Stacia Stark is brilliant! This book picks back up after a huge cliffhanger and for a third book it is still action packed while setting up the last book perfectly! How Stacia writes multiple POV with the ability to make each POV, and each character feel like the only POV as you read it is truly incredible. I love Lorian and Prisca. Prisca’s growth over these 3 books has been the best adventure.
If you love a FMC that is a badass powerful women, you’ll love this series!! I couldn’t recommend it enough!

The narrators, Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige, are perfect for this series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook of A Crown This Cold and Heavy!

3.75⭐, 2.75🌶️

Next time I say Im going to read a whole fantasy series just with the audiobooks, remind me about this series. Because while I really like the storyline, its hard to stay focused and retain allll of the world information. I definitely catch my attention straying and missing important info then having to backtrack.

HOWEVER, I loved that every book of this series we got more POV's of the main female characters! I loved seeing how they all intermingled.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

A Dark and Gripping Fantasy

Stacia Clark delivers another rich and immersive installment in A Crown This Cold & Heavy, the third book in the Kingdom of Lies series. The worldbuilding continues to be intricate and atmospheric, pulling you deeper into a kingdom filled with political intrigue, betrayal, and morally complex characters. The protagonist’s journey remains compelling, with well-developed inner struggles that add depth to the narrative.

Clark’s writing is beautifully descriptive, making every scene feel vivid and intense. The tension builds steadily, and the twists keep you engaged. However, the pacing lags in a few places, and some secondary characters could have been fleshed out more. Despite that, the emotional stakes and dramatic moments make up for any slow spots.

Overall, this is a gripping continuation of the Kingdom of Lies series, perfect for fans of dark fantasy and courtly drama. It’s not perfect, but it’s a story that lingers with you long after you turn the last page. Solid 4 stars!

I am excited to say that this book wastes no time and starts right after the cliffhanger ending of the second. Just like the other books this one is full of love and heartbreak, but I am glad it isn’t as angsty as the others, the tone being a little heavier really does this one justice. The plot twists keep you on edge and you will be left wanting more (thankfully book 4 is already out).

Prisca is one fierce FMC with all that she has endure; watching her grow has felt genuine, heartwarming, and I’m so excited to see where she goes next in the last instalment. Honestly though, I enjoy all the character point of views, they just add to the loveable found family support. The books in this series keep getting better, and I’ll be diving into the finale as soon as I can!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to give the audiobook a listen; with this series specifically, I had a much better experience listening to these, rather than reading them.

Unfortunately I DNF'd at around 30%. I didn't love the narrator - her voices use for the male characters were ... there were choices made there. I also found the interactions between our main characters extremely cringe and I found myself rolling my eyes more than anything. So, unfortunately, I think this is it for me.

"A Crown This Cold and Heavy," the third book in the Kingdom of Lies series by Stacia Stark, is an exceptional continuation that truly captivates. The dual narration by Tim Paige and Meg Sylvan is fantastic, with each bringing unique voices and emotions to the characters, enhancing the immersive experience.

The plot is rich and intricate, filled with unexpected twists and deep character development. Stark’s writing pulls you into a world where stakes are high, and every decision matters. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, making their journeys even more compelling.

I’d rate this audiobook 5 out of 5 stars. It’s a thrilling and beautifully crafted story that leaves you eager for more. Thank you to NetGalley for my copy; all opinions are my own!

#NetGalley #StaciaStark #ACrownThisColdAndHeavy #KingdomOfLies #DreamscapeMedia

I have really enjoyed this series and the audiobooks but woooweee. This 3rd book took me 5 months to get through. I felt that it kept dragging and I kept losing interest. I look forward to the last book in the series coming out but in all honesty this series could have just been two books.
The narrator of the audiobook does a great job.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Buckle up for a heart-pounding ride with "A Crown This Cold and Heavy," the third installment in Stacia Stark's Kingdom of Lies series. This installment delves deeper into the complex web of alliances and betrayals that plague the Realm. The narrative shifts between various characters, offering a well-rounded perspective on the unfolding events. Be prepared for twists, turns, and emotional gut punches as the story builds towards a shocking cliffhanger that will leave you desperate for book four.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #ACrownThisColdandHeavy #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC Audiobook! I loved this book so much I HAD experience the audiobook!! I listened to the other two and they were so well done I was thrilled to get this audiobook early! The voices are perfect for Prisca and Lorian! AHHHHH! This series has me in a chokehold.

******************

How dare she. How dare Stacia Stark make me feel so attached to these characters and then kill them off? I am destroyed for multiple reasons.

Firstly, Prisca and Cavis being tortured and used against each other?! 😭 tears. Cavis begging Prisca to kill him and tell his family he loves them will stay with me because he is one of the kings spiders and can’t control what he’s doing?!?! I sobbed.

Then Lorian literally tearing the world apart and slaughtering everyone until he finds Prisca, his mate?!?! MORE TEARS 😭 “it’s you and me in every life.”

They are perfection and I love them. Honestly, I haven’t fallen in love or been this invested in characters like this since Throne of Glass.

The middle chunk of the book was a little slow I’ll admit. It was spent strategizing and gaining allies against King Regner. But the end and beginning are definitely worth it.

The last few chapters were so intense and heart shattering!! The giant battle to bring down the magic barrier in the middle of the sea was EPIC. Prisca was already on edge because the seer prophesied that Lorian would die.

THEN in the last moments of battle the unthinkable happens and Lorain gets turned to ice and SHATTERS INTO A MILLION PIECES?!?! Like we need him to come back, but like how is he going to come back when he is that gone?!?!

