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rosiehr's review
5.0
oh my god. I thought the Ghosts betrayal was the only one and i thought that was bad. BUT CARDANS?! Things were going so well for them i’m scared for the next book bro
bhw1989's review against another edition
4.0
What a a twist and what a cliffhanger! The beginning was a hit slow, but it was a burn that you didn’t know what even there until it was a flame! Reading the next immediately!
yunooooo's review against another edition
2.0
Read this in one sitting cuz i need to get this over with.
Everything is freaking ridiculous and funny and just convenient for Jude lol. At least it was entertaining
Everything is freaking ridiculous and funny and just convenient for Jude lol. At least it was entertaining
kara_bianca_reads's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
Summary:
The Wicked King is the second book in The Folk of the Air trilogy, and the sequel to the Cruel Prince. In this installment, we carry on from the twist at the end of book one with
This is a really hard review for me to write, because my feelings are a bit confusing so let's get started!
Characters 3.5/5:
For some reason I just didn't really connect well with any of the characters in this book. I'm not sure if I had a similar problem reading Cruel Prince, or if its new for me in this installment, but I just didn't CARE enough. They were interesting, but I didn't feel absorbed into any of the characters, Jude or otherwise.
Setting and atmosphere 3.5/5:
I don't think the setting or atmosphere were really developed in this book to any significant extent, but the persistent atmosphere of faerie is well contrasted, especially when you compare to the moments in the book where Jude is in the mortal world. I like the world of this story, but I don't think it's anything particularly amazing. I also think the one new part of the world we are really introduced to -- The Undersea -- could really have been expanded upon more. All of our time there happens in only a few quick chapters, and even then, there's very little description of the world, which was a bit disappointing.
Plot 4/5:
I really enjoy the plot of this series. I think the interplay between the different personalities and twists and turns is really interesting. It seems like a lot of people really ship Cardan and Jude, but I'm much more interested in the machinations being their decisions and the way those plot developments play out, on both sides of the argument. This book also really helped solidify Cardan as an all round schemer which I really enjoyed.
Writing Style 3.5/5:
For some reason, I had entirely forgotten this series was written in first person! I haven't read a first person narrated book in a while, and I think that kind of shows in my lower rating of the writing style. I don't hate, but I don't love Jude's narrative voice, and sometimes I think the general storytelling is a little simplistic for the complicated plot. Again, not awful, but nothing absolutely stunning or amazing.
Overall, I think this series is just average for me. I think originally when I read Cruel Prince I gave it 4 stars (or at least that's the vibe I'm remembering), but my reviews and ratings were not particularly detailed or carefully considered. I don't think these books are absolutely amazing, or the writing absolutely stunning, but they're a fun time and easy to get through. The plot in particular is quite interesting, and I should note that the way Jude is mortal but thinks in a lot of ways analogous to the faeries is very interesting to watch and observe. But I don't find myself super connected to the characters and there weren't many moments where I felt like I couldn't look away.
Hopefully this review makes sense, because my thoughts are a little all over the place, but the rating feels right to me! Let me know your thoughts on the Wicked King and the Cruel Prince, I'd love to hear your arguments for and against seeing as I'm very middling on what seems to be a decently divisive book!
Summary:
The Wicked King is the second book in The Folk of the Air trilogy, and the sequel to the Cruel Prince. In this installment, we carry on from the twist at the end of book one with
Spoiler
Jude in control of Cardan, Cardan throned as the High King of Faerie, and a whole bunch of political alliances that are ready to collapse under Jude's nose if she's not careful.This is a really hard review for me to write, because my feelings are a bit confusing so let's get started!
Characters 3.5/5:
For some reason I just didn't really connect well with any of the characters in this book. I'm not sure if I had a similar problem reading Cruel Prince, or if its new for me in this installment, but I just didn't CARE enough. They were interesting, but I didn't feel absorbed into any of the characters, Jude or otherwise.
Setting and atmosphere 3.5/5:
I don't think the setting or atmosphere were really developed in this book to any significant extent, but the persistent atmosphere of faerie is well contrasted, especially when you compare to the moments in the book where Jude is in the mortal world. I like the world of this story, but I don't think it's anything particularly amazing. I also think the one new part of the world we are really introduced to -- The Undersea -- could really have been expanded upon more. All of our time there happens in only a few quick chapters, and even then, there's very little description of the world, which was a bit disappointing.
Plot 4/5:
I really enjoy the plot of this series. I think the interplay between the different personalities and twists and turns is really interesting. It seems like a lot of people really ship Cardan and Jude, but I'm much more interested in the machinations being their decisions and the way those plot developments play out, on both sides of the argument. This book also really helped solidify Cardan as an all round schemer which I really enjoyed.
Writing Style 3.5/5:
For some reason, I had entirely forgotten this series was written in first person! I haven't read a first person narrated book in a while, and I think that kind of shows in my lower rating of the writing style. I don't hate, but I don't love Jude's narrative voice, and sometimes I think the general storytelling is a little simplistic for the complicated plot. Again, not awful, but nothing absolutely stunning or amazing.
Overall, I think this series is just average for me. I think originally when I read Cruel Prince I gave it 4 stars (or at least that's the vibe I'm remembering), but my reviews and ratings were not particularly detailed or carefully considered. I don't think these books are absolutely amazing, or the writing absolutely stunning, but they're a fun time and easy to get through. The plot in particular is quite interesting, and I should note that the way Jude is mortal but thinks in a lot of ways analogous to the faeries is very interesting to watch and observe. But I don't find myself super connected to the characters and there weren't many moments where I felt like I couldn't look away.
Hopefully this review makes sense, because my thoughts are a little all over the place, but the rating feels right to me! Let me know your thoughts on the Wicked King and the Cruel Prince, I'd love to hear your arguments for and against seeing as I'm very middling on what seems to be a decently divisive book!
moni73's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 stars! ⭐️ Cardan come personaggio mi è piaciuto; non ho condiviso alcune decisioni di Jude. A livello di trama l’ho trovato un po’ lento e ridondante, sento che mancava azione e mi aspettavo l’aspetto romance un po’ più sviluppato
terrorbot's review against another edition
5.0
Writing: flawless.
Plot: unpredictable (the twist at the end?!)
Characters: perfectly tricksy
How do I become a writer like Holly Black?!
Plot: unpredictable (the twist at the end?!)
Characters: perfectly tricksy
How do I become a writer like Holly Black?!
booktowngirl's review against another edition
5.0
wow wow wow, such a captivating book! I was sucked in the whole time - and omg that ending was everything…jaw is on the floor
captainbella's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A twist I saw coming with a twist I didn't. Loved it