At a glance
The Wicked King
by Holly Black
LuvemBooks Verdict
Best for: Older YA readers (15+) already invested in The Cruel Prince who want a densely plotted, politically sophisticated fantasy built around morally complex characters and an adversarial, high-tension central dynamic rather than a conventional romance.
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- Is it worth reading?
- For readers already invested in the Folk of the Air series, The Wicked King is a strong continuation — reviewers at Books, Tea & Cup Reviews praise its twists as "brilliant" and note a climax that arrived in a form entirely unexpected, with consequences described as "jaw-dropping." Space and Sorcery calls it a "highly engaging second installment," crediting it with avoiding the structural sag that often afflicts middle-trilogy entries. The key caveat is the ending: the novel closes on a hard, unresolved cliffhanger, so readers who prefer satisfying mid-series resolutions will find it deliberately withholding.
- Similar books
- Readers who enjoy The Wicked King's blend of court intrigue, morally complex characters, and adversarial romance will find natural companions in the curated selections below. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black is the essential starting point — the first Folk of the Air novel that establishes Jude, Cardan, and Elfhame. Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi and The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber similarly deliver high-stakes romantic tension within fantastical settings, while Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco offers dark, politically charged fantasy for readers drawn to morally ambiguous power plays. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is a strong pick for readers specifically drawn to The Wicked King's unpredictable plotting and jaw-dropping twists.
- Who should read this?
- The Wicked King is designed for older YA readers who are comfortable with political violence, manipulation, and morally ambiguous characters — and who are specifically willing to engage with an adversarial, uncomfortable central dynamic rather than a conventional romance. It is a book for committed series readers: those who have read The Cruel Prince and are ready to follow Jude Duarte into increasingly complex, high-stakes Faerie politics. Readers who prefer hopeful narratives, self-contained stories, or tidy romantic resolutions are likely to find both the ending and the Jude–Cardan dynamic frustrating.
- What age is it for?
- Best for ages 15 and up. The Wicked King is pitched at older YA readers — rated 15+ per Amazon customer data and recommended from grade 9 onward — on account of its themes of political violence, manipulation, ambiguous morality, and a central relationship that Kirkus Reviews characterises as "toxic attraction." Younger teen readers or those sensitive to morally complex, deliberately uncomfortable character dynamics may find the material challenging.
- About Holly Black
- Holly Black is an American writer and editor best known for her children's and young adult fiction. The Wicked King is the second installment in her Folk of the Air trilogy.
- How does it compare to The Cruel Prince?
- The Wicked King is widely regarded as an expansion rather than a retread of The Cruel Prince — it introduces new settings (including undersea Faerie territory), deepens the examination of High King power, and raises the political stakes considerably. Reviewers at Space and Sorcery note that the series' capacity to pull readers into its world deepens rather than plateaus in this installment, a meaningful distinction for a genre where sophomore volumes often function as connective tissue. The central Jude–Cardan dynamic also grows more layered, with Cardan now nominally reigning as High King while Jude maneuvers to hold real power — a reversal that adds new dimensions to their adversarial relationship.
- Is it appropriate for sensitive readers?
- The Wicked King contains themes of political violence, psychological manipulation, and a central romantic dynamic that Kirkus Reviews explicitly characterises as "toxic attraction" — it is deliberately uncomfortable rather than aspirationally romantic. The novel's morally ambiguous treatment of power, deceit, and betrayal is central to its design, not incidental. Sensitive readers who find emotionally manipulative relationship dynamics distressing, or who prefer narratives with clearer moral frameworks, should factor this into their decision.
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Age & Reading Level
Recommended age
Ages 12–18
Reading level
Young adult
Content to know about
Best for: Ages 15 and up — themes of political violence, manipulation, and a deliberately uncomfortable central dynamic suit older teen and adult readers; rated 15+ per Amazon customer data, grade 9 and above.
Skip if you prefer self-contained stories, straightforward romantic relationships, or tidy mid-series resolutions.
Editorial Review
The Wicked King, the second book in Holly Black's Folk of the Air trilogy, plunges protagonist Jude Duarte deeper into the treacherous politics of Elfhame as she fights to maintain her grip on power — and on the bound faerie king she now controls. Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in 2019, it is a YA fantasy built around deceit, court intrigue, and the volatile dynamic between Jude and Cardan, with reviewers consistently noting its unpredictable plotting and strong momentum for a middle installment.
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