Prisca tries to turn back time and I fully expect her to rage in the next book. I am RAGING for her.

“In every life Lorain.” 😭😭😭😭😭

4/5🌶️

I have absolutely love this series thus far and I have loved seeing how Stacia Stark develops the plot and all the character arcs.

Prisca and Lorien!! The relationship, all full of tension and angst. The author definitely keeps us on our toes the entire time and plot twists keep coming.

Looking forward to the next one already!

Just here to say, that yet again, I chose a book into an alreadybstarted series. So it took me awhile to get to this because I had to read the first two.

A decent series and this one ends on a cliffhanger. I'll definitely pay attention for the next one

A Crown This Cold and Heavy is the third book of the Kingdom of Lies series. This is a romantic epic fantasy and picks up immediately after the events of the prior book. This third book is definitely darker than the first two and hits a lot more in the feels. Tropes include angst, possessive FMC and MMC, fated mates, touch her and die, political intrigue, fated mates and found family.

The Lovely: Oh the characters. I already loved Prisca and Lorian but this made me love them and their relationship even more. I was just waiting for their reunion after the end of book 2 and boy did it deliver. Prisca goes through it in this book, and by extensions, so does Lorian and the other characters.

Also Lovely: The plot and tension were solid throughout this book - something was always happening across the storylines, even if it wasn’t a big action scene. The only times I put this down were after some big emotional moments when I needed to collect myself. And find more tissues.

The Mundane: The one thing I did struggle with a bit was the number of viewpoints. I think we’re up to five? It sometimes was hard to remember whose POV it was and I had to flip back to the chapter header to remind myself.

Rating: 5/5 Stars 3/5 Spicy Flames

Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I loved this book more than the first one, and as much, if not maybe a bit more, than book two. The end just wrecked me and left me going “the author wouldn’t, would she?”

3.5 stars
I’ve struggled a bit with the first two books in this series. I like the set up and the world building but haven’t enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters that much with all the back and forth. I’m on the third book now and that’s calmed down so I’m liking the series more now! The narration is great so that’s a definite help.

I love these characters so much! The twists and turns of royal intrigue is simply the best! It is so entertaining and I highly recommend this whole series! It is s very addictive!!!!

The last 10 minutes of this book gave my whole body goosebumps!!! This book sets up the epic battle of the series. We get more POVs! While I still love our main characters, I found myself way more into the side stories at the moment. I feel like we really need 1 or 2 more romantic pairs/spicy scene participants to jazz up the reader's experience. I'm ready to let P&L smash in private to give the spotlight to someone else. Many intriguing political moves happen. My #1 must know now questions: who, if anyone, will catch Medina's eye romantically??? I need this intel asap please. FYI there is an awful, and I mean AWFUL, cliffhanger to set up the next installment. I love this series and am waiting impatiently for it to continue!!

I listened to the audiobook compliments of NetGalley, Stacia Stark and Dreamscape Media. I really, really can't say enough good things about my experience listening to this series. I have loved every second of it and absolutely think that's in part due to the great narration.

I’ve have enjoyed the series so far and this book definitely had more character development. The mfc has definitely grown from someone who was unsure of herself to a f around and find out she’s going to do what she needs to to help her people.

DNF @35%

Unfortunately, I just don't have any interest in finishing this series. It started off strong, but now it's meandering and repetitive. I've lost interest in the characters and the plot.

Oh my GOSH! There were actual tears. I loved this books so much. I was hooked half way through book one and thought I loved that one. That was until this book ended. It had a few parts that were a bit monologuey and boring but they were short and quick to speed through. I'm not a huge fan of how natural everything is coming to Prisca and I wish she struggled with that a bit more. Otherwise, the character development has been great. The writing is easy and enjoyable. The narrators were amazing. Very clear and differentiated well enough.

This first book of the Kingdom of Lies series was so so good! Lots of betrayals and secrets that kept me guessing the whole time. I loved the development of the plot and Prisca really grew more than I expected her too in this. I felt as betrayed as she did with Lorian’s secret in the end, but also predicted it lol 😂 so I wasn’t too heartbroken but I cannot wait to see what vengeance she seeks out against him in book 2.

I struggled to finish this as an audio and changed over to physical which read A LOT better for me.

I’ll start with the good news - this is a really great book.

And the bad news? This really great book has a really great cliffhanger.

The Kingdom of Lies series is an amazing read, but it’s an even better listen. My credentials are that I listened to A Court this Cruel and Lovely (Book 1), read an e-copy of A Kingdom this Cursed and Empty (Book 2) and listened to this one thanks to an ARC from
Dreamscape Media and NetGalley.

Tim Paige and Meg Sylvan are fantastic together. I was glad to have them back after my Book 2 eread. Audiobook readers will recognize their voices from hits by Tracy Wolff, Rebecca Yarros, Scarlett St. Claire, Charissa Weaks, Christina Lauren, and Elsie Silver. Casting them together was a great choice for Stark’s series.

I think the mark of a good audiobook is that you forget you’re listening to one. This story was perfectly cast and produced - with voices that so closely match the ones in the reader’s head that you stay fully immersed in the story.

There was a lot of world building that happened in this book (even compared to the first two in the series). This, combined with the new structure utilizing multiple POVs, took some getting used to. But, overall, it’s another Romantasy hit from Stark. I can’t wait to see how this series ends in May and will definitely be recommending this one to my audience.