I loved the world building in this one. And the more in depth we get of some characters. The MCs are some of my favorites

The second installment of the Kingdom of Lies series continues to follow Prisca as she discovers more truths about herself and Lorian. The biggest challenge she has is trust - trust in herself to make the right decisions for herself, her friends and family, her people, and, most of all, Lorian. Is her and Lorian’s connection something deeper than just physical attraction? Can she fill the role as leader and save those who are hunted?

The audiobook of this novel has very good narration. The characters are brought to life with good dimension and depth making it easy to get immersed in the story.

The novel itself was okay. The greater story arc progressed nicely with the growth of Prisca’s character as she navigates being a leader for her people. The thread between Lorian and Prisca was exhausting at times with Lorian being overly territorial with any male interaction and overly awed by her expected intelligence. Beyond that there is good character support and the novel keeps progressing. It was enjoyable to listen too (even through my occasional eye roll when Lorian was over the top). 3 stars.

Review based on a Advanced Audiobook provided by Dreamscape Media and NetGalley. Thank you!

4.25/5

Another great instalment in this series by Stacia Stark. The scheming and plotting and character development were all so well done and exactly what I expected based on the first one. Usually by now, I can tell if this is a series that I will be continuing and I am definitely ready for the next book! I found there was some pacing issues in the last book that seem to have been resolved in this one. Prisca the FMC really seems to be developing and growing in a way that is exciting for the reader. I found her a tad immature in the last book but most of those issues seemed to be resolved. Lorian as always is chef kiss perfection! Loved the multi POV and the audio narration was great!!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this audiobook from NetGalley - all opinions are my own!

To save her brother, Prisca strikes a deal with Lorian, thrusting her into an alliance with her betrayer. Faced with manipulation and impending war, she navigates treacherous alliances, unveiling monsters in both fae and human guise.

.Multiple POVs
.Fated mates
.Forced proximity
. Politics and scheming
.Found family
.Magic

This book is a speedy, binge-worthy read that seamlessly picks up right where the first book ended. We get to understand better the political intricacies of the realms and it gives us a better understanding of the world we were introduced to in the previews book.

We have a lot more character development in this sequel, with Prisca’s evolution from the naive small town girl to the long lost queen of the hybrids. Lorian's backstory is also explored, with some insights from his childhood and the relationship with his brother.

The romance between Prisca and Lorian makes a lot more sense in this book than the previews. While I still feel a lack of chemistry between them, it's notably improved. The explicit scenes, which in this book we get a lot more of, are a little repetitive and can get boring at points.

I listened to the audiobook and both narrators did an excellent job, effectively maintaining my attention throughout the story.

Be aware that the book concludes with a substantial cliffhanger!

(This review was shared on Goodreads and will be posted shortly on Instagram @beco_books)

Loved this story! The unique magic system, the politics, the different groups, the voice, the pacing.
But that cliffhanger lol jk. I love them they make me want to pick up the next book. Book 3 came out yesterday. I had to pick up this book when I saw it netgalley enjoyed the narrators.
Loved the romance and all the obstacles in their way. The trauma of the main characters and how they are kind of saving each other with their understanding and perspective.

If you like romantasy, fantasy, adventure definitely pick up this series!

I was really surprised by how much I liked the first book in this series so I was really excited to dive into A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty. It did not disappoint! This had my favorite aspects of a good romantasy from an engaging plot filled with twists to a wild romance with a little bit of spice. I liked getting to know the characters and world more in this one. And thanks to the cliffhanger of an ending I'm really excited to read the next book in this series.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was THRILLED to receive this ARC. I love the Kingdom of Lies series and Prisca and Lorien own my heart. "A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty" is the second installment of the series and starts off right where book 1 left off with Prisca fearful and distrusting of Lorien after finding out his secrets and Lorien struggling to balance his loyalties to his brother against his love for Prisca. Similarly to book one, book two immerses us in the engaging Kingdom of Lies world and introduces new depth to each of our protagonists. I am hesitant to give too much of a summary for fear of revealing spoilers, but this book is so good and causes you to invest in each of the characters and their fates.

