Like everything else Stacia Stark writes, this was fantastic! I listened to the audiobook for this one and couldn’t stop listening. If you haven’t read the Kingdom of Lies series yet, I do highly recommend reading that first. You don’t NEED to understand and enjoy this book, but I feel it definitely adds a lot to the story to have read that first. Can’t wait to read the rest of this series!

This Vicious Dream is a thrilling, dark, and utterly captivating listen. Stacia Stark’s storytelling is intense and immersive, and the audiobook narration brings every twist, secret, and emotional beat to life in a way that pulled me in from the very first chapter.

The story is full of suspense, tension, and unexpected turns, and the narrator does a phenomenal job of capturing the nuance of each character—making the stakes feel real and the emotions hit hard. I was hooked from start to finish, turning each metaphorical page with bated breath.

If you love dark, twisty thrillers delivered with perfect pacing and an emotionally gripping performance, this audiobook is a must-listen.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Opening this book felt like coming home. There’s something about Stacia Stark’s writing that is so comforting. Madinia was a standout character for me in the Kingdom of Lies series, and I was so hyped to finally get a book with her as the focus. Add in the mysterious Calysian who would pop up during battle scenes, drop a sly remark just to rile Madinia up, then vanish and I was sat and ready.

This Vicious Dream picks up a few months after the Kingdom of Lies series and follows Madinia as she tries to make sense of life without war. She’s such a complex character, and Stacia did an incredible job making me fall even more in love with her. She’s fierce, sassy, whip-smart, strategic, and has emotional walls more durable than a fortress.

I loved getting to know Calysian better (and collecting more of his iconic one-liners).
The banter? Top tier.
The cat-and-mouse tension? Absolutely tantalizing.
The expanded world-building? So well done.
And that cliffhanger? Full body chills.

Book 2 is going to be AMAZING.

I won an audio copy of this book from the Author and these are my own opinions and feelings.
I adored Madinia in the Kingdom of Lies Series and when I found out she was getting her own book/series? I was ecstatic! I loved this book so much and honestly getting to fall in love with another of Stacia Starks relationships was such a priveledge. This book was quick and fast paced we got action from the beginning and I was engrossed the whole time. While it is said that you can read this without reading the Kingdom of Lies series I feel like you get just a little more of an attachment knowing in advance who Madinia is and where she came from it is also where you get to witness our couple first meeting and every interaction since then which brings us to this series.
I think both Narrators did a great job and found this was an easy book to listen to.

This book was AMAZING!!! I love the Kingdom of Lies series and this follows Madinia Farrow and Calysian who was in the other series. I listened to the audiobook and it's the same narrators for her Kingdom of Lies so it was Perfect!

Madinia was stuck in a tower for years because she is protecting the grimoire. When Calysian arrives to help her he wants it for himself.

In search of the grimoire secrets and memories begins to unfold. The chemistry between them in so intense. It's spicy but not as spicy as other books which I didn't mind. It was spicy in a good way if that makes sense.

I loved the character development for both characters. Madinia has always been strong and independent but even in the other series she develops friendships. She doubts them because everyone in her past used her and truly didn't care so she struggles with trust and being vulnerable. In this book it really dives into that and the consequences of that. And I enjoyed when the other characters came into it too. It was somewhat heartbreaking at times too.

I love Stacia and this book was everything the others were.

Tropes:
Rage
Morally Grey MMC/FMC
Touch her and Die
Hidden Identity
One bed/horse
Magic
Politics
Found Family

My Take:

I had zero clue that this was a spin-off series until after I finished this book and saw it mentioned elsewhere. That was a four-part series that told some story, but had the initial meeting of our two MCs of this story. This book tells the story of Medina, who we find locked in a tower, trapped in her body in an endless sleep, though she has power and traps the men and women who come to try and kill her in thorns. Until one day Calysian comes and "rescues" her, but he knows she can lead him to an object that he has lost. The problem is that neither of them knows what this is, and Madina has lost some of her memories after being locked in the tower. These two will trek through dangerous lands as they are both being hunted and do not trust one another. They are attracted to one another, but they have agendas they have hidden from one another.

