“Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold onto.” - Madoc

After crowning Cardan Greenbriar High King of Elfhame and binding him to her for a year and a day, Jude Durarte must do everything in her power to keep her brother Oak, the heir of the throne, safe in the human realm. As she tries to navigate the ever-shifting politics of faerie as the High King's Seneschal, Cardan adds to the difficulty by doing everything within his power to humiliate her while remaining utterly fascinated by her as well. Jude desperately tries to find a way to keep Cardan on the throne until Oak is older all the while trying to maintain control of Elfhame as their enemies grow. 

The second book in Holly Black’s Folk of Air trilogy is a thrilling and dangerous tale that will captivate you from the very start. The plot moves much faster than in the first book in the series, The Cruel Prince, and the plot twists are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Jude and Cardan’s dynamic is amazing, both are extremely powerful and neither morally good or bad. Jude is willing to do anything to stay in power and Cardan tries his best to undermine her as they try to figure out their complex relationship. This poetic novel is beautiful yet easy to read and follow, and is perfect for someone who is just starting to read the fantasy genre.

For more young adult fantasy reads try Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone series and other Grisha verse books.