Review: The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #2) by Holly Black

The Wicked King
(The Folk of the Air #2)

by Holly Black

January 8, 2019
336 pages

Goodreads      Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

The enchanting and bloodthirsty sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel The Cruel Prince.You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.

The first lesson is to make yourself strong.

After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.

 

Review

I think it's safe to say The Wicked King is the most highly anticipated sequel of 2019. I know I was dying to get a hold of it when I finished The Cruel Prince. Let me just say, it lives up to the hype and the anticipation. Holly Black is the true master of Faeries.

Going into The Wicked King I was prepared to have my feelings shattered. Maybe because I was mentally prepped I came out okay. But everything you think you know about the story and the characters? Throw them out the window because nothing is as you'd expect. The book was every bit as twisty as I'd heard others say.

There's a certain beauty and allure to Holly Black's writing. A few pages into The Wicked King and I was pulled in. The pacing was on the slow side but I loved every minute I spent inside the world. The court intrigue, the political maneuvering were excellent. Debauchery reigned. Betrayals ran amok. I couldn't get enough of the simmering tension between the characters and trying my hand at deciphering the deceit and/or hidden meaning behind every word exchanged.

Jude and Cardan and their tumultuous relationship! Every encounter was brimming with emotions. You never know if they're going to stab each other or kiss the hell out of each other. I LOVED IT. What a surprising turn their relationship took at the end of the book. I was giddy with relief when they got married and then my hopes were crushed when Cardan exiled Jude from Elfhame. Sneaky but effective. I always guessed she'd wound up in the mortal world but what a bitter way to go.

I hate to say this but Jude's family sucks. Her sisters act and talk like they care for her but both are too busy with their own (non)issues to really see Jude's well-intentions. She may be power-hungry but she only takes actions against those that mean to bring harm to her loved ones. I'm most curious about our Grand General. Madoc is cunning and persuasive. After the sly move he's made, what final cards will he play?

The Wicked King was every bit as twisty and unexpected as I imagined. I shudder in excitement and fear, but mostly excitement, at what The Queen of Nothing will bring. Don't miss out on this dark and compulsive tale!!

 

*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way.