A Court This Cruel and Lovely

Written by Stacia Stark

Narrated by Tim Paige and Meg Sylvan

Perfect for fans of Raven Kennedy and Carissa Broadbent, this enchanting slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy features a ruthless mercenary and forbidden power.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media
• Release date: Oct 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9781666647532

Stacia Stark

Stacia Stark is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of romantasy filled with found families, self-reliant heroines, and brooding, grumpy heroes. Her books have been translated into over 15 languages, and her Kingdom of Lies series was nominated twice for Goodreads Choice Awards. When she’s not writing or exploring the world, Stacia can usually be found sprawled on her sofa, lost in the pages of a good book.

Reviews for A Court This Cruel and Lovely

[Grace Marie Allison · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Took a minute but it got there lol
Intricate world building & characters.

Definitely looking forward to the next book.

[Han Lu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a great start to a fae fantasy romance series, so fast paced and action packed, love the characters

[chrmpsylla · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 it was good and I liked the tension and the adventure, the world building too I just… I needed more. I’ll definitely read the next books in the series

[Heather Peterson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Started out a little slow but once I realized it was world building then it got better. Looking forward to book 2

[Mary Hanzlik · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I agree with another reviewer… if you can get through the set up Chapters, it’s totally worth it. I don’t think I would necessarily classify this as a slow burn or enemies to lovers. It was pretty obvious what was happening. The world the author created is interesting. The main character can be a bit naive at times and plot points that are supposed to be “surprises” are glaringly obvious. It is overall, however, a very entertaining and well-written story.

[Saphirakay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite book series on here love the banter between them as well.

[Denise TeWake · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoy enemies to lovers and I'm keen to see where the story goes on book two.

[C. Vierhuis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The first few minutes were hard and I couldn't get into the story. Had to listen from the beginning 5 times. But after that, the book is addicting. I've listened to it every moment I could. Getting annoyed if people interrupted me. The story is great and full of plots and twitst.

And now, I am quickly moving on to the second book!

[jessirae13 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Captivating slow burn. Was hard not to listening to from start to finish once I got a couple chapters on.

[Amy Hansen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5 stars for story, which I had read first…2 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ and that is so generous, for the audiobook. I am really not certain how someone could make something so painful and slow, that was so satisfying and enjoyable when I read it at my own pace and with my own , normal voices..emphasizing what I felt was important…and not what she clearly did as a reader. Sorry Stacia Stark….but I hope you find a new person to inact your stories by the 4th and final book! Which I will definitely be reading at the very least.

[Theresa Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am so impatiently waiting for the next book! Loved it!

[Kaitlin Daniels · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Maybe I’d like the book if I just read it myself but the narrator specifically the girl had me literally rolling my eyes several times. DNF

[Charity · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Immediately want to start the next one.
Who doesn't love forbidden magic, found family and taking down a king too big for his crown ?

[susiefnrocks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love the story. I was not expecting the ending of the book though. Highly recommend

[Krystin Foss · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Happily surprised! I really enjoyed this story and the relationships between the main character and everyone around her.
I'm looking forward to reading or listening to book 2.

[boylesamber · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Starts out slow but picks up by chapter 3 or so.
Love the main character. Loved the story. The small details that the author came back to, to explain things was great. I started off liking the main character love interest but I’m left with not really caring for him now. I don’t know if I really want to continue with the second book. I just get more creepy evil weird obsession vibes from him versus anything else. I ending up hating every time he came into the story.
The narration in my opinion was awful.
It was hard to listen too. The inner monologs were good, but once she started voicing characters, I was annoyed every single time they were all the same sounding, and so monotone and weird and cringey. And I wasn’t a fan of the male narrator at all. He just seem to make it more sadistic and cringey.
I wish the author would’ve made the main Love character more likable because the actual plot nd story is really good and well written and I would’ve been completely obsessed with it if it wasn’t for how much I ended up disliking him.

[Kanina Miller · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book had all the juicy aspects of slow burn romanticy, with enemies to lovers, and forced prox. If you're looking for a happy ending in one book, this is not it. This is a series, and short of spoilers that is all I can say. Also if your not into possessive aggressive males and banter that borders on malice, this isn't for you.

[meredith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is a delicious Fae soap opera, as if Days of Our Lives were set in fantasy land. Over the top, at times, like most Soap Operas, it is a train wreck of human and fake emotions, action, adventure, and spice that you can't look away from. I love a good soap opera!

The world-building is good, not overly complicated, and the story is easy to follow.

I immensely liked the female narrator - her female and male voices are good. The male narrator is “gosh-awful”… My eyes were permanently rolled the entire time he read (thank goodness it is a small fraction of the book). His affectation is way OVER THE TOP, making it impossible to take his character seriously.

The MMC is aggressive with the FMC- lots of pinning up against walls telling her all the ways he’s going to….well, you know…. It bothered me each time because it came out of the blue right in the middle of the them talking about an important issue. But then he would also do something thoughtful and follow through on the pacts they made.

There's a great twist and cliffhanger at the end of the book. I had it figured out, but despite that, it was a rewarding ending. I'm going straight into the next book. The soap opera rolls on, and I need to know what happens next!

[jordynbreitkreutz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved everything about this series! The world building, the magic. It is quite similar to other big name fantasies, but I truly enjoyed the FMC in the one a lot more. She is strong, determined, thoughtful, kind. The MMC is broody, but he is even quite loveable. I can't wait to read the second book to see where this world takes us.

[janethvillalobos105 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing! This book satisfied my ACOTAR blues. This series in it's entirety was just so good!

[Caroline Coen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing loved all the twists...the audio book narrators was amazing better than TV well done guys

[Eden Grace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book! Narrators are excellent. It feels like a great mix of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Sarah J Maas.

[Unathi Guma · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Compelling story. You definitely want to know what is going to happen next.

Plot build up and anticipation is rather weak. There is a bit too much show and tell... "He's so big... Hed wrists were small enough to snap... I could see from their face that they had figured that xyz had happened.." a wonderful story writer .. but authors need to also give intelligent signalling and not just lay a blanket and say... " This is a laid blanket". It's boring and makes the story repetitive... She does this.


Never the less . Super looking forward to the new book!

[hh6211053 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I like the overall story but it hasn’t hooked me in at all. It feels almost too slow and drags a bit.

The romance is meh - I’m not obsessed with the main characters and found myself more curious with the sides.

Will continue as I want to know what comes of it all.

(For reference - loved Fourth Wing (not so much Iron Flame), SJM series, Blood & Ash series)

[Kyra Scott · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good fantasy book. Love the story line and the characters. Lots of unexpected twists.

[ccccourtney · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I couldn’t finish the audiobook. I got to chapter 13 and I just can’t stand the narrators voices. The book itself isn’t too bad so I may buy it and read it myself but honestly don’t waste your time

[Danielle H · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I’m really surprised the rating is so high. It’s very slow in my opinion. And the girl narrator makes the men sound so whiney

[Nata Kis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good story, writing. Well done! It's quite rare these days to find a good book like that.

[Moa Gunnarsson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it! Good worldbilding, writing and action packed fantasy with some spice