The Queen of Nothing
by Holly Blackon November 19, 2019
ISBN: 9780316705516
Series: The Folk of the Air #3
Format: Hardcover, Special Edition
Genres: Action & Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Fantasy, Social Themes & Bullying
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He will be destruction of the crown and the ruination of the throne.
Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold onto. Jude learned this lesson when she released her control over the wicked king, Cardan, in exchange for immeasurable power.
Now as the exiled mortal Queen of Faerie, Jude is powerless and left reeling from Cardan’s betrayal. She bides her time determined to reclaim everything he took from her. Opportunity arrives in the form of her deceptive twin sister, Taryn, whose mortal life is in peril.
Jude must risk venturing back into the treacherous Faerie Court, and confront her lingering feelings for Cardan, if she wishes to save her sister. But Elfhame is not as she left it. War is brewing. As Jude slips deep within enemy lines she becomes ensnared in the conflict’s bloody politics.
And, when a dormant yet powerful curse is unleashed, panic spreads throughout the land, forcing her to choose between her ambition and her humanity…
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, comes the highly anticipated and jaw-dropping finale to The Folk of the Air trilogy.
Before reading this review, you can learn more about Book 1, The Cruel Prince, here.
Or you can read the review for Book 2, The Wicked King, here.
World Building
Holly Black’s depiction of Elfhame reaches a satisfying apex in The Queen of Nothing, with icy courts, shifting alliances, and the claustrophobic opulence of the Court of the Dead. From the glass corridors of the Winter Court—“The frost had been so severe that the House of Ice had cracked in two”—to the labyrinthine tunnels beneath the Unseelie palace, the physics of magic and faerie politics feel fully realized. The tension between mortal and immortal realms, illustrated when Jude must negotiate with the Lord of the Underworld, gives the setting a lived-in authenticity and a palpable chill of danger.
Character Development
Jude Duarte’s transformation from mortal pawn to cunning monarch culminates convincingly, yet remains grounded in her human vulnerabilities. Her difficult reunion with Cardan—“You’re really quite good at being cruel, aren’t you?”—reveals their enduring emotional chemistry and the scars they inflict on each other. Cardan himself grows from a careless prince to a ruler haunted by prophecy, his moments of empathy toward Jude (“I’d do anything to keep you safe”) underscoring a depth that balances his sardonic humor.
Plot Pace & Development
The narrative hurtles through betrayals, rescue missions, and political upheaval, beginning with Jude’s banishment and climaxing in a desperate siege of the Winter Court. Scenes like Jude’s daring break-in to save Cardan crackle with tension, and the midbook lull—necessary for character reflection—never overstays its welcome. The flow of events builds to a satisfying crescendo, leaving enough room for the final twists without rushing the resolution.
Language, Flow, and Structure (Writing Quality)
Black’s prose remains taut and evocative, with lyric flourishes that never feel overwrought. Sentences like “The moon was a silver coin against a midnight sky” showcase her gift for sensory detail, while her dialogue snaps with wit and authenticity. The alternating third-person perspectives keep the narrative focused yet varied, though occasional info-dumps on faerie genealogy can momentarily slow the pace.
Themes & Literary Devices
Power, sacrifice, and identity interweave as Jude grapples with the costs of ambition and love. Symbolism abounds—the poisoned chalice Cardan offers, the shattered mirror reflecting fractured loyalties—and Black uses foreshadowing masterfully, seeding Cardan’s curse early on. The theme of “what it means to belong” resonates when Jude, a human, claims her throne among immortals, raising questions about outsider status and resilience.
Creativity, Originality & Predictability
While courtly intrigue and Star-Crossed romance are familiar territory, Black’s fresh twists—like the deadly bargains struck with the Queen of Air and Darkness—keep the story lively. Some revelations align with genre conventions, and a few betrayals are telegraphed, but inventive magic rules (blood-written contracts, faerie dust illusions) and surprising alliances sustain originality.
Emotional Impact
The finale delivers both heartbreak and hope: Cardan’s confession, “I’ve thought about you every day in exile,” stings with longing, and Jude’s sacrifice for her people moves the heart. The scars they carry feel earned, and the concluding promise of a shared reign leaves a warm glow—yet tinged with the knowledge of future challenges, evoking a bittersweet resonance.
Overall
In The Queen of Nothing, Holly Black crafts a richly detailed faerie realm where the glass-like corridors of the Winter Court crack under political frost and the tunnels of the Underworld pulse with secret bargains. Jude’s arc from outcast to queen pairs perfectly with Cardan’s evolution from mocking prince to vulnerable sovereign, their sparring dialogue—“You’re really quite good at being cruel, aren’t you?”—underscoring both wit and wounded hearts. The plot barrels through daring rescues and courtly betrayal, paced with just enough reflection to deepen character stakes without dragging. Black’s prose sparkles with lyrical imagery—“The moon was a silver coin against a midnight sky”—even as occasional expository dips slow the flow. Themes of power, sacrifice, and belonging resonate in blood-penned pacts and shattered mirrors, though a few twists feel foreshadowed. Ultimately, the emotional payoff—Cardan’s exile longing and Jude’s hard-won sacrifices—leaves readers both satisfied and yearning, a testament to Black’s skill in blending originality with the timeless ache of faerie romance.
What Others are Saying
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black has garnered a spectrum of reactions from readers. Many praise its fast-paced narrative and the culmination of Jude and Cardan’s tumultuous relationship, highlighting the vivid world-building and the emotional depth of the protagonists. Fans appreciated the return to Elfhame and the resolution of key plotlines, finding satisfaction in the character arcs and the series’ conclusion.
Conversely, some readers express disappointment, noting a perceived decline in the political intrigue and character complexity that characterized earlier installments. Critics point out the book’s brevity, suggesting that the rapid pacing led to underdeveloped subplots and a lack of tension. The transformation of central characters, particularly Jude and Cardan, is seen by some as abrupt, with a desire for more nuanced development. Additionally, certain plot resolutions are viewed as too convenient, leaving some readers yearning for the darker, more intricate storytelling of the previous books.
A lyrical, emotional letter from Taryn to Jude reframing her betrayal, The Lost Sisters explores the quiet wounds of ambition, love, and loyalty in Elfhame’s deadly court.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories
Told through illustrated vignettes and Cardan’s voice, this companion offers a revealing glimpse into his past, exploring the stories—and traumas—that shaped the king behind the crown.
Years after the war, a forgotten queen and a reluctant prince are pulled into a dangerous quest through cursed forests and fractured loyalties in this dark new duology opener.
Tensions rise as a dethroned prince reckons with betrayal, shifting alliances, and his own past in a gripping conclusion that challenges power, trust, and identity.
