***I received a audio book from the publisher through Netgalley and chose to leave a voluntary review. Thank you!***

I read the Kingdome of Lies series by her and loved it, so I had high hopes for this when it was announced. That being said, when i saw it come up on NG as an audio version, I knew I had to grab it 🙂

The audio part was fantastic, it was dual narration, and I loved both. Both male and female voice and accents were so great to listen to. They really, really transported you into the story.

The book itself was also super fun. you don’t have to have read Kingdom of Lies to read this, but it certainly helps expand the world. Not to mention it’s also really good.

I really enjoyed getting to know Madinia more. She was so feisty, spunky and funny but also knew when to tap out or throw a punch.

The same for Calysian, man that guy was funny. I really enjoyed his POVs and laughed out loud a lot, but also some of hid dialogue made me cringe at bit at times. Just a bit too much for me (personally) at times, but for the most part I loved him.

I loved them and their banter and antics together just as much. the times they tried to outsmart each other was hilarious.

On a sidenote, not gonna lie but the beginning, the tower, the rescue, gave me a little “Tangled” vibes. And I was here for it <3

Overall great book and as mentioned before the audio version is awesome. I can’t wait for book two .

I give it 4★

Set in the same world as Stacia Stark's Kingdom of Lies, This Vicious Dream is the first in the Kingdom of Death duology. We meet Madinia and Calysian and are treated to a great duet narration for the audiobook by Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige. Starting off with some Rapunzel vibes as Madinia has been imprisoned in a tower surrounded by thorns as she refused to give up the knowledge of a grimoire sought by those who would take its power. Madinia is rescued by Calysian and together they form a temporary alliance as they both work to restore their memories.

I enjoy Stacia Stark's writing quite a bit and who doesn't love a morally grey MMC with a saucy FMC? On the other hand, I had trouble with world building and didn't get a great sense of place. There were references to the characters being different sport of beings, but I wasn't completely sure how that influenced interactions and the general world. I also didn't get a great sense of why everyone lost memories and what would have happened within the world to start that.

I did enjoy the narration quite a bit, but my one gripe is that when Madinia had flashbacks, it was really hard to tell as a listener since there wasn't much indication so all of a sudden you'd be in a different timeline than you started in.

Overall, if you want a fun read you can escape in, this would definitely be for you - it didn't quite work for me, but I for sure see the appeal! Thanks so much to Dreamscape Media and to NetGalley for the advanced listening copy.

I love where the story picked up from A Kingdom of Lies Series where we follow Madinia now. Last we saw of her she took to the sea with Daharak and her crew.

And I really love that the continuation from A Queen This Fierce and Deadly with a side character from the series. It was great to pick up and immediately be back in that same world (even so much later and on a different continent). The feelings of being able to dive back into a world you loved dearly are like no other. I’m a happy camper:)

This Vicious Dream was a great intro into Madinia‘s life and what’s been happening with her over the last few years. We catch up to her and get to really find out what Madinia is all about. Although we know she was the total firey;) badass with a hardened ‚take no shit‘ personality in Kingdom of lies, Im glad to see that that doesn’t change. Strong FMCs that really can hold their own are the best!! And Madinia is 100% that girl! But getting that glimpse previously of her soft spots given all the horrible things she’s endured… I wasn’t sure she’d still have that side of her left, I’m glad to see she still keeps in touch with the soft side when it really comes down to it. Although she does still have that vulnerability we do see it waver in this book, her walls are built so high up. Understandably so. It was great getting to see Madinias more boldened personality tackle this journey.

Madinia along the way runs into Calysian who we met previously as well. And well he’s every bit of the mysterious no jokes kind of guy he was then. I was loving the back and forth between Madinia and Calysian in the book it had an annoyed to be around each other to a will they won’t they vibe going on. Those reluctant relationships where two people are in a forced proximity are great. I love those tropes so this was right up my alley.

