20 Enchanting Books Like “The Cruel Prince” For Fantasy Lovers

“The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black has captivated its readers with its dark, alluring tale of power, betrayal, and romance set in the treacherous world of Faerie.

The book’s intricate political intrigue, compelling characters, and the irresistible charm of the Fae have made fans seek out more similarly bewitching stories in the same magical realms.

If you were enchanted by Jude, Cardan, and the darkly magical world that Holly Black has created, then you’re in for a treat.

Get ready to be swept away by this carefully curated list of 20 books that will resonate with the magic, mischief, and mayhem found in “The Cruel Prince”.

Whether you’re yearning for more cunning plots, forbidden romance, or vividly imagined fantastical worlds, these selections will be your gateway to your next fantastical adventure.

Top 20 best books to read if you liked “The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black

1. “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas

When Feyre Archeron is dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a wolf, her life is forever changed by the creatures and politics she encounters.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• A strong, determined female lead navigating Faerie politics.
• A slow-burning, forbidden romance.
• An intricate blend of danger, magic, and intrigue.

2. “An Enchantment of Ravens” by Margaret Rogerson

A talented portrait artist, Isobel, finds herself in trouble when her painting displeases a fairy prince, leading to a dangerous adventure in the fae lands.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• The perilous beauty and deceptive nature of the Fae.
• A journey that tests strength and reveals hidden magic.
• Star-crossed love amid political and personal trials.

3. “Wicked Saints” by Emily A. Duncan

A girl who can speak to gods, a prince in danger, and a boy with a secret must assassinate a king and stop a war in a world of blood magic and betrayal.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• Dark, lush world-building with morally grey characters.
• Complex alliances and betrayals.
• A mix of magic, power, and forbidden romance.

4. “The Bone Season” by Samantha Shannon

In a dystopian future, a young woman with clairvoyant abilities finds herself caught between the criminal underworld and an otherworldly secret society.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• A strong heroine defying her oppressive society.
• Hidden powers and otherworldly beings.
• A detailed, immersive fantasy world.

5. “Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo

Alina discovers her extraordinary power that could save her war-torn world, but power comes with a price and a heavy burden of secrets and enemies.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• A compelling fantasy world with a dark edge.
• Politics, power plays, and secret plots.
• An evolving romance amidst the turmoil.

6. “The Iron King” by Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase is thrust into the world of Faery, where she discovers her true identity and faces a villain who threatens both the faerie and human worlds.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• A heroine discovering her place in the faerie world.
• Dangerous quests and dark secrets.
• A mix of humor, heartbreak, and romance.

7. “Cruel Beauty” by Rosamund Hodge

Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom since birth, only to discover that the man she must destroy is not what he seems.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• A dark, romantic tale with a twist.
• Themes of duty, destiny, and forbidden love.
• A richly developed fantasy world with complex mythology.

8. “Serpent & Dove” by Shelby Mahurin

A witch and a witch hunter are bound together in an unlikely marriage that blossoms into a dangerous love, set against a backdrop of magic and medieval intrigue.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• Enemies-to-lovers romance.
• A magical, medieval world filled with danger and deception.
• Strong, character-driven storytelling.

9. “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” by Laini Taylor

Karou, a blue-haired art student with mysterious origins, finds herself caught in an ancient war between angels and demons.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• A beautifully crafted, magical world.
• Secrets, identity, and the quest for truth.
• Star-crossed lovers in a world of conflict.

10. “The Wrath & the Dawn” by Renée Ahdieh

Shahrzad volunteers to marry the Caliph of Khorasan, a ruler famed for murdering his wives, and discovers not everything is as it seems within the palace walls.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• Vivid storytelling with a strong, intelligent female lead.
• A blend of romance, mystery, and revenge.
• Intrigue and political power plays in a lush setting.

11. “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare

When Clary Fray is drawn into the world of Shadowhunters, she discovers family secrets and a hidden heritage that changes her life forever.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• Urban fantasy with an invisible world within our own.
• Themes of discovery, belonging, and supernatural battles.
• Complex characters and romantic entanglements.

12. “Furyborn” by Claire Legrand

Two fiercely independent young women, centuries apart, hold the power to save their world or doom it.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• Dual narratives with intertwining destinies.
• Magic, monarchy, and rebellion.
• Strong female protagonists challenging the status quo.

13. “Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo

A band of outcasts undertakes a heist that could make them rich or get them killed, set against a backdrop of magic and intrigue.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• High-stakes adventure with morally gray characters.
• Complex world-building and political intrigue.
• Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.

14. “The Queen’s Rising” by Rebecca Ross

Brienna desires knowledge over lineage but finds herself embroiled in a plot to restore a queen to her throne, navigating through power, passion, and rebellion.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• A strong female lead caught in political turmoil.
• A detailed historical fantasy world.
• Intrigue and plots surrounding thrones and power.

15. “Graceling” by Kristin Cashore

Katsa, graced with killing, must navigate through the secrets and lies of her kingdom to uncover her true purpose and power.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• A heroine with formidable skills navigating a dangerous world.
• Themes of freedom, identity, and morality.
• A mix of adventure, romance, and self-discovery.

16. “Cinder” by Marissa Meyer

A cyborg girl must uncover her mysterious past to save the future, bridging the gap between humans and androids, and uncovering secrets that could topple empires.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• A retelling with a twist, blending fantasy with technology.
• A determined protagonist challenging societal norms.
• An overarching plot of rebellion and intrigue.

17. “The Hazel Wood” by Melissa Albert

Alice must venture into the sinister, supernatural world of her grandmother’s fairy tales to find and rescue her mother.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• Dark fairy tales and mysterious worlds.
• A quest that blurs lines between reality and fantasy.
• Family secrets and eerie adventures.

18. “The Folk of the Air” series by Holly Black (subsequent books)

Continue to explore the enchanting and brutal world of Elfhame and its complex characters, politics, and romances.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• Deeper involvement in the treacherous court of Faerie.
• The evolution of power dynamics and relationships.
• Further exploration of the magical world Holly Black has created.

19. “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern

Two young magicians are pitted against each other in a magical competition with unimaginable consequences, set within the enchanting circus that only operates at night.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• A mesmerizing fantasy world that captures the imagination.
• A story of competition, complex relationships, and magic.
• Beautiful, atmospheric storytelling.

20. “Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception” by Maggie Stiefvater

Music prodigy Deirdre Monaghan discovers she can see faeries and becomes entangled in the web of a dark faerie’s plot.

Elements in common with The Cruel Prince:

• The captivating and dangerous allure of Faeries.
• A tale of love, magic, and sacrifice.
• Intriguing characters navigating a world hidden within our own.

If you’re looking for more stories featuring dark fae, forbidden love, and intricate fantasy worlds after reading “The Cruel Prince,” any of the following books are sure to captivate you. E

ach story has its own unique charm, with vividly imagined settings and complex characters that you’ll love to discover.

So go ahead and pick one up – let yourself get lost in the magic all over again.

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