Summary: In today's article, I have compiled 20 of the best books similar to The Cruel Prince that dive into worlds of power struggles, betrayal, and forbidden love. Here are my top 3:
- The Wicked King by Holly Black
- Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
If you love dark fantasy with political drama, complex characters, and magical realms like faerie, books like The Cruel Prince are perfect. They mix romance, betrayal, and power struggles, often with an enemies-to-lovers twist. These stories keep you hooked with unforgettable characters and intense plots about loyalty, survival, and navigating tricky alliances.
TOP 20: Best Books Similar to The Cruel Prince
- The Wicked King by Holly Black
- Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
- Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
- A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
- The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo
- The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
- House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
- The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
- The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
- The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
- The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black
- The Iron Trial by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare
- The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
- The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
1. The Wicked King
- Author: Holly Black
- About: The second book in The Folk of the Air series, it continues Jude’s treacherous journey in the Faerie world, focusing on her struggle for power and survival.
- Style of writing: Dark, lyrical, and suspenseful. Black’s writing immerses the reader in the dangerous world of Faerie.
- Length: ~ 100,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Strong, with a focus on betrayal, power struggles, and the internal conflict of the main character.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; accessible but with some intricate world-building.
- Why read it: If you loved The Cruel Prince, this book delves deeper into the political intrigue and complicated relationships in Faerie.
2. Wicked Lovely
- Author: Melissa Marr
- About: A story about a mortal girl caught in the world of dangerous faeries, with a focus on love, betrayal, and survival in an enchanting yet deadly world.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced with a focus on vivid imagery and emotional conflict.
- Length: ~ 90,000 words
- Year written: 2007
- Emotional impact: Moderate; explores themes of acceptance and survival, with romantic tension.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; accessible for readers of all ages.
- Why read it: It captures the dark, romantic allure of faerie tales and the complexities of navigating faerie politics.
3. Serpent & Dove
- Author: Shelby Mahurin
- About: This novel follows a witch and a witch hunter forced into an unexpected marriage, filled with magic, romance, and danger.
- Style of writing: Romantic and descriptive, with plenty of tension and conflict between the main characters.
- Length: ~ 115,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Strong; features a compelling romance with emotional stakes.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; some readers may find the relationship dynamics intense, but it's easy to follow.
- Why read it: If you love enemies-to-lovers stories with magical intrigue and moral conflict, this is a great pick.
4. An Ember in the Ashes
- Author: Sabaa Tahir
- About: Set in a brutal, Roman-inspired empire, it follows a slave and a soldier as they navigate a tyrannical regime.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, gripping, and intense, with well-drawn characters and vivid world-building.
- Length: ~ 120,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Very strong; filled with themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival under extreme conditions.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; the pacing can be quick, and the setting is complex.
- Why read it: If you want an action-packed, emotionally intense fantasy with strong character development and high stakes.
5. Children of Blood and Bone
- Author: Tomi Adeyemi
- About: A West African-inspired fantasy about a girl’s quest to restore magic to her land, facing powerful enemies and struggles for freedom.
- Style of writing: Richly descriptive, blending action with deep emotional resonance.
- Length: ~ 120,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Very strong; tackles themes of oppression, hope, and familial love.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; world-building is intricate, but the storytelling is compelling.
- Why read it: A unique and fresh take on fantasy, drawing from African culture and mythology while addressing universal themes.
6. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin
- Author: Roseanne A. Brown
- About: A fantasy novel inspired by African folklore, where a princess and a refugee are bound by fate to destroy each other, yet they grow closer.
- Style of writing: Lush, dramatic, with intricate world-building and powerful emotional arcs.
- Length: ~ 105,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Strong; explores love, sacrifice, and the consequences of war.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; the mythological elements may require some attention but are well-integrated.
- Why read it: If you’re looking for a diverse, mythological fantasy with a complex emotional core and high stakes.
7. The Language of Thorns
- Author: Leigh Bardugo
- About: A collection of dark fairy tales set in Bardugo’s Grishaverse, exploring the darker sides of magic and its consequences.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, poetic, and rich in atmosphere.
- Length: ~ 55,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Moderate; the stories are haunting but poignant.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; the fairy tales are unique and require full engagement.
- Why read it: If you love fairy tales with a dark twist and appreciate Bardugo's skill for world-building.
8. The Prison Healer
- Author: Lynette Noni
- About: A young healer must endure deadly trials to save a rebel queen, set in a brutal, magical world.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, with a focus on character development and suspense.
- Length: ~ 100,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Strong; it involves personal sacrifice, loyalty, and hope against the odds.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; accessible with some emotional depth.
- Why read it: If you like stories about survival, magic, and powerful female protagonists in a prison setting.
9. Six of Crows
- Author: Leigh Bardugo
- About: A heist story in the Grishaverse, following a crew of outcasts on a dangerous mission with twists and betrayals.
- Style of writing: Sharp, fast-paced, with a mix of action and deep character exploration.
- Length: ~ 100,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Very strong; the characters are flawed and complex, and their relationships are layered.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to high; the world-building can be intricate.
- Why read it: If you want a thrilling, complex heist story with deep, well-developed characters and high stakes.
10. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
- Author: V.E. Schwab
- About: A woman makes a deal to live forever but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets, until someone finally remembers her.
