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The Folk of the Air #1.5
The Lost Sisters
Sometimes the difference between a love story and a horror story is where the ending comes...
While Jude fought for power in the Court of Elfhame against the cruel Prince Cardan, her sister Taryn began to fall in love with the trickster, Locke.
Half-apology and half-explanation, it turns out that Taryn has some secrets of her own to reveal.
The Lost Sisters is a companion e-novella to the New York Times bestselling novel The Cruel Prince by master writer Holly Black.
While Jude fought for power in the Court of Elfhame against the cruel Prince Cardan, her sister Taryn began to fall in love with the trickster, Locke.
Half-apology and half-explanation, it turns out that Taryn has some secrets of her own to reveal.
The Lost Sisters is a companion e-novella to the New York Times bestselling novel The Cruel Prince by master writer Holly Black.
50 pages, ebook
First published October 2, 2018
About the author
Holly Black
171 books113k followersHolly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over thirty fantasy novels for kids and teens. She has been a finalist for an Eisner Award and the Lodestar Award, and the recipient of the Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula, and a Newbery Honor. Her books have been translated into 32 languages worldwide and adapted for film. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 12,502 reviews
December 14, 2020
1.) The Cruel Prince ★★★★★
2.) The Wicked King ★★★★★
“Fairy tales are full of girls who wait, who endure, who suffer. Good girls. Obedient girls. Girls who crush nettles until their hands bleed. Girls who haul water for witches. Girls who wander through deserts or sleep in ashes or make homes for transformed brothers in the woods. Girls without hands, without eyes, without the power of speech, without any power at all. But then a prince rides up and sees the girl and finds her beautiful. Beautiful, not despite her suffering, but because of it.”
No one weaves words and magic like Holly Black. No one. And I don’t even have words to express how amazing it feels to be back in this world. Not only did it make me appreciate The Cruel Prince more, it also made me emotional because of all the foreshadowing for The Wicked King. This is a pivotal short story that completely immersed me, captivated me, and reinforced that this is my favorite series of all-time.
It was so smart to format this story in a letter, that Taryn is writing to Jude, but in second person. It is eerie, and haunting, and it makes the reading experience feels so much more intimate, real, and unforgettable. Every time I open a Holly Black book, I feel like I’ve stepped right into the realm of fae, and this short story was no different.
“Faeries despise humans as liars, but there are different kinds of lying. Since you and I first came to Faerie, Jude, we’ve lied to each other plenty.”
The Lost Sisters allows you to see small glimpses into important scenes of The Cruel Prince, but we get to see it all unfold from Taryn’s point of view. I see a lot of reviews say that it made them sympathize with her, but it made me feel worse for Jude. This isn’t a redemption arc. This isn’t a happy ending. This isn’t what you’re expecting. This is just an honest look at Taryn’s feelings; and if I’m being honest, they are still really selfish.
“It’s terrible to be a girl trapped in a story. But you can be more than that. You can be the teller. You can shape the story. You can make all of Faerie love you.”
But Taryn really is trying to carve out her own place in a world that she never asked to live in. Vivi, Jude, and Taryn didn’t ask to lose their mother, be ripped from their home, and forced to live among people who will never make them feel like they belong. But all three girls feel and handle things very differently. Vivi feels sadness and wishes to escape. Jude feels angry and wishes for revenge. Taryn feels inadequacy and wishes for love. And all of these things are valid, and none of things are lesser, they are just different.
“His hair was bright in the moonlight, his face as handsome as heartbreak.”
But this book also really shines a spotlight on Locke. And he truly is the gaslighting, manipulative, abusive, royal jerk. This book really shows how easy it for abusive people to be manipulative. How they can twist everything to make it feel like it is all your fault. How they can make you crave their attention. How easy it is to feel like you’re being loved, not abused.
Honestly, the most interesting element of this book for me was the introduction of Edir, and the entire secret party and all the attendees. Again, it really reinforced (to me) that Locke is totally going to end up being the big bad of this entire story. Also, I just have a really soft spot in my heart for bard-like characters. And sometimes we really do need to listen to the songs of the mothers and women that came before us, to know how worthy of a new song we all really are.
“But that night, a pebble struck my window and I saw the shape of a boy standing below, smiling up at me as though he already knew all my secrets.”
