The Lost Sisters by Holly Black science fiction and fantasy book and audiobook reviewsThe Lost Sisters by Holly Black science fiction and fantasy book and audiobook reviewsThe Lost Sisters by Holly Black

Twin sisters Jude and Taryn were taken to live in the Court of Elfhame after their parents were murdered by Madoc, a general in the land of faerie who is now their step-father and guardian. We witnessed how these mortal girls struggled as they came of age in the land of faerie in the first novel in Holly Black’s THE FOLK OF THE AIR series, The Cruel Prince, which was written from Jude’s perspective. Jude tells us how she was bullied, all the ways she fought back, and how her twin sister Taryn eventually betrayed her.

Now we get to hear Taryn’s side of the story.

The novella The Lost Sisters (2018) re-tells the most important events of The Cruel Prince from her point-of-view. As the publisher’s blurb promises, The Lost Sisters is part explanation, part apology. For the reader, Taryn’s perspective is important for understanding the twins’ roller coaster relationship with Locke. Taryn’s story answered a few questions I had about the plot of The Cruel Prince.The Folk of the Air (3 Book Series) by Holly Black

To avoid spoilers, fans of THE FOLK OF THE AIR will want to read The Lost Sisters after reading The Cruel Prince. Those who haven’t read The Cruel Prince won’t get anything out of The Lost Sisters. Those who have read The Cruel Prince don’t need to read The Lost Sisters before starting the second novel, The Wicked King, but this novella provides some background information that adds some depth to the story and, therefore, I recommend it.

I listened to the audio version produced by Hachette Audio and nicely narrated by Caitlin Kelly. It’s 1.5 hours long. Currently it is $2.99 on Kindle and $3.98 at Audible.

Published in 2018. 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.

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  • Kat Hooper

    KAT HOOPER, who started this site in June 2007, earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and psychology at Indiana University (Bloomington) and now teaches and conducts brain research at the University of North Florida. When she reads fiction, she wants to encounter new ideas and lots of imagination. She wants to view the world in a different way. She wants to have her mind blown. She loves beautiful language and has no patience for dull prose, vapid romance, or cheesy dialogue. She prefers complex characterization, intriguing plots, and plenty of action. Favorite authors are Jack Vance, Robin Hobb, Kage Baker, William Gibson, Gene Wolfe, Richard Matheson, and C.S. Lewis.

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