The Cruel Prince by Holly Black is one of the most popular fantasy enemies-to-lovers YA series of the last decade, and for good reason. It’s often brought up in recommendation lists for readers who crave morally grey characters, political-themed plotlines, and angsty slow-burn tension. The story’s romance dynamic between Jude and Cardan is what makes it unforgettable. If you’re planning to dive in, knowing The Cruel Prince series order is key to experiencing the full emotional arc, including the novellas and spin-offs.
Cardan, with his cruel tongue, tortured past, and reluctant vulnerability, is the epitome of the edgy (but still sassy) fae prince trope, while Jude, a mortal girl in a deadly faerie world, earns fans for her unapologetic ambition, cunning mind, and fierce determination to carve out her own place in a society designed to crush her. Because of of them are so intense in their own ways, their personalities actually balances each other’s out.
But ever since the series exploded in popularity, Holly Black has expanded the world of Elfhame with a spin-off duology and a couple of novellas. While it’s amazing to have more content, it can get a little confusing trying to figure out how these extra storylines fit into the original trilogy. If you’re wondering about the best reading order for the full experience—this post is for you!
But First, The Cruel Prince Series – Main Trilogy vs. Spin-Offs vs. Novellas
If you’ve just finished The Cruel Prince (and probably screamed at the ending), you might be wondering what comes next, and how all the other books in Holly Black’s Elfhame universe fit together. With novellas, spin-offs, and duologies floating around, it can get confusing fast. So here’s a clear breakdown of the difference between the main trilogy, the spin-off duology, and the novellas based off what they entail.
The Main Trilogy
(The Cruel Prince → The Wicked King → The Queen of Nothing)
This is the core of the entire series, the “main plot-line”. Lot of times this is what people are referring to when they ask for The Cruel Prince series. This is the story that focus on the protagonist Jude and her love interest Prince Cardan. Everything else branches off from this series, either to expand on their story or to give more content to those who haven’t gotten enough of this world.
The Novellas
(The Lost Sisters and How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories)
These novellas are like bonus content for readers who want additional content for Jude and Cardan’s story specifically, and takes place in between the main trilogy plotline.
The Lost Sisters is told from Jude’s twin sister Taryn’s perspective. It gives her side of the betrayal and offers context behind her reasoning of the betrayal. Personally, it did not dampen my dislike for her at all. But it does provide motive with her actions, as irritating as they are. Because of the timing of the events, it’s best read directly after the first book The Cruel Prince.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories, unlike The Lost Sisters, is more of a illustrated color book with a collection of almost classic fairy-tale like storytelling of Cardan’s past. It explores his trauma, inner thoughts, and why he is the way he is in the present trilogy. It’s emotional, surprisingly comedic at times, and incredibly satisfying, especially if you’ve finished the trilogy and just want more of Cardan. This is why it’s recommended to be read after The Queen of Nothing.
These novellas aren’t required to understand the plot, but they add satisfying contexts and help you appreciate the characters and story even more.
The Spin-Off Duology
(The Stolen Heir and The Prisoner’s Throne)
Unlike the novellas, the spin-off Duology does not focus on Jude and Cardan’s story as much. Instead it set years after the end of the main trilogy, and shifts the focus to Oak (Jude’s younger brother) and Suren (Wren), a former child queen with a dark past. While Jude and Cardan do make small appearances, this story is very much its own arc and focus on Oak and Suren more. It’s a great follow-up for fans who want to stay in Elfhame universe but are ready for a new kind of story.
Understanding the Terminologies: The Folk of the Air Series, Eflhame Series, The Stolen Heir Duology
The Folk of the Air series include all the books that focus on Jude and Cardan, so that includes the main trilogy AND the novellas (The Cruel Prince, The Lost Sisters, The Wicked King, The Queen of Nothing, and How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories).
Eflhame series include everything in the Elfhame universe, not just limited to Jude and Cardan. So it includes all the books from The Folk of the Air series AND the spin off Duology about Oak and Suren (The Cruel Prince, The Lost Sisters, The Wicked King, The Queen of Nothing, How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories + The Stolen Heir, The Prisoner’s Throne)
The Stolen Heir Duology is the spin-off duology that main focus on the story of Oak and Suren, with Jude and Cardan only make small guest appearances. This includes only The Stolen Heir, The Prisoner’s Throne
The Cruel Prince series. Usually when people say this, they are just talking about the main trilogy books, which are The Cruel Prince, The Lost Sisters, The Wicked King, The Queen of Nothing. The Cruel Prince series order are the same this.
The Cruel Prince Series Order
Now that you have a clear understanding of the difference between all the series types and what the books are all about, the best recommendation reading order for all the books in the Elfhame universe is:
The Cruel Prince → The Lost Sisters → The Wicked King → The Queen of Nothing → How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories → The Stolen Heir → The Prisoner’s Throne
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