"The Wicked King" A review and playlist

I kept my word, and I am happy to announce that this month’s playlist and review is “The Wicked King”. I know. I know. You all have been waiting to hear my thoughts on the second book in the beyond popular series by Holly Black. The wait is over. In the same 24 hours I bought the book, I did finish reading it. Yes. I am almost happy to announce this book was, dare I say, fantastic. I feel like Paul Revere riding through the streets. Instead of saying the “British are coming”, I’m saying “It is worth the read!” I’m getting ahead of myself. If you want to read my review of the first book in the series, check out my review of “The Cruel Prince” here. Before I get too ahead of myself, light spoilers ahead. 

I don’t think I was really able to enjoy the first book because I was reading it with the wrong mindset. I assumed the series would be, for lack of better terms, a superficial read. I know. I know. Serves me right for assuming. In my opinion, most of the books that shoot to the top of the TikTok FYP are not the books that challenge us. I’m not saying the books that are trending are not entertaining. That would be a lie. They are almost always entertaining. The keyword is entertaining. 

“The Cruel Prince” may not have been my cup of tea, but “The Wicked King” changed my entire mindset of the series. It is a complex world with even more complex ethics. It is drenched in morally gray ambiguity. This is not a lazily read kind of book. It is a pull-out some sticky notes, a whiteboard, and a string kind of book. It is worth the work of learning the different regions, beliefs, and characters. It is worth the read. It is very Grimm Fairy Tales-esque. To give a better look at the book, I think it’s time to jump into the music. 

When we pick back up in book two, Jude has control over Cardan and subsequently the throne. Iconic. Moving on. “Disease” by Lady Gaga seems more than appropriate for this playlist. “You're so tortured when you sleep/Plagued with all your memories/You reach out, and no one's there/Like a god without a prayer.” It is so Cardan coded. We watch as he goes from a nonchalant hater to a true King who cares what happens to his country. This book did redeem my view of Cardan. I found him beyond distasteful in the first book. This one though. Nothing like character growth to change someone’s mind about a character. More importantly, Cardan’s character growth made sense! It’s not like he abandoned all sense of self to become a better person. I wouldn’t even say he really becomes a more ‘good’ person. I would say he grows into a powerful and true king. Wonderful development. 

Jude and Cardan. Those two are INSANE. I mean, Jude was running the kingdom. Cardan couldn’t do a thing about it. Through all of that, they like fall in love? Kinda? Wild. Obviously, I thought of “Crush” by Ethel Cain immediately. “Can you read my mind? I've been watching you/(You know it, you know it, you know it's true)/Couldn't fight to save your life, but you look so cool”. I feel like this could go for Cardan or Jude. I can’t decide if they’re twin flames or soulmates. Maybe the third book in the series will clear it up. As Jude grows into nothing short of a force to be reckoned with, we watch her learn more about who Cardan really is. Stunning. “I'd rather be with you, oh/Oh, I'd rather be with you, oh/'Cause good men die too, so I'd rather be with you”. You’re kidding. That line is so Cardan and Jude. OBSESSED with each other. Holly Black, I applaud your work. 

Jude. My girl. “Family Line” by Conan Gray was WRITTEN for you. “Scattered 'cross my family line/I'm so good at telling lies/That came from my mother's side/Told a million to survive/Scattered 'cross my family line/God, I have my father's eyes/But my sister's when I cry/I can run, but I can't hide/From my family line”. Remember her pseudo father from book one. He is plaguing our leading lady in book two. He taught her everything he knows, and she is more than willing to use all that information and more against him. They are frightening and one of my favorite relationships in the book. She can’t help but hope for his approval even though he is her enemy. Wild. Complicated. Great. 

All of this being said, I was, in fact, glamoured by Carden. I was unprepared for the ending. Audibly gasped. Yes. I did throw the book across the room. It was crazy. I won’t share any more details, but I was literally aghast. This book is more than intriguing. It draws you deeper into the world of Elfhame. It is a wonderful trap. I would like to mention this book does have romance, but it is so much more than that. Most of the discourse I have seen online has been about Jude and Cardan. It’s not unwarranted, but there is so much more to this book than a girl falling for a guy. If you couldn’t tell already, I will be reading book three. I barely scratched the surface of the plot, so don’t worry, you will still be very much surprised when you read it yourself. Check out the full playlist here, and happy reading! 

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