Quick Overview/Ratings
My overall rating: 
/5
Spice rating: 
/5
On KU: No, this book is not available on Kindle Unlimited (as of publishing)
POV: Single POV
Audiobook Narration Style: The audiobook has one narrator read using Single POV Narration
Writing Style: Third person
Setting: Magical fae world
Plot Summary: How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
Before he was the High King of Elfhame, before he became a legend in his own right, Cardan Greenbriar was just a boy with a crown of thorns on his head.
Told through his own perspective, this spellbinding novella reveals the untold story of Cardan’s rise to power, his fractured childhood, and the choices that shaped him into the cruel and cunning faerie king. From his torment at the hands of his older brother to his fateful meeting with Jude Duarte, Cardan’s past is filled with secrets, betrayal, and glimpses of a heart buried beneath layers of bitterness.
But Cardan’s story isn’t just one of darkness. It’s also a story of love, redemption, and the kind of magic that transforms even the most hardened souls.
With stunning illustrations and unforgettable moments, How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories is a poetic exploration of power, vulnerability, and the truth behind the man who stole a mortal queen’s heart—and nearly destroyed her in the process.
This is Cardan’s tale, because every story has two sides…
Book Notes for How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
- Romantasy (though Romance is a small subplot, not the focal point of this story).
- Small novella from Cardan’s perspective.
- Morally grey MMC
- Villain backstory
- Faerie court politics
- Betrayal and manipulation
- Enemies-to-lovers nuances
- Exploration of morality and power
- Whimsical storytelling structure
- Redemption and self-discovery
- YA (no spice)
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