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A Court This Cruel and Lovely (Kingdom of Lies Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Stacia Stark (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 12,577 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Mythology
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For fantasy romance readers who love Raven Kennedy, Amanda Bouchet, and Carissa Broadbent. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers series will enchant you…

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.

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. Secrets 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.

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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Kingdom of Lies
  2. Print length
    562 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    March 24, 2023
  6. File size
    4861 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BWX1LY33
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (March 24, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 24, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4861 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 562 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 12,577 ratings

About the author

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Stacia Stark

Stacia Stark

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Stacia Stark is a fantasy romance author who loves writing about found families, self-reliant heroines, and brooding, grumpy heroes.

Originally from New Zealand, Stacia spent over a decade traveling and living in various countries around the world as a freelance copywriter, and attributes both her wanderlust and creativity to those adventures.

When not traveling or writing, Stacia is usually lost in the pages of a good book.

Come say hi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/starksociety

Or learn more at Staciastark.com

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
12,577 global ratings
WELL worth the purchase of both the audio AND the book
5 Stars
WELL worth the purchase of both the audio AND the book
The audio book: Fantastic. Both narrators kept me on the edge of my seat and completely enthralled.The book: Arrived on time and exactly as pictured.The content: Well thought out magic system, great world building, characters that have well constructed back stories and development, enemies to lovers, banter that made me laugh, and a dash of spice but not so much spice that it takes over the entire plot. I had such a great time listening to the audio book that I bought physical copies too.The cons: the 4th book isn't out yet. The 3rd in the series ended on a massive cliffhanger and I have a might need to know what happens next!The extra surprise: look under the dust cover. Hardcovers are rarely lovely under their dust covers. This series looks lovely on a shelf together without their dust covers.My thoughts: Honestly, I found myself enjoying this series WAY more than ACOTAR. Better writing and editing, and more balance between between the story and the spice. 10/10 freaking loved this series and I can't wait for the next one.
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Top reviews from the United States

Jen G.
5.0 out of 5 stars Start this series! You won't regret it.
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024
Verified Purchase
This series has sunk its claws into me deeply. Stacia Stark has placed herself on the top shelf of fiction writers with this series. Every ingredient you could want has been masterfully woven into a fantastic world full of vibrantly developed characters, a brilliantly crafted plot, and perfect pacing. This book will ensure you stay up way too late, greedily turning every page, while it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Huzzah, and well done!
* I will note that some readers might feel this series takes a while to get going, specifically Book 1. I would encourage readers to start it anyway. Not only is it incredibly worth it, but you'll find that everything building in the beginning of Book 1 is critical to the character and plot development. Trust me, you'll appreciate it all the more as you continue. Even from the start, the pace is still solid and superbly written.
10 people found this helpful
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Mariah Tonn
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
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This was a good read! I enjoyed the story and am definitely curious to read what happens next! Loved the characters, especially Lorian!
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LAMR
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this now! no really, you should
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
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Coming back to write a review after my 3rd re-read in anticipation for the final book this month. This story is AMAZING. Slow burn, tension, world building that doesn't slow down the pace of the book, adventure and mystery all in one. It actually feels like more than one book in one somehow because of where this story takes you - I don't know how Stacia does it! This is a truly amazing book if you are a romantasy girl, do not sleep on this series. PS - it gets better and better with the next ones!
One person found this helpful
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Pinklilly122
5.0 out of 5 stars I put this off for far too long
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
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I've been in THE worst book slump, and this one finally got me. It's everything I love about this genre, well written, good world building and plot, morally gray characters and a wicked MMC. This one seemed to pull several ideas from other stories, but it was done well enough that I didn't care. I loved Prisca and her will to survive without being weak or whiny. She was great right from the start. I can't wait to dive into book 2
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars great read, would recommend!
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2024
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I thought there was a unique take on magical abilities but other wise not super duper original, kind of predictable, but definitely still has its own thing going on, still enjoyable. The FMC was likable which is big for me. I get annoyed with the overly stubborn, violent, badass, independent etc etc but she was very personable and same goes for the MMC. I love how he didn’t coddle her. I liked their relationship build and dynamic. I will be reading the next one, kindle and audible as well. I don’t think the guys voice matches Lorian but that’s minuscule. 3 🌶️ 4 ⭐️
10 people found this helpful
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Mary Nethaway
5.0 out of 5 stars loved!
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2024
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Surprisingly excellent! Great plot and world building with the magic system. Love how all the characters came together at the end. However, did think the character identity reveal at the end was a little obvious the whole time.
One person found this helpful
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Clayton Grimm
3.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Knockoff
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
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3.5/5

To be frank, this was an entertaining read! Well crafted (if slightly obvious) plot. My biggest hang-up was the predictability of it all. I loved the found family, and the character building. But it feels like a copy paste of so many romantasy books I’ve read before. Still enjoyable and will be continuing on with the series!
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ElisaTonks
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Romantasy Book 4.5 ⭐️2🌶️
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
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This book came across my Kindle Unlimited feed and sparked my interest and it did not disappoint.

The book follows Prisca, a young woman who has been forced to hide her powers due to an evil king in order to survive. When she is discovered she has to flee for her life and along the way meets a group of mercenaries who not only take her in but also teach and encourage her to become her real self. Along the way she discovers her real strength and this starts her towards her path.

The plot was not overwhelmed in spice but there was a tasteful amount involved (compare to Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Mass). For those who do not like spice it would be easy to skim over those parts and still engage with the whole plot.

Enemies to lovers
Fae/ human/ hybrid land
Evil King
Enemies to Friends
Found Family
Coming of Age story
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Top reviews from other countries

jkw
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this series now
Reviewed in Canada on March 18, 2024
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Do yourself a favour and READ THIS SERIES RIGHT NOW! This book helped me recover from my iron flame hangover. This is literally the perfect romantacy book!!! If you want enemies to lovers, strong female lead characters, morally grey male characters, witty banter, amazing side characters who you will love with all your heart then this is the friggen book series for you!!! I love this series (dying now that I have to wait for the last book coming out in May) and it has a world that is unique and different and the book itself always kept me entertained and guessing what would happen next. Please….just read this series!!
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Julie🕊️Books.and.chocolat3📚
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing !
Reviewed in France on November 26, 2023
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𝐼’𝑑 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑡. 𝑆𝑜𝑜𝑛, 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑡.

🥀 Enemies(ish) to lovers/ Hate to love
🥀 Slow Burn
🥀 Faes/ hybrids/ humans
🥀 One horse
🥀 Secret identities
🥀 Power/Magic
🥀 Touch her and ..
🥀 Found Family

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Who hid this book from me ?
How is it possible I didn’t hear about this series until a few days ago ?

It was so so good !!
The more I read, the more I fell in love…
The world building was perfect, i pictured everything easily without being overwhelmed by information.

I loved Prisca , she grows throughout the book and is becoming more feral. She is endearing, fierce, loyal and smart .
Lorian is your typical favorite book boyfriend, brooding, bloodthirsty, possessive, mysterious..
and with the found family trope we meet good secondary characters, and I loved everyone.

Very good plot, the writing hooked me from the beginning, and I struggled to put my kindle down ..

The romance is a delicious slow burn , full of tension ..
Nice cliffhanger.. I’m jumping in the sequel right away ..
I highly recommend it.
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Bers
5.0 out of 5 stars Romantasy at it’s best
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2024
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The main thing I look for when finding a new author/series is whether I would read it again. I know not everyone likes to re-read, some even need years before picking up a story again to give them time to forget. But I need a book and its characters to be so engaging that I want to read the book again as soon as I’m finished. I miss them and their world, they become my companions and comfort. I find extras I missed the first time around because I gobbled the words up too quickly, each read brings something new.

A Court This Cruel and Lovely, the first in the Kingdom of Lies series, is this for me and more.

Stacia Stark has created a world both familiar and new, with many a romantasy staple sprinkled throughout to draw in the ‘enemies to lovers/forced proximity/one horse’ crowd…of which I am a proud card carrying member.
The world building is clear and easy to follow, giving the reader just enough to keep them intrigued without bogging down in too much detail.
The characters are *chefs kiss*, nuanced and varied, funny and infuriating, lovable and heart wrenching.
Prisca is the female main character, the book opens with her trying to hide in plain site, suppressing her abilities in a world that does not accept or appreciate power of any kind being bestowed upon the ‘unworthy’. The story follows her as she learns more about her heritage and her own abilities.
Admittedly this isn’t a new journey for an FMC to embark on, and as a tall dark haired woman of the curvier persuasion, Prisca being small and fair haired does rankle a little, however I cannot help but love her as an individual. She is spicy and feisty, and entirely relatable in her inability to let go of a slight. Her progression and growth throughout this first book is enjoyable to follow.
Lorian as the main male character is everything I could want in a book boyfriend and more. He is ruthless and 100% morally grey at times, he makes cutthroat decisions and his methods are at times questionable - both of which Prisca falls foul of - but he is fiercely loyal to those close to him. As the reader learns more about Lorian and his history the decisions he makes and his need to push those he cares for to be the best version of themselves becomes clearer.

I am a fan of spice in fantasy books and there are a few scenes in this book, none of which are gratuitous. What I hugely approved of is that each scene was led by Prisca and for her, Lorian although aggressively male is very PROgressive when it comes to satisfying his woman.

A Court This Cruel and Lovely also contains many a lovely side character who are integral in the main characters journey, adding to the story and creating a family that the reader cannot help but love.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough. It follows in the footsteps of many a Romantasy book before it, but has enough uniqueness and individuality that it has become one of my ultimate favourites.
I am hooked by the world Stacia Stark has created and I don’t want to leave it.
Bullying my book bestie in to abandoning her worryingly unstable TBR pile to read this series is the highest compliment I can pay it. Please jump on the Prisca and Lorian train, it’s a ride well worth it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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C. Scholze
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece
Reviewed in Germany on September 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
OMG I loved it!!! I love the story, I love the characters, I love the bickering between them. It is so well written. I am obsessed! I can't wait for more... Hopefully it will be November soon.

I definitely recommend it!
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Ellensco
5.0 out of 5 stars Epic!!
Reviewed in the Netherlands on March 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
One of my favorite authors, does it again!
What an amazing story with great characters and a brand new world to discover!
I was hooked right from the start, I love the world building, the fast pacement, the totally epic characters and their banter! All i can say is where is book 2!!? I need more!
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