A Court This Cruel and Lovely

I dislike it when a book is short but takes forever to get to like anything that's said in the synopsis. Or just slow pace in a short book in general. When I started realising this had that, I started thinking of not finishing it. Once I'd started thinking that I saw the main character wasn't really making sense and the bit of the world-building I'd read also didn't add up.

For instance, the main character, Khiara, has red hair – which in this world means shes a witch. She has to hide it because that's very dangerous and she'd likely be killed. Then her red hair gets uncovered and... those who see it are... totally fine with it. All right, granted, it was in a sexual manner. Khiara was one of those characters who's written to be all fierce and “I'm going to do what I want” and the book showed none of that. Plus everything else was all tell, not show.

When romantasies are good, they are really good!

Nothing too special, very predictable, but overall ok. A very romantasy tropey book. 

I really enjoyed this book.

At first I was a bit confused because it seemed like nothing was going on and the story was very straightforward - our main character had one goal in mind and planned to do whatever to follow it. About 20% - 30% of the way in I found myself asking “Is this is?” but I'm usually pretty good at giving authors the benefit of the doubt and I'm glad I held out, because this story was anything but straightforward.

I kind of liked this style of writing of letting layers be added over time (even up to the very end of the book), rather than being hosed with a bunch of information I can't possibly understand right off the bat and slowly understanding more as the story goes on. Maybe my ADHD brain felt less stressed at getting a trickle of information throughout, rather than having to remember and keep straight details to understand later. (To be clear, though, I do like and appreciate both styles of writing)

I liked Prisca. She can hold her own and she's got sass. She's also not preternaturally talented, which I appreciated. I knew I would like Lorian from the first time he interacted with Prisca, and I still liked him at the end. Stark had me hooked early on and I became very impatient for them to get together (in a good way).

One thing that bothered me was that Prisca didn't seem to explore some things that a normal person presumably wood. For instance, she's raised her entire life to fear the fae, but when she finds out she's a 'hybrid' (half-fae, half-human) she just kind of shrugs and moves on. Like I would expect her to war with that a lot more instead of just accepting it. There were a couple of other bits of info like this that I found distracting, but overall it didn't take away too much from the story for me.

All in all, I've already downloaded the second book and I can't wait to start reading it right after I post this review.

3.5 stars

Despite this being both generic and predictable, I actually enjoyed the story overall.

The first half of the book was so generic it was like it was ‘How to Write Fantasy Romance - Lesson 1' - there's a teeny tiny girl with hidden powers and a big old manly man with callused hands and a chip on his shoulder, they have a contrived reason to hate each other but end up having to travel together. Add in forbidden magic, warring kingdoms, a despotic ruler and a handy dandy rebellion and you've got yourself a story.

Anyway, after the 50% mark things took a turn and got interesting. The characters got more personality, there was scheming and plotting and secrets to be revealed. A couple of good plot twists towards the end too.

The ending was predictable but as I say it actually was an enjoyable book and I'll be continuing soon.

I liked this far more than I thought I would. It didn't have the ‘I can't put this down' quality that would've made it a 5 star but I found it to be decently paced and the characters actions believable.  
A popcorn read, that hit a lot of storyline tropes that I like.

I am thrilled to express how much I enjoyed this book. I was genuinely surprised that I managed to finish it within just two days. While I initially began it some time ago, my fascination with the story truly took flight yesterday. I was so captivated that I dedicated a solid 12 hours to listening to the audiobook. Can you sense my enthusiasm? Anything that channels the essence of a fantasy retelling with a touch of Beauty and the Beast ambiance is right up my alley. I absolutely adored this book and cannot wait to share my thoughts with you!
Get ready to be whisked away on a spellbinding journey with “A Court This Cruel & Lovely”! This audiobook had me hooked from the first chapter to the very end. Stacia Stark has crafted a captivating tale of love, sacrifice, and the discovery of inner strength that will leave you utterly spellbound.

Set in a world where humans trade their powers for protection against the fae, our protagonist finds herself entangled in a web of forbidden magic and a tumultuous relationship with a captivating mercenary. The intricate world-building and the exploration of the characters' inner struggles make this a truly immersive experience.

The narration is nothing short of extraordinary, as the narrator's voice seamlessly brings each character to life, allowing you to delve deeper into the intricate emotions woven throughout the narrative. It's a testament to the power of a well-executed audiobook that enhances the storytelling in every way.

With its seamless blend of fantasy and romance, “A Court This Cruel & Lovely” is a must-listen for all fans of the genre. Stark's ability to evoke raw emotions and create a world so vivid that it feels like reality is a testament to her storytelling prowess. This is a tale that will linger in your mind long after you've finished it.

If you're looking for an enthralling adventure filled with magic, mystery, and a slow-burn romance that will tug at your heartstrings, look no further than “A Court This Cruel & Lovely.” It's a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered and cherished by all. Don't miss out on the opportunity to embark on this extraordinary journey.

Click the link below and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of “A Court This Cruel & Lovely” - it's an experience you won't soon forget!

I really enjoyed this book!
Immediately after starting this, I was fully immersed in this world and couldn't put the book down. This book is wonderfully descriptive, full of interesting characters, great banter, an interesting plot, lots of action and a great slow-burn enemies-to-lovers/love-hate relationship. Overall, I just really loved this book and I cannot wait to read the next one, especially after that ending.
Highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.