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And then there is my main grievance with this b I think what I’m most fascinated about with this book is how it plays with the dynamic of humans wresting whatever power they can. The idea of fairies not understanding the stakes of their own world on the level that human characters do. Vivi, as someone who grew up a fairy, does not understand how Jude was affected by her childhood - she was never charmed, or manipulated, or forced to play the games that Jude was. And the dynamic between Cardan and Jude is perfect; Jude clinging to the little power she has over Cardan, and Cardan being under someone’s thumb, just one more time.
Cardan summons Jude and pulls her into a small room. He shows her a message Balekin sent him asking to meet. Cardan is concerned that Jude is hiding things from him, and she admits to intercepting messages from Balekin. Jude asks Cardan to seduce Nicasia to get information from her. Cardan dislikes this idea and instead practices his wiles on Jude. Jude is effectively seduced by Cardan. As they kiss, Jude thinks about how, out of all the mean things he has done to her over the years, making her like him more is the worst one.Jude visits Grimsen to buy a gift for Taryn's wedding. Grimsen tells her he knows of her mortal father's metalworking and suggests that he once taught him. He offers Jude a pair of earrings to give Taryn in exchange for one of Jude's tears. The earrings are enchanted to magnify the wearer's beauty. Grimsen asks Jude to take a message to the king: if they go to war, he will fashion armor that cannot be penetrated and swords so strong Cardan will easily win.
Jude is severely injured from a fight with Madoc but still goes to warn Cardan after she realizes his life might be in danger. However, it turned out to be a ploy and Jude suffers a fall, hurting herself more. It is then that Cardan comes to her and declares to all of Elfhame that Jude is his wife and the rightful High Queen, no longer in exile. But even worse, that cliffhanger at the end...I didn’t even intend to read this book and then suddenly all I can think about is finishing the series????The next day, Orlagh asks for an audience with Cardan because of Balekin's death, as he was her ambassador to Elfhame. Jude admits to killing Balekin and as punishment, Cardan banishes Jude from Faerie.
Oh, I shall, daughter, much as I hope you will realize how much better it would be if you were to be running it for your own family." At lessons, Nicasia begins bullying Jude for not being able to see at night and slaps her across the face. When Valerian forces Jude to consume faerie fruit, Nicasia begins making Jude embarrass herself. She tells her to take off her clothes and laughs at her. Jude has a year and a day to command the new High King as she wishes and to plot further methods to keep Oak safe.
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I’m aware I’m the odd one out here, but I do not care for Jude & Cardan’s relationship whatsoever. They’re both incredibly complex characters with undeniable chemistry, but I just personally could not care less about a romance between them. I feel I’d view the book identically if they were archenemies, friends, or just strict allies. Personally, it’s just not what draws me in to The Folk of the Air. Jude… is so great. She's seriously becoming one of my favorite fictional characters of all time, and I don't really know how? Her narrative voice is so strong, shaping and characterizing the world around her. The strength of her voice perfectly counteracts the desperation we see within her to cling to power, to not give up the few gains she has made. She's so delightfully unlikable and yet manages to gain audience sympathy at every moment. Later, Cardan reveals that he has had fantasies about Jude and the two make love. Afterwards, Jude admits to Cardan that she missed him in the mortal world, even though he was her enemy. Cardan later tells Jude he loves her and that his heart was hers, but walks out of the room before Jude can respond. Jude, a human raised in Faerieland, spent her entire life undermined and controlled by the often cruel whims of the Faeries.
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