My favorite part of the book? A whisper from Cardan. God, I’m so soft and weak and on brand. It’s really pathetic at this point. Seeing Cardan in this book was hard at first, really hard, I’m not going to lie, but seeing how far he’s come? How far him and Jude have both come? Lord, help me. It is almost funny to see them interact in this short story, knowing the storm that awaits them in The Wicked King.
Overall, I loved this. I really was expecting to feel differently after turning that last page, but this was still such an atmospheric ride that I truly never wanted to end. This series, this world, these characters, everything is just a tier above the rest. This is the series of my heart and soul. And Holly Black never ceases to amaze me. I stan one fae queen, and it is her. It will always be her.
“Let’s start with a love story. Or maybe it’s another horror story. It seems like the difference is mostly in where the ending comes.”
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Content and trigger warnings for murder, death, self-harm, bullying, and grey area cheating.
January 9, 2022
Actual footage of me reading Taryn’s half-baked justifications:
This novella, which was kind of a letter written from Taryn to Jude, only reinforced the conviction I’ve settled into after reading The Cruel prince:
That Locke is a curse in every language in which it is spoken and the guileful spinner of this dreadful web everyone is tangled in, carefully orchestrated so that he’s at the center of it all. To him, Taryn was a blank canvas and he poured into her, filling her empty spaces so completely she didn’t even realize she’s become the wrong shape. This is what he does. He disarms people with the candy shell charm that’s hiding the thing lurking beneath it, coaxing them into feeding him their most hidden secrets and most guarded desires and giving him something new and shiny to play with.
But I genuinely can’t tell you if his manipulations of Taryn are so deep she can’t even notice it lining her every seam, or if he glimpsed the fleeting slices and the jagged pieces—glittering and sharp and hungry—obfuscated beneath Taryn’s exterior and saw something he recognized.
Because two are playing at this treacherous game.
[puts my hand on Taryn’s shoulder and looks her directly in the eyes] Yeah. If you think you’re entitled to Jude’s understanding and forgiveness for not only betraying her but worst, being an accomplice in the pain and humiliation she’s been made to endure, all in order to earn the flimsy approval and affection of some crusty dude who’s treated you like shit and used you as a sponge that he can fill with his drama and ego and squeeze out when he pleases, then I hate to break it to you but you’re actually just an asshole!
Cardan ain’t wrong.
(4 stars for Cardan for being the only woke person in this entire book)
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This novella, which was kind of a letter written from Taryn to Jude, only reinforced the conviction I’ve settled into after reading The Cruel prince:
That Locke is a curse in every language in which it is spoken and the guileful spinner of this dreadful web everyone is tangled in, carefully orchestrated so that he’s at the center of it all. To him, Taryn was a blank canvas and he poured into her, filling her empty spaces so completely she didn’t even realize she’s become the wrong shape. This is what he does. He disarms people with the candy shell charm that’s hiding the thing lurking beneath it, coaxing them into feeding him their most hidden secrets and most guarded desires and giving him something new and shiny to play with.
But I genuinely can’t tell you if his manipulations of Taryn are so deep she can’t even notice it lining her every seam, or if he glimpsed the fleeting slices and the jagged pieces—glittering and sharp and hungry—obfuscated beneath Taryn’s exterior and saw something he recognized.
Because two are playing at this treacherous game.
[puts my hand on Taryn’s shoulder and looks her directly in the eyes] Yeah. If you think you’re entitled to Jude’s understanding and forgiveness for not only betraying her but worst, being an accomplice in the pain and humiliation she’s been made to endure, all in order to earn the flimsy approval and affection of some crusty dude who’s treated you like shit and used you as a sponge that he can fill with his drama and ego and squeeze out when he pleases, then I hate to break it to you but you’re actually just an asshole!
“You’re awful.” He [Cardan] said it as though he was delighted. “And the worst part is that you believe otherwise.”
Cardan ain’t wrong.
(4 stars for Cardan for being the only woke person in this entire book)
If you liked this review or found it useful and are feeling generous, please consider supporting me on ko-fi !
May 13, 2019
how...just...how has nobody murdered Locke yet??
March 12, 2022
I thought my sister was the worst but then I read about Taryn 🥰
October 4, 2018
Let’s start with a love story.
