HOW THE KING OF ELFHAME LEARNED TO HATE STORIES by Holly Black

“‘Once upon a time, there was a boy with a wicked tongue. Before he was a cruel prince or a wicked king, he was a faerie child with a heart of stone.’ The No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black takes a deeper look into the dramatic life of Elfhame’s enigmatic High King, Cardan, told wholly from his perspective. This new instalment in the Folk of the Air series is a return to the heart-racing romance, dangerous, humour and drama that have enchanted readers everywhere. With lavish and luminous full-colour art, this is the perfect collector’s item, to be enjoyed by audiences both old and new. An irresistible return to the captivating world of Elfhame.”

What is the book about?

This book is written in the third person, solely from Cardan’s perspective. We get to see inside the head of the boy who somehow managed to worm his way into not just Jude’s heart, but every readers’. This book gives us the opportunity to truly understand why Cardan is as cruel as he is and how hard it was for him as a child. Before he was a cruel prince or a wicked king, Cardan was just a boy, alone and misunderstood. This is another irresistible, captivating book ready to transport you back into the magical world of Elfhame, for more adventures with Cardan and Jude. Dive back into the Faerie Court and have a deeper look into the dramatic, royal life of Prince Cardan. Full of gorgeous, detailed full-colour illustrations and scenes, not just from Cardan’s past, but, from his time with Jude after being married. Fascinating adventures, thrilling romance, humour, danger and drama all wrapped up into one incredible novel set in the wonderful world of Faerieland. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as I finished The Queen of Nothing, I immediately went to inform one of my friends, who had been the one to recommend the books to me, and, when she informed me that this wonderful book existed, I begged her to lend it to me so I could finally get a glimpse into the thoughts of Cardan, who I had been wanting to know more about ever since the end of the first book (The Cruel Prince). As soon as I got my hands on this book, I started to read and finished it with a couple days, regretting my fast-pace, but also extremely glad and satisfied with the amazing read. The book was so amazing and filled with so much information and so may stories that I didn’t know were missing in my life until I started to read. From the very beginning of the book I already knew that this was going to be an incredible book and was sure I would love every second of it. The very first page already had me gripping the book so tight, as if it might fly away along with its amazing short stories, and I didn’t want to let it go until I had finished it and was longing to re-read it. Every short story was fast-paced and amazingly written and I knew that my immediate love of the book was not misplaced. Soon I was reaching the end and missing the characters that I had grown to love and who will always be a part of me.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

