BOOK NOOK

The Cruel Prince 

By Daria Serheyeva

Can you imagine being taken away to a world with fairies, where humans are almost powerless against magic? That is what happens to Jude, the main character of the book  The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. It is the first book in a series by Holly Black called Folk of the Air. In the book, a fairy murders Jude’s parents and then takes Jude and her two sisters to Faerie, inhabited by immortal fairies. In Faerie, humans are not considered equal to fairies, and most mortals are servants of fairies with power. The person who murdered Jude’s parents has much power in Faerie, so Jude studies with children of the elite, most of whom hate her. She tries to prove her worth in that dangerous and magical world by becoming a knight, but things do not turn out how she expects… “If I cannot be better than them, I will become much worse.” This is one of my favorite quotes, reflecting Jude’s character development throughout the book. 

This book kept me on my toes with its surprising plot twists. I was fully invested in Jude’s story, with how she slowly gained more power, even if she is a mortal surrounded by dangerous fairies who do not consider her an equal. At first, the book felt slow and tedious, but at a certain point, there was a surprise in almost every chapter. There are also a few romances, and they are anything but dull since they are tied in with the whole theme of power. The Cruel Prince has received a few awards. It was nominated for Goodreads Choice Award, won a New England Independent Booksellers Association Award, and a Phantastik Preis Award. Many people love Holly Black’s books, and they receive many fantastic reviews. “With ambition, plot twists, and detailed world-building, Black and Kelly will leave listeners on the edges of their seats, waiting for the next series installment.” (Emily Borsa, Booklist) Overall, I highly recommend The Cruel Prince to anyone wanting to read an exciting fantasy with some romance. 

Tuck Everlasting

By Ana Fertig

What would you do if you were stuck at your current age forever? This is the reality for the Tuck family in the book Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. The Tucks have learned much wisdom as an immortal family, which is shared with the readers. The story follows a young girl, Winnie Foster, who comes across a member of the Tuck family while exploring the woods and travels through her experience with the atypical family. "Do not be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You do not have to live forever; you have to live." This book conveys the message of living a fulfilling life without fearing death. Seeing the lives of the Tucks as an immortal family has allowed me to gain a new perspective on life and appreciate my ability to grow, evolve, and experience different stages of life. This has taught me to appreciate every moment of life but not to fear the future.

Natalie Babbitt is an acclaimed author who has received recognition for her work by earning the Newbery Honor and Christopher Award. She was also the U.S. nominee for the biennial international Hans Christian Andersen Award 1982. This book has also received recognition by receiving the Janusz Korckzak Medal, being named an ALA notable book, and being included on the Horn Book Magazine Fanfare list. Many people also agree with the excellent work of this book. As Ivana from Goodreads states, "A total masterpiece. This book made me think about the question to which every one of us wants to know the answer: "Is it that good to live forever?" If you have ever been curious about living forever or want a story you cannot take your eyes off, check out Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt!

Source: supersummary.com