The Queen of Nothing

The story picks up where the second book, The Wicked King, left off. Jude has been exiled from Faerie by her husband, Cardan, who has taken the throne as High King. She is living in the mortal world with her twin sister, Taryn, and their older sister, Vivi, who is half-fae. Jude is struggling to adjust to life outside of Faerie and is haunted by her past actions and the consequences of her decisions.

However, Jude’s exile is short-lived when she is summoned back to Faerie by Cardan. He needs her help to solve a mystery that threatens the stability of the fae courts. Jude agrees to help, but she knows that she cannot trust Cardan and that he has his own agenda. As she delves deeper into the mystery, Jude must navigate the treacherous politics of the fae courts and confront her own demons.

One of the strengths of The Queen of Nothing audiobook is Caitlin Kelly’s narration. She brings the characters to life with her expressive voice and captures the tension and emotion of the story. Her pacing is excellent, and she keeps the listener engaged throughout the book.

The character of Jude is one of the most compelling aspects of the series, and this is especially true in The Queen of Nothing. Jude is a complex and flawed character who has made many mistakes, but she is also fiercely loyal and determined. In this book, she is forced to confront her past actions and the consequences of her decisions. She must also grapple with her feelings for Cardan, who she loves but cannot trust.

Cardan is another fascinating character who undergoes significant development in this book. He is no longer the cruel and capricious prince that he was in the first book. Instead, he has become the High King of Faerie, and he must navigate the treacherous politics of the fae courts. Cardan is still enigmatic and unpredictable, but he is also vulnerable and conflicted. His relationship with Jude is one of the highlights of the book, and their interactions are both tense and tender.

The supporting characters in the book are also well-drawn and add depth to the story. Taryn, Jude’s twin sister, is a complex character who has made her own mistakes. Vivi, Jude’s half-fae sister, is struggling with her own identity and her place in the mortal and fae worlds. The other fae characters, such as Nicasia and Grima Mog, are also intriguing and add to the political intrigue of the story.

The world-building in The Queen of Nothing is excellent, and Holly Black has created a rich and immersive world of Faerie. The fae courts are full of political intrigue and power struggles, and the magic of the world is both beautiful and dangerous. The audiobook does an excellent job of bringing this world to life, and the listener can easily imagine themselves in the world of Faerie.

The plot of The Queen of Nothing is fast-paced and full of twists and turns. The mystery that Jude and Cardan are trying to solve is engaging, and the stakes are high. The book is also full of action and suspense, and the listener is kept on the edge of their seat throughout the story. The ending of the book is satisfying and brings the series to a satisfying conclusion.

One of the themes of the book is the idea of identity and belonging. Jude is struggling with her identity as a mortal in the fae world, and she must confront the fact that she will never truly belong in either world. Cardan is also struggling with his identity as the High King of Faerie, and he must navigate the expectations and demands of the fae courts. The book also explores the idea of redemption and forgiveness, and whether it is possible to atone for past mistakes.

Overall, The Queen of Nothing audiobook is an excellent conclusion to the Folk of the Air series. The characters are well-drawn and complex, the world-building is immersive, and the plot is engaging and full of suspense. Caitlin Kelly’s narration is excellent, and she brings the story to life with her expressive voice. The book is a must-read for fans of the series, and the audiobook is a great way to experience the story.