It was not a surprise that, when I reached the book’s end and I looked at this question, that Cardan was my favourite character. For a little while, at the start of The Cruel Prince, I had been really angry at Cardan and at how cruel he was to Jude. Then, later on in the first book, when I discovered that Cardan was acting wicked because he loved Jude, I was a bit annoyed at Cardan because I wanted him to show Jude how he felt in a way that was actually kind and romantic. Slowly, I began to warm up to the strange prince and I started to really see how much he loved Jude and that he could be kind and romantic (especially near the end of The Queen of Nothing), however I never truly understood his spiteful attitude to the person he loved. As soon as I finished How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories all of that changed. Instantly, I understood why he had acted that way and all I wanted to do was become a fictional character and give Cardan a hug – one of the things he never received as a child, or an adult. I always felt sorry for the way Jude was raised, and how she was treated, but I didn’t know how much worse it could have been. Jude had her sisters, people who loved her and cared for her, but Cardan never had anyone; he was left to fend for himself and was cared for by a cat, instead of his mother and father. He used his cruelty to protect his heart because it was the only way he knew how. He hurt others because it was the only way he could be in control, making them feel insignificant made him feel more powerful. He lived his life in fear, in pain, in shame, in fury, and he knew there was no way of escaping it. But, the thing that made me truly love him was how, once he became king, he did not rule by cruelty and he was not a tyrant, like Balekin or Dain would have been. He no longer felt as vulnerable as he felt when he was the youngest most insignificant member of his family; therefore he had little need to carry on being cruel. He no longer needed to shield his heart from everything and everyone because he had Jude by his side and his heart was hers now, even if he wasn’t sure if she wanted it. He wasn’t afraid anymore and I really liked how, in The Queen of Nothing, he was the first one to express and admit to his emotions, even though he didn’t think they would be returned. He started off being cruel to her because it was the only thing he knew how to do, as no one had ever shown any love to him. But finally he had someone who understood him and who returned his feelings. He didn’t have to hide behind a cruel mask. Cardan’s story broke my heart and there is so much I loved about him. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was…everything! I just can’t choose between all the amazing stories in there because every single one of them was different and special in a completely different and perfect way. There isn’t a single part I didn’t enjoy and I wouldn’t change anything for the world. All the stories are a part of Cardan and I can’t choose between them because choosing just one, would be like saying the other are less significant, and without one of them, Cardan wouldn’t be the character I read about in The Folk of the Air trilogy. At the beginning, when he is merely a young innocent child, he was treated liked he was nothing and that led to the making of the cruel mask he wears to protect himself. As he grew older and started to make friends, he was let down over and over and hurt more times than I can count. He became cruel because of the people he was surrounded with and the horrible way he was treated. The stories of after he married Jude showed him as a changed person and how, once he had a little bit of love in his life, he was able to pull down the walls he had built for himself brick by brick, and allowed himself to feel other things that weren’t just hate, fear and loneliness. Every part was amazing and I loved every single story about Cardan and how he grew to hate stories, everyone and everything. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, the book was incredible and nothing – absolutely nothing – could possibly be added or changed to make the book any better than it is, because I think it is physically impossible for this book to be any more extraordinary than it is right now. The first thing that I loved about the book was the gorgeous, detailed, full-colour illustrations. I think that it is a terrible tragedy that most books for teenagers and young adults don’t have any illustrations, as if it’s only children who enjoy looking at drawings. I know that too many drawings would completely ruin the magic of using your imagination to create the characters of the book in your own unique way, but I will always enjoy a book with little pictures at the start or end of a chapter. They are a special little extra that I will always love and cherish about my childhood books and is probably the reason why those books are sitting in my attic, despite the complaints of my mother of how we should sell them as they are just gathering dust. I really enjoyed the illustrations in How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories and this will always be the first thing I say about the book when someone asks me about it. Another thing that I loved about the book was how the book went both ways. It was stories about how Cardan learned to hate and stories about how he learned to hate stories. I really liked that and thought that it was really clever. Every short story in the book had a meaning and made Cardan the character that I grew to love when reading the three books in the series, all of them were special and I really loved them. The last thing that I would like to mention about why I loved the book was because I got to understand why Cardan was the way he was. Cardan never had anyone to care for him and was left to fend himself even as a baby. The cruelty people showed him is what he used to build the mask he wore to protect himself because it was the only way he knew to keep himself from breaking any more. Even though he loved Jude, he was cruel to her because no one had ever showed him how to love and it was the only thing he knew how to do. He hated himself for being cruel to her and he hated himself for loving her. I liked how we got to see why he was cruel and also how he changed once he knew that there was someone out there who cared about him. All he ever wanted was for Jude to return the feelings he had for her, all he ever wanted was to not be alone, and I think that is the most honest thing about him (even though he is a faerie and they can’t physically lie) because that is something that I think every longs for. The book was unbelievable and I loved the opportunity to finally read something in Cardan’s perspective and to get to see into his mind.

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend reading this book, obviously after reading The Folk of the Air series. I particularly recommend it for readers over 14 who enjoy romance, adventure, action and fantasy. It is a story that is missing from everyone’s lives and I’m sure anyone who reads it will enjoy.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A tragic story that is sure to bring tears to the every reader’s eyes and that will break even a heart of stone.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE QUEEN OF NOTHING by Holly Black

“‘His voice is soft, and I make the mistake of looking into his black eyes, at his wicked, curving mouth. ‘But you beauty will fade,’ he continues, just as softly, speaking like a lover. ‘And all you have and all you are will rot away to nothing. You will be nothing. You are nothing.’’ As the exiled mortal Queen of Faerie, Jude is reeling from Cardan’s betrayal and is determined to reclaim everything he took from her. Opportunity arrives in the form of her deceptive twin sister, Taryn, whose life is in peril. Jude must return to the treacherous Faerie Court and confront her lingering feelings for Cardan. But Elfhame is not as she left it. War is brewing, and she becomes ensnared in the conflict’s of bloody politics. When a terrible curse is unleashed, panic spreads throughout the land, forcing Jude to choose between her ambition and her humanity…”

What is the book about?

