Reviews

The Wicked King by Holly Black

clrmthebookworm13's review against another edition

5.0

Cardan is a little bitch who doesn’t deserve rights, much less Jude.

bryn_cavin's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

3.5

hazan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

breaklikeafish's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

calliope1607's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jadiejane's review against another edition

3.0

Okay, so. This second instalment of the 'Folk of the Air' series was more enjoyable than the first. However, I preferred the descriptions and situations that happened within the story in 'The Cruel Prince' more than in 'The Wicked King'. Because in this book everything just felt so empty while I was reading it. What I didn't like most about this book was the ending. Well, the ending before the ending, were Cardan threatens to use his powers to overwhelm Orlagh.

The whole book was building up to the 'war' between the folk who live on the land and the undersea. And then it just doesn't happen...or rather, it just ends without any REAL fulfilment for the reader. I mean, what was the relevance of the overall turning plot points in this book if not for the war and the situations it caused to have not happened? I understand that Cardan making an island emerge from the sea showcases his power. But I wish there would've been more after that.

Oh, and the fact that Cardan processes this certain kind of power that the kings of Elfhame obtain is so interesting and magical, but is never really 'explored' is such a shame. I hope in the last book I get to read more about this magic and it's limits within the world of Fae.

I won't be reading 'The Queen of Nothing' any time soon. I need a break from this series, I love it and hate it at the same time. Much like the relationship between Jude and Cardan!

bug_fiend's review against another edition

5.0

idk how this dude could be more or a masochist  

lillybookland's review against another edition

4.0

Woow what an ending ! Can't wait to read the next book!

emilie_lilly_31's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

kaista's review against another edition

4.0

I liked this one a lot more than the first one. It had so much more action and intrigue and deception and basically everything I wanted more of from the first one.

Even the things that I didn’t like about Jude in the first book were either toned down in this one or felt more like intentional character flaws.

I don’t know if the series grew into itself or it just grew on me, but I devoured it and rushed to buy the next in the series.

I liked it so much that I read ahead of my buddy read and finished it a couple of days early.