Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Cruel Prince. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Jude Duarte, a mortal raised in Faerie, crowns Prince Cardan as High King after the royal family is slaughtered, but only after tricking him into a vow that he must obey her for a year and a day. Jude becomes the secret power behind the throne.
Quick facts
– Book: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
– First published: 2018
– Type: A young adult fantasy novel
– Tone of the ending: Thrilling
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Jude and her twin sister Taryn were taken to Faerie as children after Madoc, a redcap general, killed their parents. Jude wants to become a knight but is bullied by Prince Cardan. She becomes a spy for Prince Dain and learns of plots for the throne.
What Happens at the End of The Cruel Prince
At the coronation, Prince Balekin and Madoc slaughter most of the royal family, and Madoc reveals his plan to rule through Jude's half-brother Oak, who is secretly a faerie heir. Jude is captured but escapes, and she realizes that Cardan, whom she has hated for years, is the only royal left who could stop Madoc. She makes him swear to obey her for a year and a day, then sets up his coronation in front of the court. Cardan becomes High King of Elfhame, and Jude becomes the power behind him. She also learns that Taryn has secretly been with Locke, the faerie who toyed with both sisters, and that Madoc will now be her enemy.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Jude seizes power.
- Cardan becomes High King.
- Madoc is Jude's enemy.
- Taryn betrayed Jude.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Jude Duarte | Becomes the hidden ruler |
| Cardan | High King |
| Madoc | Opposes Jude |
| Taryn | Betrays Jude |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows Jude's cunning. She becomes powerful in a world that despises mortals.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers love Jude's ambition and her refusal to be a victim, while others are uneasy with her ruthlessness. Many readers say the enemies-to-lovers tension with Cardan is only beginning here.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Power. Jude takes power.
Betrayal. Many characters betray each other.
Identity. Jude fights to belong.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Cruel Prince as thrilling. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Holly Black to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are thrilling will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Holly Black closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Cruel Prince with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about power, and do you agree with Holly Black's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as thrilling, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces power and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Holly Black leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Cruel Prince often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Cruel Prince earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After The Cruel Prince
- The Wicked King by Holly Black
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Related: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Cruel Prince You’ll Love: Faeries, Scheming and Enemies to Lovers
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Cruel Prince?
Jude Duarte, a mortal raised in Faerie, crowns Prince Cardan as High King after the royal family is slaughtered, but only after tricking him into a vow that he must obey her for a year and a day. Jude becomes the secret power behind the throne.
Is the ending of The Cruel Prince happy or sad?
Most readers call it thrilling.
What does the ending of The Cruel Prince mean?
The ending shows Jude's cunning.
Who wrote The Cruel Prince and when was it published?
The Cruel Prince was written by Holly Black and first published in 2018.
Is The Cruel Prince worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult fantasy novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Holly Black prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Cruel Prince before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.