Only moments after marrying Cardan and becoming High Queen of Elfhame, Jude is exiled to the mortal world and can only return once pardoned by the crown. Jude is furious and resents Cardan for his betrayal and how easily he was able to trick her and she is determined to take back everything she lost, everything he stole and to find a way back into her kingdom. Opportunity arrives with Taryn, Jude’s twin sister, who has made a tragic mistake and now her life is in great danger. In order to help her sister, Jude must leave the comfortable, mundane mortal world and return to the treacherous Faerie Court that betrayed her. Not only that, but Jude has to face Cardan and confront her strong feelings for him, that never left after his cruel deception. But her home is not as she left it and everything is in chaos. Elfhame is on the brink of destruction due to a war brewing and all the political conflict. Jude is sucked back into the bloody politics she had escaped and must find a way to resolve the problems. When all the conflict seems like it is nearing its end, an unexpected curse is unleashed and there is nothing for Jude to do but face the monster. Jude must choose between her ambitions or her humanity, before all of Elfhame succumbs to the dark curse…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The second I finished the previous book in the series – The Wicked King – I was already longing to have the next one in my hands ready for me to plunge back into Faerie, as I had been left of a terrible cliff-hanger, desperate to discover what would happen next. Before even glancing at the book, I was already confident that The Queen of Nothing would be an incredible book and that I would love it just as must as the first two books in the series. After admiring the beautiful cover, I read the blurb of the book and was even more excited about beginning to read. However, at first I thought that the blurb was a bit too detailed and I was worried that it would mean that I wouldn’t be as curious throughout the book but, as I opened the book and dived into its pages, all my doubts floated away. As soon as I started the first sentence, I was already transported back into Jude’s magical world and now I knew that there was no mistaking how much I was going to love the book. I enjoyed every single page from the very first one and really enjoyed the epilogue giving wondrous details I didn’t know I wanted until that moment. I was on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the book and I was longing (and dreading) the end of The Folk of the Air series. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

There were a lot of amazing characters in this book, however there were a couple I loved above all the others. The first was Jude, who has been a strong favourite of mine throughout all three books. One of the reasons why I love her so much is because she is human. Most of the characters in the series are strange, magical creatures that certainly do not belong on our planet, but there were a few mortal characters that made Faerieland seem a lot more possible and a lot more believable. I really liked how, although she had grown up in an extraordinary world filled with magic, Jude was still only human and made ordinary mistakes that you and I, and everyone else in the world, make all the time. One of the main mistakes was how she was able to trust Cardan once again and believed everything he was telling her, even after being misled countless times. Jude made a common mistake of trusting the people you love, even though, deep down, you know that they are just going to let you down again. This made Jude a really relatable character, despite being a brutal, strong fearless warrior that I definitely cannot relate to and I really liked seeing how even the strongest and more powerful can make mistakes and have doubts. Another thing that I really liked about Jude, which I think I have mentioned before, was how strong she was. She never gave up and kept fighting through every problem thrown at her, even when everyone else thought that it was hopeless. Her strength, bravery and, most of all, her humanity was proven to me at the end of The Queen of Nothing, when Jude had to make a decision that would mean show would lose the last bit of light in her life. Jude was a really inspiring character and I really enjoyed going on the long journey with her. The other character that I loved reading about was, surprisingly, High King Cardan. The reason I really liked him, in this book specifically, is because I think that he really matured and took the role of king a lot more seriously that in the other two books. I think that he really changed from the cruel, immature boy in the first book to a powerful, strong person, who was ready to defend his kingdom. Another reason why I liked him was because of how he took the first step, the leap of faith and put his feelings out there without needing reassurance that they were returned. Also, when he was finally told that they were, he didn’t truly believe it and I really enjoyed seeing that bit of innocence that a lot of people have o believing that you aren’t really capable of being loved. I really loved both Jude and Cardan, and I loved them together even more. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I really enjoyed a lot of parts of the book, and a lot of them I would definitely consider as possible options for favourite part of the book, however there was one part that I cannot ignore and was undoubtedly the most incredible, perfect part of the book: the ending. Now, I can’t say much about the ending and what exactly I loved about it, but I can tell you that it was quite satisfactory. I had been longing for the ending so that I could finally see a (hopefully) happy ending, but I was also dreading the final page and that it would completely ruin the magical books in the series. A lot of books that I have read have had shocking endings that completely ruined the amazing plots that came before; the ending is the last bit the readers are left with, it has to count for something. Luckily, the ending didn't ruin anything and I cannot begin to explain how relieved I was that the ending was as remarkable as it was. It was a really good conclusion to one of my new favourite series and, although I obviously wish that I could just continue to read more of Jude and her family and friends, I was quite content with the ending that had been supplied. Also, another reason why I loved this part was the hug, one which I have been waiting for since the first book; it was a perfect hug!