As this is my first Stacia Stark book, I am intrigued to go back and read the series that started this world off and find more about the backgrounds of these characters. Even without reading the previous series, I did not feel lost, and as I stated before would not have ever known this was a spin-off if I hadn't seen it mentioned elsewhere. I found the magic and mythos of this world complex and interesting. Though this is a romantasy series, I feel like we have just scratched the surface, and our characters haven't made it to the romance part yet. They do have attraction and some spicy times, but they aren't insta-loving it. There is too much distrust between these two at this point to have a full-blown romance. There is also so much backstabbing in the story that it makes it difficult to have any type of relationship. I loved the FMC; she was strong and capable, and the MMC is morally grey and determined to win over the female but also get what he wanted. The narrators did a good job, in my opinion. I always like it when we have a narrator for each POV, though I am starting to prefer the duets where each person voices every female or male instead of having the narrator of that chapter voice the opposite gender. Sometimes, it just doesn't work. Overall, this is a good fantasy book with magic, betrayal, some spice, and lots of backstabbing.

I have been exploring more and more of Stacia’s books and so glad I got to listen to This Vicious Dream - book 1 of the Kingdom of Death series. I have not read the Kingdom of Lies series - though I fully plan to - prior to listening to this audiobook.

Madinia, our FMC, is embodying one of the classic & beloved tropes known as amnesia. She’s having to deal with capture, torture, and being the embodiment of power without understanding what’s really going on. Enter Calysian, our dark MMC, who initially had a somewhat pleasant first meeting Madinia until they both realize that their paths crossing is fated and leading to perpetual confrontation. There is angst, steam, banter back-and-forth, and betrayal on repeat. As they are both rediscovering parts of themselves they don’t recall, they are challenged with what is their relationship and what do they prioritize/sacrifice. It definitely ends on a cliffhanger 🫠 absolutely invested in continuing the story. The banter narrated by the voice actors really carried along the energy, frustrations, and good old passion brewing. Definitely recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley for my ALC of this book.

It's the same narrators from the main series. I am a bit torn on that, I like the familiarity but it also makes it hard to distinguish it as new characters. I do feel like this spin off is better than the main series. It felt less like a poor man's Throne of Glass and more like the author made something of their own.

Stacia Stark has done it again with This Vicious Dream, a follow up to her Kingdom of Lies series. I was cautiously anticipating this novel. but wasn't sure how Stark could up the stakes set in the same world. However, this might be my favorite book she's written so far! I can't wait for the sequel.

I was provided a physical arc for an honest review, thank you for allowing me to be on Stacia’s street team!

First, I was stoked I got to read this arc before it was released. Kingdom of Lies is a series close to my heart and this is the spin off to that ♥️

This follows Madina who is a main character in Kingdom of Lies and this book picks up 3 years after it ends.
You don’t have to read it first but it will tie together better if you do so you can learn about Madina.

This book has it all!
Enemies to Lovers
One bed
One horse
Touch her and die
All the best troupes we fantasy girls love!

I LOVE an eneimies to lovers book and oh boy can Stacia really set the pace.

Ack! Why did I think this was a standalone??? And that’s your only warning from me. Just be prepared to pick your jaw up from the floor at the end and to fall for both Madinia and Calysian. Stacia Stark has done it again - I could not put this down. Madinia is the character that you aren’t sure about in the Kingdom of Lies series, but proves herself the best of them. I was so eager to dive into this book because she became one of my favourites. I am over the moon happy with my reading experience with this one. The tension and romance in this one is sublime. Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige did a great job bringing the characters to life for the audiobook. I need the next book now! What will happen to my dear Calysian? Please don’t leave us!!!
Ok, this is definitely one of my more all over the place reviews, but what can I say? I really am all jumbled up.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an early listening copy. The opinions expressed are given freely and are honestly and my own.

I was so happy to be back with some of the characters from the Kingdom of Lies series. In the beginning of the KoL series I didn’t really like Madinia but as the series went on all I wanted was her to be loved and heal from all the pain and trauma she went through.

This is the beginning of her healing journey. I was kicking and squealing while reading this book. The tension between Calysian and Madinia is absolutely beautiful. This book broke me and rebuilt me all in it’s 362 pages.

Watching both of these characters struggle with their memories, trauma and trust issues was devastating but also stunning.

The push and pull between these two was everything that I have ever wanted. Watching both fight against their inner demons and their love for one another was masterful. This book will live in my brain rent free and I need book two immediately.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the eAudiobook ARC (ALC). A companion book to the Kingdom of Lies series, this first book in the Kingdom of Death series follows Madinia in her quest to discver more about herself. She was captured to force her to reveal a world changing secret, but her capture is disrupted by Calysian, who wants the secret for himself. As the two journey forth, they discover there may be more drawing them together than they first thought. The audiobook is skillfully narrated by Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige to add to the impact and world setting.

As someone who doesn't listen to many audiobooks but is trying to get more into it, I loved This Vicious Dream!

