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Quick answer: If you loved The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, try An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson, Caraval by Stephanie Garber, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard and Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin.
The Cruel Prince follows Jude Duarte, a mortal girl raised in the High Court of Faerie by the man who killed her parents. Determined to win power in a world that despises her, she schemes, lies and clashes with the cruel Prince Cardan. Its dark faeries, political twists and enemies-to-lovers romance made it a modern YA favorite. The books below share at least one of those things: fae courts, scheming heroines or a romance built on rivalry. Most suit teens 14 and up.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love The Cruel Prince
Readers love The Cruel Prince because Jude refuses to be a victim. Holly Black writes faeries the old way, beautiful, dangerous and unable to lie, and Jude’s quiet ruthlessness makes her one of YA’s most memorable heroines. Cardan’s slow transformation keeps romance fans hooked, and the series is full of shocking twists, especially at the end of The Wicked King. The later Stolen Heir duology returns to Elfhame with new characters.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about The Cruel Prince: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
We kept every description spoiler-free and flagged mature content where it matters, since some of these books are written for adults and others suit teens. If you’re not sure where to start, the tips near the end of this list match each pick to what you loved most. The FAQ at the bottom answers the questions readers ask most often.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Enchantment of Ravens | Margaret Rogerson | YA fantasy | Fae romance standalone |
| Caraval | Stephanie Garber | YA fantasy | Games and illusions |
| A Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J. Maas | Romantasy | Older readers wanting fae romance |
| Wintersong | S. Jae-Jones | YA fantasy | Goblin kings |
| Red Queen | Victoria Aveyard | YA fantasy | Betrayal and royals |
| Stolen Heir | Holly Black | YA fantasy | More Elfhame |
| Tithe | Holly Black | YA fantasy | Black’s earlier faerie books |
| The Iron King | Julie Kagawa | YA fantasy | Faerie adventures |
| Wicked Saints | Emily A. Duncan | YA fantasy | Dark, gothic magic |
| The Wrath and the Dawn | Renée Ahdieh | YA fantasy | Dangerous royals |
| Heartless | Marissa Meyer | YA fantasy | Villain origin stories |
| Serpent and Dove | Shelby Mahurin | YA romantasy | Enemies to lovers |
| Shatter Me | Tahereh Mafi | YA dystopia | Intense romance |
| The Wicked King | Holly Black | YA fantasy | Continuing the series |
| These Hollow Vows | Lexi Ryan | YA romantasy | Fae courts and bargains |
1. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
A portrait painter accidentally reveals the feelings of the autumn prince of the fae and is taken to his court. It’s lush and short.
2. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Scarlett and her sister enter a magical game where nothing is what it seems. It’s dreamy and twisty.
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A huntress is taken into the faerie lands. The series becomes steamier, so it’s best for older teens and adults.
4. Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
A young composer enters the underworld to rescue her sister from the Goblin King. It’s gothic and romantic.
5. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
A commoner with powers is thrust into a dangerous court. Its scheming feels similar.
6. Stolen Heir by Holly Black
A runaway faerie queen’s daughter goes on a quest with a prince. It’s set in the same world and features familiar faces.
7. Tithe by Holly Black
A teen discovers she’s a pixie in a modern faerie world. It’s darker and grittier than The Cruel Prince.
8. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Meghan learns she’s the daughter of a faerie king and enters the Nevernever to rescue her brother.
9. Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan
A cleric, a prince and a blood mage plot to end a war. It’s grim and full of morally gray characters.
10. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
A girl marries a murderous caliph to avenge her friend, then uncovers his secret.
11. Heartless by Marissa Meyer
The story of how the Queen of Hearts became a villain. It’s sweet, then heartbreaking.
12. Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
A witch is forced into marriage with a witch hunter. It’s romantic and witty.
13. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette’s touch is lethal, and those in power want to use her as a weapon. Its romance is intense and fans adore it.
14. The Wicked King by Holly Black
If you haven’t read it, The Wicked King has one of the most shocking endings in YA.
15. These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
A girl makes deals with dangerous fae to save her sister. It’s romantic and full of twists.
How to Pick Your Next Read After The Cruel Prince
- Want more fae? An Enchantment of Ravens, The Iron King and These Hollow Vows.
- Want more Holly Black? Stolen Heir and Tithe.
- Want enemies to lovers? Serpent and Dove.
- Want games and illusions? Caraval.
- Older reader? A Court of Thorns and Roses is steamier.
- Read the series in order. The Wicked King and The Queen of Nothing complete Jude’s story.
Faerie Rules Every Reader Should Know
Much of the fun in The Cruel Prince comes from old faerie folklore. Faeries cannot lie, so they twist the truth with clever wording. They are harmed by iron and rowan, can be bound by their true names and are wary of mortal food, while mortals who eat faerie fruit lose their will. Holly Black uses all these rules for plot twists, and many of the books on this list draw on the same folklore. Knowing them makes rereading the series even more rewarding.
Related: what age The Cruel Prince is appropriate for and books like A Court of Thorns and Roses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What book is most like The Cruel Prince?
An Enchantment of Ravens and The Iron King are the closest fae matches, and Serpent and Dove matches the enemies-to-lovers romance.
Is The Cruel Prince appropriate for 13-year-olds?
It has violence and some sexual references, so it’s usually recommended for ages 14 and up.
What order should I read Holly Black’s Elfhame books?
The Cruel Prince, The Wicked King, The Queen of Nothing, then Stolen Heir and Prisoner’s Throne.