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Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
84 reviews
km_reads_and_edits's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
5.0
Tonally, How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories was like an eerie, grimdark fairytale. Both the story and the artwork were beautiful and unsettling and magical all at the same time. Getting immersed in this book truly felt like stepping into a land of messed-up fables (and I loved every minute of it). Also, the artwork is giving Where the Wild Things Are vibes, which was my favourite picture book as a child.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories is book no. 3.5 in Holly Black's The Folk of the Air Series. Before reading it, you will want to have already read the following:
1. The Cruel Prince
1.5 The Lost Sisters (not worth reading as Taryn's POV adds very little to the story, in my opinion)
2. The Wicked King
3. The Queen of Nothing
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories is book no. 3.5 in Holly Black's The Folk of the Air Series. Before reading it, you will want to have already read the following:
1. The Cruel Prince
2. The Wicked King
3. The Queen of Nothing
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Infidelity, and Child abuse
tanvi45's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Child abuse
Moderate: Infidelity and Violence
maple_dove's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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
4.0
It was nice to get a bit more backstory on Cardan, and even his perspective in certain scenes. The ending was okay too. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Infidelity
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Sexual content and Violence
avaeast's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Favorite Quote:
"Everyone finds different lessons in stories, I suppose, but here’s one. Having a heart is terrible, but you need one anyway."
Honorary mention:
It turned out that Cardan didn’t have a heart of stone after all. As he removed his shirt and sank to his knees, as he fisted his hands and tried not to cry out when the strap fell, he burned with hatred. Hatred for Dain; for his father; for all the siblings who didn’t take him in and the one who did; for his mother, who spat at his feet as she was led away; for stupid, disgusting mortals; for all of Elfhame and everyone in it. Hate that was so bright and hot that it was the first thing that truly warmed him. Hate that felt so good that he welcomed being consumed by it.
Not a heart of stone, but a heart of fire.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Child abuse
silverfoxhole's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Violence, and Child abuse
watsontheslytherin's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Bullying
thedevouringbookshelf's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
andra_mihaela_s's review against another edition
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
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Abandonment, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Slavery, and Racial slurs
stormzx's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
13/14+
loved jude and cardan together <3
loved jude and cardan together <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Sexual content and Violence
cemm0130's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Bullying