Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great continuation of the series! I really enjoyed this book and the series as a whole. This was a wonderful ending.

A Crown This Cold and Heavy picks up right after the end of A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty. This is the middle book in a fantasy series, so make sure that you read books 1 and 2 before picking up this one.

While some middle books in the fantasy genre can lag or kind of plod along, this one still has plenty of action and moving pieces. As with A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty, we get multiple points-of-view here, getting a glimpse into what’s going on with the major players across the known kingdoms.

Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige do a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life in the audiobook. I was especially impressed with how Sylvan captured the perspectives of Prisca, Asinia, Madinia, and the Queen. I was easily able to tell from which character’s perspective chapters and sections were told based on the tone, accent, cadence, pitch, and volume Sylvan utilized. As with books 1 and 2, this audiobook is highly consumable and is an excellent way to be transported into this fantasy world. I look forward to listening to book 4.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Dreamscape Media and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved the narrator and enjoyed this story a lot. However, I thought that the flow of this story was a little slower than the previous book, but it was no less interesting. I think the flow was a little slower because everyone is making major moves when it comes to the upcoming war. All of the main characters in this story definitely surprised me with some of the moves they made. Friends became enemies and not always by choice or free will, enemies became allies, and allies became questionable in their actions. Cavis betrayal was a huge blow to the group, and with that it brings suspicion about certain things. Prisca, Lorian, Telena, Tibris, Asinia, Marth, Rythos, Galon and their group is trying to gather allies while searching for the hourglass and amulet, Sabium is using everything he has to get rid of the corrupt, Conreth seems selfish and has his own agenda and Queen Kaliera is making major moves that comes at a high price. Prisca and her group get some huge blows and Prisca receive devastating news. Lorian and Prisca have kept secrets from each other that comes to light but the chemistry between them is undeniable. I definitely enjoyed the characters and their interaction with each other. I believe we have a few couples in the works and I'm here for all of them. This story has suspense, betrayal, revenge, plotting, planning, scheming, war, loss, love, steamy scenes, heartfelt moments, characters you will love and hate and more. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series and will be recommending this series to all of my paranormal romance loving family, friends, co-worker and friends.

Book #3 in the Kingdom of Lies series picks right back up where #2 left off. Prisca has been kidnapped by a trusted friend (one of Regner's spiders) and her friends are left battling for their lives. After the conclusion of that epic, the rebels are left scrambling about for allies to bring down the barrier and Regner once and for all. Along the way, Prisca gets the worst prophecy you can imagine, and OF COURSE, after it seems to come true, this is where Book 3 leaves off. Thankfully, there will be a Book #4 and an epic conclusion to this series.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio e-arc.*

This book is a mix of action, politics, magic, passion, sorrow, and love, and I adored it.

A Crown This Cold and Heavy starts right after A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty ends. Prisca has been taken prisoner, and she is being tortured in hopes that she breaks and reveals what happened to the hourglass and what plans she made with her inner circle. This book is darker than the previous ones, and it focuses more on the political moves Prisca and the other rulers of the Realm are making, as everyone seems to be trying to outmaneuver or take advantage of the others.

Despite everything she has to endure, Prisca remains strong and fierce, and she is growing into the queen Lorian knew she could be. Her traumatic experience in Regner’s dungeons also allowed her to become more apt to make tough decisions. She understands that her decisions affect a lot of people, but she also knows that she will not be able to save everyone and that Regner needs to be stopped, even if it means having deaths on her conscience.

The plot is well-developed, and I appreciate the fact that Prisca and her group take the time to think and strategize. They are being clever, and not just relying on brute force and magic to defeat the king. They need to gain allies, sure, but they are also being sneaky and spreading rumors and manipulating if need be to gain the people’s trust and turn them against the king. Many pieces are being moved in this book, and it promises an intense and engaging final book.

There are still many POVs in this book, but I particularly loved Madinia’s chapters. I knew since the beginning that she was more than a haughty, condescending lady, but having some chapters from her POV allowed us to understand her so much better. I like her and her fire (I’m talking about her inner fire here, although her magical fire is pretty nice too) and I love that Prisca sees Madinia’s worth and also her needs, and she tries her best to make sure that Madinia gets a happy ending. She is cunning and ruthless, but we can see that she has grown attached to Prisca and her group and that living the rest of her life alone might not be what she truly wants anymore.

There were some truly heartwrenching moments in this third book, but thankfully, Prisca still has her family around her to support her. The gruff fae warriors are still being mother hens with her, and they continue to push her to be the best she can, but she also gives them love and support. Prisca continues to welcome people in her circle, and if you love a good “found family” trope, you will fall in love with Prisca and her group. I also like that some characters among her inner circle are developing bonds of their own, like Demos and Tibris, or Demos and Asinia.

Lorian and Prisca’s relationship is stronger and well-established in this third book. There is no angst and uncertainty between them anymore, and instead, they form a steady and powerful team. Lorian is still as intense and protective of Prisca, but I love that he doesn’t smother her. He respects her choices and lets her thrive instead of trying to control her actions to protect her, as we often see with the whole “protective fae mate” thing. They are both adults and they talk through their issues instead of creating problems due to miscommunication and immaturity, and I love their relationship so much because of that.

