Thoughts As I Read: How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
“So long as you’re begging, he doesn’t mind a bit.” Oh yes, we are back.
The King of Elfhame Visits the Mortal World
Jeez, Jude. You’re already Queen of Elfhame. What more do you have to prove?
He’s lazy and she’s beyond driven. They shouldn’t work. I love them.
She teases if he is equal to a battalion and he really thought, “well I did raise an island from the sea.”
Aspirations of heroism? Really, Cardan?
The Prince of Elfhame is Rude
Baby (not really, he’s 9) Prince Cardan: unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. I hate his family.
Troll! In the Barn! Telling stories! Thought you’d want to know.
Boy, stop interrupting her!
“A sharp tongue is no match for a sharp tooth.”
The Prince of Elfhame Hates (almost) Everything and Everyone
Is early teens Cardan as pimply and awkward as the rest of us?
All he wants is to be in Balekin’s inner circle because no one else wanted him; well if he didn’t have a hear to stone by now he’ll get it soon enough.
You know what, I don’t blame Cardan one bit for all the hate he has for his family.
“Not a heart of stone, but a heart of fire.”
No wonder he and Nicasia are so close, they are both messed up. I still don’t like her.
He’s hopeless. He thinks the only thing the Court expects of him is to be an uncaring and cruel prince even though he secretly wants to be more. I love this boy.
The Prince of Elfhame Gets a Moth Drunk
There is good in him (Padme would approve)
Aw, he’s already drawn to Jude in that “she’s annoying” sort of way
Okay, this story is hilarious. He could have been cruel to the moth, but got him drunk instead.
The Prince of Elfhame is Mildly Inconvenienced
Oh man, he notices everything about Jude; he didn’t have a chance.
He admires her tenacity, something he never had. Other than a tenacity for wanting his family members dead.
The Prince of Elfhame Gets Wet
I am loving how much he is intrigued by Jude, but I feel for Nicasia. That’s not fair. I still don’t like her.
The Prince of Elfhame is Given Two Stories
Hello Aslog with a twist on the first story.
He really didn’t learn his lesson from the first one.
“A heart of stone can still be broken.”
Oh that’s not a good sign.
The Prince of Elfhame Learns to Hate Stories
Womp, there’s the heartache.
Dang Nicasia, just when I was about to root for you.
Showing up at school drunk and heartbroken, classic.
Oh Jude’s hate for his privilege and getting away with anything while she can’t do anything right in anyone’s eyes. I get it.
“I am nothing if not dramatic.” Yep.
The Prince of Elfhame Stomps Around
This prince has a taste for human novels.
Oh no Nicasia, you don’t get to come back just because Locke broke up with you.
Jude will never grovel and that’s why you love her, Cardan.
The King of Elfhame Tries to Do One Good thing
“Knives Out” shoutout!
Hello again, Aslog.
Classic trope, try to do the dirty work so his wife doesn’t have to.
Oh boy, Jude’s gonna be pissed when she wakes up.
The King of Elfhame Gets What He Deserves
His interaction with the gas station cashier is priceless, like Thor trying to get directions.
This cashier is slick promoting his self-published book of local haunts
Storyteller Cardan!
Final Thoughts
This was so delightful. Every story was a perfect snapshot of Cardan’s evolution from little boy who wants to be loved by anyone to King who wants only to be loved by his Queen.
These illustrations are perfection. Whimsical, dark, adds to the story in so many ways.
This is probably my favourite novella.