A review by readwithmekt
The Wicked King by Holly Black

adventurous dark mysterious 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? No

4.5

Jude thought that she had everything under control. She believed that she had Cardan right where she needed him to be. She thought she had her family behind her even though they had a rocky past. With all that she believes she knows the one thing that is most important is keeping Oak safe. With many other players making moves of their own will Jude be able to stay ahead of the challenges or will others be able to play a better game? 
 
All I can say right now is WOW. I just finished listening and I cannot get over the twists and turns that happened this time around. Jude continues to be a strong FMC. The development that she continues to make through each book is wonderful. I love that each time I come back to her character she has matured and become stronger than the last time. While I do greatly enjoy her there were many times when I was yelling at some of the decisions that she was making. I greatly enjoy when that happens because it means that I am fully invested and I want things to work out well for the characters that I care about. 
 
Cardan continues to confuse and intrigue me. After reading the first 2 books I continue to be confused about if he is a good guy or a bad guy. I think that I enjoy the fact that I cannot tell which side of the line he falls on. I know that I went back and forth at least 6 times while listening, and to be fully honest I am still not sure where he stands after the ending. This could be me having unrealistic hopes because I feel like the chemistry and tension between him and Jude is amazing, but I guess only time and the next book will tell. 
 
Jude’s family is the absolute worst in this book and I continue to feel that she does more to protect those she loves than anyone else in this series. I love that there are so many morally gray characters in this book but I am starting to wish that there was another character that cared. Without giving anything away I did not see the ending coming in the slightest. I am so happy that I have book 3 ready to go. 
 
With fast pacing and chapter lengths that varied, I was fully engaged. I wish I had listened to this closer to when I listened to book 1, but honestly that is because my memory is terrible and I felt that I forgot some information from book 1. Reading the novella between books 1 and 2 is definitely something that everyone should do because it helps connect some of the things that happen in book 2 and why/how they could be happening. If you love faery books and wonderful twists and turns you should 100% check this book out. I am so excited to start book 3 right now. 
 
Have you read The Wicked King? Did you like it?