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TL;DR: Jude Duarte, a human girl raised in the dangerous world of Faerie, has secretly made Cardan the High King, and she controls him through a magical vow lasting a year and a day. Now she must hold onto power while enemies plot against her, her own family betrays her and she struggles with her complicated feelings for the king she is supposed to control.
Table of Contents
The Wicked King at a Glance
| Author | Holly Black |
| First published | 2019 |
| Type | Fantasy |
| Best for | readers who want a twisty fantasy about power, betrayal and an enemies-to-lovers romance |
The Wicked King is the second book in Holly Black's The Folk of the Air trilogy, published in 2019. It follows The Cruel Prince. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes violence, manipulation, kidnapping, torture and drowning.
Main Characters
- Jude Duarte: A mortal girl who secretly controls the High King.
- Cardan Greenbriar: The High King of Elfhame.
- Madoc: Jude's foster father, a powerful general.
- Taryn: Jude's twin sister.
- Nicasia: A princess of the Undersea.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Holding power
Jude is the High King's seneschal, and his advisor. But she is really his controller, because he swore to obey her for a year and a day. She leads a spy network, the Court of Shadows, and works constantly to keep Cardan's throne safe. Cardan seems careless, but he begins to show unexpected skill at court.
Enemies
Queen Orlagh of the Undersea wants to marry her daughter Nicasia to Cardan or to make Undersea more powerful. Madoc, Jude's foster father and the general who once killed her parents, plots against Cardan. Balekin, Cardan's imprisoned brother, also has plans. Jude cannot trust anyone, and she sleeps little and worries constantly.
Betrayals
Jude's twin sister, Taryn, is about to marry Locke, a fickle faerie who once toyed with Jude. A member of the Court of Shadows, the Ghost, secretly works against Jude. Jude learns that people close to her have been keeping dangerous secrets. Jude feels increasingly alone, even as she and Cardan grow closer and share kisses.
The Undersea
Jude is kidnapped by the Undersea and held in a cold prison beneath the sea. She resists their enchantments. Cardan works to bring her back, and a deal is made. When she returns, she learns that Madoc is building an army. She faces the end of her year-and-a-day control over Cardan.
Exile
To keep control, Jude agrees to marry Cardan, which makes her High Queen in secret. But Cardan then exiles her from Faerie to the mortal world for a crime, and since he is the king, she must obey. Jude is shocked and heartbroken, believing she has been tricked. She finds herself stuck among mortals, while Madoc's war begins.
5 Key Takeaways
- Power must be protected carefully.
- Trust is fragile in a world of lies.
- Family can betray as well as protect.
- Love can grow between enemies.
- Every advantage can be turned against you.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Control does not equal trust.
- Ambition can isolate a person.
- Sometimes the person we underestimate is the strongest.
Who Should Read The Wicked King?
Read The Wicked King if you enjoy fae fantasy, political scheming and enemies-to-lovers romance. It suits teens and adults.
About Holly Black
Holly Black (born 1971) is an American author of fantasy for young readers and adults. She co-created The Spiderwick Chronicles with Tony DiTerlizzi. Her books include the Folk of the Air series, The Darkest Part of the Forest and Book of Night. Her Folk of the Air series continued with The Stolen Heir and The Prisoner's Throne.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Wicked King:
- Is Jude right to control Cardan?
- Why does Taryn side with Madoc?
- Why did Cardan exile Jude?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Wicked King is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Wicked King, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is full of twists, with a dramatic cliffhanger.
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What to Read Next
- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: the first book of the trilogy
- The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black: the final book of the trilogy
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: a human girl in a faerie world
Related: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Wicked King about?
A mortal girl secretly controls a faerie king while enemies plot against her.
Who wrote it?
Holly Black, in 2019.
Is it a series?
Yes, the second Folk of the Air book.
Who is Jude Duarte?
A human raised in Faerie who controls the High King.
Who is Cardan?
The High King of Elfhame.
What is Elfhame?
The faerie kingdom where the story takes place.
What happens at the end?
Cardan exiles Jude to the mortal world.
What age is it for?
Teens and adults.
How long is it?
About 320 pages.
Do I need to read The Cruel Prince first?
Yes.
Is there romance?
Yes, between Jude and Cardan.
What comes next?
The Queen of Nothing.
Is the ending a cliffhanger?
Yes, a big one, so many readers keep the final book ready.
Is The Wicked King worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a twisty fantasy about power, betrayal and an enemies-to-lovers romance. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.