Fellow book lovers, I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. My mind is still reeling, days later, from just how phenomenal it was. Holly Black has truly outdone herself. This is easily one of the best, if not the best, books I have read in 2018.

I’m going to be honest with you, I wasn’t a fan of The Cruel Prince. In fact, I only rated it 3 stars when I read it this past January. I didn’t feel that the book had lived up to the hype that surrounded it when it was published. However, now I’m planning on doing a reread because I can’t comprehend how I didn’t enjoy The Cruel Prince when I absolutely devoured The Wicked King. That being said, if you were like me and didn’t much enjoy The Cruel Prince, I strongly recommend that you give this series another chance. I don’t think you will regret it.

Where to begin? Holly Black has mastered the craft of storytelling; she has written a riveting book full of magic, mischief, and deceit. In this story, you witness how the smallest taste of power can change people. You also get to see the lengths people will go in their thirst for power.


The Wicked King picks up 5 months after The Cruel Prince ended. Cardan is on the throne while Jude pulls the strings from behind the scenes. Madoc and Jude are not on speaking terms, Taryn is planning to marry Locke, and Oak is hiding in the human world with Vivi. Despite all that, things are going well enough for Jude--except that she knows her time controlling Cardan dwindles every single day. Needless to say, Jude is preoccupied with trying to find a way to convince Cardan to swear another promise to her. Until a new threat appears: Queen Orlagh, Queen of the Undersea and Nicasia’s mother, is thinking of breaking the treaty she has with the fae on land.

“Fighting was chess, anticipating the move of one’s opponent and countering it before one got hit.”

Like it’s predecessor, The Wicked King is full of twists and turns. You never know who you can trust just as you never know when you are being manipulated. My advice for reading this book is for you to trust no one. Every single character in this book is capable of betrayal if given the proper motive….And I love it. I loved psychoanalyzing every character’s move as I tried to decipher whether or not they could be trusted.

Holly Black does a tremendous job in writing a perfectly well-paced novel. There were zero dull moments; I was never bored with this story. In fact, I couldn’t read this book fast enough. I snuck away to Elfhame every possible chance I could.

Let’s talk about my two favorite people, Cardan and Jude, for a minute. I SHIP THEM SO HARD, GUYS. AH. Their sexual tension is so palpable I could feel it through my kindle...yeah, it’s that intense. I cannot wait for The Queen of Nothing so I can read more about these two characters.

Lastly, can we talk about that cruel cliffhanger? (No pun intended :P) I know everyone is talking about how evil Holly Black is for ending the book there, but I honestly don’t think this book could have ended another way. No other ending would have been nearly as satisfying or enthralling. Holly Black is truly a genius. I stan my queen.

I’m not going to lie, I thought the first book was a bit overhyped, but this one was much more interesting to me. I feel like the characters had more depth and that in all, it was a more interesting story. After reading this, I definitely want more and can’t wait!

The Wicked King is an exciting sequel in one of my new favorite series. While it starts out slower than the Cruel Prince, the action picks up the end twist is so delightful and wonderful. These are characters you love to hate. They are witty and clever and cruel. Their intrigues were complicated and left you guessing as to the outcome each time. This is a must read for fantasy lovers.

I read the Cruel Prince a few months ago and enjoyed it, even though I despised the main male love interest, Carden. It's tricky to say I hate him, because this book series is about 50% sexual-tension-hatred, and my feelings for Carden are purely murder based. I can get into a lot of discourse about him and what he means as a YA romantic lead, but I'll mostly try to review this book.

Who gave me this ARC? I didn't even get an email, but I checked netgalley and it was just there. This is one of the books I've been most excited to read, so thanks.



Plot:

It's been five months since The Cruel Prince. If you haven't read it yet, spoilers! Anyway, Carden sits on the throne, Jude has power over him in the form of a secret agreement (he is unable to break any command she gives him), and Tarwyn (Don't expect me to spell it right) is due to be married to Locke in a few weeks.

Life has generally progressed fine since the events of the last book- Carden parties most nights in the palace, Jude does all the work as well as her spy work, Mardoc/Tarwyn are generally not addressing what happened last book, and Carden's abuse is still painted as sexual tension. You know.