This book includes:
- enemies to lovers (yes again)
- warring kingdoms/warring races
- supernatural abilities
- unwilling allies
- some Morally Gray MC
- brooding and powerful love interest
- dual POV with narrators for each POV
- more slow burn
- forbidden romance/star-crossed lovers
- conflict over the importance of found family vs born family
- huge cliffhanger ending

I am such a fan of Stacia Stark and her work. I find that her character work is so strong and she dedicates herself to developing her protagonists, their motivations, their strengths and weaknesses, and their anxieties. I also enjoy the dynamic between Prisca and Lorien so much. His dedication to her at all costs is enthralling and I am just begging for the moment they can be together.

If you're looking for a bit of escapism, this is the book for you. Fans of ACOTAR, Coven, FBAA, and Fourth Wing (it's much better developed and written than Fourth Wing) will love this book; it is a true romantasy through and through. The narrators and the production of the audiobook are also phenomenal so if you are an audiobook fan, you're in for a treat.

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media (they never miss), and Stacia Stark for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my GoodReads.

So far, this series is completely blowing me away. I adore Priska. I love her genuine care for those that she loves and her selflessness even before her identity was revealed to her. I love her resilience and smart mouth as she schemes to help those who are depending on her. I love the tension and angst as she attempts to navigate her way past Lorians perceived betrayal. I am also greatly enjoying the “found family” aspect as everyone that Sabiam has failed to eliminate comes together and Priska explores her own familial situation. I am completely invested in the plot and holding my breath as the stakes for the fae, hybrids, and humans rise. Stacia Stark has done something special with this story and these characters and it’s been a while since I was this invested in a series. The spice is definitely there in A Kingdom this Cursed and Empty, but it doesn’t overshadow the plot, which I greatly appreciate. The plot twists and dual narrative kept me on my toes, and I really felt that the flashbacks added so much depth to the story. Overall, I’m obsessed and I can’t wait for more, especially with the Grand Canyon cliffhanger we were left with. I need more and I need it now.

I LIKED it but didn't LOVE it...

Overall, this was a good book 2 but I wanted more from the plot and the relationship. I felt like the pacing was inconsistent and I struggled to pay attention the second half of the audiobook. That being said, with that ending, I will most likely read the next one when it comes out!

Rating: 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC of this audiobook - all opinions are my own!

I did not realize that this is book 2 of a series, so I will be listening to the first book and give my reviews and this once I am done will revisit this book and give my review. I will say, that this book cover is absolutely stunning and I have been seeing this book all over my feed. So needless to say I am excited to read it. I will be purchasing the physical copy for my friends for the holidays.

You know I'm don't really mind cliff hangers for the most part BUT WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK STACIA!! I was so busy thinking one thing I completely missed the other! Ugh gotta start the next one immediately not

4.5 stars

This book picks up right where the first book ended, with Prisca and the hybrids on the run. Prisca just discovered Lorian’s true identity, and while she would love to be able to hate him and never talk to him again, she knows that the hybrids need the help of the faes to survive, and she also can’t see herself being away from Lorian, even if a part of her hates him for what he did and the lies he told.

While it has a different vibe, this sequel was just as entertaining and engaging as the first book. The pace was good, but some parts of the book felt longer. Even though what Prisca and her group are doing is very important for the survival of the hybrid and eventually defeating the King, it also felt like the stakes were lower than in the first book. Still, a lot was going on in A Kingdom This Cursed & Empty as Prisca needed to find allies, lie and manipulate at times, keep the hybrids safe, and also locate the infamous hourglass that was gifted to the hybrids by the gods that would allow her to be much more powerful.

