The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air, #3)

by Holly Black

am well informed about their nature. Redcaps crave violence and blood and murder—

Woahhhhhh the double meaning is crazy

Does he have a new seneschal? Does he have a new lover? Is he going to Council meetings himself? Does he talk about me? Do he and Locke mock me together?

baby pleeaaase ur pulling my inner monologue too well

I think you crave a little violence yourself.”

Your High King is to be dethroned before the next full moon. How do you like those apples?

Even a new seneschal, should he bother to appoint one.

Baby we both know he’s not doing that

And a good day’s sleep.”

I have heard that for mortals, the feeling of falling in love is very like the feeling of fear.

“The thing is, I wonder if she’s, you know, playing house with me. Pretending her life went the way she wanted. Pretending she never found out who she was and where she was from.”

But aren’t we all

My twin sister, Taryn.

FUCK THIS BITCH

The night before his wedding, Locke and his friends tried to ride me down like a pack of dogs chasing a fox. I promised to pay him back for that. If he’s dead, I never will.

Finally a woman with her priorities straight

“Come inside, and I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you everything. Please, Jude.”

No apology no nothing, just request after request with this mother fucker

“Why didn’t you say something? Why did you let me marry him?” she demands.

I hate this bitch soooo bad let me attum

thought we were nothing alike, you and I. But it turns out we’re just the same.” I don’t think she believes that to be a good thing.

I am so sick of this holier than thou attitude Jude please just put the weapons down and beat her ass

inquest,

I shake my head. “I had a geas placed on me. It protects me from glamours.”

I thought Viv already suspected this?

“I recall that your hands were on her, but her eyes were on me,”

Wait. Everyone made such a big deal about this line but it was in a DREAM??

“That’s not true!” I insist,

LMFAOO YOU LIAR I REMEMBER ITTTT

“I’m pregnant,” she says,

Always checking off ways to be a complete fucking nuisance

I know we haven’t been kind. I know she’s hurt me, more than she can guess. But for all that, she’s still my sister.

SHES STILL A BIIIITCH SHE DESERVED ALL OF THAT!!!!!

I am more muscular, but clothes can hide that. My hair is shorter, but not by much. And then, of course, there’s my temper.

Yeah, this whole time you could’ve beat her the fuck up but you didn’t do it once

I want nothing more than to visit the Roach and the Bomb,

Bro genuinely me too. I miss them 🥲

He didn’t recognize Taryn when she dressed in my clothes, and he won’t recognize me now.

Because he was poisoned!!!! He loves you 😭😭😭

Maybe I can pardon myself.

We’re getting somewhere

face. Locke was her friend, once, and her lover. I don’t think he was particularly good at either, but I guess that doesn’t mean she wanted him dead.

Damn, she’s better than me

I force them out and try to force out a little sob, too.

Girl ur embarrassing us lmfaooo

“I loved him.” “Sometimes I believed that you did, yes,” Cardan says absently.

OUUUCH HE KNOWS ITS YOU

Yes, I sent Jude into exile. That may or may not have deterred her.” I wish I could punch him in his smug face and show him how undeterred I am by his exile.

I’m sitting here screaming. This is my favorite scene

“Jude never loved Locke.” My face feels hot, but my shame is an excellent cover to hide behind. “She loved someone else. He’s the one she’d want dead.” I am pleased to see Cardan flinch.

I’m squirming in my seat

“As you wish. Then I suppose I will have to examine you alone in my chambers.”

cardaaaaan you freeeeak

If I am undressed, he will know me.

OUHH

Madoc is coming to save Taryn. It’s a reminder that while I am no longer in his good graces, she helped him wriggle out of his vows of service to the High King. She gave him half an army. I wonder what plans he has for her, what rewards he’s promised.

Why am I jealous

“Didn’t you get my letters?”

BRB going to Barnes and nobles so I can possess these letters because I’m dying over the copies I found on the internet of them

“Jude, you can’t really think I don’t know it’s you. I knew you from the moment you walked into the brugh.”

Kicking and screaming

if they’ve made it this close to the High King, Cardan is in terrible danger.

“This is Lady Nore and Lord Jarel and their daughter, Queen Suren,” Oriana says to me quietly. So the little girl is the ruler?

Holy shit I completely ignored this part the first time I read this

“Prize out the gems,

What does he mean by this

“It allowed him to overhear those speaking just outside of range. A wonderful device for eavesdropping.”

Fuck!!! I need to reread this book too

I consider pretending to be Taryn, but he could hardly believe it was my twin who snuck past those guards.

She’s so cocky I love it

“My true name,”

You’re a widow, not a child.”

Honestly I wish Taryn actually heard that

wake to the press of a hand over my mouth. I slam my elbow into where I think the person holding me must be and am satisfied to hear a sharp intake of breath, as though I connected with a vulnerable part.

I love them

“Cardan sent you?” I ask. “Not exactly,”

RAAAAAAA MY MAN MY MAAAAAANNNNN

“Imagine if, in the mortal world, a lawyer passed the bar by killing another lawyer.” I have no idea what my sister is talking about.

Honestly Viv let’s talk about the current political and economic state of the world

My sisters, who, despite everything, came for me.

You were dying because of a mission TARYN sent you on to save her own skin girl STAND UP

I do not pause to ask myself why I am in such a panic to save someone for whom I swore I rooted out every feeling. I will not think about that.

You have not convinced me for a single moment of any of that btw

Expect an assassination attempt, most likely in the great hall. Keep the High King in seclusion. If I give that to someone to pass to Baphen or one of Cardan’s personal guard, then perhaps I have a better chance of finding the Ghost before he strikes.

Yk damn well they’re gonna think it’s you in your damn ski mask

“She is my wife,” Cardan says, his voice carrying over the crowd. “The rightful High Queen of Elfhame. And most definitely not in exile.”

rAAAAAAAAHHHHH

the High King is there, surrounded by his guard.

Hehe

Make your threats. Do your worst.” “Yes,” he says, turning down a corridor in the palace that led outside. “We do need to talk.”

I’m ugly laughing rn for everyone watching at home

“It was terrifying,” he says, “watching you fall. I mean, you’re generally terrifying, but I am unused to fearing for you. And then I was furious. I am not sure I have ever been that angry before.” “Mortals are fragile,” I say. “Not you,” he says in a way that sounds a little like a lament. “You never break.”