There's enough plot in this book, but it generally leads to little- the gist is increasing tensions with the ocean fey (mermaids), Carden/Jude things, and smaller conflicts re: Oak, Locke, Tarwyn. Not to say little happens- the pacing and plot and politics are all a lot of fun! But I wouldn't say much extremely important happens overall, as things sort of resolve themselves by the end. I guess that's how trilogies work.

If I may, my updates probably paint a good picture of my thoughts.

October 23, 2018 – 

 21.0% "I really despise Carden. He's. AWFUL! It's a pain to read a book with such an unlikeable character, esp since it's just painted off as sexual tension. if these guys fall in love I am going to be pissssssed"

October 23, 2018 – 

 35.0% "carden is repulsive"

October 23, 2018 – 

 49.0% "**ROLLLING EYES GIF***"

October 23, 2018 – 

 49.0% "also siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh I knew it was a high hope but I want carden deeeeaaaaad"

October 23, 2018 – 

 67.0% "look it is a wonderful book but DO NOT GIVE ME A DISGUSTING ROMANCE like this uuugggghhh"

October 23, 2018 – 

 69.0% "ah. the unsurprising plot twist."

October 23, 2018 – 

 88.0% "as much as I enjoy this book I also just. carden. stop. please let the end of book twist be his deeeeaaaatttthhhhhh"

October 23, 2018 – 

 91.0% "this is now a 'carden better die' blog for the last 9%. we be popping the biggest bottles."


So, you know. Most of my main thoughts as I went along were standard Carden hate, not related to the actual storyline.

Speaking of

CARDEN DIES IN BOOK 3 PRAYER THREAD
So, what does Carden do?

It's tough to quantify this garbage heap, because there's a lot of excuses made for his behavior. Poor boy was lonely, boo-hoo. Cool motives, still abusive. As with book 1, he sits by and allows Jude to suffer humiliation and torment- despite always being in a position of power where he can stop it. Now more than ever, as the friggin' king, he gives feeble notes like 'hey... don't come to the party tonight' but doesn't say 'my mate is going to harass you endlessly', let alone do anything about it.

He does less against her this book, which is part of the book setting their 'romance'. Still, he doesn't improve either- just offers excuses for his behavior instead of changing or apologizing for it. He makes plenty of active decisions and choices which are harmful to Jude, his supposed love interest.

Look, the thing you have to remember with YA, is that it's technically meant for ages 13-17 or so, and those younger read it as well. With this, it's important to look at the sort of message this sends about romance options to young girls. The rich powerful asshole who's always a jerk to you and downright abusive? Yeah, he is just angry with you because he has a secret crush on you!! Just make out  and hate each other and then develop real feelings, it's fine!

It's. It's not fine.

He can be a fun enough character as a concept, but he's painted as a protagonist, and way worse of all, again, a romantic lead. This book has Jude develop romantic feelings towards him over time, though it's still fairly slow. Really? Guy gets his dick in you once (spoilers) and you suddenly care?

Yep.

Hey, isn't it a bit messed up how our strong female badass has had two books where a hot guy made her lose all sense and get wildly tricked and manipulated?

Hm.

What I had about Carden is Carden/Jude, and how inevitable it feels and is painted. It's there because people are into it, but it is such a toxic and unhealthy dynamic. It is, dare I say, problematic.

OTHER CHARACTERS
I was starting up some discourse on tumblr about him, and someone noted Jude isn't that good a person either, so they match each other. No, she's not morally lawful good, but I would entirely argue she's chaotic good- especially in this book. In Wicked King, Jude acts more and more for the greater good, good of the kingdom and Faerie as a whole- and Carden too. She's being responsible and sensible, even if she also enjoys having power over people and does some murder.

Carden is 200% a worse person than her, non-murderer and all.

Meanwhile, we don't see a lot of any other characters in particular, but I'm fond of them all. I like Tarwyn and want the best for her. Locke's charade is over, and he's just a wild manic ass, and thus fun (like Carden should be!). Madoc is aggressive and complex, and seeing Vivi/Heather/Oak together is always good. Old friends and new ones return in a myriad of ways and it generally rocks.

This book is wonderful, I just need to punch Carden a lot to have the capacity to say that.

HOW'S THE SERIES LOOKING?
As with book 1, book 2 ends on a sort of 'twist', a more surprising (and delightful!) one than before. Heck. Yeah!! This is a trilogy, which really ups the tension for how things will resolve in book 3- things keep coming back and developing as the story goes on, with plenty of story hooks left unsolved or still open. There's a lot of wiggle room for book 3 to turn all my expectations around, to keep it vague.