We see in this book how much Prisca has changed since the beginning of A Court This Cruel and Lovely, and how she struggles to reconcile what she wants with what she needs to do. She does not want to be the hybrid queen, but she wants to save them nonetheless and she knows they need her. Prisca needs to make many decisions in this book, and she constantly needs to think about the consequences of those decisions. I like that she took the time to consider the different paths and the outcomes, it was not simply a matter of saying yes or no. She also showed that she could be quite cunning and even ruthless when it came to getting support and helping the hybrid, and I love this fierce and protective side of her, that does not negate her thoughtfulness and gentleness.

There were a few flashbacks, but they were very short and well-integrated into the plot. As someone who is not usually a fan of flashbacks, I liked that they were concise and that they gave us a little more input on Lorian’s past. They also allowed us to see him in a different light at times, with what we discovered about him, which is good because I finished the first book wishing to have more backstory for Lorian, and we got it in this book. I also have to applaud how much he believes in Prisca and her abilities. He never tries to coddle her or diminish what she can do, he knows how strong she can be, and he is also confident enough about them not to be an overbearing and overprotective male.

The romance between Prisca and Lorian is cute and slow, while also being very intense. They are not over the top, but their feelings for each other run deep, and even though their relationship is quite new, it is clear that they are not ready to give up on each other, even though people keep reminding them that they eventually will not be able to remain in a relationship because of who they are and their status. I am confident that they will ultimately be able to remain together, but I am eager to see how they will manage it, considering that they are both royalties from different races and that the Hybrids are not pleased at all with the idea of their future queen being friendly with the fae prince.

I love that Prisca spent more time with Lorian’s group, and we got more of the “found family” vibe that was building in the first book. I would still love more of them in the next book. Found family is a trope I adore, and this group of strong mercenaries that are big softies deep down is so easy to love! I am also very curious to see more of Madinia, especially after what happened in one of the Queen’s chapters. I am also curious about the Queen’s plan because she is definitely more aware of what the king is planning than it appeared in the first book, and I think she can and probably will surprise us before the end of this series.

Thankfully, the third book was released on the day I finished this amazing audiobook because it ends with a cruel cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what will happen to Prisca and her group!

Thank you so much @netgalley for the chance to review A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty by Stacia Stark. I was so excited to read book 2 of the series and enter back into Lorian and Priska’s world. This was nonstop fun and there was just enough spice to keep things hot. This book had it all - there was Fae, magical, creatures, backstabbing, and and epic battles. I loved it, even if it did end on a cliffhanger.

The narration was on point!

I was a bit bored and there was SO MUCH "you make me hard" and forced spiciness and not enough plot - I fucking love the plot. It needs to be front and center. More plot, less erections.

3.75 Stars

This novel gave us a fascinating insight into Lorian's childhood, providing an opportunity to understand his character better. We also got to see the growing relationship between Prisca and Lorian. However, the pacing of the story felt a bit uneven. Nonetheless, it was an engaging read, and I am excited to see what the rest of the series has in store.

*** Thank you to NetGalley, Stacia Stark, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

4.25⭐️ // 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Oh y’all want SPICY Romantasy???? This is IT! These books are so fast paced. This is the second in the Kingdom of Lies series, it picks up right where the first book left off…. and took me for a riiiiiideeeee. We have forced proximity, dark villain MMC, touch her and d!e, time magic, adventurous rebellion plot line, & found family.

Overall I’m extremely impressed with how this series is unfolding. Loved the multi point of views, I feel like I got more backstory on characters in this book which I appreciated. That cliffhanger????? A CRIME Stacia!!! I’m pressed!! 😩🫠 Thank goodness I divulged this on the day before next book’s release.

I listened to the audiobook in one day, pressed play and didn’t turn it off until it was finished. DEVOURED. Narration switches depending on the point of view, which I really prefer on an audiobook with alternating female and male perspectives. 5 stars for both narrators, kept me engaged and great storytelling voices.

Thank you to Netgalley & Dreamscapes for the advanced audio copy, I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. All opinions are honest and my own thoughts, as always <3

The first book in this series is one of my absolute favorite fantasy romances of the year. It is just SO good and I highly recommend. I loved the fast pace plot of the first book. This was a very anticipated read for me and maybe my expectations were a tad too high. Sequels are usually my favorite and this one sadly didn't reach the same level as the first book.

