In The Queen of Nothing, the final book in Holly Black’s The Folk of the Air series, Jude Duarte returns as the exiled queen of Elfhame. Once the mortal High Queen, Jude has been betrayed and banished by her husband, King Cardan. Living in the human world with her sister Vivi and her brother Oak, Jude is restless and aching for a return to power. The story takes a turn when Jude’s twin sister, Taryn, comes seeking her help after committing a serious crime. Jude seizes this opportunity to sneak back into Elfhame, disguised as Taryn, and confront the threats against the throne, including those from old enemies and new conspiracies. The main characters, including Cardan and Jude, continue to grapple with their complex, toxic relationship, where love and betrayal constantly clash.
The central conflict centers on Jude’s struggle to reclaim her place in Elfhame, defend the crown, and navigate the twisted politics of the faerie court. As tensions rise, Cardan’s unpredictable curse looms large, threatening to destroy everything they’ve fought for. The novel’s key events include Jude’s return to Elfhame, her encounter with political schemes, and a final showdown that tests her cunning and resolve. In the climax, Jude and Cardan must confront the prophecy surrounding Cardan and decide the fate of Elfhame, leading to a resolution that ties together the series’ themes of power, loyalty, and sacrifice. The story concludes with a mix of bittersweet triumph and the restoration of balance in both the mortal and faerie worlds.
