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A Goodreads user asked this question about How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air, #3.5):
Why does everyone love Cardan and glorify his (frankly abusive) relationship with Jude? There is definitely a difference between 'bad boys' and 'assholes', and Cardan falls into the latter for me. He's interesting, but why in the world would you have the hots for him?
Victoria VanTol Okay so, not that this justifies Cardan's actions, but I would argue Jude was actually more abusive toward Cardan in terms of severity and consistency…moreOkay so, not that this justifies Cardan's actions, but I would argue Jude was actually more abusive toward Cardan in terms of severity and consistency. Without being too spoilery, she exerted a vast amount of non-consensual control over him in books two and three.

Ultimately this series is about dealing very poorly, and immaturely, with being in a powerless position. People who've been abused often take their trauma out on others. Cardan and Jude were able to relate to each other on this, having both experienced abuse, and worked through (mostly) their traumas together and on their own. No, it doesn't always (or even usually) happen this way in real life, but I thought the portrayal of trauma and how it can be overcome was done well in these books.(less)
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How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories
by Holly Black (Goodreads Author)
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