Holly Black
Author of The Cruel Prince
About the Author
Holly Black was born in West Long Branch, New Jersey on November 10, 1971. She graduated with a B.A. in English from The College of New Jersey in 1994. Her first book, Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale was published in 2002 and was included in the American Library Association's Best Books for Young show more Adults. Her other works include The Spiderwick Chronicles written with Tony DiTerlizzi, Ironside, Poison Eaters and Other Stories, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, The Iron Trial (Magisteruim Book 1) and The Copper Gauntlet (Magisteruim Book 2) written with Cassandra Clare, and The Darkest Part of the Forest. Valiant won the Andre Norton Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. She also won the Young-Adult Prize in the Indies Choice Book Awards 2015 for The Darkest Part of the Forest. Black and Clare's Magisterium Series has received both critical and popular acclaim appearing on numerous bestseller lists including The New York Times bestseller list in the Young Adult category. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Disambiguation Notice:
Wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles, which were illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi. Do not combine this page with Mr. DiTerlizzi's author page, or with any of the various pages that are in both their names. Thank you.
Image credit: Holly Black en 2020
Series
Works by Holly Black
Great Escape (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Special Edition of the Seeing Stone) (1998) 418 copies, 1 review
The Chronicles of Spiderwick: A Grand Tour of the Enchanted World, Navigated by Thimbletack (2007) 143 copies, 1 review
The Golden Boy 19 copies
Book of Night Sneak Peek 4 copies
Lucifer (2015-2017) #09 4 copies
Lucifer (2015-2017) #04 4 copies
Lucifer (2015-2017) #03 3 copies
Magisterium. La prima trilogia: L'anno di ferro-Il guanto di rame-La chiave di bronzo (2019) 3 copies
The Coat of Stars 3 copies
Die ELFENKRONE-Reihe Band 1-3: Elfenkrone / Elfenkönig / Elfenthron (3in1-Bundle) (German Edition) 2 copies
Lucifer (2015-2017) #02 2 copies
Reversal of Fortune 2 copies
Not for Humans 2 copies
Uhri 1 copy
Once You're a Jedi, You're a Jedi All the Way [short story] — Author — 1 copy
The Perfect Dinner Party 1 copy
Noble Rot 1 copy
Sobek [short story] 1 copy
Valiant AND Ironside 1 copy
Virgin 1 copy
The Night Market 1 copy
Heartless 1 copy
Krampuslauf [short story] 1 copy
Redglove 1 copy
Associated Works
Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories (2011) — Contributor — 760 copies, 26 reviews
The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities: Exhibits, Oddities, Images, and Stories from Top Authors and Artists (2011) — Contributor — 491 copies, 17 reviews
Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader (2013) — Contributor — 470 copies, 18 reviews
The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire (2009) — Contributor — 464 copies, 18 reviews
The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of the Supernatural (2009) — Contributor — 214 copies, 13 reviews
The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Volume 2 (2008) — Contributor — 177 copies, 4 reviews
The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror 2008: 21st Annual Collection (2008) — Contributor — 176 copies, 5 reviews
The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Volume 5 (2011) — Contributor — 166 copies, 4 reviews
The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Volume 3 (2009) — Contributor — 151 copies, 2 reviews
The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Volume 4 (2010) — Contributor — 141 copies, 2 reviews
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror 2011 Edition (2011) — Contributor; Contributor — 131 copies, 7 reviews
Full-Blooded Fantasy: 8 Spellbinding Tales in Which Anything Is Possible (2005) — Contributor — 107 copies, 1 review
The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Volume 9 (2015) — Contributor — 73 copies, 3 reviews
New York Fantastic: Fantasy Stories from the City that Never Sleeps (2017) — Contributor — 45 copies, 1 review
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Black, Holly
- Other names
- Riggenbach, Holly
- Birthdate
- 1971-11-10
- Gender
- female
- Education
- College of New Jersey (B.A., English, 1994)
Rutgers University - Occupations
- author (contemporary fantasy novels for children and teens)
- Relationships
- Clare, Cassandra (writing partner)
Black, Theo (husband) - Short biography
- Black was born in West Long Branch, New Jersey[2] in 1971, and during her early years her family lived in a "decrepit Victorian house."[3] Black graduated with a B.A. in English from The College of New Jersey in 1994. She worked as a production editor on medical journals including The Journal of Pain while studying at Rutgers University. She considered becoming a librarian as a backup career, but writing drew her away.
She married her high school sweetheart, Theo Black, himself an accomplished illustrator and web designer, in 1999.[2]
As of 2008, Black resides in Amherst, Massachusetts.[4] - Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA
- Places of residence
- Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Disambiguation notice
- Wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles, which were illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi. Do not combine this page with Mr. DiTerlizzi's author page, or with any of the various pages that are in both their names. Thank you.