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really loved The Queen of Nothing and thought it was the perfect ending to such an incredible series. The first thing that I loved about the book was stunning front cover. It is the most amazing, satisfying thing in the world to find an entire series filled with amazing plots and gorgeous, eye-catching covers, and I cannot believe that this series is one of them. I know that I am probably repeating myself from the reviews of the previous books, but the covers are so beautiful and I really love that about the books. Another thing that I loved about the book was the incredible plot twists. It is very rare that a book is able to shock me more than once, and not just that, but for a book to make me gasp out loud. I was so surprised by something near the end that I could not resists gasping and shouting, and I really enjoy reading a book that is able to affect my emotions so well. Reading The Queen of Nothing was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions were I was happy one second and wanting to throw the book halfway across the room the next; it is a great way to keep a person on their toes. One last thing that I really loved about the book was the ending. I know that I have said this a few times already but, it was just perfect and there is nothing I would do to change it (except maybe make it longer so I can read more about the characters’ futures). I had been dreading a bad ending ever since I finished the first book and absolutely loved it and I was very glad that this ending was a good one. It was so amazing and perfect that I felt myself tearing up at the thought of never reading anything else about Jude and Cardan. I had been so curious to discover the ending of the book that the realisation of it finally ended only came on the penultimate page of the book. I really loved reading this book and I enjoyed every single word.

Which is your favourite book in The Folk of the Air series? (1, 2, or 3)

Clearly all three books in the series were amazing and I really loved everything about them. However, I think that my favourite book is The Queen of Nothing. As soon as I finished the book, I began thinking about this question, and how it was definitely a battle between the second book – The Wicked King – and this one. Both books had everything I love about a book, and everything that put The Wicked King above the first book (The Cruel Prince), The Queen of Nothing also had. Both books were fast-paced and the plot flowed perfectly, making it feel less like a book and more like an adventure I was on. I was so easily transported into Elfhame when reading The Wicked King and The Queen of Nothing, and I found both plots equally interesting and filled with adventure. Another thing that both books had was endless plot twists giving me no time at all to relax myself. Throughout the entire second and third book I was so tense and as soon as I began to relax I was thrust into another unexpected turn that would make the whole book a lot more exciting. I love being shocked and I was certainly surprised by the many plot twists I encountered through the two books. On last thing that I enjoyed that both books had in common was that the romance was a lot more interesting and engaging. I loved the enemies-to-lovers concept and really enjoyed the romance scenes that weren’t too uncomfortable and were a lot better than most scenes in romance books. I loved the complicated, wild, rollercoaster of a relationship Jude and Cardan were on and I really loved how, despite hating each other, they also loved each other. Although both books had a lot in common, the thing that put The Queen of Nothing over the top was the incredible ending. This ending added to everything that was amazing about the book and much more, and made me see how clear it was that this was my favourite book out of the three. I really loved all three books in the series, the plots, the characters, the stunning covers, everything, and I can’t wait to read the novella How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories that I’m sure will go nicely with the series and put it over the top.

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend that you read The Queen of Nothing but obviously after the first two books in the series, which you can also find on my blog. I think that this book is perfect for readers over 14, who enjoy fantasy, adventure and romance.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A spectacular, overwhelming conclusion to one of greatest, most magical, extraordinary fantasy series of all time.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE WICKED KING by Holly Black

“‘I have heard that for mortals, the feeling of falling in love is very like the feeling of fear.’ Jude has tricked Cardan onto the throne, binding him to her for a year and a day. But the new High King does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her. Meanwhile, a traitor is scheming against her. Jude must fight for her life and also battle her own complicated feelings for Cardan. Now a year and a day seems like no time at all…”

What is the book about?

Jude has managed to trick Cardan onto the throne and he has made an oath to be in her control for a year and a day. But the new High King isn’t happy with this arrangement and does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine Jude, trying to make her seem like the weak, vulnerable mortal every expects to see. Jude tries to control the situation and the one doing all the hard-work, which Cardan is simply the image of the High King of Elfhame. Jude thinks that everything might be alright, if she can just mange to extend Cardan’s oath a little longer. However, a traitor is scheming behind her back, and more people want her dead than ever before. Now, Jude isn’t just fighting for her life, but she must also battle her growing, strong and complicated feelings for Cardan. In the beginning a year and a day seemed like enough time, but now it seems like no time at all. Jude must find a way to keep herself in control, or she will lose everything she has worked for…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Obviously, immediately after finishing The Cruel Prince, I was already desperate to begin The Wicked King and continue my adventure with Jude and Cardan. The ending of the previous book had left me anxious to discover what happened next and I was ready to fall in love with yet another incredible book. Before starting I read the blurb and was even more intrigued to read the book (and I thought that was impossible). I really wanted to know who the traitor was – especially since there were endless possibilities – and I wanted to know if Jude wold be able to find a way to keep control of Cardan for longer. After admiring the gorgeous cover, I finally began to read the book and I wasn’t at all surprised by what I found. It took a measly few seconds for Holly Black’s incredible writing to transport me back into Faerie and to make me feel like I was really there. Once I began to read I just couldn’t stop and found that every time I would open the book I would look up to see that it was hours later, much longer than I had wanted to read in the first place. Every chapter was perfect and left me feeling even more curious and in love with the story. I adored every page from the start, all the way to the end. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