Really, what happens is fantastic and full of possibility. My only wonder- and fear- is that Jude/Carden will come back and be 'inevitable'. Oh yeah, it just has to happen. That's my worry, that it's so popular it's guaranteed.

Really, it's hard to critque this book. It's excellently written, paced, everything... plenty of great quotes and moments and entirely memorable. The only thing it lacks is Carden's violent death, but a girl can dream!

Cardan is sexy (sexier)— when before I found him to be a problematic douche. Jude is more complex and more self aware. I still hate Taryn. Locke can still go to hell (and burn slow). Elfhame remains as dangerous as legos on the floor at night.

I gave The Cruel Prince 1 ★ the first time I read it. I had the flu and I hated the book. I reread 3 months later, after reading other Holly Black Books (which I loved) and improved the rating to 3 stars. I said what I said— 3 ★ is the best I could give the book. I can’t quiet specify why, but something about the original book didn’t do it for me.

Now, The Wicked King. I have no edges y’all. I am shook. I sprinted through the reading of this book much to the detriment of my to-do lists and obligations as a responsible adult. Holly Black did not come with y’all heifers with this book. Cardan sits on a throne and Taryn rules. If you think the cliff hanger at the end of The Cruel Prince was unbearable, I’m sorry for you boo because it is taken to new levels of pearl clutching in The Wicked King. I am willing to volunteer as a maid, cook, or personal court clown to read book 3 as soon as possible. I’m giving this book all the stars, ALL OF THEM! ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

“Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold on to.”


Its raining plot twists, on plot twists, on plot twists in book 2. Book 2 is about power, having it, keeping it, stealing it and even giving it away. I don’t have all the words to give this book justice. I hated fae stories until Holly Black came for me.

“I’ve wanted this and feared it, and now that it’s happening, I don’t know how I will ever want anything else.”

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for providing me with an ARC of this book!

This was and still is one of my most anticipated books of next year. I got the email that I got an ARC of this while I was doing homework and had the freak out of the century. I pretty much started screaming and jumping around, I was so excited to get this. Part of me is still in shock but I am happy to report that I loved this book.
The Wicked King is the second book in The Folk of the Air books by Holly Black which started with The Cruel Prince. The Cruel Prince follows a mortal named Jude whose parents was killed in front of her by her adopted father. Her adopted father then took her and her sisters to live in Faerie. Every day Jude has had to fight to try to show that she deserves to live in Faerie. She has a tumultuous relationship with one of the princes of Faerie named Cardan and it's about her trying to live in this land that she doesn't belong to.
The Wicked King was a rich and engrossing novel. I finished this book in one sitting that's how much I needed to know more of what was going on. Holly Black managed to successfully craft a second novel that was even more engrossing than the first book. This book was filled with twist and turns that kept me wanting to know more. Many of the plot twist I didn't see coming and several times I had to exclaim out loud as I was so shocked by what happened.
I love how Holly manages to craft these characters who are not wholly likable but you still find yourself rooting for. Jude has to be one of my favorite female characters as she has been raised in this very tough world and always has to watch her back. I found that following her perspective is so intriguing as she has a different way of looking at this world. Her perspective brings a richness to the story that I love and I can't wait to see more of what happens with her.
I also would be remised if I didn't mention Cardan. My dear Cardan, he really is such an intriguing character. Cardan is not a good person by any means and he is such a sneaky character. He knows what battles to fight and knows how to get what he wants. I have a huge respect for Cardan while also feeling so mad at him for some things that happened. I have no idea where his story is going to go in the next book.
By the end of this book, all I could do was set my Kindle aside and stare at the wall for a good ten minutes. I was so blown away by that ending and I have no idea how I am going to function having to wait for the third book besides re-reading this over and over again. I also would like to give a special shoutout to the reference to Yuri On Ice in this, it made me smile to see it being mentioned.
This book has quickly become one of the most high anticipated sequels of 2019 as it should be. The hype is real about this book and if you haven't picked up The Cruel Prince, I would highly recommend it so you can also read this masterpiece of a book as well. Strap in because this book is a wild ride from beginning to end.

