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The Wicked King by Holly Black

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The Wicked King by Holly Black is the second book in the The Folk of the Air series, a young adult fantasy novel full of political intrigue, betrayal, and a complex enemies-to-lovers relationship. It ...

The Wicked King by Holly Black is the second book in the The Folk of the Air series, a young adult fantasy novel full of political intrigue, betrayal, and a complex enemies-to-lovers relationship. It picks up after the events of The Cruel Prince, following Jude Duarte's struggle to control the Faerie realm as the power behind the throne.

Plot Summary

The story begins five months after Jude has bound Cardan, the "wicked king," to obey her for a year and a day, making herself the de facto ruler of Elfhame. Her plan is to keep her younger brother Oak safe until he is old enough to take the throne. However, maintaining this control is fraught with challenges.

Political Intrigue: Jude must navigate a court filled with shifting alliances and constant plotting from various factions, including her adoptive father Madoc and the Queen of the Undersea, who seeks to marry Cardan to her daughter Nicasia to gain power.
A Dangerous Alliance: Jude and Cardan's relationship grows more intricate and intense. Despite his humiliation at being controlled, Cardan's fascination with Jude remains, leading to a complex dynamic of mutual manipulation, tension, and a developing, albeit unhealthy, attraction.
Betrayal and Conflict: Jude uncovers a plot by a traitor close to her that threatens her life and the lives of those she loves. The tension culminates at her twin sister Taryn's wedding, where Jude is betrayed and delivered to the Queen of the Undersea.
Shocking Cliffhanger: After enduring imprisonment and escaping, Jude confronts Cardan. In a final, masterful twist, Cardan exiles Jude to the mortal world, revealing he had tricked her into marrying him, making her the High Queen of Faerie, and thus nullifying the control she had over him.

Book Details

Series:

The Folk of the Air

(Book 2 of 3)

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Romance
Publication Date: January 8, 2019
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Awards: Winner of the Goodreads Best Book Award for Young Adult Fantasy in 2019, and a finalist for the Lodestar Award and Locus Award in 2020.

Reception

The Wicked King

was a critical success, with reviewers praising its ability to avoid the "second-book slump" often found in trilogies.

Complex Characters: Critics and readers appreciate the morally gray characters, particularly Jude's fierce ambition and Cardan's cleverness disguised by a fool act.
Intriguing Plot: The story is lauded for its fast pace, satisfying twists, and well-realized world-building that delves deeper into the dangerous and beautiful realm of Faerie.
Relationship Dynamics: The unhealthy but compelling push-and-pull relationship between Jude and Cardan is a major highlight for fans, offering a refreshing take on the enemies-to-lovers trope.

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