There were many characters that I liked in this book – just like last time – but I think that my favourite chapter is most likely Jude. Firstly, (and I know that this has nothing to do with the actual character) I absolutely adore her name. Jude Duarte just sounds so cool and I think it really suits her; I am just so obsessed with her surname in particular. Another reason why I really liked Jude was because of how she was still a moderately relatable character. Although she lived in a world full of powerful, immortal creatures, she was still a human and made some mundane, mortal mistakes. She trusted people, not just because the Fey can’t lie, but because she had no reason to not have faith in people who see to care for her and who have proven their loyalty. Everybody makes mistakes, and Jude is not an exception. She put too much faith in the Fey not being able to lie, that she forgot that she is human and has the potential to do wrong, without even realising. She was easy to relate to, especially in how she reacted to her mistakes. As soon as we make a mistake, we try to blame others but deep down we blame ourselves, and Jude was exactly like this and sulked like any human would do. One final reason why I chose Jude as my favourite character was because of her strength. She was such a powerful character and wouldn’t back down no matter what. She wanted something and she didn’t wait to get it easily from Madoc – the man who took Jude and her sisters in after he murdered their parents – she just went straight out there and worked for it on her own. She was a really inspiring character in the way that she didn’t give up, even when things got tough, and that, when she made mistakes, she would take the burden onto herself and find a way to fix it. So many people give up as soon as they make one mistake, or as soon as it gets a bit too hard, and I think that Jude is a great character to persevere (and she lives in a world where people are out to kill her and where murder isn’t necessarily illegal, so some people should stop being cowards and face their simple problems).

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I loved the whole book, and obviously every part was amazing, however, there was one part that I think I would say was my favourite one: just before the ending. Now the ending left me completely shocked and I seriously wanted to chuck the book across the room and scream as loud as I could. But, just a single chapter before, only a few pages away, I was extremely happy and excited because of what had happened. Just before the catastrophic ending, for a few pages only, I finally felt like there was a possibility that everything would work out fine and that Jude and Cardan’s interesting plan and resolution would actually help them both achieve their hopes for Faerie. I really liked how I felt a sense of calm and I was finally not on the edge of my seat, after spending the whole time before tense and anxious for the next plot twist. That is probably why the ending shocked me so much and made me so annoyed, but there is still a whole book left for me to read, which will hopefully resolve all the problems in Faerie and give everyone a happy ending (well those who are alive anyway).

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, The Wicked King was an incredible book and it is absolutely unquestionable that The Folk of the Air series is becoming one of my favourite series. Firstly, I must mention the stunning cover and the remarkable plot. It is very rare that a book will have a beautiful cover and an incredibly well-written and enjoyable plot, however both of the books in the series that I have read have been unusual and delighting exceptions, and the third and final book is looking very promising. I really enjoyed the plot, particularly because of how many unexpected plot twists there were and I was barely able to see a single one of them coming. I really loved being surprised so many times and enjoyed the exciting and anxious feelings that came with waiting for a new turn in the story. Another reason why I really loved the book was because it included so many of my favourite book genres and combined them into the perfect book. I loved the fantasy, adventure and action qualities The Wicked King had – and also the many signs of murder and thriller – but, most of all, I really enjoyed the magnificent romance parts of the book. The enemies-to-lovers romance and the clashing of the characters was always fun to read about and, although it was very frustrating, I also enjoyed how the characters were still trying to deny any feelings between each other. The romance element was just so entertaining and I very glad to continue seeing the harsh kisses and the crazy arguments between the characters. One last thing that made me absolutely love The Wicked King was the fast-pace of the book. I really liked how everything flowed really well and it felt like the book was just one incredible story, instead of being separated into short chapters. I loved how easy it was for me to get lost in Faerie and how I was able to finish the book quite quickly, but not so fast that I missed everything. I really despise slow books that seem to go on forever, and I was very glad that The Wicked King wasn’t one of them. Everything in the book was amazing and I can’t wait to read the third and final book – The Queen of Nothing.

