FINALLY. My somewhat scattered thoughts on the wonderful Folk of the Air series are being written, and I am so happy about it. I’m also sad that they’re so late; I first read these books back in December and have repeatedly been saying that I would write about them ever since. Even now, these musings are not going to be as fresh as I’d like, alas, because my most recent reread was this summer back in July…‘tis now September :’) Regardless, I hope you enjoy!
*please recall that my Musings are generally fairly replete with spoilers!*
The Cruel Prince
I vividly remember when I first opened the pages of this book. It was a December night, and I was tucked up in bed, electric blanket on, soft Christmas lights twinkling, and I was about to read a book that had been on my TBR for two years.
I was disappointed. At first.
For the first 100-ish pages, I was struggling to get into the story. I’m not a fan of the first-person narrative, but that’s a problem I can usually get past with a little bit of time. I was also feeling disconnected from Jude, and I didn’t really vibe with this whole earth to Faerie situation. If I’m reading fantasy, I don’t want to hear about the modern world—I literally don’t ever read contemporary fiction because of that (mostly) (but I’m gonna try contemporaries soon, one day).
oh how the turn tables
But then, it got oh so good. Once Jude was force fed into eating faerie fruit, and she sneaks into Hollow Hall, discovering that Cardan has become a cruel prince for a reason—I was hooked.
Jude is truly a fantastic character. A female lead that isn’t perfect and sweet and is instead brutal, harsh, and pragmatic??? Yes please. I was reminded of Emma Woodhouse–though she certainly wouldn’t kill a dude and bury his body (that’d be something for gothic classic lit)–a proud and condescending know-it-all, an imperfect main character. I could really relate to Emma in a lot of ways, and I found her growth so compelling and a joy to watch. Yes, every MC has their basic misbelief and has a journey to go on, but give me more ~very flawed~ leads—characters that take more work, are steely but soft, and fierce but free with their love. This is true to life, and I’m here for it.
CARDAN GREENBRIAR DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY CERTAIN THINGS AHEM.
He leans in and closes his eyes. “Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It’s disgusting, and I can’t stop.”
Cardan killing me in one fell swoop (and this is only book one)
Holly Black was absolutely SERVING enemies-to-lovers with this one right here.
And then the twist at the end?!! I was KICKING AND SCREAMING. Oak!?!?!?! Cardan?!!?!?!!?
The Wicked King
Jude being an absolute BADDIE whilst Cardan steps into the kingship was the most insane thing ever. The aNgSt, the tEnSiOn, the obstacles—to communication, to Jude’s plans, to the romance of it all.
I literally promise you, like every other Jurdan stan, that books two and three are so worth book one. If you have a hard time with it, just get through it. THESE STORIES ARE SO WORTH IT.
How did Holly manage to make so much happen with about 70 pages less than book one?!?!
Nicasia serves as an antagonist. Like I hate her guts, but I so appreciate her character. Locke successfully succeeds at perpetually being an ass, nothing else is new. Taryn sucks, and I make no apologies for that.
Madoc is consistently portrayed as a complex character, and I appreciate that. This is an issue I took with my recent read of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series, actually. I felt like Uncle Jonathan had so much potential to be a complex individual, but he always felt like just a plot device. Madoc is never that. He’s not just the bad guy in Jude’s life. Her complicated relationship certainly contributes to his dimension, but even then, there’s more. He’s a great villain, and the fact that Jude considers herself her own worst villain makes this entire story all the more compelling. Not to mention the fact that Cardan is still her sworn enemy because this is an E to L situation here (;
i can never breathe bro, fr, reading TWK sent me into cardiac arrest
His fingers come to my chin, tilting my head so I am looking up into his black eyes, rage in them as hot as coals.
insert moments before disaster meme here, (the disaster is i fainted and fell even harder for cardan)
Also, Cardan’s backstory is even WORSE than we all thought, and I am weeping over my broken boy.
THE PLOT TWISTS AGAIN?!!?!? Jude in the Undersea???! Soft Jurdan moments that are one-sided and yet reciprocated all at once??? (Drunk, poisoned Cardan scene, I’m looking at you.) THE MARRIAGE SCENE??????? The BANISHMENT?!!!!!
Holly really said enemies to lovers to spouses to enemies to letters that Jude never got to read please excuse me I am in tears over Cardan again.
And thusly, we have arrived at the grand finale.
The Queen of Nothing
Banished Jude, who thinks she is solely angry at Cardan because he denied her, and not because she loves that fool and misses him desperately.
And more baby Cardan??? crying and also vomiting those tears. Folk of the Air series
My sole complaint is that this was the shortest book of the three and that makes me sad because I just wanted more and more and more. But the pacing was perfect, and our climax and conclusion beautiful, so I really can’t complain.
The GRIT in the opening chapters, once again reminding us of how Jude is someone we all want to be when we grow up. Her devious entrance back into Faerie, the way that CARDAN INSTANTLY RECOGNISES HER—I am in pain.
We finally get the ultimate twin trope: Jude as Taryn, and boy is it something when she has to escape.
CARDAN COMING TO GET HER. and the way that he has grown so much since she has been gone, how he has truly become the King, I’m unwell.
The LAND answering to Jude as the QUEEN. BADDIE. Folk of the Air series
this boy makes me melt
Not you,” he says in a way that sounds a little like a lament. “You never break.” Which is ridiculous, hurt as I am. I feel like a constellation of wounds, held together with string and stubbornness. Still, I like hearing it. I like everything he’s saying all too well.
brb i’m broken
Jude and Cardan finally joining sides, even if it is cautious, and even if they are just now starting to understand and trust one another, is so priceless.
THE WHOLE ENDING ARC. Cardan’s prophecy, the ruination of the throne, my heart is in my mouth. Jude in agony because she never told him she loved him and then everything went to hell in a hand basket.
It seemed SO HOPELESS. And yet.
What an ENDING. Sweet, soft Jurdan moments, Jude extending grace to Madoc (which I think is just great, it speaks to the fact that her love for her “dad” was love, and that it’s possible to forgive someone who did you entirely wrong), and all is well with the world. Our broken boy is no longer broken, our strong girl is stronger now, ahhh.
I miss you darling Cardan </3
Literally. I’m experiencing withdrawals again from having to write this post and look back through the books. If I didn’t have so many plans for my TBR in the remainder of the year, I’d definitely reread AGAIN.
Have you read the Folk of the Air series?? If not, what are you waiting for?! Go read it RN. Scrolling thru my Pinterest board should convince you ^^^, if my wild rambles haven’t already :’)
p.s. if ya fantasy is ur thing, here are musings on six of crows & shadow & bone