Synopsis: You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.
The first lesson is to make yourself strong.
After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.
When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.
Review: The Wicked King takes place 5 months after The Cruel Prince. Jude now has power in court and Cardan is on the throne. Holly does an exceptional job of showing Jude's political aptitude in court, as well as her ever growing ability as a spy. I loved watching Jude navigate her way around different courts and politics in an attempt to meet a goal. We also get to see more of Vivi and Oak which is nice because I didn't want them to be completely out of the story after the first book.
The Wicked King definitely focused more on the political side of Faerie. Still, it was an engaging read. Some people Jude made deals with in the first book show up again, and we see how Jude is able to settle her debts and even strike new deals. We get to see new areas of Faerie which is always welcome. Holly doesn't hold back when she makes this world and allows it to grow. Faerie doesn't just seem like a physical place, but it seems like a living thing all on its own.
Great second book that is heavier on the political side.
4 howls
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