The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black is a dark and mesmerizing YA fantasy trilogy filled with court intrigue, power struggles, and morally complex characters. Set in the magical yet treacherous world of Faerie, the series is a tale of resilience, ambition, and forbidden love. It’s beloved for its lush world-building, fierce protagonist, and the intricate relationship between its lead characters.
1. The Cruel Prince (2018)
Plot: Jude Duarte, a mortal girl, is forcibly brought to Faerie along with her sisters after the murder of her parents. Desperate to belong in this dangerous world, Jude defies its rulers, including the cruel and arrogant Prince Cardan. As tensions rise in the Faerie court, Jude must navigate betrayals and power games to carve out a place for herself.
Key Themes: Power, ambition, belonging, and the thin line between love and hate.
2. The Wicked King (2019)
Plot: Following the events of The Cruel Prince, Jude has maneuvered herself into a position of power. However, holding onto it proves far more dangerous. As enemies conspire against her, Jude must contend with her complicated feelings for Cardan while ensuring the crown remains on his head—and herself in control.
Key Themes: Political intrigue, trust and betrayal, the cost of power, and moral ambiguity.
3. The Queen of Nothing (2019)
Plot: Exiled from Faerie, Jude is forced to confront her vulnerabilities and plan her return. As a looming threat endangers the realm, Jude must step into her destiny to save Faerie and face her tumultuous relationship with Cardan. The series concludes with high stakes, shocking twists, and a resolution that feels both satisfying and bittersweet.
Key Themes: Redemption, sacrifice, loyalty, and self-discovery.
Companion Book:
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (2020): A beautifully illustrated collection of stories from Cardan’s perspective, offering insights into his past, his view of the events in the trilogy, and his relationship with Jude.
Why It’s Loved:
Complex Characters: Jude is a fierce, determined, and flawed heroine, while Cardan’s arc from a cruel prince to a complex antihero keeps readers hooked.
Dark and Intricate World-Building: Holly Black’s Faerie is both enchanting and brutal, filled with deadly beauty and cunning politics.
Themes of Power and Ambition: The series explores what it means to wield power and the lengths people go to for survival and love.
If you enjoy morally gray characters, enemies-to-lovers romance, and court intrigue, this series is a must-read.
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