Or maybe it’s another horror story. It seems like the difference is mostly in where the ending comes.
Ah, I only wish this was longer!
The Lost Sisters is a tiny story and even tinier than it first appears because the last ten or so pages is an extract from The Wicked King. It's an apology - of sorts - from Taryn to Jude. I love that Black chose to have Taryn directly address Jude as she explains her actions and motivations. It made it a more emotional read. And, hell, did she have some explaining to do!
Frankly, it's a pretty terrible apology, but I can't deny that I like and sympathize more with Taryn after reading it. In the end, she's just trying to make her way and be happy with the circumstances life has handed her. Unfortunately, that also means she's willing to step on a few people to get where she needs to be.
Once, there was a woman who was beautiful and clever and, because of her beauty and cleverness, believed that she would always be happy. Perhaps she should have known better, but she didn’t.
Despite this, she's not the real villain. She's complex and messed up but I can understand her. Deep down, she wants to be a good person-- even when she's not. Locke, on the other hand, is a manipulative, borderline-abusive piece of shit. The only good thing about him is how great it feels to hate him. I suppose that makes him a good villain *seethes*
It's weird reading this book after having read The Wicked King and recalling all the drama that goes down in that book. It's quite exciting to glimpse the characters like this once again whilst also knowing what they'll become. Why oh why can't I have the next book right now??
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January 13, 2019
I didn’t sign up for 30+ pages of EXCUSES!!!
My goodness, Taryn, what an awful sister you are! It blows my mind that you and Jude are TWINS! Half of what she was subjected to...is entirely because of you! You just convinced yourself that it was okay because Jude was strong enough to fight back, rather than lying down and taking it like you. You’re absolute rubbish! You can imagine to be the lost princess in a faery tale all you like, but you can’t change the fact that all you are is a complete and utter waste of space. Jude deserves infinitely better than you as a sister.
Honestly, you make Bella Swan look like an Amazonian warrior. For the love of all that’s holy...GROW A BLOODY SPINE!
In the words of our beloved Prince Cardan:
”You’re awful.” He said it as though he was delighted. “And the worst part is that you believe otherwise.”
My goodness, Taryn, what an awful sister you are! It blows my mind that you and Jude are TWINS! Half of what she was subjected to...is entirely because of you! You just convinced yourself that it was okay because Jude was strong enough to fight back, rather than lying down and taking it like you. You’re absolute rubbish! You can imagine to be the lost princess in a faery tale all you like, but you can’t change the fact that all you are is a complete and utter waste of space. Jude deserves infinitely better than you as a sister.
Honestly, you make Bella Swan look like an Amazonian warrior. For the love of all that’s holy...GROW A BLOODY SPINE!
In the words of our beloved Prince Cardan:
”You’re awful.” He said it as though he was delighted. “And the worst part is that you believe otherwise.”
December 6, 2020
Everyone hates you, Taryn. Stop trying to make excuses.
November 13, 2020
taryn be like: i’ll choose musty faerie dick over my own twin sister
October 15, 2018
Taryn can throw herself and her so-called "apology" off a cliff.
December 9, 2020
Set shortly after The Cruel Prince, we follow Taryn as she falls in love with Locke.
Let’s start with a love story. Or maybe it’s another horror story. It seems like the difference is mostly in where the ending comes.
Taryn and Jude are twin human girls, living in faeryland due to a series of unfortunate circumstances.
(Long story short, the baby daddy of their older sister happens to be a murderous faery, who's sense of righteousness led him to kill their mom and their real dad...and that same righteousness caused him to adopt Taryn and Jude)
Fairy tales are full of girls who wait, who endure, who suffer. Good girls. Obedient girls.Jude had always been the stronger of the two sisters and when Taryn begins to fall in love with Locke, Jude becomes insufferably uptight about it.
Taryn writes this 'story' as a letter - one of apology, regret, longing and explanation - to explain why she chose Locke over her own family.
Ahhhh. Reading this just makes me want Queen of Nothing all the more.
Part of me just wanted to shake Taryn... after all she's lived in faery all her life and she REALLY thinks this is the right path?
The other part is just happy that I have more of this series to tide me over.