- Style of writing: Beautifully poetic, introspective, and emotionally deep.
- Length: ~ 130,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Very strong; deeply explores themes of identity, loneliness, and the passage of time.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to high; its introspective nature requires deep engagement.
- Why read it: If you're drawn to philosophical, emotionally resonant stories about life, love, and memory.
11. House of Earth and Blood
- Author: Sarah J. Maas
- About: The first book in Crescent City, combining urban fantasy with romance, mystery, and magical intrigue.
- Style of writing: Detailed, dramatic, with a mix of emotional depth and action.
- Length: ~ 200,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Strong; full of emotional highs and deep moments of grief and hope.
- Difficulty level: High; complex world-building and long narrative.
- Why read it: If you enjoy urban fantasy with romantic elements and complex world-building.
12. The Stolen Heir
- Author: Holly Black
- About: A new duology set in the world of The Folk of the Air, following new characters in Faerie.
- Style of writing: Engaging and fast-paced with detailed character development.
- Length: ~ 90,000 words
- Year written: 2023
- Emotional impact: Moderate to strong; explores betrayal and new relationships in the dark Faerie world.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; easy to follow for fans of her other works.
- Why read it: For fans of The Folk of the Air looking for new adventures and characters in the same captivating world.
13. The Queen of Nothing
- Author: Holly Black
- About: The third book in The Folk of the Air series, concluding Jude’s story in the world of Faerie.
- Style of writing: Dark and suspenseful with quick pacing and sharp dialogue.
- Length: ~ 100,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Strong; an intense, satisfying conclusion to Jude’s journey.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; should be read after the previous two books in the series.
- Why read it: If you want the epic conclusion to a gripping series filled with political intrigue, betrayal, and romance.
14. The Darkest Part of the Forest
- Author: Holly Black
- About: A standalone novel set in a world where faeries and humans coexist, and a mysterious horned boy awakens from a glass coffin.
- Style of writing: Hauntingly atmospheric, with a focus on suspense and mystery.
- Length: ~ 80,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Moderate; leaves a lingering sense of eerie wonder.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; less complex than The Folk of the Air series.
- Why read it: If you enjoy dark faerie stories with elements of mystery and magical realism.
15. The Prisoner's Throne
- Author: Holly Black
- About: The second book in The Stolen Heir duology, continuing the adventure in the world of Faerie.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, with emotional intensity and political intrigue.
- Length: ~ 100,000 words
- Year written: 2024
- Emotional impact: Strong; brings deeper emotional stakes and resolutions.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; easy to follow for fans of the first book.
- Why read it: For a continuation of Jude’s world, if you loved the political games and complex relationships in The Folk of the Air.
16. The Iron Trial
- Author: Holly Black & Cassandra Clare
- About: The first book in The Magisterium series, following a boy’s journey into a magical school.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced and accessible, with strong magical world-building.
- Length: ~ 80,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: Moderate; focused more on adventure and friendship than deep emotional arcs.
- Difficulty level: Easy; aimed at younger readers but still enjoyable for adults.
- Why read it: If you enjoy magic schools with a dark twist and a fast-moving plot.
17. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
- Author: Holly Black
- About: A standalone novel set in a world where vampires are quarantined in Coldtowns, and a girl becomes entangled in their dangerous allure.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, dark, and moody, with sharp, poignant moments.
- Length: ~ 85,000 words
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Moderate; explores themes of isolation, longing, and survival.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; the world-building requires full attention.
- Why read it: For a dark, atmospheric tale about vampires, magic, and survival.
18. A Court of Thorns and Roses
- Author: Sarah J. Maas
- About: A retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a faerie twist, featuring romance, danger, and magical adventure.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, rich in detail with a lot of emotional depth.
- Length: ~ 105,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Strong; filled with romantic tension and thrilling twists.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; straightforward but with a detailed world.
- Why read it: If you love faerie tales with a darker, more mature edge and an epic romance.
19. The Bone Season
- Author: Samantha Shannon
- About: Set in a dystopian future where clairvoyants are hunted, a young girl must navigate a dangerous world full of dark forces.
- Style of writing: Dense, atmospheric, and filled with intricate world-building.
- Length: ~ 130,000 words
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Strong; explores identity, survival, and the fight against oppressive forces.
- Difficulty level: High; requires attention to understand the world.
- Why read it: If you enjoy complex world-building and supernatural elements mixed with dystopian themes.
20. The Shadows Between Us
- Author: Tricia Levenseller
- About: A girl plots to seduce and murder the king but ends up entangled in his world of dark secrets.
- Style of writing: Light, engaging, and full of romance and intrigue.
- Length: ~ 90,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Moderate; filled with romance and devious schemes.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; fast-paced with a lot of dialogue.
- Why read it: For a quick, thrilling read full of romance, plot twists, and a strong female lead.
Conclusion
If you loved The Cruel Prince and its dark, magical world full of power struggles and complicated relationships, I think The Wicked King, Wicked Lovely, and Serpent & Dove are definitely worth checking out. They have that same mix of romance, betrayal, and high stakes, all set in immersive fantasy worlds. Whether you're looking for more political intrigue, forbidden love, or thrilling magic, I’m sure these books will keep you hooked from start to finish.