This was my first Stacia Stark book so I had no prior knowledge of the world or characters but I never felt as though I was confused or that important things were left out. In terms of the audiobook, I really liked the narrators and thought that they did a great job bringing Madinia and Calysian to life. I love that it was a dual narration because I felt as though that really helped to immerse me into the POVs of the two main characters.

I loved Madinia as an FMC and thought she was a fantastic example of a strong female lead. Her history was very intriguing and lead to a lot of mystery regarding her as a character. I was rooting for her the entire time and felt like her actions and motivations were reasonable given her circumstances. Calysian was also great and I absolutely loved his push and pull with Madinia and experiencing his conflicting emotions. I loved the romance between them and it absolutely delivers with the brooding, tension, and spice!

The plot of the story was great and, though complex, never felt unnecessary or too complicated. There were twists and turns that kept me hooked the entire time! After listening to This Vicious Dream, I'm definitely interested in reading the Kingdom of Lies series, as well as reading the continuation of this series as it comes out!

This was a fun escape from reality! This book is set in the same world as the kingdom of lies series. I have read the other series, but I do think this series could stand on its own. The writing was solid. The narration was great! Megan Sylvan and Tim Paige dud a great job bringing this one to life. This one was a solid 4 stars. The world building was good. I loved that Medinia got her own story. The development between her and Calysian was great! Good character growth and emotion. A solid story! . I received this book from Drewmscape Media and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I will preface this review by stating that I really liked the Kingdom of Lies series and Medinia as a character. I know she can be kind of a brat and a bit polarizing, but I appreciate her boldness. She is willing to take risks and do dangerous things to help certain people (her friends) and the world as a whole, but she’s also not interested in needlessly endangering herself for glory. Her courage is tempered by calculation and logical choices (most of the time). It’s been a little while since I finished KoL, but from what I recall, Medinia set sail on her own to get the grimoire far away from evil hands. This Vicious Dream opens up with Medinia trapped in a prison and missing some memories. A character from her past shows up to save her, only to find that she has already saved herself. They embark on a journey to find the grimoire, however, it is uncertain whether he can be trusted. I really enjoyed the character growth and Medinia’s determination. She’s rough around the edges, guarded, and definitely very sassy.

Much like Medinia, I spent most of the story trying to decide if I liked or trusted Calysian. I am not 100% sold on their chemistry together but I thought the progression of building trust was well-done. I did listen to this as an audiobook and the narrators did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life. The personalities really shone through and both characters came off as prickly yet likeable, whereas this type of dialogue can sometimes come off a bit flat on the page.

Overall, I really enjoyed this audiobook and will definitely be continuing the series.

Thank you to Netgalley, Stacia Stark, & Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rating: 4.5 stars, rounded down to 4

Madinia was a favorite of mine in the Kingdom of Lies series and I loved getting her POV and full story in This Vicious Dream! I do wish I'd done a reread of Kingdom of Lies prior to starting this as there were some references to things that I vaguely remembered but not with enough detail to actually place the easter eggs.

Madinia continues to be so strong and entirely unapologetic about it. Can’t wait to continue her story in the next one!

The overall audio quality was good. I wish this was a duet rather than dual as I really struggled with how drastically the voices were when being voiced by the male vs. female narrator.

I love getting Madinia's story!! I wish it had a summary of what happened in Kingdom of Lies and what her part was in it all. Also a some sort of snippet of the other characters that come in to play that were in the other series. I remember them, but vaguely. I understand that its not necessary to read the Kingdom of Lies series first, but I really do think it would have helped jumping back in to this world. The narrators were fantastic! Loved this story and can't wait to see what happens in her next book :)

4 Stars, 2 Spicy

I didn't realize this was a spin-off story following a support character from a longer series so I was a little bit confused at times when it was written like I should know about these past events it mentioned and the pre-existing history between Madinia and the main antagonist. But I wasn't so lost and confused that I couldn't follow the story. I was able to get the gist of what happened in the past and follow the plot of Madinia and Calysian's story. I did enjoy their story so far and I will read book 2 whenever it is out on audiobook. I liked the author and the taste of her world she created enough that I want to go back and read the original series as well. I think this might have been a 5 star read for me if I had more of that history and investment in the characters and the struggles they have been through.

The narrators were great. I enjoyed them and the unique voices they had for the characters. My only negative comment is that the feel of Madinia's character between the two narrators felt like 2 totally different characters. The tone and vocal mannerisms the female narrator used were completely different (and far more fitting to the character) than the way the male narrator voiced her. He made her sound far more meek and insecure than the character is from the female perspective, so I found that took me out of the story a bit. I think they should have collabed a bit more on that character to get a consistent feel between POVs. But otherwise I enjoyed them and found the voices very fitting to all the other characters.