‘I want somebody to take me to Elfhame.’
Summary
Now that Cardan is High King of Elfhame and he’s bound to Jude for a year and a day, Jude has a lot on her hands. As the High King’s scenescal, she is practically pulling all the strings. Her life became even more complex and harsh. While Cardan is enjoying the wild parties thrown by the Master of Revels (Locke), Jude is forced to reign the Islands all by herself. Old pacts are broken, new allies are formed and the tensions between the sea and the land are building up fast. Jude tries harder than ever to prove her human self worthy among all the Faerie while having to protect herself by playing naïve and vulnerable. Only then she will stand a chance. Meanwhile, Oak is still in the human world, Taryn is getting married and Cardan seems to like Jude a lot better than he used to.
Review
Another fantastic book that is worthy the promising first book from the Folk of Air series. I don’t know how she does it, but Holly Black has this special writing power that lures me into feeling some kind of way one moment and feeling completely deceived the next. I seriously don’t know how she does it. But I applaud her.
As I said in my review of The Cruel Prince, the characters remain very secretive. But in a way, it was different from the first one. Jude, for instance, is becoming more aware of political strategies and plays some tricks of her own too. So, I think what I’m trying to say, is that there has been some kind of character development that I welcome with open arms.
Another new aspect has fought its way into the second book: love. Both Taryn and Jude are finding themselves falling for a Faerie. Taryn moves a lot faster than Jude: she is, in fact, getting married. This brings me to another aspect I really liked: events as weddings and parties are seamlessly woven into the story, making it feel like Jude – and you as a reader – are finally finding their place in Elfhame.
Conclusion
I enjoyed this book a lot, actually. Even more than the first book in the series, which, to me, is a rare phenomenon. I really wished somebody would take me to Elfhame. And as you are reading this, I’m currently reading The Queen of Nothing as fast as I can. And then again, and again. It will ruin me – I’m sure – just like it will ruin you. So get aboard and read this book!
| Product information: |
| Written by: Holly Black |
| Pages: 368 |
| Publisher: Little, Brown books for young readers |
| ISBN: 0316310328 |
| Interested? Buy it here |