Thoughts on this series?

It's totally relatable to feel a bit lost or bored during the first half of a fantasy series, especially one as dense as The Cruel Prince! I've been there with so many books, wondering if I should push through. It sounds like you're not alone in finding the beginning a little 'all over the place.' Many readers initially find the world-building and introduction of the Fae courts quite overwhelming, with so many characters and political intrigues to keep track of. It can definitely feel like a lot to absorb, and sometimes it takes a while for the plot to truly kick off. Your decision to switch to the audiobook is a brilliant move! This often makes a huge difference, especially for books with intricate prose or a fast-paced plot. For me, a good narrator can really bring the characters to life and help me immerse myself in the story, even when I'm struggling with the pacing in print. It's like having a guide through a complicated landscape. Have you noticed if the pacing feels smoother or if the character voices help you differentiate everyone? Sometimes just hearing the dialogue rather than reading it can make those early political machinations much easier to follow. I've found that the audiobook versions of Holly Black's books often have fantastic narrators who really capture the essence of characters like Jude and Cardan. Speaking of Jude, it's interesting that your sticky notes mentioned "times Jude 2nd guesses herself" and "Sparks?". That internal struggle is such a core part of her character! She's a human navigating a dangerous Fae world, and her constant questioning of her choices and motives, along with those undeniable "sparks" between her and Cardan, are what really drive the series for many. A lot of the initial 'boredom' for some readers comes from waiting for that tension to fully ignite and for Jude to truly embrace her cunning nature. But trust me, those sparks definitely grow into something much bigger and more complex later on! To answer your burning question: for most fans, yes, The Cruel Prince absolutely gets better! The general consensus is that the first book, while sometimes a slow burn, sets up an incredible world and character dynamics that explode in the subsequent books. The political intrigue deepens, the stakes get higher, and Jude really comes into her own as a formidable character. The relationship development between Jude and Cardan, which starts with such animosity, becomes one of the most compelling aspects of the series, drawing in readers who love enemies-to-lovers tropes. Many of the 'controversies' or debates among fans often revolve around their complex relationship and the moral ambiguity of the Fae. There's even buzz about potential TV series adaptations, which just shows how much love there is for this world. So, my advice from one fantasy reader to another? Stick with it, especially with the audiobook! You're likely just on the cusp of where things really start to pick up and become utterly captivating. I hope you find yourself completely hooked by the end of it!