Review by FloofyMoose
A Court This Cruel and Lovely by Stacia Stark is the first book of the Kingdom of Lies series. This is a romantic epic fantasy about a young woman who has to run away from her village because it’s been discovered she kept her magic power. She makes a bargain with a mysterious man in order to survive, not knowing the ramifications of her choice on her future. Tropes include angst, banter, hate to love, one bed, one horse, found family and a very slow burn.
The Lovely: Character wise I really empathized with the FMC and what she was going through. She kept trying and pushing, with a fair amount of guts and sass. I also enjoyed her relationship with the morally dark gray male character and his band of friends.
The Mundane: The world building in terms of physical/geography/locale was rather non-descript. I at times had trouble picturing the environment, especially in the city/castle. The magic system though was intriguing and I liked how it was layered with the villain and political intrigue.
The Dreadful: I felt like the story got off to a slow start and I didn’t really get into it until about the 20% or 25% mark. Then it went full throttle for a while, slowed back downs then got going again by the 75% mark. All told, I didn’t feel like the tension was maintained enough throughout the book and I found myself bored at times. The other positives outweighed this so I did stick with it and enjoyed it. The ending was stunning and I can’t wait to start book 2.
Rating: 4/5 Stars 3/5 Spicy Flames
Recommendation: This is probably more of a 4.5 stars but most of the places I review sadly don’t allow for half stars. I’ve had this in my #tbr for a while but finally bumped it to the top when I saw a friend had read it and loved it. This is a very very slow burn - it was almost the 85% mark where things really got spicy. If you like romantasy with a twisty plot line and a character relationship where there’s a morally gray male character, I think you would like this book.
The Lovely: Character wise I really empathized with the FMC and what she was going through. She kept trying and pushing, with a fair amount of guts and sass. I also enjoyed her relationship with the morally dark gray male character and his band of friends.
The Mundane: The world building in terms of physical/geography/locale was rather non-descript. I at times had trouble picturing the environment, especially in the city/castle. The magic system though was intriguing and I liked how it was layered with the villain and political intrigue.
The Dreadful: I felt like the story got off to a slow start and I didn’t really get into it until about the 20% or 25% mark. Then it went full throttle for a while, slowed back downs then got going again by the 75% mark. All told, I didn’t feel like the tension was maintained enough throughout the book and I found myself bored at times. The other positives outweighed this so I did stick with it and enjoyed it. The ending was stunning and I can’t wait to start book 2.
Rating: 4/5 Stars 3/5 Spicy Flames
Recommendation: This is probably more of a 4.5 stars but most of the places I review sadly don’t allow for half stars. I’ve had this in my #tbr for a while but finally bumped it to the top when I saw a friend had read it and loved it. This is a very very slow burn - it was almost the 85% mark where things really got spicy. If you like romantasy with a twisty plot line and a character relationship where there’s a morally gray male character, I think you would like this book.
Other Member Reviews
It's not often I get surprised by the twists and turns, and while I did guess the big one at the end, there was enough of them that this wasn't a predictable plot! Yes, it followed some typical tropes (which I don't hate), but it was a blast to read and I really enjoyed myself. If you like found family, enemies to lovers, and morally grey grumpy men x badass female heroines, then add this one to your TBR.
We start off in a small village where Prisca lives with secret magic. I have to admit, this first part was a little predictable but once she left the village things started getting interesting. I loved how hard she fought to survive yet still doubted herself. It made her feel relatable. She was never too cocky but also not obnoxiously humble and I found it inspiring how all she wanted to do was help the people who didn't deserve to die. I also really loved the interesting characters Prisca befriended during this book. I'm exciting to see more of them!
The romance was a good pace. Not fast but not agonizingly slow either. Their banter was hilarious and I loved how they still messed with each other until the very end. (And will hopefully continue to do so in the next books). We knew they were keeping secrets from each other but we were never sure what until closer to the end.
It's compared to ACOTAR a lot, and I get the comparison but I enjoyed this story A LOT more.
We start off in a small village where Prisca lives with secret magic. I have to admit, this first part was a little predictable but once she left the village things started getting interesting. I loved how hard she fought to survive yet still doubted herself. It made her feel relatable. She was never too cocky but also not obnoxiously humble and I found it inspiring how all she wanted to do was help the people who didn't deserve to die. I also really loved the interesting characters Prisca befriended during this book. I'm exciting to see more of them!
The romance was a good pace. Not fast but not agonizingly slow either. Their banter was hilarious and I loved how they still messed with each other until the very end. (And will hopefully continue to do so in the next books). We knew they were keeping secrets from each other but we were never sure what until closer to the end.
It's compared to ACOTAR a lot, and I get the comparison but I enjoyed this story A LOT more.
I liked the end.
