Since the 2018 release of The Cruel Prince, Holly Black’s enthralling Folk of the Air series has become a modern YA fantasy phenomenon. Set in the dangerous, glittering lands of Faerie, the series follows fierce mortal Jude as she vies for power in the High Court of the immortal Fae. Through Jude’s eyes, Black introduces readers to a darkly magical world of bloody politics, seductive romance, and courtly betrayal.
With its complex antiheroine and morally ambiguous characters, Black’s New York Times bestselling saga puts a sharp contemporary spin on classic fae lore. Jude’s coming-of-age story in the sinister High Court grapples with themes of ambition, identity, and the ethical costs of achieving dreams. This article provides an overview of all books from the series, examining the intoxicating, treacherous faerie realm that has enthralled millions of readers. For fans of dark fantasy and wicked fairy tales, this guide to The Folk of the Air immerses you in the machinations and intrigue of Black’s chilling yet beautiful world.
The Cruel Prince Series Order
The Folk of the Air book series
- The Cruel Prince (2018)
- The Lost Sisters (2018)
- The Wicked King (2019)
- The Queen of Nothing (2019)
- How the King of Elfhame Learned To Hate Stories (2020)
The Stolen Heir Duology
Similar Authors
- “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater – A mysterious and atmospheric tale featuring a group of friends on a quest for ancient magic. See The Raven Cycle Series by Maggie Stiefvater.
- “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare – An urban fantasy novel that follows a young girl as she discovers a hidden world of supernatural beings and battles evil forces.
See also: Dan Yates Angel Series.
Most Recommended Books
- The Lost Sisters (The Folk of the Air book series, #2) (4.43 Goodreads score)
- The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air book series, #4) (4.37 Goodreads score)
- The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air book series, #3) (4.33 Goodreads score)
- How the King of Elfhame Learned To Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air book series, #5) (4.21 Goodreads score)
- The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air book series, #1) (4.07 Goodreads score)
Awards
Holly Black received the inaugural Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy in 2006 for her book Valiant.
In 2014, she was honored with a Newbery Medal Honor and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Doll Bones.
Her book The Darkest Part of the Forest won the Indies Choice Book Award for Young Adult Book of the Year in 2015.
In 2017, her novel The Cruel Prince was nominated for the Locus Award and the Lodestar Award.
Upcoming Releases
Book Summaries
The Cruel Prince
"The Cruel Prince" is a story about Jude, a young girl who was taken to live in the dangerous High Court of Faerie after her parents were murdered. Despite being mortal, Jude longs to belong in the world of the fey, even though many of them despise humans. In order to secure her place, she must defy Prince Cardan, the wickedest son of the High King, and face the consequences. As she becomes entangled in palace intrigues and discovers her own capacity for violence, Jude must risk her life to save her sisters and the entire realm of Faerie from a looming civil war.
The Lost Sisters
"The Lost Sisters" is a companion e-novella to the novel "The Cruel Prince." It tells the story of Taryn, the sister of Jude who is fighting for power in the Court of Elfhame. As Taryn falls in love with the trickster Locke, she discovers that she has some secrets of her own to reveal.
The Wicked King
In "The Wicked King" Jude must protect her brother Oak, who is the heir to Faerie. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her and has become the power behind the throne. However, navigating the ever-changing political alliances of Faerie becomes even more challenging as Cardan constantly tries to undermine her. As someone close to Jude threatens to betray her, she must uncover the traitor and navigate her complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control in the Faerie world.
The Queen of Nothing
After being exiled, Jude, the mortal Queen of Faerie, is determined to reclaim what was taken from her by the wicked king, Cardan. When her twin sister's life is in danger, Jude must navigate the treacherous Faerie Court and confront her complicated feelings for Cardan. As war looms and a powerful curse is unleashed, Jude is faced with a difficult choice between her ambition and her humanity.
How the King of Elfhame Learned To Hate Stories
"How the King of Elfhame Learned To Hate Stories" is an illustrated addition to the Folk of Air trilogy. It takes readers back to the world of Elfhame and provides a deeper look into the life of Cardan, the enigmatic high king. This tale explores Cardan's past before he became a cruel prince and wicked king, offering a unique perspective on the events of the trilogy.
The Stolen Heir: A Novel of Elfhame
The book follows the story of Lady Nore, who has reclaimed the Ice Needle Citadel and is using an ancient relic to create monsters. Meanwhile, Suren, a child queen who has fled to the human world, lives in the woods, haunted by her past. When she is chased by a storm hag, she is saved by Prince Oak, whom she resented for years. Now seventeen, Oak is on a mission that requires Suren's help, but she must guard her heart against him and confront the horrors she thought she had left behind.
The Prisoner’s Throne
"The Prisoner's Throne" tells the story of a prince who is trapped in prison and a queen seeking revenge. Their epic battle will shape the destiny of Elfhame.
