SPOILS ALERT!

General Opinion

The BEST book in the Folk of the Air series. Cardan's character development, Jude and Cardan's relationship, and the plot are all PERFECT. 

 

Characters

Jude and Cardan are giving me such a hangover, even though they aren't even the main plot of the story, just prove how good Holly Black is with their romance, making it so significant despite only being a subplot. I screamed in joy when Cardan came to rescue Jude along with the Roach, Vivi even said that Cardan went to the mortal world at Vivi's apartment, looking forward to tearing the place apart to find Jude, omg. Cardan is so cold and cool towards everyone, but he is such a cinnamon role for Jude. 

 

Cardan confessing his love for Jude got me on the floor, "It's you I love. I spent much of my life guarding my heart. I guarded it so well that I could behave as though I didn't have one at all. Even now, it is a shabby, worm-eaten, and scabrous thing. But it is yours." OMG, Cardan, give me some air to breathe. Moreover, Cardan's growth is remarkable, from a bully, pathetic prince to a powerful High King of Elfhame, a true admiring growth. 

 

Jude is iconic as usual, the scene where she was ready to bind Madoc and Lord Jarel to her control by using the brindle was cold, vicious, and badass. However, she didn't, as Jude chose to love Cardan the right way over her ambition and power, which was major character growth, and just added more depth to her character. 

 

I am surprised to say that I don't hate Taryn anymore. Even though I thought she could have apologized to Jude more sincerely, Taryn did save Jude and truly cared about her sister. Furthermore, Taryn did kill Locke, and I forever thank her for that. 

 

I couldn't hate Madoc, even though he did terrible things to his family. Madoc was ambitious, power-hungry, and bloodthirsty, he did love his family but never overpowered. Which made him a great villain, he managed to make people not truly hate him, but be wary of him, and never let people forget how far he would go.  

 

​Plot

The plot was intriguing. Start with Jude spending time in the mortal world, then coming back to Elfhame as Taryn to clear her sister's name over the murder of Locke. Continues with Jude being kidnapped by Madoc, but with Madoc thinking that Jude is Taryn. Because of Jude's stay in Madoc's camp, she manages to know his plan and attacks, later rescued by Cardan and her sisters, comes back to the place and is announced as the High Queen of Elfhame. Together, Jude and Cardan scheme against Madoc, and they nearly got Madoc. But a curse was put on the crown, and it caused Cardan to turn into a serpent. ​​

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With the new threat arising, Jude must battle her internal conflict, choosing between slaying the serpent, releasing Cardan from being trapped, yet also his life, or having control over it for the rest of her life. It was kind of obvious which direction Jude was going for, and the ending where everyone sat happily together in the mortal world, eating pizza just brought joy to me. 

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​​​​​​​Conclusion

I love this series so much, truly understand the hype it got, and am excited to read the sequel series. The Folk of the Air trilogy is a must-read for all political fantasy lovers out there, ​with a strong female character that weaves her way for power, what could be better?