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January 14, 2023
that was the worst apology from the worst character
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
December 21, 2018
honestly, nothing hypes me up more for the desperately awaited sequel than the relief in knowing that the girl i cant stand (AKA taryn, AKA the worst, AKA a human pile of garbage) is still an absolute disaster of a person.
i mean, her ‘apology/explanation’ made her a little more complex and gave her some slight development, but i really cant wait to see how locke screws her over even more in ‘a wicked king.’ and im not even sorry about it. lol.
also, just your friendly reminder that its only 20 days until release day!! woohoo!
↠ 3.5 stars
i mean, her ‘apology/explanation’ made her a little more complex and gave her some slight development, but i really cant wait to see how locke screws her over even more in ‘a wicked king.’ and im not even sorry about it. lol.
also, just your friendly reminder that its only 20 days until release day!! woohoo!
↠ 3.5 stars
April 17, 2022
50% of me: wow the writing is so gorgeous, much love, Holly is so amazing
the other 50% of me: why the #&%&$(# did I just sit through 50 PAGES of this NONSENSE and when do I get to watch this stupid brat BURN
the other 50% of me: why the #&%&$(# did I just sit through 50 PAGES of this NONSENSE and when do I get to watch this stupid brat BURN
October 18, 2024
Hated Taryn before this book and hate her even more now. Didn't know that was possible but here we are. 🙈 This apology gave such Colleen Ballinger vibes, give the girl an ukulele already. 😅
December 22, 2018
JUSTIFY YOUR ACTIONS HOWEVER YOU WANT, TARYN—YOU’RE STILL A DICK.
August 24, 2022
We all know how the story goes:
Once upon a time, there was a girl—obedient, trusting, good—like all the enduring girls in fairytales; girls without hands, without eyes, without the power to scream in protest, without any power at all.
But then a prince rides up and sees the girl and finds her beautiful. Beautiful, not despite her suffering, but because of it. So all of a sudden the girl matters because a prince chose her, is rewarded because of her patience and restraint. All of a sudden, the girl is made a princess and given worth by a dashing prince on a white horse—god forbid she have any worth or voice without him.
That’s how all the fairytales go, isn’t it?
Well, to hell with that. To hell with waiting for princes to give a girl power. This girl will take what she wants, make her own prince, fight to live a fairytale—no matter who she hurts in the process. She will pretend to be patient and loving, lying to even herself, all while a hungry monster brews just beneath the surface. And she has a fox to teach her to reach for that.
Avril Lavigne’s song I Fell in Love with the Devil is the perfect companion to this short story written in the form of a mental letter from Taryn to Jude, listening to it while reading was a delight (you can find that and other series-related songs in my playlist at the end of the review).
Do NOT read the rest if you haven’t read The Cruel Prince.
I think we all wanted to throttle Taryn by the end of the first book. And you’d probably want to do that even after reading these pages of excuses upon excuses. And yet.
Yet, Holly Black did something there with this novella—yes, I still want to give Taryn a satisfactory beating, but I can also respect her. Hell, if she weren’t a hypocrite who lied even to herself about being good and perfect and loving, I could have loved her steely resolve and hungry grasp. Alas, she is a hypocrite, and I hate hypocrites. It’s okay if you’re selfish and wicked and greedy, just don’t paint it in flowers, prancing around as anything other than the truth of what you are.
That’s what Taryn keeps telling herself this is all about: love. But that, my friends, is a blatant lie. She simply wants to matter, to have others’ attention, to be adored. She’s just like her twin sister, craving power of her own kind; their only difference is that, where Jude does not hide who and how she is, taking pride in her nature, Taryn wears a mask that fools all, even her own self.
Two sisters, raised in a land of beautiful nightmares. Both terrified. Both hungering for a place to belong, to be important. Both selfish, lying snakes. And my not-dear Taryn, that will not change however much you chant to all who would listen that you are loyal and giving.
Manipulated by Locke? Heh, no. Locke was drawn to her because of the lie she lived, the monster she hid within. She wants a story, and what better than to use that scary determination of hers to get the master of stories himself, whatever the cost?
The master of stories. The playful fox. The king of the stage. The manipulative troublemaker. Oh how I want to love-kill him. He’s intriguing and and unbearable and irresistible. His approach to life is simple: bored? Desiring entertainment? Perhaps a tale? Then let the wolves into the den of the sheep who was raised to be a wolf.
