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

Title: The Wicked King
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 
Release Date: January 8, 2019
Pages: 322

You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.

The first lesson is to make yourself that strong.

Jude 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 biddable. 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 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.

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My Thoughts

Book 1: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black ★★★★★ (5)

After Oak, Jude's little brother, is revealed to be the heir to the throne, she must do all she can to keep him safe. Even if this means making a deal with Prince Cardan, the person she hates the most.

Jude didn't say anything. Nothing was fair in Faerie. She had learned to stop expecting it to be.

Jude puts herself behind the crown hoping to keep things under control. But just when she thinks she does, a betrayal shakes up her world, making her question everyone close to her. She must discover who and how and why it happened, all before it's too late.

I hope Cardan misses me.

Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4)

This book kept me guessing, and it felt as if I was in the Fae world, right beside Jude, watching the story unfold. I love Jude so much and stand by her in all that she does in protecting her brother and the crown.

Overall, The Wicked King was an amazing sequel following Jude's story. Even though romance and love are a big part of the book, the ugly things people do to obtain power are also shown in the story, an important lesson to take away. Lastly, the cliffhanger OMG. I want to pick up The Queen of Nothing so badly!

About the Author

Holly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over thirty fantasy novels for kids and teens. She has been a finalist for an Eisner Award and the Lodestar Award, and the recipient of the Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula, and a Newbery Honor. Her books have been translated into 32 languages worldwide and adapted for film. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library.