‍🦯

[@Shaegeeksout]

Thank you so much for this video! I've only stumbled across 5 star reviews, or 1 star reviews of this particular book. Its nice to see yours where you talked about the good and the bad of it. I'm hoping to read this one soon, and I am now feeling less nervous to read it after watching your review.

[@sunsetxsong]

Hey Sam, thanks for the video. I personally do not like stories with the bullying sort of cruelty, and sudden personality changes really tick me off, so I appreciate the fact that you shared your thoughts on this book with us. I was on the fence about checking it out, and your review kind of solidified for me that this wouldn't be something I'd enjoy. If I change my mind, I'll get it from the library instead of buying my own copy (because I likely wouldn't read it more than once).

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

sunsetxsong I'm glad it helped!

[@anisaj2282]

I love your reviews you're just so honest unlike some other booktubers you will be honest and say that you don't like it I think that you deserve way more subscribers good luck and thanks for the video BTW I have had this book on my TBR shelf ever since I bought it which was the day of release.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Anisa J aw thank you! I think the people who love this book honestly do love it. It just wasn't amazing for me 😊

[@anisaj2282]

I feel like the whole bookstore was going crazy for this book but the hype has kinda gone down but I just loved your review and I think this book was purely just a cover buy. My local bookstore was selling signed copies I think that's mostly why they bought it.

[@Lexxie-lg4mh]

This was my first holly black novel as well and I love the ending. I can't wait till the next book. AND YES. Like far has ALWAYS been mean and mischievous

[@HannahCassieBooks]

Thank you for this video! At first I was a big no to this book but lately hype was starting to get to me but now after listening to your points I'm back to no, I think I would have read this if main lead was a guy but now with female lead it just sounds too much like what I have read before many times. Again thank you so much for this review ❤

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

P.S. I love that book! I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@biancareads]

I totally agree! I'm very hopeful that the next book is much more like the last 3rd than the rest. This book was SO foundational, and I just wanted to be there with all the later stuff!

[@charityyoder9028]

I actually thought that the characters were ridiculous in how they were cruel. I think I'm with you on the bully/cruel thing. But dear God the writing in this book drove me nuts. However, I appreciate smart characters outsmarting each other. I think I ended up giving it 3.5/5 stars but the more I think about it the more I think I was generous in that.

[@Liz86000]

I loved that book, it was my first book by Holly Black and I think I'll read more (while waiting for the second book in the series).

[@MariaMightReadThat]

I love that your reviews always leave me with a much clearer idea of what to expect from the book. I'm curious about this one but I think the unlikable characters/the bully aspect you talked about might ruin it for me. I might still give it a try though.

[@theinkedpath9631]

Very thoughtful review, Sam! Well done :)

[@nikkiholly3591]

I appreciate your honest opinions :)

[@Kincaid2576]

So distracted by the nails, pretty! I am on page 109 trying to decide if I should finish. If you say it gets better I'll keep going. It just seems like the timing is off. I can't put my finger on it.

[@theanxiousace3783]

I'm not a huge Holly Black fan, but I remember loving her as a teenager because her work was edgy to my rebellious teen mind. However, I would still recommend reading her book Valiant. I like Val's character development and how she ends up having to save her love interest towards the end of the story. It also constantly had me concerned for her because you can genuinely feel the danger she's in not just from the fae but also from the human characters around her.

[@kimberlya7267]

I got The Cruel Prince in owl crate too... not one i'm really looking forward too but I'll give it a chance. and I'll go in knowing the things you have said so that will be helpful

[@LindsayPuckett]

I talked a lot about the character and plot inconsistencies in my review on my channel too. The two parts of the book to me felt like two completely separate books. As for Jude, I felt like there wasn't enough hints of change leading up to her drastic character flip. It came off clunky and like her change was rushed to progress the plot, ya know? I'm glad you pointed this out because I feel like no one else is talking about it! :) I gave the book overall a 3 stars. Love your review, as always!

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Lindsay Puckett thank you! Yeah I cover that even more in my discussion but Jude and many of the other characters felt like separate people from the beginning vs the end.

[@alayna8375]

If you like the cruel prince you should read the iron king, it is AWESOME

[@thecolourgrun6995]

I loved this book, if you haven’t read it I definitely recommend!

[@natashataylor881]

Thank you for your review. Currently reading the second book in this series. I am hopeful for more. Do you have any fairy or dark faie novels that you would recommend? Thank you

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

I liked An Enchantment of Ravens but it wasn't my favorite by any means

[@natashataylor881]

Thank you! Can you share your favorite? Looking for books in this theme. ☺️

[@BeautywithElodie]

Hi! Thanks for the review without any hints 😉 Would you do a tutorial on your eye makeup? It’s gorgeous! Unless it’s with the oh-so-gone kvd metal palette..