In the end, all Locke did was glimpse a kindred cruel spirit in Taryn, ferret it out, nurturing the long dormant trait. Because Taryn likes the game, craves the game, the suffering, no matter what excuses she strings together.
Companions
Book series playlist: Spotify URL
Books in series:
➳ The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1) ★★★★★
➳ The Lost Sisters (The Folk of the Air, #1.5) ★★★★☆
➳ The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air, #2) ★★★★★
➳ The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air, #3) ★★★★☆
➳ How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air, #3.5) ☆☆☆☆☆
Let’s start with a love story. Or maybe it’s another horror story. It seems like the difference is mostly in where the ending comes.
Once upon a time, there was a girl—obedient, trusting, good—like all the enduring girls in fairytales; girls without hands, without eyes, without the power to scream in protest, without any power at all.
But then a prince rides up and sees the girl and finds her beautiful. Beautiful, not despite her suffering, but because of it. So all of a sudden the girl matters because a prince chose her, is rewarded because of her patience and restraint. All of a sudden, the girl is made a princess and given worth by a dashing prince on a white horse—god forbid she have any worth or voice without him.
That’s how all the fairytales go, isn’t it?
Well, to hell with that. To hell with waiting for princes to give a girl power. This girl will take what she wants, make her own prince, fight to live a fairytale—no matter who she hurts in the process. She will pretend to be patient and loving, lying to even herself, all while a hungry monster brews just beneath the surface. And she has a fox to teach her to reach for that.
“It’s terrible to be a girl trapped in a story. But you can be more than that. You can be the teller. You can shape the story. You can make all of Faerie love you.”
Avril Lavigne’s song I Fell in Love with the Devil is the perfect companion to this short story written in the form of a mental letter from Taryn to Jude, listening to it while reading was a delight (you can find that and other series-related songs in my playlist at the end of the review).
Do NOT read the rest if you haven’t read The Cruel Prince.
Be bold, be bold, but not too bold, lest that your heart’s blood should run cold.
I think we all wanted to throttle Taryn by the end of the first book. And you’d probably want to do that even after reading these pages of excuses upon excuses. And yet.
Yet, Holly Black did something there with this novella—yes, I still want to give Taryn a satisfactory beating, but I can also respect her. Hell, if she weren’t a hypocrite who lied even to herself about being good and perfect and loving, I could have loved her steely resolve and hungry grasp. Alas, she is a hypocrite, and I hate hypocrites. It’s okay if you’re selfish and wicked and greedy, just don’t paint it in flowers, prancing around as anything other than the truth of what you are.
“Love is greedy,”
That’s what Taryn keeps telling herself this is all about: love. But that, my friends, is a blatant lie. She simply wants to matter, to have others’ attention, to be adored. She’s just like her twin sister, craving power of her own kind; their only difference is that, where Jude does not hide who and how she is, taking pride in her nature, Taryn wears a mask that fools all, even her own self.
Two sisters, raised in a land of beautiful nightmares. Both terrified. Both hungering for a place to belong, to be important. Both selfish, lying snakes. And my not-dear Taryn, that will not change however much you chant to all who would listen that you are loyal and giving.
Manipulated by Locke? Heh, no. Locke was drawn to her because of the lie she lived, the monster she hid within. She wants a story, and what better than to use that scary determination of hers to get the master of stories himself, whatever the cost?
“Love is a noble cause,” Vivi reminded her. “How can anything done in the service of a noble cause be wrong?”
The master of stories. The playful fox. The king of the stage. The manipulative troublemaker. Oh how I want to love-kill him. He’s intriguing and and unbearable and irresistible. His approach to life is simple: bored? Desiring entertainment? Perhaps a tale? Then let the wolves into the den of the sheep who was raised to be a wolf.
In the end, all Locke did was glimpse a kindred cruel spirit in Taryn, ferret it out, nurturing the long dormant trait. Because Taryn likes the game, craves the game, the suffering, no matter what excuses she strings together.
