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efmiller's review against another edition
5.0
I think I just like every book Holly Black does in her Faerie World. I wish she’d give us more details of the world. She does twists and turns very well though. I had no idea where this was going at any point. I really liked Suren, more than Jude I think. Can’t wait for book 2.
evieburrows's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
candragonsread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
thescarletmark's review against another edition
4.0
Wren was living with her mother, father and sister in the mortal world until Lord Jarel and Lady Nore of the Court of Teeth came to drag her back to the world of Faerie. They only needed Wren, whose real name is Suren, to avoid pledging loyalty to the High Court, so they tried to control her with sweets and gifts, but when Suren wouldn’t stop crying they resorted to much more terrifying means. From the moment she was taken from her mortal family, her unfamily, she hasn’t had a good childhood. She did manage to become friends with Oak, the Heir of Elfhame, before leaving the disbanded Court of Teeth and going back to the mortal world to survive in the woods. Years later, that’s where Oak finds her. Since Suren has control over Lady Nore, who swore a vow of obedience to her, Oak needs her in order to free his father, Madoc, who was abducted by Lady Nore, who also stole the High King’s ancestor’s remain and used their magic to create an army of creatures made of sticks and snow.
The quest in itself is simple, and the characters have each their own psychology and motives. What really stood out to me was Wren’s journey, her discovery of her true origins, her powers and her role to play in the story. She desperately wants to belong, to be loved, to have someone who cares about her… and starved people would eat anything. The pain she has felt and will still feel before the quest is over is terrible and makes it extremely easy to empathise with her. Her choices are not always logical, but they make sense for her.
The quest in itself is simple, and the characters have each their own psychology and motives. What really stood out to me was Wren’s journey, her discovery of her true origins, her powers and her role to play in the story. She desperately wants to belong, to be loved, to have someone who cares about her… and starved people would eat anything. The pain she has felt and will still feel before the quest is over is terrible and makes it extremely easy to empathise with her. Her choices are not always logical, but they make sense for her.
mona06m's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
vale012573's review against another edition
2.0
"it is hard to explain the savagery of hope"
Holly Black, girl, what happened? I could've read every other page and have been just as confused and still felt like it was too long. There was none of the magic, surprise, tension, or plans as in The Cruel Prince series. It felt like the same formula was followed every 50 pages and yet it still made no sense. But the writing was stunning in places and she had me in the first 50 pages. Suuuuper disappointing.
Holly Black, girl, what happened? I could've read every other page and have been just as confused and still felt like it was too long. There was none of the magic, surprise, tension, or plans as in The Cruel Prince series. It felt like the same formula was followed every 50 pages and yet it still made no sense. But the writing was stunning in places and she had me in the first 50 pages. Suuuuper disappointing.
thelibrarysghost's review against another edition
5.0
I JUST finished this and WOW was it fantastic. An excellent return to Elfhame by Holly Black who is fantastic with her fae work.
The world is just as magical and treacherous as I remember and I loved Wren's POV so much! She is such an interesting character to step in to the shoes of and I'm really glad that Holly decided to do this book from her POV and then continue the story in book 2 from Oak's POV. Its a clever way to tell the story from two character's everyone will really like and be interested in.
With how this one left off its going to be a LOOONG wait for [b:The Prisoner's Throne|61250159|The Prisoner's Throne (The Stolen Heir Duology, #2)|Holly Black|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|96569157] but I'm very very excited to see how this will fair with all the pieces in place like this.
I was a little worried on how I would think of Oak now that he's grown up. Like everyone else who is a fan of FOTA I know him as a cutie patootie cherub baby and now he's a whole ass teenager lol. He's great though! We see perfect nods to how his upbringing as Madoc's son with Jude's guidance ended up in who he is and what he can do/be. He's still very kind and charming but you can also see a bit of the royal cheek that both Cardan and Dain have shown us in FOTA.
Super excited for book two, it cant come soon enough!
Also to add, I saw WAY too many TikTok's and stuff of people being freaked out by Oak having hooves. Did yall not read FOTA?? Its very obvious he has hooves and is kind of a big deal regarding his parentage LOL. All of the royal family has an animal trait (Cardan's tail for example). So I dont get why that was so off putting for so many people. I love Oak and his hooves and horns!
The world is just as magical and treacherous as I remember and I loved Wren's POV so much! She is such an interesting character to step in to the shoes of and I'm really glad that Holly decided to do this book from her POV and then continue the story in book 2 from Oak's POV. Its a clever way to tell the story from two character's everyone will really like and be interested in.
With how this one left off its going to be a LOOONG wait for [b:The Prisoner's Throne|61250159|The Prisoner's Throne (The Stolen Heir Duology, #2)|Holly Black|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|96569157] but I'm very very excited to see how this will fair with all the pieces in place like this.
I was a little worried on how I would think of Oak now that he's grown up. Like everyone else who is a fan of FOTA I know him as a cutie patootie cherub baby and now he's a whole ass teenager lol. He's great though! We see perfect nods to how his upbringing as Madoc's son with Jude's guidance ended up in who he is and what he can do/be. He's still very kind and charming but you can also see a bit of the royal cheek that both Cardan and Dain have shown us in FOTA.
Super excited for book two, it cant come soon enough!
Also to add, I saw WAY too many TikTok's and stuff of people being freaked out by Oak having hooves. Did yall not read FOTA?? Its very obvious he has hooves and is kind of a big deal regarding his parentage LOL. All of the royal family has an animal trait (Cardan's tail for example). So I dont get why that was so off putting for so many people. I love Oak and his hooves and horns!
skktypeachy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
flaconofoats's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hitherthithergirl's review against another edition
5.0
Holly Black writes some of the cruelest fairytales where everyone has some kind of family trauma, and yet makes it fresh and interesting every time. There are plenty of cameos and new threats, and this time they’re actually on a quest to fix things!
Wren is an absolutely feral child that just needs a hug and Oak is a true scion of the Greenbriar line. And, no, I will not explain except that they’re occasionally have unexpected Howl/Sophie vibes.
I’m just happy to see people are still terrified of Jude. I can’t wait for the next book!
Wren is an absolutely feral child that just needs a hug and Oak is a true scion of the Greenbriar line. And, no, I will not explain except that they’re occasionally have unexpected Howl/Sophie vibes.
I’m just happy to see people are still terrified of Jude. I can’t wait for the next book!