The Queen of Nothing
The Folk of the Air #3
By Holly Black
TheStory
Exiled Queen Jude has been spending her time in the mortal realm, doing absolutely nothing of value. So, when her deceptive sister, Taryn, shows up on her doorstep asking for a favor that could save her life, Jude jumps at the chance to return to Faerie.
Upon her return, Jude finds the land in chaos. Madoc is back with a rebellion against King Cardan. A new and powerful curse threatens the land. War is brewing. It is up to Jude to outmaneuver her enemies while forming alliances in order to survive and potentially save the kingdom. That very kingdom’s future will rely on Jude’s decision between her ambition for power and her humanity.
Once back in the land of Faerie, Jude is forced to confront Cardan and her feelings for him, while still navigating the tricky Faerie Court, and working to save everyone in Faerie.
TheReview
Poor Jude! Okay, not exactly, because she betrayed Cardan first and honestly I kind of feel like she deserved this. But watching her in the mortal realm after her time in Faerie was so dang depressing. It was actually sad and I felt so bad for her. Like I know logically she deserved it, but watching her and Cardan’s relationship development through The Wicked King, the ending totally shocked me. And then seeing her here in the mortal realm, *sniff sniff.*
Shockingly Taryn came asking for help?! That traitorous wench. I thought for sure it was a trap or something because I did not see how Jude could trust Taryn. But alas, she did. Just based on Taryn showing up, the beginning was immediately interesting. And it just kept being interesting.
Without a doubt, this book was an absolute page-turner. I couldn’t put it down. I kept on needing to know what was gonna happen next, and then next, and then next. I just had to keep turning the page.
The Wicked King was so fire but now I don’t know which one I liked the best. This one hits different because the ending was so beautifully done. There is such a sense of closure and satisfaction once it’s all tied up in a bow.
I gasped and cursed and yelled and bit my nails through the whole book.
I would use the word “enthralling” for this book and the series as a whole. Jude’s journey is so authentic and satisfying by the end. Watching her develop and change and grow in her understanding of power, relationships and humanity was captivating. Truly, that was the purpose of the book. Jude’s journey and development was the main storyline here. Cardan was a catalyst for all this. Of course their relationship was enamouring and everything, but Jude was the true MC here.
Her ultimate struggle has always been her desire for power, but now she understands what a cost that comes at. Seeing her come to realize what is most important and what she should be fighting for was beautiful.
Outstanding series all around.
TheRating
Storyline: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 4/5
Spice: 0/5
Writing: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
The Folk of the Air Series
The Cruel Prince
The Folk of the Air #1
The Wicked King
The Folk of the Air #2
The Queen of Nothing
The Folk of the Air #3