There was nothing on the surface that was wrong with this per se. It felt slow at times and I wanted a bit more plot advancement or excitement. It felt like we were doing a lot of waiting for something to happen. I realize looking back that things did happen. It just felt like the stakes were so low most of the book.

I started to get a little annoyed with the intensity of the found family aspects and how much Prisca emphasized not wanting anything bad to happen to her brothers, friends, etc. It was just so repetitive and felt a bit in our face rather than letting the reader infer the emotions there. I think the characterization of Prisca in general just started to feel repetitive and in our face and I didn't have anything else to focus on because the plot was so slow.

While I love this romance, it also felt a little dragged out and slow and I was wanting something more to happen. I think that's the consensus for this entire book. I just wanted more of something. Also the sex scenes are all nearly identical which makes them kinda boring.

I know this all sounds pretty negative, but I am still very much anticipating the next installment and can't wait to see where things are going to go from here. I think a lot of groundwork was laid and I'm excited to see what will come of it.

Edited to add:

So I got trigger happy and requested an audiobook copy of this on Netgalley thinking it was book 3, but the audio is fantastic and I love the narrators, Meg Sylvan is one of my fav narrators so I was very excited to see her on this. If you like audiobooks I don't think you can go wrong reading this in that format. Even more excited for book 3 now.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for an audiobook copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty picked up right where A Court This Curel and Lovely left off. There was a little bit of summary, but it didn't go on for too long. Book two was not quite a fast paced as book one, with more court intrigue than action, but it was still engaging. Prisca really comes into her potential in this book and I'm excited to see where book three will take her.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the expanded POVs and the backstory it provided. Readers got to know existing characters better and got to learn more history of the world. And the additional POV infused the book with more intrigue.

Whattttt! the cliffhanger! 10 out of 10!

They call him the Bloodthirsty Prince. His reign of terror has left a trail of blood across this continent, a trail that intertwines with my own past—not even my parents were spared from his merciless slaughter.

To save my brother’s life, I agreed to another bargain with the fae prince. Now, I’m forced to work with him, to travel to the fae lands, to spend my every waking moment with the man who betrayed me. All because King Sabium has woven a deadly tapestry of manipulation, using those we least suspect for his wicked schemes.

There are no lines I won’t cross to protect the people I love. So I’ll work with former enemies. I’ll manipulate, blackmail, and deceive potential allies. I’ll swallow my pride, bury my shattered heart, and cooperate with the fae to prepare for the coming war.

Because there are creatures far more monstrous than the fae—and some of them masquerade as men.

I was super excited to get this ARC of book 2, i absolutly loved book 1 also! Thanks NetGalley & Dreamscape Media!

A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty
Kingdom of Lies, Book 2
By: Stacia Stark
Narrated by: Tim Paige, Meg Sylvan
Series: Kingdom of Lies, Book 2
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Release date: 11-14-23

I am fully invested in this series! Thank goodness book three is also releasing this week on digital/print because I don't think I could handle waiting for the release after the way A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty ended.

I highly recommend listening to the Kingdom of Lies series on audio. Everything I loved about the audio version of book one of the series was back for book two. I thought the narrators Tim Paige and Meg Sylvan did a great job of bringing all of Stacia Stark's characters to life. Though, with four POVs there was still a lot to keep track of while listening.

Overall, I really liked the story and thought this was a strong second book in the series. In Kingdom we were introduced to new characters and worlds. The spice definitely hit and I was here for it, loving the dynamic between Lorian and Prisca. I also can't wait to see what happens with Prisca's brother and her friend! At times the world building was slow, but I think necessary to get the reader to book three. Prisca's need to shoulder the responsibility for every dramatic event started to annoy me by the end, but I can see how it's part of the hero's journey.

I definitely recommend this series for any romantasy fans and can't wait to see where Stacia will take readers next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Stacia Stark for an advance listening copy. These are my honest thoughts.
Posted to GoodReads and Amazon.