The Wicked King
by Holly Blackon April 28, 2020
ISBN: 9780316310352
Series: The Folk of the Air #2
Format: Audiobook, Hardcover
Genres: Action & Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Fantasy, Fantasy & Magic, Fiction, Social Themes & Bullying
Buy on Amazon Goodreads
You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.
The first lesson is to make yourself that strong.
Jude has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were biddable. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her, even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.
When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a faerie world.
World Building
Holly Black’s The Wicked King continues to expand the lush, dangerous realm of Elfhame with immersive detail. The introduction of the Undersea adds a new layer of peril and mystique, showcasing Black’s talent for imagining eerie and enchanting environments. Queen Orlagh and her daughter Nicasia bring the sea’s politics into tension with the land, creating a richer geopolitical landscape. The world never feels static—there’s a constant sense of motion, change, and threat. One example of this is the vivid image of Jude underwater, restrained and surrounded by shimmering, menacing creatures: “The sea is salt and pressure and silence. My thoughts scatter like minnows.” While immersive, some readers may find it hard to grasp the full scope of Elfhame’s geography or rules without prior knowledge, slightly limiting its accessibility.
Character Development
Character complexity is the crown jewel of this sequel. Jude Duarte’s psychological depth stands out as she navigates the brutal politics of the Faerie court while clinging to her hard-earned power. Her internal conflicts—loyalty versus ambition, vulnerability versus ruthlessness—are consistently tested, such as when she reflects, “Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold on to.” Cardan, once enigmatic and cruel, is developed with nuance; his moments of unexpected tenderness and strategic brilliance suggest a maturing, conflicted ruler. Supporting characters like Madoc and Locke continue to complicate the emotional landscape. Every character feels layered and unpredictable, maintaining emotional and moral ambiguity in the best way.
Plot Pace & Development
The pacing of The Wicked King is deliberate and methodical, with a clear focus on court intrigue, deception, and power plays. While not fast-paced in a traditional action-oriented sense, the narrative tension escalates with every chapter. Jude’s position as seneschal allows readers insight into political machinations that simmer before boiling over in the final chapters. The ending twist—Cardan’s sudden betrayal cloaked in marriage—upends everything, showcasing Black’s knack for devastating turns. Still, the middle act occasionally slows due to repetitive scheming and character brooding, which may test the patience of some readers.
Language, Flow, and Structure (Writing Quality)
Black’s prose is sharp and lyrical, blending poetic description with biting dialogue. Her style elevates the fantasy setting while grounding it in raw emotion. A line like “You have only seen the least of what I can do” captures both Jude’s fury and the novel’s undercurrent of escalating power. Chapters are tightly structured, and scenes often begin in medias res, which enhances the pacing and tension. The only slight drawback is that the beauty of the language occasionally overshadows clarity, requiring slower reading to grasp the full impact of certain passages.
Themes & Literary Devices
The novel explores enduring themes of power, betrayal, and identity, often through rich metaphors and juxtaposition. Jude’s mortality in a world of immortal politics is a central metaphor for imposter syndrome and ambition. Power is treated as an addiction—seductive and isolating—which is reinforced by the recurring motif of control. The marriage of Jude and Cardan, both a romantic and political weapon, exemplifies how love and power are intertwined and weaponized. While these themes are compelling, their complexity can sometimes overwhelm the narrative focus, leaving moments of introspection unresolved.
Creativity, Originality & Predictability
Black excels at defying expectations. The power dynamics between Jude and Cardan are constantly shifting, keeping their relationship unpredictable and engaging. The twist at the novel’s end—Cardan’s sudden rejection of Jude after their political marriage—is a gut-punch that redefines the narrative. Faerie stories are common in YA fantasy, but Black’s approach, centering a mortal woman outmaneuvering supernatural beings, feels refreshingly brutal and clever. Some elements—like the love-hate romance—can feel familiar, but are executed with enough complexity and flair to remain compelling.
Emotional Impact
Emotionally, The Wicked King is a rollercoaster. Jude’s desperation, ambition, and moments of quiet vulnerability draw readers into her psyche. Her isolation, despite her power, is palpable—especially when she admits, “I want to be something like a queen.” The romantic tension between her and Cardan simmers with unspoken emotion and bitter longing. The final betrayal scene—when Cardan crowns Jude queen, only to exile her moments later—is a heartbreaking betrayal that leaves readers gutted. It’s the kind of ending that haunts you, forcing a reread to trace all the signs.
Overall
- Title: The Queen of Nothing
- Author: Holly Black
- ISBN: 9780316310420
- Page Count: 320 pages
- Series: The Folk of the Air
- Genres: Action & Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Legends Myths Fables, Royalty, Young Adult Fiction
If you enjoyed The Wicked King for its sharp political maneuvering, emotionally volatile romance, and the lushly dangerous world of Elfhame, then The Queen of Nothing will deliver the high-stakes payoff you’ve been waiting for. Picking up after Jude’s shocking exile, the story catapults her back into a realm she vowed to control—but finds she must now reclaim. With alliances shifting, secrets unraveling, and war looming, the final installment escalates the tension between love and power, forcing Jude to confront what she’s willing to sacrifice—and what she’s willing to become.
