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thebetterstory's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A fast, fun read that doesn't quite have the spark of The Folk of the Air.
I think Holly Black's writing has gotten more mature over time, and it's generally much smoother to read now. Wren's a great protagonist—sympathetic, unsocialized, impulsive—and Oak is likeable here, even if I felt that he was almost too easy to like and trust for the purposes of the story. It's obvious fairly quickly that all the wild rumours about him being irresponsible or cunning are exaggerated, but the book seems to want you to wonder at his true intentions, even when he literally can't lie about them.
My main complaint is with the weak ending, whereinall the traits we've seen in Wren so far are abruptly thrown out, like her fierce hatred for imprisonment, over her discovering she has Mellith's heart and that Oak didn't mention it. It doesn't feel like nearly a big enough "betrayal" to warrant her 180 in personality and using the bridle on him, especially after making much ado about not wanting to see it on anyone. Not to mention Oak literally tells her outright that he was just keeping it from her so she would be able to truthfully say she didn't know where the heart was. Way more angst and development would have been needed to make that cruelty feel like a realistic next step, the way Jude betraying Cardan felt real in the original trilogy.
Still, I marathoned this within a day and immediately put a hold on the next book, so I can't say I don't recommend it. It's a good time, even if the character development doesn't always hold together towards the end.
I think Holly Black's writing has gotten more mature over time, and it's generally much smoother to read now. Wren's a great protagonist—sympathetic, unsocialized, impulsive—and Oak is likeable here, even if I felt that he was almost too easy to like and trust for the purposes of the story. It's obvious fairly quickly that all the wild rumours about him being irresponsible or cunning are exaggerated, but the book seems to want you to wonder at his true intentions, even when he literally can't lie about them.
My main complaint is with the weak ending, wherein
Still, I marathoned this within a day and immediately put a hold on the next book, so I can't say I don't recommend it. It's a good time, even if the character development doesn't always hold together towards the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault, Torture, Vomit, and War
seastheday's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this first book in the duology spin off series. Although It was not as good as the Cruel Prince, it definitely a great read. And it kept world-building in a gentle way that was easily built into the characters interactions as well as the plot. I saw a review that said there was a character assassination. I do not find this to be true. If you paid attention at all, every clue was there right from the beginning. So, I will no longer be taking book rec’s from someone that literally cannot pay attention to foreshadowing.
Anyways, this is worth the read. I’m excited for the next one!
Anyways, this is worth the read. I’m excited for the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
daenerystargaryen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Torture, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Infertility, Vomit, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
jessversteeg's review against another edition
3.5
Back to Faerie to see what’s happening with Oak.
Another good book in the series!
Another good book in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, and War
dramagirl2003's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-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? Yes
4.25
sadly i didn’t enjoy this as much as
The Folk of the Air, but it was still good. this book is from wren’s perspective, so that was a change to get used to. i was bored for the first 45%, but to be fair i didn’t really fully get into The Cruel Prince until the last 40% of it either, so i guess i can forgive the rough start. not a writing issue but a me issue was that oak was literally a child in The Folk of the Air, so to read him as a love interest this time was strange and ever so slightly cringey, the same way i feel with younger siblings and their partners
The Folk of the Air, but it was still good. this book is from wren’s perspective, so that was a change to get used to. i was bored for the first 45%, but to be fair i didn’t really fully get into The Cruel Prince until the last 40% of it either, so i guess i can forgive the rough start. not a writing issue but a me issue was that oak was literally a child in The Folk of the Air, so to read him as a love interest this time was strange and ever so slightly cringey, the same way i feel with younger siblings and their partners
thoughts while reading
p120: well this is fairly reminiscent isn’t it
p235: i knew it! that’s so cute 🥺
p241: don’t take her hairpin 😡
p248: AHHHHH THAT’S WHAT JUDE SAID TOO
p292: damn that was actually pretty hot
p342: wait a damn minute wren’s heart must be mellith’s!!!
p350: this is absolutely insane
quotes
I find them both disconcerting and fascinating in equal measure.
I am drawn to watching his face, as though through his dreams, I will learn his secrets.
Something is very wrong with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Minor: Vomit
marynograce827's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is so empowering and gives the future look at the cruel Prince that I had been wanting. If you enjoyed the cruel Prince trilogy you will like this book a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Rape
themichellegray's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
An average spin-off to The Folk of the Air trilogy that seemed only to be written as a way to capitalize off its predecessor's success. While this story added more lore to Faerieland's monarchy and explored the repercussions of a changeling's upbringing, there are far too many critiques to be ignored.
First and foremost, Oak's characterization was so wildly unbelievable compared to the beloved child we met in TFOTA. I understand this book takes place 8 years after QON and Oak has been forced into a dangerous position but there wasn't even a hint of the wholesome little boy we once knew. Nine year old Oak refused to learn proper swordplay and never showed an ounce of romantic interest in then-bridled Queen Suren. Holly Black simply copy and pasted Cardan's characterization onto Oak's teenage personality but toned down the cruelty/hatred.
Wren's storyline held so much promise since she had such a heartbreaking past to explore. Unfortunately, her characterization became convoluted amongst her confusing decisions and the forced romance. I never became invested in Wren because it felt as-if Holly Black didn't know how to explore the multi-faceted narrative when she's so accustomed to writing bad-ass female leads.
I went into this book expecting the author's clever twists and schemes but instead received a slow-paced quest and predictable ending. It wasn't as bad as the Modern Faerie Tales but nowhere near as captivating as The Folk of the Air trilogy.
First and foremost, Oak's characterization was so wildly unbelievable compared to the beloved child we met in TFOTA. I understand this book takes place 8 years after QON and Oak has been forced into a dangerous position but there wasn't even a hint of the wholesome little boy we once knew. Nine year old Oak refused to learn proper swordplay and never showed an ounce of romantic interest in then-bridled Queen Suren. Holly Black simply copy and pasted Cardan's characterization onto Oak's teenage personality but toned down the cruelty/hatred.
Wren's storyline held so much promise since she had such a heartbreaking past to explore. Unfortunately, her characterization became convoluted amongst her confusing decisions and the forced romance. I never became invested in Wren because it felt as-if Holly Black didn't know how to explore the multi-faceted narrative when she's so accustomed to writing bad-ass female leads.
I went into this book expecting the author's clever twists and schemes but instead received a slow-paced quest and predictable ending. It wasn't as bad as the Modern Faerie Tales but nowhere near as captivating as The Folk of the Air trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, and Torture
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, Alcohol, and War
bethy_joy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, and War
Minor: Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
vainnerj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Honestly it was a tall order for me to read a book of elfhame without my beloved Jude. Since it was written by Holly Black though it was still full of heartbreak, wicked beauty, and complex characters. I’m so excited for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Blood, and Vomit
winterwoodbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.5
This is the definition of a perfectly good YA Fantasy book. (And *really* YA)
It's really fast paced, a little to fast for me, and here and there a little flat/on the nose, but it really fits the characters.
With it's easy, but still beautiful writing it's got me out of a reading slump and I adore this World!
However, I also loved the first book in the latest triology set in this world, but the other ones... Well, we'll see!
I liked this book and am excited to see where this leads :)
Also the art in it is gorgeous.
It's really fast paced, a little to fast for me, and here and there a little flat/on the nose, but it really fits the characters.
With it's easy, but still beautiful writing it's got me out of a reading slump and I adore this World!
However, I also loved the first book in the latest triology set in this world, but the other ones... Well, we'll see!
I liked this book and am excited to see where this leads :)
Also the art in it is gorgeous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism