44 pages 1 hour read

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories

Fiction | Novella | YA | Published in 2020

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

Holly Black, Illustr. Rovina Cai

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories

Fiction | Novella | YA | Published in 2020
Book Details
Pages

178

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Elfhame • Fantasy World

Publication Year

2020

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black, illustrated by Rovina Cai, explores the childhood and growth of Cardan, a prominent character from the Folk of the Air series. Through a series of interwoven tales, the narrative delves into Cardan's complex relationships and poignant experiences that shape his personality and destiny.

Mysterious

Fantastical

Emotional

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black, illustrated by Rovina Cai, enchants with its vivid artwork and deepens familiar characters. Fans praise its compelling narrative and rich visual appeal. However, some find it less accessible to newcomers and desire more plot development. Overall, it’s a delightful addition for existing fans.

Who should read this

Who Should Read How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories?

A fan of How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black, with illustrations by Rovina Cai, would likely enjoy dark fairy tales and complex character backstories. Ideal for readers of Black’s The Cruel Prince series and fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy, the book offers rich fantasy and intricate illustrations.

Character List

Cardan

The youngest prince of Elfhame who rises to become the High King, initially portrayed as a villain due to his troubled childhood but later revealed to have a more complex character.

A troll woman known for her storytelling, who serves as a foil to Cardan and unintentionally mentors him, highlighting his growth throughout the story.

Faerie royalty from the Undersea and Cardan's first friend and lover, whose actions contribute to the tense relationship between the Courts.

A human girl and Cardan's classmate, known for her strong work ethic and role as the narrative's moral center, eventually becoming an important influence in Cardan's life.

Book Details
Pages

178

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Elfhame • Fantasy World

Publication Year

2020

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Buy This Book

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.