Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Politics take center stage in suspenseful fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 37 kid reviews
Kids say this sequel improves significantly over its predecessor, offering a mix of romance, action, and political intrigue that keeps readers engaged, although some thematic elements may not be suitable for younger audiences. While opinions vary on the appropriateness of certain scenes, particularly a notable romantic moment, many readers found the book captivating and recommended it for teens, particularly those mature enough to handle its content.
- engaging plot
- mature themes
- romance elements
- well-received sequel
- appropriate for teens
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
As THE WICKED KING begins, mortal Jude is measuring the consequences of the double-cross she perpetrated on immortal Cardan. He may sit on the throne, but she is able to force him to do as she orders. The spell will last only about a year, though, and Cardan does his best to humiliate Jude whenever he can. Jude faces other threats, including news that someone close to her will betray her. When war erupts between the denizens of the land and the sea, Jude must use all her skills to protect her family.
Is It Any Good?
The first volume of this fantasy series ended with a crackerjack plot twist, and this volume deftly explores the consequences of getting what you think you want. Jude is a resourceful, brave, and passionate protagonist, driven to prevail over her antagonists, and The Wicked King spotlights her at a particularly vulnerable point. Author Holly Black delivers plenty of magic and mayhem, but the emphasis here is on politics. The Folk are manipulators of the first order, and Black keeps the stakes high as Jude tries to outmaneuver them. There are plenty of surprises and suspenseful set pieces. No one who's fallen under Black's spell will consider breaking it at this late date.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Wicked King uses Celtic folklore to generate the plot. What do ancient myth and folklore have to say to modern readers? Why is fiction about Faerie interesting to modern readers?
Jude and Cardan are attracted to each other, despite being polar opposites. Why do people sometimes choose romantic partners who have different values?
What would it be like to be unable to tell a lie? How would complete honesty affect your relationships with people?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : January 8, 2019
- Number of pages : 336
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate