In today’s action packed adventure driven world, slow-paced books and movies are often overlooked. People prefer action packed and fast paced stories that don’t really give you time to breathe. But in my opinion, slower paced, intrigue heavy books can be fantastic if done right. There are times where these type of books can feel very boring and uninteresting. A good author knows how to keep things lively and entertaining, while still maintaining that intrigue heavy feel of the book. This weeks books do an excellent job at making their intrigue heavy story lines seem interesting without overloading on the action.
Holly Black’s The Folk of the Air series was one of my earliest reviews when I started my blog last year. I thought the atmosphere was intriguing, the world was excellent and the story was solid, even if the characters seemed a little lackluster. Book 2 in the series, The Wicked King, takes all of the good things about the first book and makes it even better. The political intrigue is increased, the stakes are raised and the characters get some needed love and attention in this excellent sequel.
The plot picks up a few months after the events of the first book. And just like the first book, The Wicked King has a heavy dose of political intrigue. The plot is a slow burn that keeps building even as it’s clear that things aren’t going to go the way Jude wants them to go. While initially centering on the continued struggle involving Carden, Jude and her father, the plot adds another important piece of the puzzle in the shape of the Unseelie Court. And while on the surface, the threat of the Unseelie Court is the biggest issue, the plot goes to great lengths to ensure that all of the threats seem important. The political maneuvering in this book is superb, worthy of a TV drama. Players constantly shift motivations, goals and allegiances that culminates in an ending that is part surprising and part infuriating. The slower pace helps to raise the tension, while the few combat scenes or parties that we witness help to convey that while political tensions are high, there are still games to be played.
The biggest weakness in the first book was some of the main characters. While they were not bad by any stretch of the imagination, very few stood out. That all changes in this book as the characters are given great depth and extra personality that blend swell with the story. Our main character Jude has A LOT on her plate in this book. As the political force behind Carden’s rule, she is in charge of all of the wheeling and dealing. She has to contend with her father, the impending marriage of her sister, the new threat of the Unseelie Court all while fighting her increasingly complicated feelings for Carden. She is fierce, not one to be underestimated but at the same time a vulnerable character despite what she tries to tell you in this book. Her quest for power and acceptance comes back to bite her at several points throughout this book and yet she keeps coming back right up till the final pages. She is a superb main character that is augmented by some very memorable side characters. Led by Carden, the side characters also shine in this book. Carden starts off being the same old jerk that we know and love from the first book. But as the book progresses, that swagger and cockiness begin to give way in a way that I will not spoil for my readers. Despite being a ruler only by name, Carden relishes the kingship and delights in all the pleasures it affords him. His character easily has the most development in this book and it will be fascinating to see where he goes from here.
The Wicked King takes the wonderful political intrigue of the first book and increases it tenfold. The stakes are raised, the characters develop and the plot has many twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat, despite the lack of action paced sequences. I was hoping that the sequel would deliver on the promise of the first and boy did it deliver.
Verdict- 5 stars. Black does it again with another outstanding thriller that will leave you guessing right up till the final pages.
We move from the land of Faerie to Ancient Scotland and a book that has garnered widespread but deserved praise. Signe Pike’s The Lost Queen tells the story of an ancient Scottish Queen and her brother who inspired the legend of Merlin. It is easily the best book I’ve read so far this year. The storytelling, the imagery and the characters are all outstanding.
This book has one of the best worlds that I have seen in a book. It is up there with Sarah J. Maas and Cassandra Clare in terms of world building. The lore, the places, the gods everything is there that you would expect from a good world and it’s in the first book. A well-built world will immerse you in the story and give you a better appreciation for the story itself. It’s blend of ancient customs and the rising Christian sentiments add another layer to the story.
As for the story, it is another slower paced book help by the time skips that happen in this book. The book is divided into four sections and each new section includes a time skip forward. The year is included in each chapter heading so it is relatively easy to keep track of the story. As for the story itself, it is an outstanding story. Following the journey of the Lady Langoreth, the story has many twists, turns and plot hooks that give it great depth and excellent enjoyment. Whether it is telling a great celebration, an intimate moment or one of the few action sequences, the book has something for everyone to enjoy in the plot. Religious tensions, political intrigue, romantic tales weave a beautiful and intriguing story.
The characters are an excellent breath of fresh air. Twins Langoreth and Lailoken are at the heart of the story and they are excellent leads. They are both fiercely independent, loyal to each other but forced to follow different paths. Langoreth is a top-notch female lead. Not wishing to be simply married off to the son of a king, she attempts to forge her own path with interesting consequences. Her relationship with the men in her life, particularly Malgwyn, her father and those in her inner circle are of particular interest considering that there are very few other female characters for her to form attachments to.
Overall, this book is an excellent read. The excellent world, story and characters combine for a reading experience that rivals some of the best in the industry.
Verdict- 5 stars. Go out and read this book and its sequels when they are released. You will not be disappointed.
The Reader's Corner 