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

......its the oh so gone KVD palette.... which is a tragedy! I think I could replicate something similar with another palette though!

[@kuhteen]

Thanks for reviewing this! I'm probs still going to check this out because I have yet to read a fae book, and this is the only one that had caught my eye remotely. But thanks for the heads up (especially in terms of the bullying versus what "cruel" is). I can't wait to watch your discussion once I actually read the book.

[@kuhteen]

Matthew Bryan Thanks for the recommendation 😁.

[@jennyjohnson3908]

I'm contemplating reading The Cruel Prince since I've heard so many positive and negative reviews. I'm 19 years old and trying to branch out of the YA genre, would you still recommend this book?

[@Rikku147]

The main character's arc sounds interesting enough that I think I may give this a try if I stumble on it at the library but I'm generally not all that interested in fae and this doesn't sound like it's such a nuanced take that it'll reel me in despite my usual lack of interest so I'll probably put it off. Great review! (Also, I gotta say, love your make-up in this video ~ it's flawless. I only wish I knew how to apply black lipstick on properly to achieve this :P).

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Rebeca A. Thank you! Liquid lipstick 100% helps for black lips imo

[@leathehatless]

Fae are always evil?? But Tinkerbell saved fairy land! My life is a lie!! :o JK, but in kids stories, specially in fairytales or Disney Movies fairies are seen as good. Maybe that is why people think it's odd and original that they are cruel?

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

it's so odd though because this isn't the first popular YA book that's had cruel fae. It's like people forgot those other ones existed lol

[@leathehatless]

Maybe. xD Btw, your review was amazing. :D

[@kasakchawla3603]

Your book taste is very similar to hannah from A clockwork reader.

[@Alexluxaflex]

Hey Sam! Have you read an alchemy of masques and mirrors? It's steampunk/fantasy and I'd love to see what you think of it. Keep up the good work!

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

I haven't but its on my shelf!

[@theanxiousace3783]

Who's the author? The title has caught my attention. :)

[@Alexluxaflex]

Kelsey Van De Laarschot Curtis Craddock :)

[@mary_jane_17]

This not meant to be' a criticism, I was so captivated by your nails that it was only the only think I could focus on XD I have problems.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

lol don't worry it's not criticism. I hear that a lot :)

[@mishelly]

OH and Carden told her liked her right after saying he loved his ex. So it’s just ridiculous, he doesn’t even seem to “like “ her THAT much 😂

[@cheboy]

Where's Prince ?

[@squeezie_b8895]

I disagree that there are a lot of dark fairy stories. Most “dark fairies” in fiction might as well just be humans that can use magic (hellooo Sarah J. Maas). Rarely do they ever feel like they are actually inhuman creatures motivated beyond what we can understand. It’s never an “I’m cruel because I’m a fairy and that’s just in our nature” type situation; they always have to have these sympathetic human motivations that are just unnecessary in my opinion. I suppose many people are afraid that portraying fairies in all their true eldritch glory would be too weird for readers. And regarding the bullying vs cruelty thing - they can be the same thing. It’s defined as “callous indifference to or pleasure in causing pain and suffering.” Most fairytales historically portray fairies as the latter.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

But even the SJM books have "cruel inhuman fae" in them. Sure, the high fae may not be that always but the lesser fae in ACOTAR in particular was that way. Enchantment of Ravens had a very similar theme as this book with the fae not lying and still being cruel. It's nothing new. And I don't need a definition. I know what cruel is and can be. Which is why I said ~I thought~ it would be the former version of cruelty and not the latter bullying definition that we got in this.

[@squeezie_b8895]

Eh, it’s lazy worldbuilding to make your rulers, who disdain humans, more humanlike than their subjects. It also doesn’t really count when they’re not really main characters and are eclipsed by hot guys with wings. I suppose I just don’t consider books to be fairy stories unless they have actual fairytale elements to them. Maas is just an adult urban fantasy/paranormal romance author - with all the vapid style that entails - who somehow found her way into YA.

[@turnerreeves866]

As I read this, I couldn't help thinking her other book, Tithe, was infinitely better.

[@squeezie_b8895]

Fun fact: the Barnes and Noble exclusive edition has a short story about the main characters from the Tithe series.

[@theanxiousace3783]

For me, Valiant was the most memorable. I liked Val as a main character better than the protagonist from Tithe. I liked reading about this human runaway who develops feelings, not for a pretty elf or faerie man, but a troll. And I liked that she had to go and be a champion for him in the end.

[@turnerreeves866]

Those books set my expectations for the Fae. And I have been disappointed ever since.

[@gemmah1592]

I am going to say two words that you will get hopefully... “Crimson Coronation” 😉

[@robertjordan9770]

Trustworthy, helpful fey? Well, that would be strange.

[@rdpa4019]

This was a children’s story... marketed weirdly. Cardan was just a child and the rest too! They were not interesting and childish as fuck