ŷ������

Power is so much easier to acquire than it is to hold on to.

I'm not sure if I should be happy or angry?

This book was, undoubtedly, my most anticipated book of the year. But I must confess, it did not quite live up to my expectations. That's not to say it is not a good book, it was just a tad slow for my taste. The book doesn't really pick up until about the 60% mark. After that though, things definitely get interesting.

Main Characters' Ranking:
Jude = Cardan > Madoc = Vivi >> Locke >>>>>>>> Taryn
Previously I disliked Taryn for being weak and complicit, but now I just loathe her for being a lousy, backstabbing, sorry excuse for a sister.

The Relationships:
Madoc & Jude
Even though I know they'll never truly reconcile, some small part of me wishes they would because honestly a Madoc and Jude team-up would be epic. They would have all of Faerie bending to their will. No question.

It is clear that despite her previous betrayal Madoc does still care about Jude and wants her to join his side.
"Does our High King have any idea how good you are at running this kingdom for him?"
"Keep hoping he doesn't"
"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."
But alas he is still who he is and any sort of personal feelings he may have fall second to his boundless ambition.

Jude & Taryn
If this series somehow ends with Jude easily forgiving Taryn for betraying her AGAIN. I will riot!

Honestly, this is the reason I did not even bother to read The Lost Sisters. Because any amount of Taryn is too much Taryn for me. I do not care what anyone says about how she has her own way of coping or surviving in Faerie. Because the bottom line is both Jude and Taryn have suffered in this world their whole lives, but only ONE of them has betrayed the other. TARYN. Sure Jude may not have told Taryn her every plan and secret, but never once has Jude intentionally done something to harm Taryn. NOT ONCE. And just when she starts to let her sister back in, Taryn just slaps her in the face with another betrayal.

Honestly, I am so done with this relationship. May it wither and die.

Jude & Cardan
To put it simply this relationship is a mess. A beautiful mess, but a mess nonetheless. Because once again we're forced to watch truly deeply damaged individuals fight their obviously growing feelings for one another because they lack the fundamental key to a healthy relationship, trust.
On Jude's part:
...that I like him better than I've ever liked anyone and that of all the things he's ever done to me, making me like him so much is by far the most
...and all I want to do is walk into his arms. I want to drown my worries in his embrace. I want him to say something totally unlike himself, about things being okay.
Kill him before he makes you love him

On Cardan's part:
"Kiss me again, he says, drunk and foolish. "Kiss me until I am sick of it."
"If you're the sickness, I suppose you can't also be the cure."
"I wasn't kind Jude. Not to many people. Not to you. I wasn't sure if I wanted you or if I wanted you gone from my sigh so that I would stop feeling as I did, which made me even more unkind. But when you were gone-truly gone beneath the waves-I hated myself as I never have before."

These two have the makings of something beautifully tragic. And I suppose the ending of this book makes some people angry. Angry at Cardan. But personally, I found it fitting. A betrayal to answer a betrayal. An eye for an eye. It is the world they live in. The only way to win is to play, and it seems Cardan is finally done taking a backseat. So while I am disappointed our girl got played, I am not mad at Cardan for finally taking his life into his own hands. And that's the tea.


Sidenote: one running theme I found quite amusing is how often people pointed out Jude's affinity for murder.
For example:
Locke-Jude
"Your ridiculous family might be surprised to find that not everything is solved by murder."
"We would be surprised to find that."

Cardan-Jude-The Roach-The Bomb
"The three of you have one solution to every problem. Murder. No key fits every lock."
"Someone tries to betray the High King, murder. Someone gives you a harsh look, murder. Someone disrespects you, murder. Someone ruins your laundry, murder."

All-in-all this was a mighty fine read and a great book to kick off my year.

===
NOTE: My Headcanon came true!!!
Headcanon: Cardan and Jude will continue to have an unwanted, yet undeniable pull and attraction to one another. And one of those times will involve some fun with Cardan's tail.