Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - The Wicked King

I really enjoyed how Jude's weaving of lies and truth were central to this tale, and yet she ultimately fails as humans are prone to do. I also enjoyed Cardan taking on more of a role, and becoming a more ambigously grey character, rather than starkly black or white.

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Even Taryn's betrayal threw me off, though I should've expected it considering she isn't afraid to throw her sister in the line of fire if it benefits her outcome even the slightest bit. I do hope she gets her comeuppance, though, she is too proud and too eager to appear the superior sibling.

With how it ended, I am interested to see how Jude gets out of this predicament, and what game of chess Cardan is playing now, because obviously he has become the King on the board protecting his Queen.

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lisaandthebooks's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This ending!!!! I hate it so much and I love it! It makes me so so mad but also it is brilliant.

This book truly makes me a hypocrite. I never thought I could love something so much that I also absolutely hate. I guess that's quite fitting for the book though.

Cardan is so horrible and I honestly don't know why I like this book. It has so many things I usually would hate in a book but somehow I am just hooked. I guess I just really like the writing. The world building is really great and the characters have a way of getting to you.

The ending was exactly what I expected and also the biggest plot twist.

Spoiler
I assumed that Cardan and Jude would get married but I never thought that he would betray her like that!! I thought that after he saved her and she saved his life they would bond and finally be the power couple I know they are destined to be. I don't know what to expect from the next book truly but I am so excited and ready.

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egurgens's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.75

To be honest, I don’t like this book as much as I did the first one. Although Jude is just as much of a badass as she was in the first one, there is a lot more at play in this book, and she doesn’t get to show it off as much as in the first book. This book was also a little slower than the first one, although the ending was still super dramatic. The first book seemed to maybe be driven equally by both plot and character development, but this one seems to favor plot over character. Let’s just say, I’m pissed at the ending, and I’m mad at a great many characters.

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aidamaria_reads's review

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-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

4.5

Just when you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to cunningly deceiving, secretively scheming and shamelessly betraying in The Cruel Prince … The Wicked King is a very worthy second instalment. I’m usually weary of sequels, but this one exceeded my expectations. And Jude does. Not. Back. Down! She might be my favourite heroine I’ve come across in a fantasy book. She is relentless, she is resilient, she will have the world torn to pieces before she gives up on reaching her goals. Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 out of 5 stars) from me! 🧚🏻‍♀️

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