The Wicked King

The Wicked King
Holly Black
Little Brown, 2019 322 pages
Grades 8-Up
Fantasy
The Folk of the Air series #2

Sequel to The Cruel Prince. Jude is now the seneschal (personal adviser) to Carden, the High King of Faerie, as well as in control of his actions completely, as a result of a previous tricky-maneuvering pledge. All is not smooth sailing as the Queen of the Undersea threatens war, Carden's mother emerges from exile, her twin prepares for her wedding to Jude's ex-love interest, and her stepfather, the top general of the land, sees her as a political rival. While trying to keep all of the balls in the air, Jude continues to attempt to keep her little brother, Oak, safe, while also keeping Carden under her control, until it is time for him to abdicate the throne to Oak. It gets increasingly difficult to maintain professionalism, as Jude's feelings for Carden become complicated and their relationship takes a more personal turn. Family loyalties, faerie politics, deceptions and romance all churn together in this action packed fantasy, which will leave the reader clambering for the next installment.

As many people know, I do not read sequels. My time is too short and I must try to keep up with new books, as well as reading for a mock Newbery committee and preparing for two book groups. Unfortunately, I became so hooked on The Cruel Prince that I had to invest time on the sequel. I was not disappointed. In fact, the second installment may be better than the first. New and interesting characters are introduced and Jude is now the most powerful being in Faerie, which is a heady accomplishment for a mortal. Holding onto power and keeping the prince under her control, despite her growing attraction to him, is the crux of the novel. Throughout are many twists and turns that even the most seasoned reader will not see coming. I breathed a sigh of relief at what seemed to be a happy ending, only to have Black pull the rug out from under me with a complete plot twist. What a roller coaster ride! Holly Black is certainly the Queen of Faerie and I can't wait to read number three. Teens will enjoy this series, as the action never stops. It must be read in order, so please start with the first. Filled with mystery, political intrigue, mythical creatures, deceit, and love, all seen through the eyes of a fellow mortal smack in the thick of it. Perfect for fans of Game of Thrones, who can't wait for the final season to begin next month.