Inside this book
The Wicked King – Holly Black
Return to the beautiful and dangerous world of Faerie in The Wicked King, the second installment in Holly Black's bestselling The Folk of the Air trilogy.
Following the dramatic events of The Cruel Prince, the balance of power in Elfhame has changed. Cardan now sits on the throne, but royal power is never simple in the High Court of Faerie. Behind the glamour of the palace lie secret ambitions, political schemes, fragile alliances, and dangerous enemies.
Jude, a mortal in a world that often looks down upon humans, has fought her way into a position of extraordinary influence. Her intelligence, determination, and willingness to play Faerie's ruthless political games have taken her far—but gaining power and keeping it are two very different challenges.
At the center of everything is Cardan. Charming, cruel, unpredictable, and increasingly difficult to understand, the new king shares an intensely complicated relationship with Jude. Their rivalry is mixed with distrust, attraction, anger, and a constant struggle for control, making every encounter between them charged with tension.
Meanwhile, threats to the kingdom continue to grow. Alliances shift, secrets emerge, and betrayal is never far away. Jude must determine whom she can trust while protecting the people she cares about and maintaining her precarious position at court.
Holly Black combines dark fantasy, political intrigue, morally gray characters, and romantic tension to create an addictive sequel filled with twists and dangerous choices. The world of Elfhame becomes richer and more treacherous, while the relationship between Jude and Cardan develops into one of the story's most compelling elements.
Why read The Wicked King?
• Book 2 of The Folk of the Air trilogy.
• Direct sequel to The Cruel Prince.
• A captivating and dangerous Faerie world.
• Political intrigue, manipulation, secrets, and betrayal.
• Intense Jude and Cardan relationship dynamics.
• Morally gray and memorable characters.
• Perfect for fans of romantasy, dark fantasy, court intrigue, and enemies-to-lovers tension.
For readers who loved The Cruel Prince, The Wicked King raises the stakes with greater danger, deeper political intrigue, and unforgettable twists in the magical world of Elfhame.