The Wicked King

Jude Duarte has achieved the impossible: as a mortal girl in the treacherous High Court of Faerie, she's maneuvered her way into a position of real power. But her hard-won influence comes at a devastating cost, forcing her to navigate an increasingly dangerous political landscape where one wrong move could mean death. As the newly crowned High King's seneschal, Jude must outwit scheming courtiers, manage deadly alliances, and contend with enemies who would love nothing more than to see her fail—all while wrestling with her own complicated feelings about power, loyalty, and belonging. This dark fantasy explores the intoxicating nature of power and the sacrifices required to obtain and maintain it. Holly Black crafts a morally complex tale where the line between hero and villain blurs, and survival often means becoming as ruthless as those around you. The story examines themes of ambition, trust, and the cost of playing political games in a world where cruelty is currency and weakness is fatal. Readers who love cunning protagonists, intricate court intrigue, and romances built on tension and complexity will find themselves utterly captivated by Jude's dangerous journey through a glittering world of beauty and betrayal.