The sequel to Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince, The Wicked King picks up five months after Cardan has been crowned King and Jude is running the show. But, as a human in the fae court, Jude isn’t at the top of her game and is running on fumes.
Something Black is very good at doing, and doing consitently, is writing Fae characters that are ACTUAL fae characters. The closest to human-like her fae get are the Shadow Court main members. Ghost is my favorite, and he does have some human in his background.
This novel is a continuation of the last and a set up, a clear set up, for the final book that should be out sometime next year or the year after. This is middle ground for the story, though there is enough action and things happening that really keep the story going and keep the reader engaged.
I appreciate the fact that they made Jude real and have real, human weaknesses. For that alone, this novel is wonderful.
If you are wanting a romantic novel, please, keep walking. But, this is a novel that looks at how hard it is to keep power and the weaknesses that humans have. A solid novel from a great author.
