From the Bookshelf of Chapter Addicts…

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

Holly Black

Start date: April 2, 2022

Finish date: April 30, 2022

Discussion: ☆Previous BOTMS!☆

Why we're reading this: YA Series BOTM for April
[close] YA Series BOTM for April

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 46 topics — 338 comments total

☆Previous BOTMS!☆

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* October Adult BOTM - Red, White, and Royal Blue
By emily · 5 posts · 32 views

last updated Oct 15, 2021 08:25PM

* October YA Standalone BOTM - The Cousins
By emily · 11 posts · 40 views

last updated Oct 29, 2021 06:40PM

showing 1 of 1 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jun 09, 2020 toointofiction rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, young-adult, reviewed-books, fantasy, holly-black

“If you’re the sickness, I suppose you can’t also be the cure.”

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

❗This review contains some minor spoilers❗

The magnificence of this series will always astound me. It only gets better and better. With most of the exposition presented in The Cruel Prince, there is more room in this book to allow the story to develop in a quicker pace. There is still a lot of Elfhame that is explored, but there is no delay between the introduction and the main plot of the story. It makes the story mo “If you’re the sickness, I suppose you can’t also be the cure.”

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

❗This review contains some minor spoilers❗

The magnificence of this series will always astound me. It only gets better and better. With most of the exposition presented in The Cruel Prince, there is more room in this book to allow the story to develop in a quicker pace. There is still a lot of Elfhame that is explored, but there is no delay between the introduction and the main plot of the story. It makes the story more intriguing than the previous book, focusing largely on the politics of Elfhame now that Cardan is High King and Jude is his Seneschal. It is fascinating following Jude's attempts to secretly navigate the High Court through Cardan, and experiencing with her the politics of kinghood. Besides, the Undersea is also introduced into the story, and while there isn't much information on it, it is still fascinating.

Moreover, while Jude doesn't necessarily have extensive character development in this book, her story is far from over and it is absolutely fascinating. She is as stubborn as ever, dedicated to achieving dominion over all of Elfhame, something she accomplishes, in a way. The only way she can do that though, is by secretly controlling Cardan, which, unfortunately for her, gives her none of the recognition she craves, and only makes her thirst for more power. Unsurprisingly, she is still a total badass, destroying foes left and right, surviving any hardships thrown her way with swift brutality and manipulation, and ruling an entire kingdom in secret and without any help whatsoever.

Besides, as for Cardan, he is the same charming, alcoholic soft boy that he was in the first book, only now he can taunt Jude all he wants since they are around each other often, and enjoy the benefits of being king without actually doing any of the work. He does, however, grow into his own as a king, taking responsibility for the crown on his head. Admittedly, his character arc is more profound than Jude's, as he goes from a party boy with a crown he doesn't know how to handle to a competent High King of Elfhame. It is wonderful to experience.

Furthermore, there are a lot more interactions between Cardan and Jude in this one, it can't be anything other than a blessing. There is so much sexual tension, it doesn't take long for them to give in and do things that blew my mind. They keep fighting their attraction to each other and failing hilariously. Cardan is a total simp and barely able to hide it, and Jude desperately tries to convince herself she still hates him until she can't do it anymore and chooses to just be bitter about it. Their love-hate relationship is literally my will to live and I need more of it.

Lastly, as for the rest of the characters, Oak is still adorable, Vivienne is a wonderful sister but a terrible girlfriend, and Taryn is still a spineless traitor and will never deserve redemption, no matter what she does. Also, Madoc is a thorn up everyone's ass, Locke needs to be put down and be rid of everyone's lives forever, and Balekin finally gets what he deserved and it is spectacular. Last but not least, Nicasia should get her life together because she's just pathetic at this point.

Thank you for reading ...more

122 likes · Like · see review

Jan 14, 2021 akacya ❦ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audience-young-adult, own, format-audiobook, popsugar-2021, genre-fantasy

CARDANNNN

Okay, seriously this was such a great sequel. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Completed for the 2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge; prompt #12—a book you have seen on someone’s bookshelf

10 likes · Like · see review

Apr 06, 2021 Thai rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 06, 2020 Dee Dee (Dee Reads for Food) rated it really liked it

OK, OK, OK. I get it. Whew this book was a lot and I am not okay. Jude and Cardan when they're working together, reaaaaallllly work, but boy do they know how to manipulate and hurt each other. I am desperate to finish thos series, because wth Holly? How could you end it like that? Break my heart and then so 'oop, I'm out'? No!!! I need more XD ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 23, 2020 cyra rated it liked it

More action-packed from the first one. Also, I'm officially in love with my toxic boy Cardan. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 20, 2020 Raf rated it really liked it

Just finished this and oh my GODDDD it was INTENSE! Picking up the third book in the series ASAP! 4.5/5 stars!

2 likes · Like · see review

May 23, 2020 Lizbeth ✿ rated it really liked it

this is for cardan, you big fat, white nasty, smelling fat bitch
why you took me off the motherfucking schedule
with your trifling dirty white racist ass big fat bitch
and maluma body ass bitch

I’M COMING UP THERE AND I’M GOING TO BEAT THE FUCK OUT OF YOU

okay, just kidding, he’s still hot

1 like · Like · see review