The main character, Jude Durate, is a force to be reckoned with. Nothing will stand in her way to keep her loved ones safe and as well as the throne of Faerie. As the mortal right hand of the Faerie king, Jude is the power behind the throne. Being a mortal with that power does not go over well and she has to prove herself to the Folk of Faerie. Through political machinations, spying, betrayals, and of course deaths, Jude fights to keep the throne and the heir safe while proving that she is not a weak mortal
This is a plot driven book, heavy with characters trying to outwit each other to wrest and also maintain political power.

I just finished this book moments ago, and I haven't felt this sort of angst, betrayal, and need for time to move faster since...well, since I finished The Cruel Prince, But before that, it had been a long time since a series had me so tight in its clutches. Holly Black is truly a genius. Jude has to be one of my all-time favorite characters. She's terrible. She's vindictive. She's powerful. She's who I aspire to be, horrible as that may be.

And Carden. Don't get me started on that pairing. The reason they work so well is because they're equals. While they might not seem like it at first glance, they each possess a certain kind of power over each other, and though that power shifts, it remains in proportion. It's delightful and maddening to read about. Their sexual tension is off the charts and I find myself skimming words to find parts where they're alone and word-dueling. I've reverted back to middle school lovesickness with this sort-of couple.

This book would be amazing with just those two, but the world built around them is just as engaging and intriguing. I love Holly Black's version of faerie. It's dark, twisted, and scary. But still so, so tempting. I would kill to be a just a mortal in that land (I'm sure I wouldn't survive, but so be it). The machinations of the faerie world and how Jude works them in her favor are perfect fodder for a book you can't put down.

But it's the ending that made me want to pull out my hair. I have to wait until 2020 to see what happens next? It speaks to the nature of this story and how truly compelling it is that I'm so upset and eager. Holly Black, your talent is endless. I would happily read about Jude and Carden forever.

Well THAT was the most fun I’ve had reading YA in a long while.

To be perfectly honest, I’m starting to get a little bored of the overused tropes and predictable storylines prevalent in a lot of YA fantasy these days. And then there’s Holly Black, Queen of the Faeries. There is something about her mind-bending plots and backstabbing characters that is so energizing and life-giving amidst a sea of unremarkable books.


If by chance you weren’t hooked by The Cruel Prince, I think you will find this one to be much more engaging. It’s everything I loved about the first book but somehow just more of it. More intense, more magical, more cheeky. Each page is packed with intrigue, mischief, and all the little details that bring this magical forest setting to life. I devoured it.

Having read two books in this trilogy now, I’ve realized that a few things irk me about Jude, our main character, but I still liked her more in this book than in The Cruel Prince. It was so easy to become fully immersed into the story through her narrative because Black has done a remarkable job fleshing her out and giving her a distinctive voice that drives the entire story. I am full of admiration of her strength and resilience, even if she is a bit too controlling/overly ambitious for my liking. She might not be warm but she is a total badass.

And then there’s Cardan. Oh, Cardan, my chaotic, iconic, angry boy. I loved how much depth his character is given in this book! He has come into surprising new power that gave me goosebumps and I’m most interested to see where Black is taking his part of the story. Let’s just say that I am here for this ship, even if I end up going down into the waves.

As with The Cruel Prince, this book truly kept me guessing until the last page, and it was definitely a wild ride. I can just picture Holly Black writing it with a mischievous grin, knowing how much of a fool she will make of us, because let me warn you now: whatever you think is happening, is very very likely not what is actually happening. The twists and turns are many, and that ENDING. There is nothing that prepared me for how many pieces of my shattered heart I’d be picking up off the floor. You have been warned.

Guys, the hype is real and I am hopelessly addicted to these books. It’s going to be long wait until 2020 for The Queen of Nothing.

Holly Black never disappoints. I finished The Wicked King in 2 sittings and was left feeling everything at once. The poetic quality to Black's work keeps you going and never gets stale. You will never know what to expect of her characters or their story line. We cannot wait to work with this title.

I LOVE HOLLY BLACK. She always does this to me. It was a steady first half of the book where I just felt like I could read at a normal pace and not worry but after that it was all uphill and rocky. I had to sneak in chapters at work, on the train, in the shower. It was tough to put down and even tougher to finish because I can't believe I will have to wait more than a year for the next one.

I can't wait for the next book in the series! The twist at the end was perfect, and kept me on my toes.