The Stolen Heir

The Stolen Heir (2023) is a young adult, high fantasy spin-off of Holly Black’s The Folk of the Air series, comprising The Cruel Prince (2018), The Wicked King (2019), and The Queen of Nothing (2019). The novel is the first installment in The Stolen Heir duology, and it follows Jude’s fae brother, Prince Oak, and his romance with Suren (Wren), the changeling queen of the Court of Teeth, as they seek to rescue Madoc from imprisonment at Lady Nore’s Ice Needle Citadel. The Stolen Heir explores themes of autonomy and truth.

Holly Black is a New York Times bestselling author of over 30 middle-grade and young adult fantasy novels, whose books have been translated into 32 languages. She’s received the Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula, and a Newbery Honor.

This guide is based on the e-book edition published by Little, Brown and Company in 2023.

Content Warning: The Stolen Heir mentions death by suicide and depicts violence, including physical abuse.

Plot Summary

Suren, or Wren, is the 18-year-old changeling queen of the Court of Teeth. Eight years ago, she escaped to the mortal realm after the Battle of the Serpent, where her parents—Lady Nore and Lord Jarel—allied with a redcap faerie named Madoc to overthrow the High King, Cardan, and High Queen, Jude.