I’ve just finished this book & it’s more than amazing.
Trust and betrayal kept me on the edge the whole time. I loved how the multiple points of view expanded the depth of the plot. I’ve just finished listening to this book & it’s more than amazing. The spectacular writing & amazing narration made me live the story among the well described captivating characters.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

Well, I know I’ll be in the minority here, but book 3 of the Kingdom of Lies - A Crown This Cold and Heavy - just didn’t do it for me.
Listening to the audiobook, I found there were moments that I just zoned out. There is a LOT of narrative and MANY different characters that were hard to keep track of, along with more world building in this book. It wasn’t until the last 25% of it that I could truly grasp the plot of what was happening, and more exciting action was actually taking place.

Typical amount of smut as previous books but I found the scenes to be somewhat repetitive, with the same verbiage etc. I feel they need to be spiced up a little differently. 🌶️😛

I will say though… that ending! 😭🤯
I love a good series and I hate not finishing things, so I am highly anticipating the final book to see how the lives of Prisca and Lorian conclude.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio arc in return for my honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: 30 Jan 2024

A Crown This Cold and Heavy was one of my top Reads of 2023 & I'm thrilled to have a chance to review the audiobook. The narrators did a good job giving these characters life but the female narrator talks a little slow for my liking. The male narrator talks at a much nicer pace. Still, the story is incredible. I absolutely am unwell from the twists and turns of the story. Prisca continues to not be able to catch any breaks. That ending wrecked my whole soul. I actually screamed. I loved seeing Prisca come into her own as Heir & see how cunning she has become during her trials. Her love with Lorian was epic with a good dash of open door spice included. I cannot wait for book 4.

🤴🏻🧝🏻‍♀️A Crown This Cold & Heavy🧝🏻‍♀️🤴🏻
I have never requested an arc listen so fast!
Book 3 of 4 in the Kingdom of Lie’s series. All 3 are interconnected so you have to read book 1 &2 first. (I ate them up so fast) Both are available on audio on Audible, Everand, and Libby depending on library! And you can preorder book 3’s audio
If you like:
✨Romantasy
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Fated Mates
✨Touch Her/Him & ☠️
✨Found Family
✨Multi POV’s
✨Morally Grey MMC
✨Strong, Bada$$, FMC
✨Banter
✨Court Drama
✨Insane tyrant thirsting for ultimate power
✨Fae! Hybrids! Pirates! And Mythical Creatures OH MY!
✨🌶️🌶️ (Perfect Plot to Spice ratio for a Romantasy)
✨Amazing well thought out side characters. (I absolutely adore Madinia)
✨Fast Paced/Entertaining
✨So Many Cliffhangers 😩😩😩😩 (Sh!tting, crying, throwing up at that ending. Criminal! Straight to jail for that one Stacia! I need book 4😩)
✨The progression of everything in this book is so well thought out and flows so well. The growth each character has gone through 🤌🏻
✨NO FUNKY MISCOMMUNICATION bc they actually act like adults 💅🏻
Then you’ll love the Kingdom of Lie’s series!

“In every life, wildcat. No matter what happens, you hold on to that. It’s you and me in every life.”🥺🥺🥺
“Just when I’d thought I could no longer be surprised by the ignorance, foolishness, and poor judgment of men, they continued to prove me wrong.” Every day…

⭐️Disclaimer: I received this book as an arc. All opinions are my own. Thank You NetGalley & Stacia Stark for a chance to read this book.⭐️

#romantasy #staciastark #acrownthiscoldandheavy #audiobooks

Well, let me just say it right off the bat…STACIA STARK HAS DONE IT AGAIN! Another page turning, jaw clenching, face blushing masterpiece! This book had everything I was hoping for. Plot progression while taking the time to flesh out what was needed, furthering of romances/tensions while learning more about the world and its magical systems. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I swooned. It took me for the wild ride of emotions I hope to feel whenever I pick up a fantasy book. It had me gripped in its hands right up until I screamed out loud NO THIS CANT BE THE END when I finished it in true Stacia Stark plot twisting cliffhanger tradition. I’m immediately wishing I had the hourglass to leap forward to the next book! I have absolutely nothing but unfettered bookish joy after finishing this wild ride of a book, and my only regret is that I don’t know when the next book will come out.

This series is unputdownable, (I’ve read every book in a day or less because I can’t stop) and is what every Romantasy fan is looking for. If you long for enemies to lovers, morally grey characters, found family, FAE, magical creatures, and a magical world at war for its survival, this is the series you want. Its complex magic system is by no means heavy handed, and you’re not bogged down with info dumps, but you also gain a very clear progressing understanding of the world building throughout the series. It’s a rich and full world thats given the time to unveil. There’s multiple POV while never being heavy handed or confusing, and you fall in love with side characters with ease. It will steal your heart, break it and repair it better than it was before. You’ll find yourself never wanting to let it end! This series has not let me down once, and I will never stop recommending it because everyone I’ve gotten to read it has come away with my exact same sentiments, where was this series all my life?!

Narration:

I have seriously hyped myself up for this, I mean it when I say I stalked NetGalley 3 times a day for the last two months to see when this audiobook would pop up and I am so happy to say we get the same fantastic narrators as before and they’ve got these characters down solidly. Easily distinguishable voices, familiar and engaging, it was everything and more than I had hoped! I will listen to this again and again. I’m so grateful to Dreamscape for letting me continue to ARC read this series that I love so dearly!