I know this is just a mix of the Cruel Prince and Acotar but you know what? I still loved it a lot!

Close enough welcome back cruel prince

{these are obviously my own opinions and you don't need to feel like you have to like/not like a book because I did. if you're uncertain or have read mixed reviews about the current book, give it a chance anyway, if you can.}

I'm gonna start this review by pointing out a few things.
First, this book had absolutely no right title and font-baiting me so hard. I don't think I need to elaborate on why.
If anything, it could resemble ACOTAR, not TCP.
Yes, I've read the blurb and I definitely wasn't expecting a The Cruel Prince retelling, but...same font? Almost same title? Sounds made on purpose, to me.
And second...a character named Cardian? Really???

Anyway, despite what my TCP-loving, petty ass might think of the title, this book wasn't that bad.
Seymour's writing is alright and the plot, while it could still be improved, is very fast-paced and the books never has a dull moment. It also jumps straight into the story, right from the beginning, and to me, that's always a positive trait.
I recommend you get into this not expecting anything, especially not anything complicated.

I unfortunately had a hard time liking Dani, the main character; she sounded impossibly immature and had the habit of replying with swear words to everything people told her that she didn't like.
To me, the banter some reviewers felt the need to praise, was nothing but this. That's what kids think makes you look and sound like a badass. Again, very immature.

I found the rest of the character very basic and could hardly distinguish them from one another; I like Jeondar a little more than the others, but eve he fell flat in the end.
Speaking of the end...meh. The third act conflict where

Spoiler

everyone started acting like a bitch to Dani with no good reason

was unbearable to read. I felt like it was very artificial and put there for the sake of drama.
I also didn't like how the whole secret thing drug out for so long. I would have walked out on all of them and took their food with me. And why not, I would have taken Jeondar with me, as well.

Least but not last...THE PRINCE.
I couldn't for the life of me think of him as a worthy male love interest.
He was as appealing as plain toast at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and his non-existent cruelty is what makes the title of this book even less believable. The ending makes up for it a little, but more than "cruel" I'd use a term that starts with A and ends with -SSHOLE.

One thing I'm really glad about is that at least this isn't an insta-love kind of situation, and there was very little chemistry between Dani and Kalyll. I couldn't understand how they got from enemies to whatever they was, but to call this a soul-consuming enemies-to-lovers would be a big stretch.

I know that this book is a spin-off, so I didn't expect much backstory on Dani or the fae realm, but I wouldn't have minded some, especially considering this could be read as a standalone. I also figured out a little after I started it that this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and let me tell you...it's by far the weakest one I've read.



*cries in cardan greenbriar's tail*



ACTUAL RATINGS 2,5/5

A Prince So Cruel had me hooked from the first sentences.

"The Fae realm was supposed to be safe for humans. Yet, here I was, backed into a corner, facing three snarling males."

This novel is a Beauty and the Beast inspired novel with human healers, fae, shifters, creatures, and Unseelie and Seelie Courts.

Tropes:
- Possessive alpha-male
- Enemies to lovers
- Morally grey MMC
- Fae/Human Realms
- Found Family
- Strong, resilient FMC

Dani is a human healer with magic who is taken from her life while in the Fae realm for supplies by a group of fierce fae warriors. She learns that she was taken for her magic and is the only person who can save the Prince and his whole kingdom from the doom and devastation.

Dani is a kind hearted, determined FMC with lots of sass and wit. Kalyll is a morally grey, caring MMC who cares about his found family and kingdom. Throughout the book we know Kalyll and the group is hiding secrets, and some of those secrets took me by surprise.

I loved the banter, sass, protectiveness, and trust between the characters. We see them grow to trust more and develop deeper relationships. The group encounters adventure, danger, lies, betrayal, and surprises. I wish I could have seen others POV so I knew what they were feeling and thinking. Ingrid does an amazing job captivating her readers with great world building, the depth of her character development, and the plot twists. That ending.. I need book 2. This novel is one of my favorite reads for the year, and I can't wait to see what happens next.