Companions
Book series playlist: Spotify URL
Books in series:
➳ The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1) ★★★★★
➳ The Lost Sisters (The Folk of the Air, #1.5) ★★★★☆
➳ The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air, #2) ★★★★★
➳ The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air, #3) ★★★★☆
➳ How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air, #3.5) ☆☆☆☆☆
January 17, 2019
I'm not sure what was the purpose of this "novella". Was it supposed to show that Taryn didn't do it to hurt her sister? That she's somehow brave? That she's an active player and not just a bystander?
It was written from her point of view! I expected that I would be a bit more convinced by what she was saying! But come on, any villain would do a better job trying to persuade us that his intentions are good than Tarny did.
Taryn needs a smackdown in Blair Waldorf fashion! She's a pathetic little girl that's worried that no one will like her and she will have to do something! So, she did the easiest way to possibly secure a comfy, little life. 😂😂😂 Well, let's wait and see how that will turn out for Taryn.
I do not have much to add to it, except for this.
“Remember, we don’t love the way that you do.”
It was written from her point of view! I expected that I would be a bit more convinced by what she was saying! But come on, any villain would do a better job trying to persuade us that his intentions are good than Tarny did.
Taryn needs a smackdown in Blair Waldorf fashion! She's a pathetic little girl that's worried that no one will like her and she will have to do something! So, she did the easiest way to possibly secure a comfy, little life. 😂😂😂 Well, let's wait and see how that will turn out for Taryn.
I do not have much to add to it, except for this.
“Remember, we don’t love the way that you do.”
October 9, 2018
edit 10/7: i didn't like this :)
it could be that it's been too much time since i've read the cruel prince but i didn't really feel that this novella was necessary. i know i shouldn't assume anything about holly black's characters but i could have guessed that taryn was a dumb ass, naive, loved up, fool.
i think i would have preferred this more if she hadn't had any remorse for her actions. her weeping and "but i was in love" justification to all of her actions was just... not interesting to me.
i don't think this was poorly written and it was nice getting back into this world but i wish this novella would have been about LITERALLY anything else. maybe the fae sister's feelings/why she wants to live in the human world? idk. wasn't a complete waste of time but not something i will be rereading.
I might hate tarryn but sometimes u just gotta yolo & yeet & read the damn novella
it could be that it's been too much time since i've read the cruel prince but i didn't really feel that this novella was necessary. i know i shouldn't assume anything about holly black's characters but i could have guessed that taryn was a dumb ass, naive, loved up, fool.
i think i would have preferred this more if she hadn't had any remorse for her actions. her weeping and "but i was in love" justification to all of her actions was just... not interesting to me.
i don't think this was poorly written and it was nice getting back into this world but i wish this novella would have been about LITERALLY anything else. maybe the fae sister's feelings/why she wants to live in the human world? idk. wasn't a complete waste of time but not something i will be rereading.
I might hate tarryn but sometimes u just gotta yolo & yeet & read the damn novella
March 17, 2022
Taryn, what happened to “chicks before dicks”? You can fall off cow shit and I’d laugh at you.
October 4, 2022
"We were mortals and we had no fixed future in Faerie. You were wondering about your place here, just like I was."
Can I just start by saying how surprised I am at how vital this itty bitty story is to the overall arc of The Cruel Prince? I went in wholly expecting to have wasted my $2.99 based on my overall lack of enjoyment of novellas in general, but this? This was superb. In fact, if this golden nugget had somehow been weaved into book one, even as an afterthought, wrap-up, or extended epilogue, I would have give TCP a higher rating than I initially doled out. One of the reasons I wasn't blown away with the first installment was due to my lack of connection to the characters and world; this slight tale connected all the pieces that were floating in my periphery during my first read.
While at first I was sitting around, pouting and telling myself "She can't force me to like Taryn, stop trying to make Taryn happen!", I quickly realized that Holly Black was not, in fact, trying to force this character down my throat. I'll go as far as to suggest that this minute character study is present to fill in a few gaps, sure, but also to reinforce what a truly unlikable character Taryn is, and her journey on discovering just how far she's willing to go and what she's actually capable of. I won't spoil anything for you, but reading this little treasure has made me eager for the release of The Wicked King, where before I was apathetic and resigned to continuing on just to see what happens.
"Be bold, be bold, but not too bold, lest that your heart's blood should run cold."