- Associated Place (for map)
- USA
Members
Reviews
It’s been a while since I visited Elfhame and it’s complicated fey politics, but what a way to end out the reading year / start the new one! Holly Black doesn’t waste any time with this novel, and throws us into the story in full media res - expecting us to remember the events that got Jude and Cardan the the High Crowns of Elfhame, and filling in the blanks as we go with what happened to the princeling-in-waiting (Oak), all while trying to figure out where our new protagonist fits in. show more We are introduced to Suren (Wren), an outcast from the Court of Teeth, midst exile as she is hunted by the Storm Hag and picked up as a prisoner/bait/potential ally by Oak and company as they search for a way to defeat the rebellious fey Lady Nore, Wren’s mother. The whole story is immediately complex, which seems to be an increasing mode of Black’s the further she gets into exploring Elfhame with us, and reading this story felt like the action was taking place at such a speed that it was a challenge to keep up. The lore is intricate, and I love the detailed double twists that were slowly revealed by the final pages, but would it have killed her to slow it down just a touch to give us a little more time with the narrative?! The politics are decent at a fast clip, as things move fast in the fey world, but the unfolding of the romance themes felt a little choppy (the cast are young, but it doesn’t feel like typical teenage lust is actually a driver) and the physically slow journey that Oak and Wren take from the human world to the Ice Needle Citadel clashed somewhat with the quickness of the text’s tone. After the group make it inside the Citadel (Wren’s traumatic childhood home, so fun themes there), the pace picked up to become even more frenetic to the point where I feel like I’m definitely going to have to re-read it for the details before picking up book 2. Everyone betrays everyone else, but they’re all doing it for the right reasons, and it kind of all works out to a point where we can see a happy ending coming at some point in the near future, but damn was it all over the place to get there! Wren’s final moments are bloody and magical, with a revelation that isn’t entirely unexpected if you were paying attention going along, but inevitably left us on a cliffhanger that annoyed me immensely. What’s the point of her being animated by the heart of a betrayed daughter, besides power, because there must be one in Black’s story; are the two fey court heirs going to end up together; or is Holly Black in over her head with this evermore political story style? Here’s hoping that she has a plan for the story to all wrap up neatly (she must, since the second book is due out later this year) and that she takes the pace down a notch or two - no need to rush it, I’ll happily read an extra 100 pages if it means getting more quality lore, character development, and intrigue! show less
5/5
TRUE enemies to lovers, morally gray characters, found family, slow burn, political schemes, forced proximity, BANTER
1. Overview and Themes
A darkish fantasy novel that follows Jude, a mortal girl navigating the dangerous and deceitful world of the faerie world and court. With themes of power, loyalty, and ambition, it delves into the complexities of survival in a realm where humans are often seen as lesser beings.
The Cruel Prince delves into the politics of Elfhame, pursuit of power, show more ambition, and desire for control. Jude struggles with one of the few mortals in Elfhame, as they are seen being inferior to the fae creatures. There are the tests of where your loyalties are and betrayals in the pursuit of personal goals and ambition.
2. Characters
LOVE Jude. She is the embodiment of grit and determination, as she is determined to prove herself worthy in the faerie world and becoming a knight despite the bullying from Cardan and his friends and her father's refusal to see her true potential. Her grit shines through her fierce intelligence, resourcefulness, and refusal to back down. She thrives on outsmarting her enemies, enduring ridicule and danger to achieve her ambitions. She is truly unforgettable and a total badass
3. Writing Style and Pace
The writing style is very descriptive and atmospheric that will immerse readers in the world of Elfhame. With a good balance of poetic and sharp dialogue. I’d say the pacing of the story and the plot is slow at first but quickly picks up towards the end, with intense action scenes. The author is able to appropriately write the complexities of the characters especially with the raw and unapologetically bold narration of Jude.
4. Conclusion
My favorite things(Pros):
►Worldbuilding: I loved the immersive and descriptive writing of the world of the fae that includes the different realms, physical description of the creatures, and politics.
►Banter between Cardan and Jude. One of the few characters i’ve read that represents true enemies to lovers.
►Engaging plot
►Complex Characters
►The realness and relatable the female main character exudes
Cons
►Slow beginning
►Unlikeable characters (Taryn)
►Not enough romance between the two main characters
Overall I loved this world and this book. While there are some dark themes in the book, I think its a good overall fantasy book that if you are brand new to fantasy you would still love it. However, even if you are an experienced fantasy reader I still think you would very much enjoy this story. If you are looking for a story that has a lot of romance then you won’t really find it in here, there is more in the other books though. And if you are looking for smut you DEF won’t find it in here (its YA what did you expect). I loved this book because I read the entire series in 2 days over the weekend. show less
TRUE enemies to lovers, morally gray characters, found family, slow burn, political schemes, forced proximity, BANTER
1. Overview and Themes
A darkish fantasy novel that follows Jude, a mortal girl navigating the dangerous and deceitful world of the faerie world and court. With themes of power, loyalty, and ambition, it delves into the complexities of survival in a realm where humans are often seen as lesser beings.