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Both The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King were amazing books and I loved both of them a lot, however I think that the second book – The Wicked King – was the better book. One reason why I liked this book better was because I thought it was a lot more fast-paced. I felt like the plot flowed a lot more and that everything was a lot more planned out. This may also have been because I thought the plot was a lot more interesting and enjoyed this one more than The Cruel Prince plot, however both were very good. Secondly, I really liked the book because there were a lot more plot twists. This also links to the pace of the book but I felt like every second I was discovering something new and being sent in a different direction, and I really liked it. Most of them were quite unexpected and it was very strange to see so many good characters become traitors. In particular, one plot twist that rendered me completely speechless was the ending. I had to re-read it 10 times over just to check I had really read the right thing and, after being confident in what I had seen, all I wanted to do was throw the book as far from me as possible – I loved it. The ending of The Cruel Prince had made me very curious to read the next book, however the final chapter of The Wicked King just left me so shocked and desperate that I almost forgot that I have to sleep to survive, or else I would have read the whole of the third book in just one night. One last thing that I found make The Wicked Kind the better book was that the romance was a lot more obvious and engaging. I really loved the whole enemies-to-lovers concept of the book and how much they despised each other, but also themselves because they loved each other too. It was such a complicated relationship and I really enjoyed getting to see a lot more of the intimate couple moments and the angry kisses that they shared. Overall, I really liked both the book and I am sure that the third book will be just as great, but so far my favourite book is The Wicked King.

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend reading The Wicked King, particularly for readers 14 or over. It is a really great book full of romance, adventure and murder – a perfect combination. I think that fantasy lovers will absolutely enjoy this book, but I obviously suggest reading The Cruel Prince (the first book in The Folk of the Air series) before or you are going to be extremely lost and confused.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical and murderous experience full on endless plot twists that will have you on edge.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE CRUEL PRINCE by Holly Black

“‘Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.’ One terrible morning, Jude and her sisters see their parents murdered. The fearsome assassin abducts all three girls to the Faerie court, where Jude soon realises that to survive she needs to be as cunning and deceitful as the Fey themselves. But the stairway to power is fraught with shadows and betrayal. And looming over all is the arrogant and charismatic Prince Cardan.”

What is the book about?

One morning, Jude and her sisters witness the murder of her parents. The brutal and fearless assassin pulls them from the world they know to one of murder, betrayal and danger: Faerie. Jude soon realises that she will have to be as cruel and as cunning as the Fey themselves if she has any chance of surviving. Being a human in a world full of the most merciless and beautiful creatures is a dangerous thing and Jude must go against her kind nature if she has any hope in enduring the harsh Faerie court. All Jude wants is to find her place in the court; to get the chance to really belong; to be one of the Fey. However, her sisters have very different hopes for themselves, and the Fey will never accept a human as one of them, no matter how hard Jude tries to prove her worth. Power is what Jude wants – what everyone wants – but it's a tough path to greatness, one filled with darkness and betrayal. And constantly surrounding all of Jude's plans is the cunning, arrogant and charming Prince Cardan, who seems to hate Jude more than anything else and will do anything to prove that he is superior to a mortal.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I was told about these books I immediately wanted to buy them. My friend had told me all about them and how much she liked them and continuously encouraged me to read them. In the end, her insistence payed off because, finally, I picked the first book off the shelf and began to read. The blurb was so interesting that, after reading it, I more was even more desperate to start the book and I couldn't believe that was even possible. As soon as I started reading, I instantly regretted not starting the book sooner and I could not believe how I could have left such a wonderful book sitting on my shelf for so long. The start of the book was perfect and I really loved the short simple first chapter. The book was amazing and fast paced from the very first page and I found myself nearing the end much quicker than I had wished, but there was just so much I wanted to know that I couldn't resist reading as much as I could. Every time I opened the book I was fully transported into the catastrophic world of Faerie and I found it so hard to leave. I loved the book from the very first word and quickly reached the end, regretting reading it so quickly.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

There were a lot of strange characters in The Cruel Prince – some good and some evil. However there were a couple that stood out to me: Jude and her older sister, Vivienne. Firstly, I really liked Vivienne because of how she kept her word on a promise she made when she was only young and how she tried so hard to never forget her parents and their murder. She was taken away from where she grew up to a world she was forced to just fit into and, although she would have found it would have found it quite easy, she chose to make her own way and go completely against what was expected. She used what little power she had and made her life what she wanted it to be, not caring about what others thought. She only cared about her sisters and keeping them safe and tried her hardest to offer them a real, safe future. The other character that I liked was Jude. The book was told from her perspective so I got to see everything from her eyes and I immediately liked her. Even though it was what got her into trouble, I think that the best thing about her was her stubbornness. It may have caused her many problems but it is what gave her the courage to stand up for herself and for her sister. Her twin sister, Taryn, did not have her stubbornness and I think this is why she was such a pushover. Without Jude's persistence, she and Taryn would have been dead before the end of their first day in Faerie. She was brave and courageous and would not back down no matter what. I liked how she knew what she wanted and would find a way to get it, despite what others said. She was so much braver to me because of how, inside, she was always terrified but put on a strong and brave face to show all the Fey that she wasn't a weak mortal – she was just as powerful as one of them.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I enjoyed a lot of parts of the book but there was one that I liked so much more that all the others: the wild coronation. I cannot say much about it because it will ruin the book for anyone who hasn’t read it, but I will try to explain why it was my favourite part. Anyone who has read the book will most likely think that I am extremely weird for having the coronation as my favourite part, but the main reason for it is all the surprises. It was definitely the craziest and most eventful coronation ever and I really liked how, every time you thought that it was finally settling down, something happened to make everything so much worse. Another reason why I really liked this part was because it was the start of an extraordinary plan and the start of Jude finally finding a place in Faerie. The events that followed the coronation showed Jude’s strength and bravery and that, even though the Fey didn’t believe it, she really was just as strong as them, or maybe even stronger. After that moment, Jude gave up any chance of a normal life and she did everything she could to save Faerie, the world she grew up in.

