I just want to start out by saying that this is my first Holly Black book.
(...I know. It’s truly shocking, and I should be kicked in the face.)
And honestly? I am blown away. I can now totally understand people who say that Holly is the queen of all things fae. I really do.
Jude and her sisters are spirited away to the land of Faerie after witnessing the murders of her mam and dad. In a world where beautiful things are plenty and never what they seem, Jude faces a constant reminder. She is bullied mercilessly for being a mortal - even worse, a mortal that doesn’t keep her mouth shut. Her tormentors (who are lead by Prince Cardan) constantly find ways to hurt and humiliate her. But instead of breaking Jude, they only make her more determined to get her revenge.
It doesn’t matter who it is, Jude will not be walked all over. Whether it be a prince, or his friends, or her own twin sister, Jude is not to be messed with. She’s so ambitious and cunning...she’s freaking ruthless. I loved how complicated she was. I LOVED her feelings towards Madoc, her parents murderer...but also the person who raised her. Her emotions are so conflicting, and they never fall into one clear cut feeling. It’s just so...so fleshed out and real, you know?
I also loved how Jude feels towards the Fae. She hates them...but she also doesn’t. In so many books, the human character always hates the Fae, would rather die than become one and all that. Jude acknowledges that she would want to become one of the Folk. That was just so refreshing for me.
To conclude? Jude is a riot. She may not be one of the Folk, but she can scheme and lie well enough to make up for it.
The other characters are all equally as complicated. There were times where I literally couldn’t remember whether I liked a character or not because they could be charming one moment and then completely brutal the next, which really just sums up Faerie.
Because I’m a Holly Black newbie, I didn’t actually expect this book to be as dark as it is. The land of Faerie is so lethal; beautiful and magical, but so deadly. I loved it; I was completely engrossed. And I absolutely cannot wait until the next one.
*I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
(...I know. It’s truly shocking, and I should be kicked in the face.)
And honestly? I am blown away. I can now totally understand people who say that Holly is the queen of all things fae. I really do.
Jude and her sisters are spirited away to the land of Faerie after witnessing the murders of her mam and dad. In a world where beautiful things are plenty and never what they seem, Jude faces a constant reminder. She is bullied mercilessly for being a mortal - even worse, a mortal that doesn’t keep her mouth shut. Her tormentors (who are lead by Prince Cardan) constantly find ways to hurt and humiliate her. But instead of breaking Jude, they only make her more determined to get her revenge.
It doesn’t matter who it is, Jude will not be walked all over. Whether it be a prince, or his friends, or her own twin sister, Jude is not to be messed with. She’s so ambitious and cunning...she’s freaking ruthless. I loved how complicated she was. I LOVED her feelings towards Madoc, her parents murderer...but also the person who raised her. Her emotions are so conflicting, and they never fall into one clear cut feeling. It’s just so...so fleshed out and real, you know?
I also loved how Jude feels towards the Fae. She hates them...but she also doesn’t. In so many books, the human character always hates the Fae, would rather die than become one and all that. Jude acknowledges that she would want to become one of the Folk. That was just so refreshing for me.
To conclude? Jude is a riot. She may not be one of the Folk, but she can scheme and lie well enough to make up for it.
The other characters are all equally as complicated. There were times where I literally couldn’t remember whether I liked a character or not because they could be charming one moment and then completely brutal the next, which really just sums up Faerie.
Because I’m a Holly Black newbie, I didn’t actually expect this book to be as dark as it is. The land of Faerie is so lethal; beautiful and magical, but so deadly. I loved it; I was completely engrossed. And I absolutely cannot wait until the next one.
*I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*