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Series Guide
The Folk of the Air
By Holly Black · 3 books · Complete
Use this The Folk of the Air books in order guide to start in the right place, follow the trilogy clearly, and avoid common reading-order confusion.
About this series
This The Folk of the Air books in order guide helps you read Holly Black's fae fantasy trilogy in the clearest order.
If you are new to The Folk of the Air, start with The Cruel Prince and continue through the main trilogy in publication order. Holly Black's official bibliography lists The Cruel Prince, The Wicked King, and The Queen of Nothing as the core Folk of the Air sequence, while also listing How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories as a related companion title.
Best first read: publication order.
Reading order
Main trilogy
- 1
The Cruel Prince
Jan 2018
- 2
The Wicked King
Jan 2019
- 3
The Queen of Nothing
Nov 2019
Optional companion
- 3.5
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories
Nov 2020
Goodreads lists The Folk of the Air as a 3-book series, and Holly Black's official site describes The Queen of Nothing as the finale to the trilogy. The author site also describes How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories as a related tale drawing on events before and after the trilogy, which makes it a strong optional follow-up rather than the starting point.
Series at a glance
3
Books
🌶️
Spice
Complete
Status
3
Tropes
Reading Order Notes
These The Folk of the Air reading order notes can help first-time readers understand the safest way to read the series.
Why publication order works
For most readers, publication order is the best The Folk of the Air reading order because it preserves the political reveals, character power shifts, and slow-burn tension between Jude and Cardan.
Should you read How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories?
You do not need it to follow the main trilogy, but many readers enjoy it as an optional companion after The Queen of Nothing. Holly Black's official description says it includes material from before The Cruel Prince, beyond The Queen of Nothing, and familiar moments from the trilogy told from Cardan's perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct Folk of the Air reading order?
The main The Folk of the Air reading order is The Cruel Prince, The Wicked King, and The Queen of Nothing. If you want the optional companion afterward, read How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories last.
Is The Folk of the Air series complete?
Yes. The Folk of the Air is complete as a trilogy. Holly Black's official site describes The Queen of Nothing as the finale, and Goodreads also lists the series as three main books.
Should I start Holly Black with The Folk of the Air?
Yes. The Cruel Prince is the best place to start if you want Holly Black's best-known YA fae court series, because it is book one and the clearest entry point into the trilogy.
Do I need to read How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories?
No. It is an optional companion rather than a required main-series installment. Most readers can follow the trilogy without it, though it adds extra Cardan perspective and post-trilogy flavor.