clairehreads22's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I FINISHED this book!!!! & LOVED IT!!! The way my jaw was dropped for the last 25% of the book OMG WOW!!!!
The little Cardan & Jude romantic storyline was … dare I say… cute.
My hatred for The Ghost, Taryn, & Locke due to their betrayal runs deep. I truly hate all of them. Sort of am lumping Madoc into this bunch too.
The little Cardan & Jude romantic storyline was … dare I say… cute.
Spoiler
My hatred for The Ghost, Taryn, & Locke due to their betrayal runs deep. I truly hate all of them. Sort of am lumping Madoc into this bunch too.
Cardan’s mom being alive?!! The Cardan and Jude kiss?! The Balekin and Orlagh torture?! Ahhh wtf is happening with this book?!
All I know is that the ending better be explained in the final book of the trilogy. Like Cardan and Jude get married THEN he banishes her from Faerie … going to kick and scream if Cardan hurts Jude more… and I know he will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Kidnapping
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
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
katherina_lei's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I liked this second book a lot, more than the first. While there were some twists I saw coming, the last chapter of the book had me on the edge of my seat with anticipation, because I had no idea what was coming next. I am so curious to see what Jude does in the third book and how this will all play out.
I adore the characters, with all their shades of grey. Everyone seems to be working for their own agenda, and I am here for it! I know everyone just wants power in this story, but I can't help but want Jude and Cardon to end up together as a powerful and power-hungry couple. I don't know what it is about this series and the terrible, power-hungry, and cruel characters, but I love them!
I adore the characters, with all their shades of grey. Everyone seems to be working for their own agenda, and I am here for it! I know everyone just wants power in this story, but I can't help but want Jude and Cardon to end up together as a powerful and power-hungry couple. I don't know what it is about this series and the terrible, power-hungry, and cruel characters, but I love them!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Violence
Minor: Torture
booknight's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
moonylovesstars's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Gore, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
ilaronicly'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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Torture
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
vendy_kha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely LOVE fantasy that is complex and all political (kinda funny since I'd rather give mithridatism a go over getting into politics) XD There's schemes and riddles, tension and just a small bit of that enemies to lovers goodness... I'm in love with the MC's and "side characters" alike... Seriously how can Bomb be so deadly and cute...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Alcoholism, Confinement, Mental illness, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
laneys_library's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This books is AMAZING! I couldn’t stop reading! I think it might just be my favorite book I’ve ever read. The ending shocked me and I can’t wait to start the Queen of nothing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Bullying, Body horror, Child abuse, Trafficking, and Torture
Moderate: Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Vomit, Toxic relationship, Cursing, War, Toxic friendship, and Sexual content
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