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A review by just_one_more_paige
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
adventurous
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
What a solid finale to bring this trilogy home. First, and possibly most importantly, considering the story and "this is the final installment" vibes, the drama is real. It's nonstop. And I was entertained and very much invested in how it was going to turn out through the entire thing. That's really all I'm looking for in escapist lit reading choices like this.
I mean, I did sometimes wonder how Jude, "just" a human, could almost die so many times, and then recover quickly enough to fight more/so soon. It's astounding. Her adrenaline levels must be unhealthily high all the time. Lol But, again, I was in this for the escapism and entertainment, so I suspended disbelief. My bigger, and really only real, complaint of the series is the chemistry and connection between Jude and Cardan. They read more as platonic allies to me. I just never *felt* that spark of sexual attraction/tension. I get that hate and love are two sides of the same coin, and I see how their hate did turn to camaraderie and banter, but the desire piece never really developed enough to believe in, for me. So, I kinda just chose to read them as comrades and that worked for me. Sort of related, by the end of this novel, I definitely "over it" with the lack of communication in this YA relationship...but I knew what I was getting into when I started reading, so that’s on me.
Back to the good stuff though... There were lots of complex relationships with love and hate and admiration and jealousy and frustration and protection and desire and disgust - friend, romantic, family, and otherwise - and I was impressed with that level of relationship and character development nuance in a clearly YA series, tbh. Also, I was so happy with the classic fae and fairy tale tropes that were used throughout this series. They were well used and cozily familiar (to be clear, this is not cozy fantasy - lotssss of violence and backstabbing - but the recognizability of the tropes was comforting). And at the same time, the plot took some twists I didn’t expect, which kept me on my toes quite enough. A great balance was struck there.
I had fun racing through this series with little to no need for time/brain investment - that was exactly what I wanted/needed and it delivered.
I mean, I did sometimes wonder how Jude, "just" a human, could almost die so many times, and then recover quickly enough to fight more/so soon. It's astounding. Her adrenaline levels must be unhealthily high all the time. Lol But, again, I was in this for the escapism and entertainment, so I suspended disbelief. My bigger, and really only real, complaint of the series is the chemistry and connection between Jude and Cardan. They read more as platonic allies to me. I just never *felt* that spark of sexual attraction/tension. I get that hate and love are two sides of the same coin, and I see how their hate did turn to camaraderie and banter, but the desire piece never really developed enough to believe in, for me. So, I kinda just chose to read them as comrades and that worked for me. Sort of related, by the end of this novel, I definitely "over it" with the lack of communication in this YA relationship...but I knew what I was getting into when I started reading, so that’s on me.
Back to the good stuff though... There were lots of complex relationships with love and hate and admiration and jealousy and frustration and protection and desire and disgust - friend, romantic, family, and otherwise - and I was impressed with that level of relationship and character development nuance in a clearly YA series, tbh. Also, I was so happy with the classic fae and fairy tale tropes that were used throughout this series. They were well used and cozily familiar (to be clear, this is not cozy fantasy - lotssss of violence and backstabbing - but the recognizability of the tropes was comforting). And at the same time, the plot took some twists I didn’t expect, which kept me on my toes quite enough. A great balance was struck there.
I had fun racing through this series with little to no need for time/brain investment - that was exactly what I wanted/needed and it delivered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Child abuse and Torture