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A review by olivialandryxo
The Wicked King by Holly Black
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
[second read, February 2023]
Rating raised from 4 stars to 4.5.
This series seriously did not deserve all the shade I threw at it back when I read it the first time. Rereading it now, I can see just how clever everything is—the political intrigue, the foreshadowing—and how deftly written.
I’ve also learned that, at some point, Jurdan grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. They’ve schemed their way up my list of favorite couples, to the point where I’m kicking and squealing as I read their scenes, and I’m confused. I’m not mad, because I love them; I’m just confused, because I genuinely have no freaking clue when this happened.
But alas—Jurdan supremacy. When he calls her his sweet villain, his darling god and dearest punishment… how can you not love that? THEY’RE JUST [clenches fist] SO GOOD.
Now, let’s dissect my old review, because I did that with the first book and had a lot of fun with it.
“Yet here I am, in absolute awe of what I just read.”
The one (1) thing I said before that I still agree with.
“Most of the story is rather slow-paced and it tends to meander.”
I say this like it’s a bad thing. I say this like some of my absolute favorite books aren’t slow-paced, but still masterpieces in their own right. And, in this case specifically, the story doesn’t meander. Everything has a purpose.
“I respect Jude, but I don’t really like her.”
Gods, I was such a fool. How did I not realize, back then, that Jude Duarte is an absolute icon??? [facepalm]
“As for Cardan, he’s not as much of an abusive piece of crap as he was in the first book.”
I feel awful for ever insulting my sweet, sweet cinnamon roll son. :’)))
“Jude and Cardan’s dynamic is definitely unique, and I’m not sure what to make of it. I don’t ship them, but I’m not against it either.”
[chants] FOOL! FOOL! FOOL! FOOL!
[mutters] Good gravy, I was ridiculous back then.
[first read, August 2020]
When I read The Cruel Prince, I found it extremely average and decided not to continue the trilogy. But my curiosity got the better of me after months of scrolling social media and seeing ~so much~ praise for The Wicked King, and.... I’m glad I read it. I never thought I’d say that. I didn’t imagine any end result in this situation except disappointment because, once again, a hyped book didn’t live up to its hype. Yet here I am, in absolute awe of what I just read.
Admittedly, most of the story is rather slow-paced and it tends to meander. I respect Jude, but I don’t really like her. I know she’s meant to be unlikable and I get that. It has nothing to do with her personality. I just don’t care much about her. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
As for Cardan, he’s not as much of an abusive piece of crap as he was in the first book. He definitely deserves the title “wicked king”, but I can deal with that. I can’t deal with his creepy freaking tail, but that’s not important right now. (I’ll probably see it in my nightmares and wonder, for the umpteenth time, why Black decided to make that a thing.)
Jude and Cardan’s dynamic is definitely unique, and I’m not sure what to make of it. I don’t ship them, but I’m not against it either. I do think it’s funny that Jude keeps denying her feelings, as if anyone believes she doesn’t like him. Girl, I see right through you. I’m curious what will become of them in the final book, especially after that ending.
This was solidly a three star read until the final third, when the pace picked up and the stakes got higher. Then the last few chapters came and absolutely blew my mind. Those chapters, and them alone, raised my rating an entire star. They got me interested enough to place a digital library hold on The Queen of Nothing immediately after finishing this book. WOW. Black knows how to write a good plot twist, that’s for sure.
It’s kind of weird to give a pretty high rating to a book I didn’t care about most of, but the ending is worth it. I recommend this sequel to anyone that’s read The Cruel Prince, regardless of your thoughts on it. I think you’ll be as pleasantly surprised/utterly floored as I was.
Representation:
Rating raised from 4 stars to 4.5.
This series seriously did not deserve all the shade I threw at it back when I read it the first time. Rereading it now, I can see just how clever everything is—the political intrigue, the foreshadowing—and how deftly written.
I’ve also learned that, at some point, Jurdan grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. They’ve schemed their way up my list of favorite couples, to the point where I’m kicking and squealing as I read their scenes, and I’m confused. I’m not mad, because I love them; I’m just confused, because I genuinely have no freaking clue when this happened.
But alas—Jurdan supremacy. When he calls her his sweet villain, his darling god and dearest punishment… how can you not love that? THEY’RE JUST [clenches fist] SO GOOD.
Now, let’s dissect my old review, because I did that with the first book and had a lot of fun with it.
“Yet here I am, in absolute awe of what I just read.”
The one (1) thing I said before that I still agree with.
“Most of the story is rather slow-paced and it tends to meander.”
I say this like it’s a bad thing. I say this like some of my absolute favorite books aren’t slow-paced, but still masterpieces in their own right. And, in this case specifically, the story doesn’t meander. Everything has a purpose.
“I respect Jude, but I don’t really like her.”
Gods, I was such a fool. How did I not realize, back then, that Jude Duarte is an absolute icon??? [facepalm]
“As for Cardan, he’s not as much of an abusive piece of crap as he was in the first book.”
I feel awful for ever insulting my sweet, sweet cinnamon roll son. :’)))
“Jude and Cardan’s dynamic is definitely unique, and I’m not sure what to make of it. I don’t ship them, but I’m not against it either.”
[chants] FOOL! FOOL! FOOL! FOOL!
[mutters] Good gravy, I was ridiculous back then.
[first read, August 2020]
When I read The Cruel Prince, I found it extremely average and decided not to continue the trilogy. But my curiosity got the better of me after months of scrolling social media and seeing ~so much~ praise for The Wicked King, and.... I’m glad I read it. I never thought I’d say that. I didn’t imagine any end result in this situation except disappointment because, once again, a hyped book didn’t live up to its hype. Yet here I am, in absolute awe of what I just read.
Admittedly, most of the story is rather slow-paced and it tends to meander. I respect Jude, but I don’t really like her. I know she’s meant to be unlikable and I get that. It has nothing to do with her personality. I just don’t care much about her. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
As for Cardan, he’s not as much of an abusive piece of crap as he was in the first book. He definitely deserves the title “wicked king”, but I can deal with that. I can’t deal with his creepy freaking tail, but that’s not important right now. (I’ll probably see it in my nightmares and wonder, for the umpteenth time, why Black decided to make that a thing.)
Jude and Cardan’s dynamic is definitely unique, and I’m not sure what to make of it. I don’t ship them, but I’m not against it either. I do think it’s funny that Jude keeps denying her feelings, as if anyone believes she doesn’t like him. Girl, I see right through you. I’m curious what will become of them in the final book, especially after that ending.
This was solidly a three star read until the final third, when the pace picked up and the stakes got higher. Then the last few chapters came and absolutely blew my mind. Those chapters, and them alone, raised my rating an entire star. They got me interested enough to place a digital library hold on The Queen of Nothing immediately after finishing this book. WOW. Black knows how to write a good plot twist, that’s for sure.
It’s kind of weird to give a pretty high rating to a book I didn’t care about most of, but the ending is worth it. I recommend this sequel to anyone that’s read The Cruel Prince, regardless of your thoughts on it. I think you’ll be as pleasantly surprised/utterly floored as I was.
Representation:
- bisexual side character in a sapphic relationship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, and Alcohol