100% NZ-owned | 80,000+ Books In NZ 📚

Order Today and You Could Win a Year of Free Books! 📚✨

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air series)

a stunning full colour edition set in the faerie world of Elfhame
By Holly Black
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
Once upon a time, there was a boy with a wicked tongue... Before Cardan was a cruel prince or a wicked king, he was a faerie child with a heart of stone. In this sumptuously illustrated tale, Holly Black reveals a deeper look into the dramatic... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
Pre-order
Releases 3rd February 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air series)" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

Found a better price? Request a price match

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air series)

An irresistible return to the captivating world of Elfhame from bestselling Folk of the Air author Holly Black, with stunning full-colour illustrations by Rovina Cai.

Newly available in paperback format: the intoxicating world of Elfhame captured in colour with stunning illustrations by Rovina Cai.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Once upon a time, there was a boy with a wicked tongue...

Before Cardan was a cruel prince or a wicked king, he was a faerie child with a heart of stone. In this sumptuously illustrated tale, Holly Black reveals a deeper look into the dramatic life of Elfhame's enigmatic high king. This tale includes delicious details of life before The Cruel Prince, an adventure beyond The Queen of Nothing, and familiar but pivotal moments from The Folk of the Air trilogy, told wholly from Cardan's perspective.

This new instalment in the Folk of the Air series is a return to the heart-racing romance, danger, humour and drama that enchanted readers everywhere. Each chapter is paired with lavish and luminous full-colour art, making this the perfect collector's item to be enjoyed by audiences both new and old.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781471421006

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 January 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Hot Key Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Rovina Cai

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 192

Collections

Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Fiction Holly Black Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Young Adult

About the Author

Holly Black is the author of bestselling contemporary fantasy books for kids and teens. Her titles include the Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, the Magisterium series (with Cassandra Clare) and the Folk of the Air series, which begins with The Cruel Prince in 2018, nominated for the CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL 2019, and winner of the Silver Inky for best International YA book. She has been a a finalist for an Eisner Award, and the recipient of the Andre Norton Award, the Mythopoeic Award and a Newbery Honor. She lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret door. Follow Holly at blackholly.com or @HollyBlack

Rovina Cai is a freelance illustrator who works across a variety of genres. Her poetic imagery has served as book covers, posters and interior art for novels and picture books. She recently won the World Fantasy Award for best artist. Her work has also been recognised by organisations like the Society of Illustrators, and the Children's Book Council of Australia. Rovina works out of a cosy studio in Melbourne, Australia, in an old building that was once a convent and is possibly haunted.

Also by Holly Black

View all

More from Young Adult

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.