The Wicked King – Review

It took me far too long to read such a great story as this one. But sometimes you just wish to drag it on and on so it doesn’t end. Now that it has ended, I can’t stop to think “OMG”. Here are my thoughts on the sequel to Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince.

For one year and a day, Jude has the power over the new High King, Cardan. But what comes after that, she can only wonder. Determined to try to get Cardan under control and to keep her little brother Oak safe, she must master the task of being the High King’s seneschal. Torn apart by her feelings for Cardan, her duties to keep her family and the land of Fairie safe and Cardan’s determination to humiliate her and be free of her, she must survive the intrigues of the palace and discover the people betraying her…

I can’t believe I have to wait another whole year after reading this stunning book to be finally presented with the end of Jude’s story…

The Plot

Where The Cruel Prince was slow paced, this book was pointing towards an epic end from the start. Some actions seemed irrelevant, but Holly Black knows what she does. Nothing is unnecessary, everything serves its purpose.

There was a lot of politics in this book, but I didn’t mind one bit. The many characters and intrigues served perfectly to create a masterpiece of young adult literature. I especially enjoyed the many different aspects of the book such as Jude’s relationship with Cardan which was very problematic if I may say so, her family feud and her political will for power.

Their relationship is dominated by Jude tricking Cardan into being the High King of Elfhame which means we never know where these two stand.

I hate you so much that sometimes I can’t think of anything else.

I loved the aspect that they both hate each other so very very much, but are drawn to one another. It’s something I have never read before and, from what I can say, Holly Black did a marvelous job.

The book’s end was shocking because I wasn’t aware of the third book’s title, which would have given the end away. The whole book was the story of Jude surviving the one year and that was the book. It followed her through the days, weeks and months and could have ended in a million different ways. And the one Holly Black chose was breathtaking and jaw-dropping. It couldn’t have ended any better.

The Characters

Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold on to.

The reason why I love Jude so much is because she is not the regular protagonist, but is driven by her will for power which makes her an incredibly interesting character. I couldn’t quite calculate her reactions or next steps concerning Madoc, her sisters and Cardan because she is a very complex yet fantastic personality. She is not scared of having to kill if it serves her need, however she would protect the ones she loves with her life.

The three of you have one solution to every problem. Murder. No key fits every lock.” Cardan gives us all a stern look, holding up a long-fingered hand with my stolen ruby ring still on one finger. “Someone tries to betray the High King, murder. Someone gives you a harsh look, murder. Someone disrespects you, murder. Someone ruins your laundry, murder.

Cardan was incredible. I never knew his intentions and the end of the book had me gasping. He was such an unpredictable character that every page was a surprise to me which was purely exciting.

Someone you trust has already betrayed you.

The other characters such as Madoc, Taryn, Locke and the Fairies within the palace were immensely unpredictable as well, I wasn’t sure to whom they had pledged their loyalties and that was a huge plus point for the story. I was always trying to figure out who Nicasia meant when she said that one person had already betrayed her, with many possibilities and many different outcomes.

The Writing

Holly Black is the Faerie Queen.

Victoria Aveyard

How right she was.

The writing was so intriguing and fabulous that I felt within the story myself. I could imagine the world of Faerie so detailed that sometimes I thought I was drawn to Elfhame while reading. I especially enjoyed the description of the Undersea which many new aspects that I wouldn’t have imagined.

I loved the way she wrote, with short yet powerful sentences that really rounded up the whole novel. She managed to create every possible atmosphere that was needed to create suspense, intrigues and tension.

All in all

All in all, I loved this book from the first page on until the very end. It was by far more intense that The Cruel Prince and I was never sure how it would continue. It leaves so many unanswered questions that I can barely restrain myself and be civil while waiting for the sequel.

I hope you enjoyed this review and have a great day!