Folk of Air Series

5/5★

I give this book a 5/5 star review because Holly Black gave me whiplash with her plot twists. This book trained me to expect betrayals, murders, heartbreaks, and so much more. But honestly, I never regretted reading this book until it ended and I was thrown from the alternate world. In truth, Black's world-building was excellent, with the Kings and Queens, and knights in charming armor. It would be a dream to live there, excluding the lack of rules and dangerous characters. I was hooked from the start, and although the characters seem a bit 2D at first, you end up loving them in the end. Overall, other YA/dystopian books don't even come close to this one.

Recommendation

This book is for sure on my top list of recommendations. I took a risk by reading this because I had only read reviews online and didn't have confirmation from anybody I knew that it was worth it. But I think if you enjoy all things fantasy this book will be worth it. It reflects an imaginary world but also connects to the ‘mortal’ world. Holly Black deserves a standing ovation for this book because she got over the hurdle that most authors don’t: hooking readers right from the beginning. The beginnings of fantasy books are often boring because the reader has to intake so much bland background information. But Black didn’t let me put down this book even once! She kept the story fluidly moving while also twisting the plot every once in a . . . chapter. Black threw me into the Fairy world, and now I don’t want to leave. But trust me, once you read this book, you won’t want to leave either.

Cruel Prince

4/5★

This extraordinary sequel has me squealing and jumping, and all the usual bookworm tactics. I thought that Cruel Prince was good, but this is GREAT. I think Holly Black has made a masterpiece with this one. After the neck-breaking plot twist at the end of the first book, Black continued with the same amount of sass, banter, and tension as before. With a side of the main plot😉. In this book, Jude has to navigate her feelings, or denial of them, for the newfound King, who is secretly working for her. On top of all this, she finds out there is a betrayal in her future, that might put everything she has worked towards at risk. Additionally, a war is stirring up with the most powerful forces in the Fae world. Fortunately, Jude's quick thinking and witty banter will save them. Won't it?

Recommendation

I would for sure recommend this book, but I feel it should come with a warning. No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to predict the vast amount of plot twists heading your way. As long as you read this book, you are in it's grasp. But don't worry, cause a bit of spice is in every recipe. For fantasy lovers, this will be a breeze. However, if you don't read fantasy often, you might want to brace yourself because it terrifyingly makes you rethink your life for 3 days straight. However in all seriousness, this book is suited for all types of people, so try picking it up and see what you find.

Wicked King

5/5★

I was definitely not disappointed by this book. It ended the series well, and even though I hate reminiscing about the end of a beautiful story, I love the journey I was brought along. Holly Black wonderfully visualized this story, which showed through the twisted and complicated plot. Surprisingly, I am not discontent with the ending of it all. Although the ending was a bit out there, I think the overall arc of the story was captivating. The plot certainly hooked me, but the commitment to the writing style left me in awe. We finally see the character development we've been waiting for, which is so exciting! The book was so surreal and didn't feel at all fake like most ending books of most series. Other than leaving me wanting more, it also made me want to live in Elfhame. I hope you have as much fun reading this as I had ranting about it to my friends.

Recommendation

This book is a good choice for those of you who not only like dystopian but also deeper concepts. This book was probably the best in the series because of its mature and profound writing. The ending certainly completes the circle and teaches us all a lesson about selflessness and the true meaning of love. It's nothing complicated, and it perfectly explains it through the main character who makes rash decisions and feels compassionate emotions. All in all, this is a great book that, in my opinion, ends the series satisfactorily.

Queen of Nothing