About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the idea that no one is truly 'born' a villain, or when they are navigating complex feelings of isolation and the masks we wear to survive. While set in a lush fantasy world, the heart of the story deals with the psychological impact of neglect and the way stories shape our identity. It offers a unique opportunity to discuss how childhood experiences influence adult behavior without excusing harmful choices. This beautifully illustrated volume provides a deep dive into the backstory of a misunderstood character, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy nuanced emotional arcs and exploring the grey areas between hero and antagonist. It is best suited for older teens already familiar with the Folk of the Air series, as it deals with themes of emotional cruelty and redemption.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: There are depictions of childhood neglect and emotional abuse. Cardan is frequently ignored by his father and mocked by his older brother, Balekin. One specific scene involves Balekin physically striking Cardan and forcing him to sleep in the stables. There is also a scene of a monstrous creature, the Asrai, being captured and mistreated, which may be distressing for sensitive readers. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the cycle of abuse. Cardan often acts out cruelly because he has been treated cruelly. Be ready to talk about the difference between explaining someone's bad behavior through their past versus excusing it.
Ideal Reader
A 14-year-old who loves high-stakes fantasy and feels like an outsider, or an artistically minded teen who appreciates the intersection of graphic art and prose.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, but it is infinitely more meaningful if the reader has finished the main trilogy. Parents should be aware of the 'wicked' behavior portrayed as a survival mechanism. Witnessing the psychological toll of a parent (the High King) who is completely indifferent to his child's existence and safety.
Age Experience
Middle school readers will focus on the magic and the 'cool' factor of a villain's backstory. High schoolers will better grasp the nuance of the psychological trauma and the romantic tension.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fantasy companions, this uses the medium of a 'story within a story' to bridge the gap between a picture book aesthetic and YA complexity.
Read plot summary
This is a nonlinear collection of vignettes centered on Prince Cardan, the antagonist-turned-antihero of the Folk of the Air trilogy. It spans from his neglected childhood in the palace of Elfhame to his life after the events of The Queen of Nothing. The narrative is framed by a recurring folktale told to Cardan by a troll woman, which serves as a metaphor for his own emotional evolution: from a boy who learned to hate stories to a man who realizes he is the author of his own.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The troll woman tells Cardan the same story multiple times, but the ending changes. How did Cardan's own life experiences change the way he understood that story?
2
Cardan uses his 'wicked tongue' as a weapon. Do you think he does this because he is naturally mean, or is it a way to protect himself from others?
3
Compare Cardan’s relationship with his brother Balekin to his relationship with Jude. How does Jude challenge Cardan to be someone different than his family expected him to be?
4
At one point, Cardan is described as a 'boy with a heart of stone.' By the end of the book, do you think that description still fits him? Why or why not?
