The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #2) Paperback

The Wicked King by Holly Black – A Spellbinding Tale of Power, Deception, and Forbidden Love

The Wicked King is the electrifying second installment in Holly Black’s bestselling Folk of the Air trilogy. After the dramatic events of The Cruel Prince, Jude Duarte has secured her position at the High Court of Faerie—but at what cost? As she navigates the deadly politics of the faerie world, Jude must keep the unpredictable High King Cardan on his throne while protecting herself from those who want her dead. This book delivers everything fans love: heart-stopping romance, cunning betrayals, and a heroine who refuses to play by anyone’s rules.

From the Back Cover

“I have heard that for mortals, the feeling of falling in love is very like the feeling of fear.” Jude has bound the wicked king to her, but power comes with a price—and in Faerie, nothing stays buried for long.

About the Author

Holly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over thirty fantasy novels for kids and teens. Her work has been translated into 32 languages worldwide and adapted for film. With accolades including a Newbery Honor and multiple awards from the American Library Association, Holly has mastered the art of crafting dark, enchanting worlds that captivate readers of all ages. She lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library.

Who Is This Book For?

The Wicked King is perfect for young adult readers and fantasy lovers who enjoy stories with strong, strategic heroines and morally gray antiheroes. If you’re drawn to political intrigue, slow-burn romance, and worlds where magic comes with consequences, this book will keep you turning pages late into the night. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Stephanie Garber will find themselves completely immersed in Holly Black’s darkly beautiful faerie realm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do I need to read The Cruel Prince before The Wicked King?
Yes, The Wicked King is the second book in The Folk of the Air trilogy and continues directly from The Cruel Prince. Reading the series in order will give you the full emotional impact and help you understand character relationships and plot developments.

Q: Is The Wicked King appropriate for teenagers?
Absolutely. The Wicked King is classified as young adult fantasy and is suitable for teens 13 and up. It contains fantasy violence, complex moral themes, and romantic tension but no explicit content, making it perfect for mature teen readers.

Q: What makes The Wicked King different from other YA fantasy books?
Holly Black creates a refreshingly complex heroine in Jude—she’s ambitious, flawed, and unapologetically strategic. The book focuses on political intrigue and earned power rather than chosen one tropes, with a slow-burn romance that feels authentic and hard-won.

Q: How long is The Wicked King and is it a standalone?
The Wicked King is approximately 336 pages in paperback. It’s the second book in a completed trilogy, followed by The Queen of Nothing. While each book has its own arc, the trilogy tells one complete story best enjoyed in sequence.

Q: Will fans of romantasy enjoy The Wicked King by Holly Black?
Yes! If you love enemies-to-lovers romance, morally gray characters, and fantasy worlds with high stakes, The Wicked King delivers all the tension and chemistry romantasy readers crave while maintaining a compelling plot filled with political scheming and magical danger.

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