The Cruel Prince delves into the politics of Elfhame, pursuit of power, show more ambition, and desire for control. Jude struggles with one of the few mortals in Elfhame, as they are seen being inferior to the fae creatures. There are the tests of where your loyalties are and betrayals in the pursuit of personal goals and ambition.
2. Characters
LOVE Jude. She is the embodiment of grit and determination, as she is determined to prove herself worthy in the faerie world and becoming a knight despite the bullying from Cardan and his friends and her father's refusal to see her true potential. Her grit shines through her fierce intelligence, resourcefulness, and refusal to back down. She thrives on outsmarting her enemies, enduring ridicule and danger to achieve her ambitions. She is truly unforgettable and a total badass
3. Writing Style and Pace
The writing style is very descriptive and atmospheric that will immerse readers in the world of Elfhame. With a good balance of poetic and sharp dialogue. I’d say the pacing of the story and the plot is slow at first but quickly picks up towards the end, with intense action scenes. The author is able to appropriately write the complexities of the characters especially with the raw and unapologetically bold narration of Jude.
4. Conclusion
My favorite things(Pros):
►Worldbuilding: I loved the immersive and descriptive writing of the world of the fae that includes the different realms, physical description of the creatures, and politics.
►Banter between Cardan and Jude. One of the few characters i’ve read that represents true enemies to lovers.
►Engaging plot
►Complex Characters
►The realness and relatable the female main character exudes
Cons
►Slow beginning
►Unlikeable characters (Taryn)
►Not enough romance between the two main characters
Overall I loved this world and this book. While there are some dark themes in the book, I think its a good overall fantasy book that if you are brand new to fantasy you would still love it. However, even if you are an experienced fantasy reader I still think you would very much enjoy this story. If you are looking for a story that has a lot of romance then you won’t really find it in here, there is more in the other books though. And if you are looking for smut you DEF won’t find it in here (its YA what did you expect). I loved this book because I read the entire series in 2 days over the weekend. show less
This book was pure magic. How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories is exactly what my Folk of the Air–loving heart needed—an enchanting, whimsical, and surprisingly emotional peek into Cardan’s life that made me love him even more than I already did. Holly Black has such a gift for storytelling, and this novella reminded me why I fell in love with her writing in the first place.
First of all, the format was brilliant. The mix of short stories, interconnected vignettes, and show more stunning illustrations made the book feel like a fairytale come to life. Every page felt special, like you were holding a piece of Elfhame in your hands. It wasn’t just a story—it was an experience. I caught myself slowing down just to take in the art and savor the words, which doesn’t happen often with me.
And Cardan… oh, Cardan. Getting his perspective was everything. Seeing his childhood, his scars, and the events that shaped him gave such depth to a character who already feels larger than life. I loved how Holly Black didn’t shy away from showing his flaws and cruelty, but balanced that with vulnerability and yearning. It made him more human (well, faerie) and infinitely more relatable. By the time I finished, I felt like I understood him on a whole new level.
I also adored the way stories within the story were used to mirror his journey. The recurring fairytale-like tales wove in beautifully, giving layers of meaning and emotion. They added this bittersweet, timeless quality that made the novella feel like both a companion piece and a standalone fable.
The moments with Jude, though brief, were absolute perfection. Their relationship is one of my all-time favorites, and seeing Cardan reflect on her and what she means to him was heart-melting. Even in just a few lines, the intensity of their bond came through, reminding me why I’ll never get over these two.
If I had to describe the overall vibe, it felt like a love letter to the series, the characters, and the readers. It didn’t need the big twists or political intrigue of the main books—it was quieter, more introspective, but just as powerful. It left me with that aching, satisfied feeling you only get from truly special stories.
This little book might be short, but it packs so much heart, beauty, and magic into its pages. It’s a must-read for anyone who loved The Cruel Prince trilogy and wants one more chance to step into Elfhame. Five stars without hesitation—I’ll be rereading it whenever I need a dose of faerie magic and Cardan’s sharp, aching charm. show less
First of all, the format was brilliant. The mix of short stories, interconnected vignettes, and show more stunning illustrations made the book feel like a fairytale come to life. Every page felt special, like you were holding a piece of Elfhame in your hands. It wasn’t just a story—it was an experience. I caught myself slowing down just to take in the art and savor the words, which doesn’t happen often with me.
