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sh543's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Physical abuse
nojgli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book ate me, chew me up and threw me up so that it can start again.
It's been a hot minute since I've read anything with such raw emotions, all while accompanying a handful of characters with their own complex personalities, backgrounds and feelings. Since it's a pov book, you're given many clues to figure out the twists except they are always worse than you'd think.
I advise people to check TWs because child abuse is basically the core of the story, but if that does not trigger you or you're ready to face it Holly uses language that will both rip you apart with with rawness and make you feel seen.
Also Holly of you're reading this, we got the memo with the hooves , for me personally I think you overdid it. And they are not sexy.
It's been a hot minute since I've read anything with such raw emotions, all while accompanying a handful of characters with their own complex personalities, backgrounds and feelings. Since it's a pov book, you're given many clues to figure out the twists except they are always worse than you'd think.
I advise people to check TWs because child abuse is basically the core of the story, but if that does not trigger you or you're ready to face it Holly uses language that will both rip you apart with with rawness and make you feel seen.
Also Holly of you're reading this, we got the memo with the hooves , for me personally I think you overdid it. And they are not sexy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Stalking, Violence, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Murder
_alyssar_'s review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Child abuse, Murder, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Death of parent, Infertility, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It should come as no surprise (as a self confessed Holly Black super fan) that I absolutely loved this! It was really good to see Oak and Suren again after the events of The Queen of Nothing and I enjoyed getting to delve into the details of Suren’s childhood both before, during and immediately after her time with Lord Jarel, Lady Nore and the Court of Teeth.
The writing was once again full of whimsy and magic, though of a slightly darker tone than what we previously saw in The Folk of The Air series—but I felt it suited the story (and Suren’s character arc) perfectly.
I admit, going into this I had expected Oak to be my favourite given how much I loved him in the original series but Suren (who now prefers to be called Wren) definitely stole the show in terms of character development and the layered, deeply emotional backstory we finally navigate. I honestly forgot how young she was when we last saw her, which only makes her experiences all the more heartbreaking.
I liked Oak, but he was certainly very different to what I had envisioned —given his time in the mortal world I expected to see a little more human influence in his character. Instead, what we got was a Locke/Cardan-esque fairy prince prone to secrets and manipulation. And though there were glimpses of Jude’s influence, I still wasn’t certain whether his motivations were in the best interests of those around him (namely Wren) —and as it’s told solely from Wren’s POV, we never really get to explore much of his character which was the only thing that disappointed me.
Wren’s arc definitely made up for it though and the chemistry between her and Oak was exceptionally good, and definitely mirrored Jude and Cardan’s interactions in The Cruel Prince (sans the cruelty and bullying.)
Overall, an action packed and plot twisty start to a new (spinoff) duology that takes us back into the magical court politics and bloodthirsty fae of Elfhame (and The Folk of The Air series).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Child abuse, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, and Death
lexnicole's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Blood, Body horror, and Gore
neverlandingonabook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Torture
anastashamarie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
⚠️ Warning: this one has a lot of childhood trauma in it.
❄️ As a character study of Wren and her trauma, this is A+. As an adventure odyssey, it's enjoyable. As a romantic fantasy, I kind of wanted more.
🏰 I wish the romance burned a little slower. I LOVE friends-to-lovers, but I don't think it had the chemistry I was seeking. There was also a surprising about of plot armor, and at times, it felt like the book was rushed, not in terms of pacing (pacing was actually pretty good) but in terms of publication? Like it wasn't as polished as a lot of Holly Black's other plotlines.
🗡️ BUT I love grown-up Oak's arrogance. I double loved the exploration of Wren's trauma and character. I loved getting to see Elfhame again. And, yeah, okay, even for my complaints, I will be anxiously awaiting the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Murder, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death, Infertility, and Suicidal thoughts
rey_art3mis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gore
mayaism_01'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Everything I loved about the OG Folk in the Air trilogy, political intrigue, lethal female characters, and lush descriptions of some hauntingly beautiful fairytale locations.
I’d definitely say the OG trilogy is required reading (could you read this without reading the previous series? Maybe, but I’d think your ability to enjoy this book would be reduced), seeing characters who where children in the series 9 years later, now dealing with the fallout of their very traumatic childhood in the trilogy, is such an incredible way to start off a sequel series.
The cast of characters were all so dynamic, their constantly strained and ever changing trust & loyalties combined with the rapid moving plot meant that you will never be bored reading this. I see Black has laid lots of pieces on the board and I’m deeply anticipating where these characters will go next, I was incredibly attached to their journey, especially Wren since this was written from her perspective, but I’m even more excited knowing that the sequel is from Oak’s perspective considering where we left off.
Speaking of that ending…. I need the sequel, immediately.
I’d definitely say the OG trilogy is required reading (could you read this without reading the previous series? Maybe, but I’d think your ability to enjoy this book would be reduced), seeing characters who where children in the series 9 years later, now dealing with the fallout of their very traumatic childhood in the trilogy, is such an incredible way to start off a sequel series.
The cast of characters were all so dynamic, their constantly strained and ever changing trust & loyalties combined with the rapid moving plot meant that you will never be bored reading this. I see Black has laid lots of pieces on the board and I’m deeply anticipating where these characters will go next, I was incredibly attached to their journey, especially Wren since this was written from her perspective, but I’m even more excited knowing that the sequel is from Oak’s perspective considering where we left off.
Speaking of that ending…. I need the sequel, immediately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
jennymer's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Kidnapping