Can I just start by saying how surprised I am at how vital this itty bitty story is to the overall arc of The Cruel Prince? I went in wholly expecting to have wasted my $2.99 based on my overall lack of enjoyment of novellas in general, but this? This was superb. In fact, if this golden nugget had somehow been weaved into book one, even as an afterthought, wrap-up, or extended epilogue, I would have give TCP a higher rating than I initially doled out. One of the reasons I wasn't blown away with the first installment was due to my lack of connection to the characters and world; this slight tale connected all the pieces that were floating in my periphery during my first read.
While at first I was sitting around, pouting and telling myself "She can't force me to like Taryn, stop trying to make Taryn happen!", I quickly realized that Holly Black was not, in fact, trying to force this character down my throat. I'll go as far as to suggest that this minute character study is present to fill in a few gaps, sure, but also to reinforce what a truly unlikable character Taryn is, and her journey on discovering just how far she's willing to go and what she's actually capable of. I won't spoil anything for you, but reading this little treasure has made me eager for the release of The Wicked King, where before I was apathetic and resigned to continuing on just to see what happens.
"Be bold, be bold, but not too bold, lest that your heart's blood should run cold."
January 30, 2022
I still dislike Taryn, and if anything, reading this, made me hate her even more. But I do in some ways understand her actions. The Lost Sisters was overall a well written novella, and the moral of the story here is that Locke doesn't deserve rights.
October 22, 2018
me: i can't believe i'm gonna read a novella about the characters i dislike the most
them: you don't have to...
me: no i'm gonna
*****
[21/10/18] novellas aren't really supposed to add anything to the main plotline, they're about developing characters and their backstories. so the only time i can actually rate them positively because i TRULY liked them is when i like the character they're about.
if anyone was wondering, i still don't care about taryn at all!
however i do love holly black's style and this series overall. so this might not be much in itself but it was something to quiet the seemingly neverending wait till book 2...
but then that sneak peek... kinda did the worst because now i'll be once again thinking of jude and cardan during every waking moment. can i just have the wicked king now please???
them: you don't have to...
me: no i'm gonna
*****
[21/10/18] novellas aren't really supposed to add anything to the main plotline, they're about developing characters and their backstories. so the only time i can actually rate them positively because i TRULY liked them is when i like the character they're about.
if anyone was wondering, i still don't care about taryn at all!
however i do love holly black's style and this series overall. so this might not be much in itself but it was something to quiet the seemingly neverending wait till book 2...
but then that sneak peek... kinda did the worst because now i'll be once again thinking of jude and cardan during every waking moment. can i just have the wicked king now please???
July 27, 2023
At this point give the girl a ukulele to complete her shit apology
October 8, 2018
I’ve never been more excited about a novella in my entire life. I don’t even like Taryn and Locke.
My obsession for this series is getting real bad, I guess.
******
So, my thoughts on this novella. I think I sympathize with Taryn a bit more now, but I still don’t like her at all. I don’t understand her actions simply because her motives are dumb to me. While Jude is after something badass, tangible and personally highly rewarding, she’s just looking for someone to marry. Way to go Taryn, you have such high ambitions *insert slow pity clap*
Locke is seriously the worst though. I don’t think I hate a character in this series more than I hate him. I hope Jude kills him like she did with Valerian. That’s what he deserves.
My obsession for this series is getting real bad, I guess.
******
So, my thoughts on this novella. I think I sympathize with Taryn a bit more now, but I still don’t like her at all. I don’t understand her actions simply because her motives are dumb to me. While Jude is after something badass, tangible and personally highly rewarding, she’s just looking for someone to marry. Way to go Taryn, you have such high ambitions *insert slow pity clap*
Locke is seriously the worst though. I don’t think I hate a character in this series more than I hate him. I hope Jude kills him like she did with Valerian. That’s what he deserves.
December 10, 2020
this is fully unnecessary, and also i forgot that i hate jude and cardan and taryn and locke most of the time.
so like...all the characters.
but it was survivable.
that's all i have to say.
2.5
----------------
i disliked the first book in this series, enjoyed the second, and disliked the third.
let's find out where we stand.
so like...all the characters.
but it was survivable.
that's all i have to say.
2.5
----------------
i disliked the first book in this series, enjoyed the second, and disliked the third.
let's find out where we stand.
