Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories

Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black

18 reviews

kynthebookworm's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I think this was a great addition to this world. I love the writing and I really liked the stories told and how they tied into Cardan's own actions and development.
I also loved seeing the tidbits of them in the mortal world and the amazing little dynamic the characters all share as a family now.
I would have liked to see a bit more about Cardan and his interactions with the court and his siblings when he was younger but I do understand they more than likely weren't included for the sake of telling the overarching story across all the shorts in this book.
Overall a great read if you enjoy the original trilogy and very quick I finished it in 4 hours.

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watsontheslytherin's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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andra_mihaela_s's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I'm really glad I managed to get my hands on this add-on from Holly Black! ^_^

These collection of "stories" are well thought off and in perfect sync with the rest of "The Folk of the Air" series!

It gives us some answers to why our "Cruel Prince" behaved as he did, without actually trying to absolve him of the things he did and said! Well done!

Without spoiling the stories, I want to say the following: we have a coursive narrative, we receive answers as to why some things/ behavior was part of Cardan's character, and more than that, we get to see his mind evolving over time and how he interprets life and himself in different stages of it!
I'm happy with the way in which fairytales were incorporated and the different ways in which they evolve..from one interpreter to another, from one conclusion to another and from one purpose to another! Really liked this clever use of ever-changing story!

I really enjoyed this short book and I'm hopefull we'll someday get one on Madoc...

I don't think it is a shock to say that we have Jude make an appearance...but, thankfully, Cardan seemed to be his own person..without the tragic truth of many heroes/ love interests - with only one character trait...to be our MC's lover...>..>

In the end, I can only say that, for me, it was cathartic to see this side of the tale, to be in Cardan's shoes for a minute and explore his view on things!

Gladly recommend to anyone who enjoyed the original series!
Enjoy

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