I did like the whole storyline and the ending of book one… it’s just the journey getting there was rough. The pacing of this book was so odd. I get it but it was like whiplash at times. Also, the romance and honestly any relationship in this book was not fully there for me. I can see the crumbs there but I’m not fully invested in any of the relationships yet. I’m pretty excited for the next book though with all the fae and such!
I did like the whole storyline and the ending of book one… it’s just the journey getting there was rough. The pacing of this book was so odd. I get it but it was like whiplash at times. Also, the romance and honestly any relationship in this book was not fully there for me. I can see the crumbs there but I’m not fully invested in any of the relationships yet. I’m pretty excited for the next book though with all the fae and such!
Audiobook.
Betrayal, magic, murder, injustice, greed, lust, hot royalty, fae, sexy time and a dungeon, what else could one ask for ? Very fun read, the ending was a cliffhanger with a bite. I have a feeling the next book will even be better, this one spent a good amount of time building the world and the characters. So I'm off to read book 2 ;P
Betrayal, magic, murder, injustice, greed, lust, hot royalty, fae, sexy time and a dungeon, what else could one ask for ? Very fun read, the ending was a cliffhanger with a bite. I have a feeling the next book will even be better, this one spent a good amount of time building the world and the characters. So I'm off to read book 2 ;P
I am thrilled to express how much I enjoyed this book. I was genuinely surprised that I managed to finish it within just two days. While I initially began it some time ago, my fascination with the story truly took flight yesterday. I was so captivated that I dedicated a solid 12 hours to listening to the audiobook. Can you sense my enthusiasm? Anything that channels the essence of a fantasy retelling with a touch of Beauty and the Beast ambiance is right up my alley. I absolutely adored this book and cannot wait to share my thoughts with you!
Get ready to be whisked away on a spellbinding journey with "A Court This Cruel & Lovely"! This audiobook had me hooked from the first chapter to the very end. Stacia Stark has crafted a captivating tale of love, sacrifice, and the discovery of inner strength that will leave you utterly spellbound.
Set in a world where humans trade their powers for protection against the fae, our protagonist finds herself entangled in a web of forbidden magic and a tumultuous relationship with a captivating mercenary. The intricate world-building and the exploration of the characters' inner struggles make this a truly immersive experience.
The narration is nothing short of extraordinary, as the narrator's voice seamlessly brings each character to life, allowing you to delve deeper into the intricate emotions woven throughout the narrative. It's a testament to the power of a well-executed audiobook that enhances the storytelling in every way.
With its show more seamless blend of fantasy and romance, "A Court This Cruel & Lovely" is a must-listen for all fans of the genre. Stark's ability to evoke raw emotions and create a world so vivid that it feels like reality is a testament to her storytelling prowess. This is a tale that will linger in your mind long after you've finished it.
If you're looking for an enthralling adventure filled with magic, mystery, and a slow-burn romance that will tug at your heartstrings, look no further than "A Court This Cruel & Lovely." It's a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered and cherished by all. Don't miss out on the opportunity to embark on this extraordinary journey.
Click the link below and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of "A Court This Cruel & Lovely" - it's an experience you won't soon forget! show less
Get ready to be whisked away on a spellbinding journey with "A Court This Cruel & Lovely"! This audiobook had me hooked from the first chapter to the very end. Stacia Stark has crafted a captivating tale of love, sacrifice, and the discovery of inner strength that will leave you utterly spellbound.
Set in a world where humans trade their powers for protection against the fae, our protagonist finds herself entangled in a web of forbidden magic and a tumultuous relationship with a captivating mercenary. The intricate world-building and the exploration of the characters' inner struggles make this a truly immersive experience.
The narration is nothing short of extraordinary, as the narrator's voice seamlessly brings each character to life, allowing you to delve deeper into the intricate emotions woven throughout the narrative. It's a testament to the power of a well-executed audiobook that enhances the storytelling in every way.
With its show more seamless blend of fantasy and romance, "A Court This Cruel & Lovely" is a must-listen for all fans of the genre. Stark's ability to evoke raw emotions and create a world so vivid that it feels like reality is a testament to her storytelling prowess. This is a tale that will linger in your mind long after you've finished it.
If you're looking for an enthralling adventure filled with magic, mystery, and a slow-burn romance that will tug at your heartstrings, look no further than "A Court This Cruel & Lovely." It's a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered and cherished by all. Don't miss out on the opportunity to embark on this extraordinary journey.
Click the link below and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of "A Court This Cruel & Lovely" - it's an experience you won't soon forget! show less
3.5
Standard fantasy with predictable reveals. I enjoyed most of it but did not like the love interest. Will not be continuing.
Standard fantasy with predictable reveals. I enjoyed most of it but did not like the love interest. Will not be continuing.
Ratings
