How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories
Holly Black
Illustrated by Rovina Cai
Age 13 +
Paperback
Buy the book
08 January 2026Imprint: Hot Key Books
Synopsis
Newly available in paperback: the captivating world of Elfhame that started with The Cruel Prince, captured in colour, with stunning illustrations by Rovina Cai.
Once upon a time there was a boy with a wicked tongue...
Before Cardan was a cruel prince or a wicked king, he was a faerie child with a heart of stone. In this sumptuously illustrated tale, Holly Black reveals a deeper look into the dramatic life of Elfhame's enigmatic high king. This tale includes delicious details of life before The Cruel Prince, an adventure beyond The Queen of Nothing, and familiar but pivotal moments from The Folk of the Air trilogy, told wholly from Cardan's perspective.
This new instalment in the Folk of the Air series is a return to the heart-racing romance, danger, humour and drama that enchanted readers everywhere.
Once upon a time there was a boy with a wicked tongue...
Before Cardan was a cruel prince or a wicked king, he was a faerie child with a heart of stone. In this sumptuously illustrated tale, Holly Black reveals a deeper look into the dramatic life of Elfhame's enigmatic high king. This tale includes delicious details of life before The Cruel Prince, an adventure beyond The Queen of Nothing, and familiar but pivotal moments from The Folk of the Air trilogy, told wholly from Cardan's perspective.
This new instalment in the Folk of the Air series is a return to the heart-racing romance, danger, humour and drama that enchanted readers everywhere.
Details
08 January 2026
9781471421006Imprint: Hot Key Books
Reviews
Elfhame is a completely captivating world. I am in awe of the work author Holly Black has done in creating and maintaining it. Now we can visit it once more and this time for a very different insight. [...] Dramatic, powerful, dangerous, dramatic and with moments of humour this is a stunning addition to the Elfhame world
