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cloverfieldln · 9 months

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Released on January 3, 2023

Return to the opulent world of Elfhame, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and dangerous desires, with this first book of a captivating new duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black. A runaway queen. A reluctant prince. And a quest that may destroy them both. Eight years have passed since the Battle of the Serpent. But in the icy north, Lady Nore of the Court of Teeth has reclaimed the Ice Needle Citadel. There, she is using an ancient relic to create monsters of stick and snow who will do her bidding and exact her revenge. Suren, child queen of the Court of Teeth, and the one person with power over her mother, fled to the human world. There, she lives feral in the woods. Lonely, and still haunted by the merciless torments she endured in the Court of Teeth, she bides her time by releasing mortals from foolish bargains. She believes herself forgotten until the storm hag, Bogdana chases her through the night streets. Suren is saved by none other than Prince Oak, heir to Elfhame, to whom she was once promised in marriage and who she has resented for years. Now seventeen, Oak is charming, beautiful, and manipulative. He’s on a mission that will lead him into the north, and he wants Suren’s help. But if she agrees, it will mean guarding her heart against the boy she once knew and a prince she cannot trust, as well as confronting all the horrors she thought she left behind.

My Review

Posted on Goodreads January 7th, 2023.

★★★★★ — 5/5 stars in this return duology in the cruel prince universe, we are met with suren, a runaway queen, and oak, the hesitant prince of elfhame. this duology takes place eight years after the battle of the serpent. we are given the amazing but tragic backstory of suren, who is the child queen of the court of teeth, with her mother being lady nore. waiting for revenge has been all that lady nore has been planning over the time-jump between stories, but is inhibited by one thing — her daughter. suren, the only person who has power over her mother and the court, has fled to the human world, and lives a feral life in the woods. she often spends her time helping mortals be released from silly bargains struck up my the folk. on the other hand, we are presented with oak, as we remember from the cruel prince trilogy, but this time around he is seventeen years old, and has plans for himself. meeting suren when they were only children, they are both well aware with each other, and have no plans to rekindle relationships. oak is now a charming, handsome, and manipulative heir to elfhame, who is tasked with a mission heading up north. despite rumors of jude and cardans plans with elfhame, oak forges his own path, bringing along tiernan and suren to help bid his mission. but betrayal, deceit, and manipulation are among the hardest tasks. — i loved this book a lot more than i thought i would. i loved the pace of it, and that we were already familiar with the world, and some of the background characters that are present in this book. i'm super happy this is a duology, because the pace between characters was just phenomenal. as well as the action scenes that were present was detailed enough where it didn't keep me guessing what was going to happen next. i think that my favorite thing though about this book was all the deceit, since faerie folk cannot tell lies. it's very interesting to see how they riddle around parts of the book and dance around topics. i cannot wait until the next book comes out!

My Highlights and Annotations

Chapter 2

On page 41, I noted: we hate madoc club, protect oak at all costs club! "Madoc, the traitor who marched on Elfhame with the Court of Teeth. Before that, the Grand General who was responsible for the slaughter of most of the royal family. And Oak's foster father."

On page 43, I highlighted: "Then they marched me before the High Queen and suggested that I be united in marriage with her brother and heir, Prince Oak."

Chapter 3

On page 48, I noted: give me some judecardan crumbs is all i ask for "All Courts pledge fealty to their ruler and that ruler pledges fealty to the High Court. When High King Cardan came to power, because I was hidden, and Queen of the Court of Teeth, my failure to give him an oath of loyalty was the reason Lady Nore and Lord Jarel were able to betray him."

On page 51, I noted: i'm waiting for more.... "The sword's name is Nightfell," he whispered. "it belongs to Jude." His sister. The High Queen. It was such a different way to be royal, to have a family that you would consider by their relationship to you before their title. Whose weapon you wouldn't be afraid to steal."

On page 53, I noted: not oriana again, thought we left her in the dust "So lost in the joy of that moment, I didn't think of danger until the latch of the door turned. I was barely able to roll underneath Oak's bed, putting my sticky, stained fingers over my mouth, before Oriana came into the room. I tried to remain as still as possible. Madoc's wife had camped with us when we were in the north and would know me instantly if she saw me."

On page 54, I noted: i like this back talk version "You are not to go near her alone." "I am the prince," he said. "I can do whatever I like." Oriana looked momentarily surprised, then hurt. "I left Madoc's side for you." "So what?" He didn't appear at all sorry. "I don't have to listen to you or do what you say. And I don't have to tell you anything."

Chapter 4

On page 65, I highlighted: "There are rumors that Cardan never wanted the throne, that he will hand it over to Oak willingly at some vague future time. But when I think of High King Cardan with his black curls and cruel mouth, the way he behaves – silly and dangersome all at once – I don't believe he would relinquish power. He might, however trick Oak into going on a quest he wouldn't return from. Build him up with stories of honor and valiant deeds."

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