A Court This Cruel and Lovely

Kingdom of Lies, Book 1

By: Stacia Stark

Narrated by: Tim Paige, Meg Sylvan

Length: 14 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

For years, when I fell asleep, I dreamed of a man with blazing green eyes and a cruel smile. The day I meet him, the ruthless mercenary leaves me for dead.

Just hours after humans are born, the gods take what little power we have. In return, they protect our borders from the vicious, merciless fae.

The humans who manage to keep their power are known as the corrupt. And they are burned.

When my forbidden power is discovered, I’m forced to flee my tiny village and the life I adore. To survive, I make a desperate bargain with the mercenary who abandoned me at my weakest moment.

Our deal is simple: I’ll help him and his mysterious friends sneak into the city, and he’ll help me learn to wield the strange, dark power I’ve always kept hidden—the power that may just be the key to my survival.

But the ruthless mercenary is hiding secrets of his own, secrets that threaten the safety of everyone I love, that could tear this kingdom—and perhaps even this world—apart.

Please note: A Court This Cruel and Lovely is an NA/adult romantasy book with steam. While this series is slow burn, the chili-pepper rating will increase for each book.

©2023 Stacia Stark (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

Plot!

Absolutely loved every part of this book. The title is like every other romantasy out there, so I wasn’t too excited - but, it totally blew me away. It’s not ACOTAR or Blood and Ash- it’s better.

ACOTAR 2.0

If you have an ACOTAR hangover, then this is the series to go to (after all of SJM of course)! High Fae, Humans, Hybrids and Beasts.....A power struggle, lies, betrayals, great love, absolute despair. This series has absolutely everything a fantasy lover could want. Smut smut and more smut, yes this series has a mild amount of spice....I would rate it 3/5 chilis and the amount is about the same as ACOSF. Rated 4/5 stars on story for JUST THIS BOOK. The entire series is 5/5 stars would recommend it.

One of the best romantasy books in a while!

It’s been a while since I’ve listened to something this good. It kept my attention going through out. Should get way more exposure!

Excellent story and build up of characters.

Love the story, the characters and the romance! Can’t wait to start the next book. 🔥❤️🔥

Sarah J Maas fans will love

If you take all of Sarah J Maas' books, put them in a blender and turn it on, you get this book.
A sweet herion that only knows one life and then is thrust into a mystery of her own past and finds a perilous future. Handsome strangers, and a evil tyrant king.
The way the story twisted and turned, you weren't sure who to suspect and who to trust.
A fun ride. I liked how characters and story developed. A Great narrator!

So good

Such a gripping story!!! What a great cliffhanger I cannot wait for the next installment and though I wish I found it sooner, at least I won’t be waiting too long for the final book now

The best so far

I truly loved every single chapter of this book and finished it in less than 48 h. It had everything from comedy, drama, excitement and spicy scenes not to mention the plot twist at the end and the enticing cliffhanger just WOW 🩵

Gooood!

I wasn’t ready! It got better and better. I am on to the next book, the cliffhanger was everything.

acting so so, story was good

the story was good, engaging and slow burn. the voice acting was annoying at times, especially some of the male characters sounded like someone mocking a stereotypical dumb jock. the story was good enough to keep me engaged though. might by the next one in book form so I don't have to listen to the voice acting.

slow to start but good story line

the first book is slow to start and can take a while to get into. however, the narrators did a great job and I ultimately stuck around because I heard the second book got better, and it does.