Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

Queen of Nothing (Folk of the Air, #3)

by Holly Black

The intoxicating and bloodthirsty finale to the New York Times bestselling The Cruel Prince, nominated for the CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL 2019, and New York Times bestseller The Wicked King, winner of the Best YA Fantasy category in the Goodreads Choice Awards

After being pronounced Queen of Faerie and then abruptly exiled by the Wicked King Cardan, Jude finds herself unmoored, the queen of nothing. She spends her time with Vivi and Oak, watching reality television, and doing odd jobs, including squaring up to a cannibalistic faerie.

When her twin sister Taryn shows up asking a favour, Jude jumps at the chance to return to the Faerie world, even if it means facing Cardan, who she loves despite his betrayal. When a dark curse is unveiled, Jude must become the first mortal Queen of Faerie and break the curse, or risk upsetting the balance of the whole Faerie world.

Reviewed by ladygrey on

2 of 5 stars

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I have mixed reactions to this book which, to be polite, will remain mostly hidden.

At first I worried how long she’d have to stay in exile before the story got going. But it wasn’t that long and the twist with Taryn was fun.
Then ugh! just as it seemed I was about to get the book I’ve been wanting from this series all along with Cardan and Jude working together, they’re ripped apart. They could have at least been together long enough for a little explanation and then agreeing to send her to Madoc’s camp as a spy. I wasn’t particularly happy about the whole thing.
But then there was the rescue which was fun and we wouldn’t have had that without the abrupt pulling apart so I can’t complain too much.

Then for just a bit it actually was the book I’ve wanted all along and Cardan and Jude actually talked and got to spend time together and explain everything. I swear the two best parts of this series are in the Court of Shadows in book 1 and the rose garden in book 3 when they take the time to explain everything to one another.

But then the thing happened and Jude is on her own again. Which might not have been quite so boring except the moment that Baphon’s prophecy and Grimsen’s final words came together it was obvious what was going to happen. I wasn’t even raised in fairie so there’s a part of me that wonders how Jude didn’t see it. Everything from that point on was just maneuvering.

Overall, for me, there were too many places burning through pages, waiting for the story to get going when it was clear what was going to happen (one way or another). Ok there were two places, but two still felt like too many. Especially when this book had more of the interactions I’ve been looking for all along. So it was both satisfying and disappointing. I like the trickery but I also like the character dynamics. There should have been more talking, more interplay and devious fun throughout the book.

But it wasn’t bad. I will grant that it all ends well with boons and betrayals and a clever bit of justice.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 20 March, 2020: Finished reading
  • 20 March, 2020: Reviewed