Holly Black - The Wicked King.

Holly Black – The Wicked King.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Hey Everyone! It’s Christmas Eve. I put a lot of thought into gifts this year so I’m really excited to see everyone’s reactions tomorrow. I put my festivities on hold for a second to write this though because I really wanted to share my thoughts with you all. This is my review for the second book in The Folk of the Air series, The Wicked King by Holly Black. I loved this book and gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. As with the last one I felt like there was some oomph missing that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I loved it regardless though, a well earned 4.

Synopsis:

Jude has tricked Cardan onto the throne, binding him to her for a year and a day. But the new High King does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her.

Meanwhile, a traitor is scheming against her. Jude must fight for he life and also battle her own complicated feelings for Cardan. Now a year and a day seems like no time at all. . .

A Little 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 Newberry 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.

A Little About The Story:

The second installment followed Jude as she kept up her promise to keep the throne warm for Oak. She had gotten Cardan to agree to obey her for one year and one day. She was effectively ruling Faerie behind the scenes. However, this doesn’t go as she would hope. We got to witness as she overcame obstacles and worked as a spy and a warrior and the King’s closest advisor. Considering her young age and inexperience, Jude is up to a lot. We also see her personal growth and changes. Such as her odd relationship with Madoc and how that changes given her new circumstances and what they faced at the end of book one. We also follow along with Jude and Cardan’s unique relationship. This is one of the best written relationships I have seen. In book one they truly hated each other. You could feel that throughout, but they also had a weird respect for one another. They didn’t get on but they did acknowledge each other’s power and struggles. Leading to a conclusion that none of us saw coming.

The main characters in this book are Jude and Cardan, the members of The Court of Shadows are also important. Prince Balekin and Orlagh also are crucial to the tales that are told in this book along with Nicasia and Jude’s family.

In this story the main characters fought once again over the Faerie crown, over who was going to rule over the courts. They go through personal growths and important life events throughout but the main theme is the crown and who can take it from Cardan and essentially Jude, if anyone.

What problems do the main characters run into? A better question would be ‘What problems do the main characters run into?’ they run into every problem imaginable. This book is jam packed with problems they must come together and face.

It could be argued that the whole story is an adventure. Jude is human. If it weren’t for Madoc she would be living a pretty mundane life. Going to school, seeing friends. But because of Madoc she is fighting wars and murdering Fae. Her whole life is a backwards adventure compared to what it should have been. Same goes for Cardan. He was never going to be King. He had older siblings that all wanted it a lot more than he did, and that were arguably better equipped to rule too. However, that is not the way everything unfolded and he was thrown into something that he didn’t see coming. Both people thrown into lives that were not the original plan. Adventures.

My favourite character in this installment is Jude. Everything she does is for a purpose. It seems as though she is doing everything to protect Oak. It also strongly suggests she likes the way the power makes her feel. This is a trait that is more common in male characters so I loved seeing how this portrayed itself in a female. Jude was strong and violent and power hungry and I love it.

I loved this book. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars. I save my 5 stars for really special stories, the ones that I cant get out of when I put the book down, that live in my head rent free. This one got a 4 because it lacked that something that pushes it up to a 5 for me. I can’t put my finger on what it was, but regardless it is an incredible book and there is a high chance I will re-read it over and over and over again.

My favourite part of the book comes in chapter fifteen. When Cardan and Jude FINALLY get a bit closer. These two characters that hated each other so much, that are now working together and trusting one another. It was so well written, you believed every emotion they were feeling and every instinct they had.

Another favourite part of the book for me was near the end, when Jude finally decides to trust in Cardan and not the oath he took to obey her. It showed such growth in who she was and who she is becoming. Until now you don’t get the impression she trusted anyone, the character growth was incredible.

My least favourite part of the book is anything that references Cardan’s tail. I don’t know why but it makes me cringe a little. I love everything about these characters but the tail doesn’t sit well with me. I have no idea why I don’t like it, I just don’t. Personal choices I guess.

I would recommend this book to strong lovers of fantasy and adventure. If you have read the Shadowhunter books by Cassandra Clare, there is a high chance you will love this series just as much. Black and Clare have very similar writing and I love them both so much.

So that concludes my review and recommendation for The Wicked King by Holly Black. I loved this book and I have fallen in love with the entire series. If you have read this book I would love to know your thoughts on it. If you haven’t read it yet, I hope my comments encourage you to pick up a book!

Stay Curious!

J x