What was your overall impression of the book?

The Cruel Prince was an extremely extraordinary book and I loved reading it – every bit of it. One thing that I loved about the book was the prologue and the first chapter. I really liked how the prologue was written in the third person because it showed just how horrible the murder of Jude's parents was for her, as it was written in a way that suggested that Jude was so horrified by it that she never wants to relive that again and tried not to properly associate herself with it. I also loved the first chapter because of how quick and short it was. That one sentence started the whole book and set the tone for the rest of the story, and it was perfect. I also liked the poems in the book separating the 2 parts of the story. They weren't written by the author but they were amazing for the story, matching the themes perfectly. Another thing that I liked about the book was all the twists and turns. I really liked how the book always kept me on my toes expecting new surprises and more betrayal around every corner. I really liked how I was able to follow the clues and discover some of the twists before they even happened. However, I also liked when I couldn't unravel the mystery before it happened and how shocked I was by the curious new discoveries. One last thing I liked about the book was the ending. I really enjoyed the cliff-hanger type ending because of how badly it made me want to read the next book. As soon as I finished The Cruel Prince, the first thing that I wanted to do was pick up the second book and dive back into Faerie. I was so anxious to find out what would happen next and if the plan would be a success that I just wanted to read the second and the third book as quickly as I could, but at the same time I also wanted to take my time and fully enjoy the books. The best thing about the book was the fact that it didn't just have an incredible plot, but it also had an absolutely beautiful cover. It is so hard and so satisfying to find a book with a great story and a gorgeous cover, and I just love that this book is one of them. I loved The Cruel Prince so much and I am sure I will enjoy The Wicked King just as much.

Would you recommend this book?  

The Cruel Prince was an incredibly book and I 100% recommend it. I particularly recommend it for readers over 14 and those who enjoy fantasy, romance and adventure. It is full of surprises and I am sure anyone who reads it will absolutely love it.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

Faerie: a world of surprises and betrayal around every corner.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon

“The story of a girl, a boy, and the universe.
Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.
Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget all about that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store – for both of us.
The universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?”

What is the book about?

Natasha believes in science, in facts and statistics, in things that can be scientifically proven and have a real explanation for what is happening. Not in true love or dreams or fate or destiny, or anything that requires belief without real evidence. She is not the kind of girl to fall in love with a boy she has just met on the streets of New York. Especially not when it’s her last day in America and her family is only a few hours away from being deported to Jamaica. She definitely does not believe in dreams that are impossible, like being able to stay in America, even after she has been trying for weeks already with no hope of change. Daniel has always tried to be a good son, a good student, trying to live up to the high expectations his parents have set for him, especially when his brother hadn’t turned out to be the perfect first on they thought he was. He tries to not be the poet, or the dreamer, like he really is. But as soon as he spots Natasha, he forgets everything he has been working for – or his parents have been working for – and he knows that she is the only one for him. He begins to think that there is so much in store for himself and for Natasha than he ever thought before. Every decision, every idea, everything in the world has led up to this one moment. There are ultimate different realities and possibilities…which will come true?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as I had read Everything, Everything for the first time, I knew I wanted to try The Sun is also Star as well and I immediately added it to my book wish list. One amazing day I walked into a bookstore and came out clutching The Sun is also a Star, desperate to open the book and dive into it pages as soon as I could. After a few weeks of the book sitting on my shelf gathering dust, I picked it up and straightaway I knew this was going to be an amazing book. The cover was beautiful and extremely eye-catching, giving me even more reason to read the book. After reading the detailed blurb, I was even more excited to start reading about Daniel and Natasha and I was sure it was going to be an incredible love story. Opening the book to the very first page, I was instantaneously captured by the story and I knew that I would finish the book quicker than I had initially thought. The short chapters passed by faster than a rocket and I enjoyed every second of the ride. Even from the beginning the writing was marvellous and I was already completely in love with the book. The book stole my attention from the very first page and, when I finally reached its end, I was completely puzzled by why I had left the book on the shelf for so long.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