October 3, 2018
WOW, I didn’t think it was possible for me to hate Taryn anymore than I already did but yep, it’s possible. I FUCKING HATE HER.
Not going to lie, I think she is pathetic and weak. What I especially hate about her is that she is nasty and then tries to paint herself in a kind light. No honey, you’re just a bitch.
Locke is awful as well, but I like it because he doesn’t pretend to be otherwise.
Let’s start with a love story.
Or maybe it’s another horror story. It seems like the difference is mostly in where the ending comes.
This was beautifully written, as always, and I loved the other fairytales within this one. The world that Holly has crafted in this series is as beautiful as it is terrifying - I love it so much. It was interesting being in Taryn’s head, seeing her try and justify herself to Jude, and it was really fun to see interactions between Jude and the Folk (especially Jude and Cardan). *sigh*
Hate Taryn, loved this story.
”You’re awful.” He [Cardan] said it as though he was delighted. “And the worst part is that you believe otherwise.”
Sums Taryn up perfectly. She’s a trash human.
****
I’m so fucking excited I can’t even. I hate Locke but I do admire his awfulness and Taryn.. is a cunt. Sorry not sorry. I can’t wait to crawl inside her backstabbing little mind because there is no way she can be as stupid as I think she is.
Not going to lie, I think she is pathetic and weak. What I especially hate about her is that she is nasty and then tries to paint herself in a kind light. No honey, you’re just a bitch.
Locke is awful as well, but I like it because he doesn’t pretend to be otherwise.
Let’s start with a love story.
Or maybe it’s another horror story. It seems like the difference is mostly in where the ending comes.
This was beautifully written, as always, and I loved the other fairytales within this one. The world that Holly has crafted in this series is as beautiful as it is terrifying - I love it so much. It was interesting being in Taryn’s head, seeing her try and justify herself to Jude, and it was really fun to see interactions between Jude and the Folk (especially Jude and Cardan). *sigh*
Hate Taryn, loved this story.
”You’re awful.” He [Cardan] said it as though he was delighted. “And the worst part is that you believe otherwise.”
Sums Taryn up perfectly. She’s a trash human.
****
I’m so fucking excited I can’t even. I hate Locke but I do admire his awfulness and Taryn.. is a cunt. Sorry not sorry. I can’t wait to crawl inside her backstabbing little mind because there is no way she can be as stupid as I think she is.
July 3, 2022
this made me hate taryn and locke more.
November 22, 2023
jude you deserve sm better 😔
January 16, 2023
4.5/5 ⭐
0/5 🌶️
“You’re awful.” He said it as though he was delighted. “And the worst part is that you believe otherwise”
Cardan was correct, Taryn is awful. This book made me dislike Taryn and Locke even more. They are the worst!
Quotes:
“Be bold, be bold, but not too bold. Be good, but not too good. Be pretty, but not too pretty. Be honest, but not too honest. Maybe no one got lucky. Maybe it was too hard.”
“Love is greedy," Rhyia said, drawing her bow. She spotted a bird high in the trees and chosen it to be her quarry. Her words bothered me, although I suppose my love for Locke was greedy too. But love was also transforming.”
“Love is a noble cause,” Vivi reminded her. “How can anything done in the service of a noble cause be wrong?”
“Let’s start with a love story. Or maybe it’s another horror story. It seems like the difference is mostly in where the ending comes.”
0/5 🌶️
“You’re awful.” He said it as though he was delighted. “And the worst part is that you believe otherwise”
Cardan was correct, Taryn is awful. This book made me dislike Taryn and Locke even more. They are the worst!
Quotes:
“Be bold, be bold, but not too bold. Be good, but not too good. Be pretty, but not too pretty. Be honest, but not too honest. Maybe no one got lucky. Maybe it was too hard.”
“Love is greedy," Rhyia said, drawing her bow. She spotted a bird high in the trees and chosen it to be her quarry. Her words bothered me, although I suppose my love for Locke was greedy too. But love was also transforming.”
“Love is a noble cause,” Vivi reminded her. “How can anything done in the service of a noble cause be wrong?”
“Let’s start with a love story. Or maybe it’s another horror story. It seems like the difference is mostly in where the ending comes.”
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