tinyarthoe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse
catrose97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
WOW. I thought the first book was good but the second gas surpassed it! I read this entire book in about 2 days or so of travel. So much of the story had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. Even times my mouth literally opened in surprise at certain parts I couldn’t believe just happened. This story is definitely darker than the first, with so much at play for the characters. You find out even more about each person and Jude becomes even more of a badass than she was in the first book (although she faces MANY difficulties and small defeats). The ending though has made me almost mad 😡. LIKE WHAT?! You know if you’ve read this book what I’m talking about. What the heck is going to happen in the third book?!?!?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, and Confinement
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Torture and Sexual content
bookmark3brodi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Child abuse, Drug use, Medical trauma, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Murder, Classism, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Toxic friendship, Violence, War, and Drug abuse
aysha_blake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Death, Drug use, Alcoholism, War, Death of parent, Medical content, Murder, Torture, Violence, Confinement, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Blood, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Cursing
vajaakirjahylly's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cardan is so stupid sometimes
and i really love jude
and i really love jude
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
sweaters_and_such's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: War
Minor: Violence
matcha_pages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Wicked King centers around Jude doing everything she can to keep her position of power. The first half of the book was slower than I'd like, we're introduced to new characters and the evolving political tensions in the Faerie realm. The investment in this groundwork pays off in the second half, the characters start to make power plays resulting in dramatic results and betrayals. We get to see new sides of characters that really highlight the cunning and cruelty of the Fae.
Jude, unfortunately, was a mixed bag didn't resonate with me as I hoped. I can't quite put my finger on it but I don't like the direction she's going. I get the author is portraying Jude as a human in Faerie, so she wavers between sides so to speak. It's rather frustrating because it holds her back, but maybe that's the point? Jude is very heavy handed, kind of like the writing at times. Cardan is the opposite, he's not as he seems. He's enigmatic nature and intricate relationships really dial up the political intrigue.
Jude, unfortunately, was a mixed bag didn't resonate with me as I hoped. I can't quite put my finger on it but I don't like the direction she's going. I get the author is portraying Jude as a human in Faerie, so she wavers between sides so to speak. It's rather frustrating because it holds her back, but maybe that's the point? Jude is very heavy handed, kind of like the writing at times. Cardan is the opposite, he's not as he seems. He's enigmatic nature and intricate relationships really dial up the political intrigue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Bullying and Murder
cosy_armchair_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Can I just start with wow.
I gave both this book and the Cruel Prince a 5 star review, and let me tell you. This book puts the cruel prince to shame. Both books were good, but Holly Black excelled herself for this sequel
Black wraps you round her finger and weaves you into the tale. She spins an unforgettable story of faerie and a king with a dagger at his throat commanded by a human girl who bested him at his own game of kings and queens. To say this was magical would be wrong. Jude is cunning and Cardan is sly. It is a dark and twisting tale full of deceit and lies ( on Jude's part at least ). The Cruel Prince was a wondrous start but the Wicked King was an unfathomable book of the best story telling. The prince became a king for good or for ill.
Praise Holly Black rightfully the faerie queen.
Just to note, the review by solislibro is a worthwhile read and I found myself agreeing with what they have written. So thank you solislibro for that beautiful explanation, truly appreciated it 👍
I gave both this book and the Cruel Prince a 5 star review, and let me tell you. This book puts the cruel prince to shame. Both books were good, but Holly Black excelled herself for this sequel
Black wraps you round her finger and weaves you into the tale. She spins an unforgettable story of faerie and a king with a dagger at his throat commanded by a human girl who bested him at his own game of kings and queens. To say this was magical would be wrong. Jude is cunning and Cardan is sly. It is a dark and twisting tale full of deceit and lies ( on Jude's part at least ). The Cruel Prince was a wondrous start but the Wicked King was an unfathomable book of the best story telling. The prince became a king for good or for ill.
Praise Holly Black rightfully the faerie queen.
Just to note, the review by solislibro is a worthwhile read and I found myself agreeing with what they have written. So thank you solislibro for that beautiful explanation, truly appreciated it 👍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Kidnapping, Violence, Blood, Torture, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Confinement, and War
jonsnowsmanbun's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Confinement, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence