Cruel Prince Summary

In The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, seventeen-year-old Jude Duarte navigates the dangerous world of Elfhame after witnessing her parents’ murder. Taken by the faerie general Madoc, who is also her half-sister Vivienne's father, Jude faces life in the High Court of Faerie with her twin sister Taryn. As humans in a land where faeries despise them, the girls fight to find their place among supernatural beings.

Jude endures constant bullying, particularly from Prince Cardan, the High King's youngest and cruelest son. Cardan derives pleasure from torturing Jude, making her struggles to adapt even harder. Yet, her determination grows—unlike her sister, who embraces their faerie heritage, Jude is resolute in proving her worth in a world stacked against her.

To assert her rightful place, Jude trains rigorously in combat and dreams of becoming a knight, a rare recognition for humans in Faerie. When the Summer Tournament is announced to recruit new soldiers for the High Court, she makes the bold decision to participate despite the heavy opposition from her family, particularly from Madoc and Cardan himself.

The political intrigue in Faerie adds an extra layer of tension in Jude's life. With King Eldred aging, his children—including the possible heir Dain—strategically maneuver for access to the throne. Get involved in this dangerous world, Jude develops and secures alliances within the court. Though there's consistent prevalence of betrayal, she seeks out connections to try and keep her siblings safe while gaining power for herself.

Amid the challenges, Jude’s relationship with Cardan evolves. Despite the initial cruelty between them, they discover mutual respect founded on their cunning nature and combined endeavors. Behind his obnoxious demeanor, Cardan confronts his internal power struggles, revealing multiple facets to their complex relationship.

A crucial moment arises when Jude uncovers a conspiracy threatening the faerie court, endangering the lives of both her and her sisters. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, she enters a risky alliance with unexpected partners to avert a bloody civil war. Through her clever strategies and resilient spirit, she strengthens her influence in the High Court while standing against prejudice as a mortal.

Throughout her adventure, Jude shows remarkable bravery and resourcefulness against bleak and dangerous odds. Her longing to belong pushes her deeper into the treacherous grounds of faerie society—a place suffused with fear, manipulation, and cruelty among its inhabitants.

As The Cruel Prince comes to a close, Jude’s critical role within the court signifies her deep entanglement in its treacherous games of power. With challenges ahead, she understands the need to wield every ounce of courage and cunning to thrive in the hostile world she finds herself in, proving she's more than just a mortal girl fighting for her place.

The ending of The Cruel Prince sees Jude successfully maneuvering the political landscape of Faerie, ensuring Cardan ascends to the throne despite numerous challenges. After learning that Oak is the rightful heir, she cleverly devises a plan for Cardan to rule until Oak is old enough. Facing Madoc's refusal to relinquish control, Jude courageously accepts the task of defeating him in combat. Earlier, she weakened him with poison, and during their duel, Madoc succumbs, ultimately falling asleep from its effects.

At the following banquet, the celebration spirals into chaos as an explosion occurs. Roach aims arrows at Cardan, but Balekin intervenes to protect him. In an unexpected twist, the crown is momentarily handed to Taryn, who struggles with the responsibility. Seizing the moment, Jude takes charge, guiding Cardan to crown Oak as king. Instead, she stuns everyone by placing Oak's crown upon Cardan's head. Though Cardan is furious, his oath to Jude binds him to the throne. Afterward, Oak is sent to live in the mortal realm with Vivienne until he is ready to rule, securing Jude's significant influence within Faerie and foreshadowing upcoming conflicts.