From #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, The Cruel Prince is the first book in the captivating Folk of the Air series about a mortal girl who finds herself caught in a web of royal faerie intrigue.
Jude was only seven years old when her parents were brutally murdered and she and her sisters were taken to live in the treacherous Faerie Kingdom. Ten years later, all Jude wants is to fit in, even as a mortal girl. But all the faeries seem to despise humans... Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and most wicked of the High King of Elfhame's sons.
To win her coveted place at Court, Jude must defy the prince - and face the consequences of her act.
The girl then becomes increasingly involved in the palace's games and intrigues, eventually discovering her own calling for deceit and bloodshed. But when a betrayal threatens to drown the Faerie Kingdom in violence, Jude must risk everything in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters—and Elfhame itself.
Surrounded by lies and people who want to destroy her, Jude will have to discover the true meaning of the word power before it's too late.
With unique characters, unexpected twists, and a breathtaking betrayal, The Cruel Prince will leave readers wanting to dive headfirst into the continuation of this universe.