Omg I also loved to hear about some characters we have grown to love from Kingdom of Lies! But also know that the book is written to make it feel as though you are not losing anything from the story if you haven’t read the previous series. Which I also appreciated for those that want to read this without having to read a whole series first. (I do think it ruins quite a bit if you haven’t read Kingdom of lies and want to go back and read later though.. that’s up to you though). However, if you are like me and have read the other series… it is awesome because I love long series with interconnected series branching off and I’m stoked to see where this one ends up!!! :):)

I would like to thank Stacia Stark for allowing me to read this book early!!! The audiobook was great:)

Stacia never dissapoints! This has been one of my favorite reads of the year!! I loved Madinia throughout the Kingdom of Lies series and it was so great to see more of her story.

Can you imagine being trapped in your own body - conscious - for three years?!
🌶️🌶️
Madinia bides her time while being held prisoner by Kyldare, gathering dark power from a grimoire she has sworn to protect. After three years waiting for the day she’ll have enough power to kill Kyldare, then enters Calysian.
The pair form a reluctant alliance to serve their own ends, and hopefully the realm won’t suffer for it 😅
I listened to the audio for this book and I thought both narrators did a great job! The female narrator was on point, but to be honest I would have liked a deeper/growlier narration for Calysian given his ✨background✨ but it didn’t take too much away from his chapters.
The author recommends reading the Kingdom of Lies series before this one, and as someone who did NOT read KoL first I can confirm that is the smart move 😂 I don’t think it made this story any less great, but it definitely would have been more impactful if I had that background.
Overall I’d still recommend this to anyone that loves:

🗡️ Enemies to Lovers 👏🏻
🗡️ Fated mates
🗡️ Forced proximity
🗡️ Slow burn

Wow, this was such a fun book. I listened to the audio, the narrators did an amazing job, they really captured the characters.

I was hooked from the beginning. I loved how the relationship progressed between the main characters, and the twists and turned they took.

I really can not wait for the next book now and I am excited to see where the story takes Madinia next.

Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted eARC!

This book was a lovely read, I particularly enjoyed the descriptive language used in it, and how well everything was always explained from everything to clothes to the smells that could be smelt. It felt I credibly immersive which I absolutely adored.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publishing company for allowing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

What an amazing edition to this world created by Stacia stark! Madinia and Calysian are in for a wild ride in book 2. I am excited to see how our queen and king come to help! Stacis stark is an auto read for me ✨

Oh boyyyyy. Just when I thought the Kingdom of Lies series couldn’t be topped, Stacia Stark comes swinging with This Vicious Dream—and absolutely nails it.

Set in the same world as Kingdom of Lies, this story follows Madinia on a tense journey across the land, hunting a dark grimoire while being relentlessly pursued by a shadowy stranger.

The Narration: I listened while reading the ebook, and was completely entranced. Told in dual POV, the narrators did a phenomenal job bringing Madinia and Calysian to life. Their tone, pacing, and emotional delivery were spot on—and their chemistry? Chef’s kiss. I felt everything—the tension, the stakes, and yes, there were even giggles and feet-kicking moments.

The Story: Stacia masterfully expands the world she built in Kingdom of Lies. I went in thinking I understood the dynamics between fae, hybrids, humans, and powers—but nope. There are gods in this world, and they are not playing nice.

While This Vicious Dream can absolutely be read without Kingdom of Lies, having that background made it all the richer. Familiar faces and established lore made the twists hit even harder.

Speaking of twists—Stacia had me guessing wrong the entire time. The reveals? Jaw-dropping. The tea? Scalding. I need more, immediately.

The Characters: Madinia Farrow is layered perfection. Initially cold, unfeeling, and fiercely independent, she slowly reveals a deeply emotional core. Watching her history unfold—and seeing Calysian peel back those layers—was both heartbreaking and beautiful.

Final Thoughts: This book was so freaking good. I already want to reread it, and I honestly don’t know what to do with myself now that it’s over.

