The Folk of the Air books are a series written by Holly Black based on fairy mythology. Fairies, otherwise known as fae or folk, are imagined to be small magical creatures resembling either humans or other ethereal entities.
The three books, respectively, are named “The Cruel Prince,” “The Wicked King,” and “The Queen of Nothing.” The first book introduces the background of the main character, Jude, who is a mortal human growing up and living in Faerieland. She struggles to find a sense of worthiness and a place in society while living in a realm of magic. Meanwhile, the royal family that rules all the land seems intent on opposing the very few humans who live among them.
Although the plot does not pick up until halfway through the first book, the descriptive writing of scenery and character portrayal sets the entire rest of the series up. Once the book grabbed my attention, it was easy to stay engaged while wondering what might happen next.
The second book unfolds both its subplot and the overall storyline simultaneously and without confusion. The continuation of the author’s in depth writing style showcases the main character’s humanity in a way that forced me to develop a connection with the material. Sometimes, in a trilogy, the second book is filler for the interesting moments in the first and third books. However, this book is on par if not better written than the original.
The third book provides a satisfying ending over not only the short term problems, but the overarching storyline that the entire trilogy created. I do not know of many series who tie the storylines between books together as well as this one does. The storytelling remains engaging to the very end, and the resolution does not feel forced as some other stories do.
Overall, the Folk of the Air trilogy caters to a wide audience. It is not exclusive to those who are interested in mythology; many readers find the combination of fantasy and romance captivating in itself. Salem Jacob, an avid reader, liked the thrill of “never knowing what to expect next” while reading these books. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who wishes to get lost in the allure of a parallel world.