There were many minor characters in the book but not many were good characters, however the two main characters (Daniel and Natasha) were both equally amazing. Although I liked both of the characters, I think that Daniel was my favourite character, primarily because he was the dreamer and didn’t try to deny the connection between him and Natasha. Daniel had always tried to avoid the dreamer inside him and, even though he enjoyed writing poetry, he tried to work towards the future his parents wanted for him, rather than the one he wanted for himself. However, as soon as he saw Natasha, he began to think that there was more to his life than just following the path his parents had set up for him and that there was actually a chance that he would be able to reach his impossible dreams. Natasha had immediately denied that there was any chemistry between her and Daniel, while Daniel had done the complete opposite; he embraced the possibility of romance and the clear connection they had. Even though it was an important day for him, Daniel dedicated his time to convincing Natasha that she was in love with him. He tried all that was humanly possible to show her that it isn’t just important to look science and facts and statistics, but that true love and dreams are also real and that they are important as well, especially for humans to really live their life. Daniel managed to show Natasha the beauty in the world and he helped her believe following that her passions is what is important, instead of what is the most practical.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

The Sun is also a Star was filled with amazing parts, both good and bad, and it’s practically impossible for me to choose just one. However, if I were to zoom in on just one section of the book, I would say that my favourite part is when Daniel and Natasha finally kiss in the norebang (Korean karaoke). I really enjoyed this part because Daniel and Natasha are able to ignore the outside world and just focus on each other. They forget all the bad things that have happened in the past and are still happening in present and are bound to happen in the future and they just live in the moment. They have each other and that is all they need in that moment in time. I think this is most likely the part when they both really and truly fall for each other and when they start to believe that maybe dreams are really worth fighting for. Natasha never believed in dreams and Daniel never thought that his ones were ever going to be possible, but in that moment they began to think that maybe the universe is on their side and that the universe isn’t just trying to destroy their lives and everything good they had ever had.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, The Sun is also a Star was an incredibly amazing book and I am very glad I read it. There was a lot to love about the book and I enjoyed every single part of it, even the sadder parts. One thing that I really loved about the book was the themes of the book. The whole book was based around the idea of fate and how the universe is in charge of what happens. It shows how no matter how badly you want something to happen, you have no control over the bad or the good things that happen to you. However, it also shows how sometimes things will work out better than you thought they would, even if they resolve themselves in a way you hadn’t even thought was possible. The book suggests that the universe will dictate what happens and that your destiny is already mapped out. There were a lot of bad parts in the book, but also many good ones. Things may not have ended the way Natasha and Daniel thought, but they still ended with a sense of hope and possibility. Another thing that I liked about the book was the short chapters. I don’t hate long chapters, but I don’t like them either. It was very refreshing to have a book with quick short chapters and so many different things happening. It created a faster tone and made me feel a lot more energetic and excited to move on and learn what happened in the next part of the story. The short chapters also showed how the events of the book were happening over a short period of time (only a day), rather that the books that have a series of events that happen over a few months. It made me see just how fast time goes by and how it is impossible to stop certain things from happening. Something else that I enjoyed about The Sun is also a Star was how different Natasha and Daniel were, and yet how well they worked with each other. Daniel helped Natasha see that it isn’t just important to strive for a practical future, but also one that you love and are passionate about. Natasha taught Daniel to actually work towards his dreams, not just to believe in them. Daniel showed Natasha how to dream and Natasha showed Daniel how to achieve his own. Without each other, neither of them would have been able to live their best live and change for the better. One last thing that I really liked about the book was its cyclical structure, meaning it ended in almost the same way it began. I cannot say very much about it in order to not ruin the story for those who haven’t read it, but I can say that it emphasised the point that everything has a way of coming back to you and that the connections people have will bring them back together no matter what. This sort of structure left the book with a lot of room for interpretation, as the ending left me with my own chance to explore what will happen to Natasha and Daniel and gave me the closure I needed to place the book back onto the shelf and to pick up a new one.

Would you recommend this book?  

I 100% recommend that you read The Sun is also a Star, particularly if you are over 13 and especially if you enjoy an impossible and realistic romance. This is the perfect book for readers who are looking for a fast-paced read and one that will completely change the way you see the world.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical romance book about a girl, a boy and the universe.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego