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 the author of the Deals with Demons series, the Kingdom of Lies series, and the Bargains with Beasts series. When not writing fantasy romance, she's usually either traveling, enjoying a cocktail, or curled up on the sofa with a book in her hand. Originally from New Zealand, she currently lives in Chicago, which she adores during the summer and tolerates (or flees) during the winter.

Reviews for A Court This Cruel and Lovely

[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!

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

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

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

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

[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.

[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

[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)

[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.

[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 ?

[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

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

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

[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.