And Cardan… oh, Cardan. Getting his perspective was everything. Seeing his childhood, his scars, and the events that shaped him gave such depth to a character who already feels larger than life. I loved how Holly Black didn’t shy away from showing his flaws and cruelty, but balanced that with vulnerability and yearning. It made him more human (well, faerie) and infinitely more relatable. By the time I finished, I felt like I understood him on a whole new level.
I also adored the way stories within the story were used to mirror his journey. The recurring fairytale-like tales wove in beautifully, giving layers of meaning and emotion. They added this bittersweet, timeless quality that made the novella feel like both a companion piece and a standalone fable.
The moments with Jude, though brief, were absolute perfection. Their relationship is one of my all-time favorites, and seeing Cardan reflect on her and what she means to him was heart-melting. Even in just a few lines, the intensity of their bond came through, reminding me why I’ll never get over these two.
If I had to describe the overall vibe, it felt like a love letter to the series, the characters, and the readers. It didn’t need the big twists or political intrigue of the main books—it was quieter, more introspective, but just as powerful. It left me with that aching, satisfied feeling you only get from truly special stories.
This little book might be short, but it packs so much heart, beauty, and magic into its pages. It’s a must-read for anyone who loved The Cruel Prince trilogy and wants one more chance to step into Elfhame. Five stars without hesitation—I’ll be rereading it whenever I need a dose of faerie magic and Cardan’s sharp, aching charm. show less
Another audiobook chosen because it was available and the ones I had on hold were not. I’d read the first Modern Tale of Faerie, Tithe, and didn’t like it much -- but, I thought, that was ten years ago, I’ve read other books by Holly Black since then and Valiant isn’t about the same characters as Tithe.
Val is feeling betrayed by the people she loves when she goes into New York to watch a hockey game and then misses the last train home. She falls in with a group of teenagers who live show more in the subway tunnels and run mysterious errands for faeries living in the city. Faeries who are being poisoned.
Valiant is a little darker and grittier than I’d prefer, and I had to skip over a couple of the descriptions around taking drugs (that sort of thing distresses me). But I was surprised by how much I wanted to keep reading!
Something else which I was not expecting was that, even though this is a story where friendships can be disappointing and difficult, when things are at their most critical, the characters’ success depends on friends going out of their way to support each other.
I enjoyed Black’s prose and the hints of Beauty and the Beast. I cared about Val and understood her choices, even when I didn’t agree with them. The way she builds on skills from playing lacrosse-playing background and gains new skills through practice is satisfyingly realistic. I also appreciated that this story doesn’t glamourise running away from home or addiction.
People said video games were bad because they made you numb to death, made you register entrails spattering across a screen as a sign of success. In that moment, Val thought that the real problem with games was that the player was supposed to try everything. If there was a cave, you went in it. If there was a mysterious stranger, you talked to him. If there was a map, you followed it. But in games, you had a hundred million lives and Val only had this one. show less
Val is feeling betrayed by the people she loves when she goes into New York to watch a hockey game and then misses the last train home. She falls in with a group of teenagers who live show more in the subway tunnels and run mysterious errands for faeries living in the city. Faeries who are being poisoned.
Valiant is a little darker and grittier than I’d prefer, and I had to skip over a couple of the descriptions around taking drugs (that sort of thing distresses me). But I was surprised by how much I wanted to keep reading!
Something else which I was not expecting was that, even though this is a story where friendships can be disappointing and difficult, when things are at their most critical, the characters’ success depends on friends going out of their way to support each other.
I enjoyed Black’s prose and the hints of Beauty and the Beast. I cared about Val and understood her choices, even when I didn’t agree with them. The way she builds on skills from playing lacrosse-playing background and gains new skills through practice is satisfyingly realistic. I also appreciated that this story doesn’t glamourise running away from home or addiction.
People said video games were bad because they made you numb to death, made you register entrails spattering across a screen as a sign of success. In that moment, Val thought that the real problem with games was that the player was supposed to try everything. If there was a cave, you went in it. If there was a mysterious stranger, you talked to him. If there was a map, you followed it. But in games, you had a hundred million lives and Val only had this one. show less
Lists
Fantasy Fiction (1)
Newbery Adjacent (1)
6th Grade (1)
Magic Realism (1)
Faerie Mythology (1)
2010s (1)
LGBTQIA Horror (1)
Graphic Novels (1)
2022 Challenge (1)
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al.vick-series (1)
Books Read (1)
Female Author (2)
TDCD BOOK LIST (2)
Florida (2)
LIDOS (3)
Completed (3)
Best Young Adult (4)
Books with Twins (4)
READ IN 2021 (4)
H (5)
sad girl books (1)
Midwest (1)
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quigui wishlish (1)
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 160
- Also by
- 63
- Members
- 106,123
- Popularity
- #83
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 2,773
- ISBNs
- 1,431
- Languages
- 28
- Favorited
- 183