Thank you Stacia and Dreamscape Media for my ARC and ALC of this book. This is my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️/🌶️🫑
This book is set in the same world as Kingdom of Lies (A Court This Cruel and Lovely), but in a far off kingdom 3 years later.

Medinia manages to get access to the dark power of the grimoire and escape the tower at the same time someone from her past shows up.

Together they search for the grimoire she hid. But he needs it for another purpose. As they get closer to the hiding place, they are being tracked by the queen’s troops and an evil witch, all while he begins to loose his humanity to the dark power of the Grimoire

There are actually 3 grimiores, he must find all 3, and Medinia must get to them first to prevent another war; a war between the gods.
🔥
I enjoyed it a lot. There is a major twist at the end that was very unexpected.
🔥
I think it is helpful to read Kingdom of Lies series first. A few characters show up in this series and it obviously has spoilers to how the other series ends. A lot won’t make sense if you haven’t read KoLies.
🔥
This is the same narrators for the audiobook as the Kingdom of Lies series.

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the ARC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!

This is book one in a spinoff series of Kingdom of Lies, which explains a lot because I thought it was a brand new series and I thought the worldbuilding was a little light. It didn’t bother me that much, I have a high tolerance for being lightly confused, and would vastly prefer to learn the world as the book goes along than to have a lot of infodumpy exposition.

This Vicious Dream starts strong and the plot never lets up, there is constant action and twists and turns, which makes it really bingeable. We got a lot of time with the lovers having will they / won’t they moments, sharing beds and body heat, but with solid tension about why they shouldn’t be together. I love romantasy books that read like romances!

The audiobook was good, but the tone was very serious which sometimes is hard for me to stay focused on. I like my narration to be a little faster with more dynamic tone changes. However, this narration style matches the tone of the book, so many readers may enjoy it.

I’m hoping to go back and read Kingdom of Lies now, and I think I might enjoy this one even more once I know all of the context!

This Vicious Dream
By Stacia Stark

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another incredible book from the amazing Stacia Stark. I was sucked in from chapter 1 and was hooked until the very end. With flawless world building, superb character depth and a plot that flows effortlessly, this book is a journey you want to be on. Madinia is entrusted with guarding an ancient grimoire, when she awakens with virtually no memories on a strange continent Madinia has only one choice; trust the handsome dark stranger. We’re flung into a wild hunt around a strange new continent in search of these dark powerful grimoires with burning tension and chemistry between Madinia and Calysian, all we can do it watch the story unfold. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

Wow. Truly wow 🤯 Stacia has done it again with Madinia’s story. I absolutely LOVED A Court This Cruel and Lovely… BUT THIS BOOK!!! Aghhhhh! I want book #2 like… NOW!

I love that you already know Madinia from A Kingdom of Lies series. So you already have a great backstory of her. I mean.. who doesn’t wanna grow up and be a bad bitch like Madinia?! She knows how to manipulate, looks down her nose that would make the biggest men second guess their actions, and if that doesn’t work?? She’ll burn you with her fire magic. 🔥🔥

I also like thats we briefly meet Calysian in the Kingdom of Lies series. He’s much more mysterious and I enjoyed getting to hear his story.

I will say, I did listen to the Kingdom of Lies series through audiobook and LOVED them. This was no different!! They kept the same narrators and I am sooooo happy they did. I love Meg’s voice as Madinia. The audiobook was perfection 🤌🏼

Audiobook review, narrated by Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige.
I loved this audiobook. Meg Sylvan had the silkiest voice in the world, so I can't wait to listen to more of her work!
Here's me not realising the FMC Madinia was a character in the Kingdom of Lies series, which I have still to read!
But I don't think I lost anything, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the romance, and I can't wait to see how this series continues. Stacia Stark is becoming a must read author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥
This Vicious Dream
by Stacia Stark

So so grateful to have gotten an audiobook version of The Vicious Dream from Stacia Stark 🫶🏻 as I mainly listened to the original series, Kingdom of Lies.

I absolutely loved Madinia in the original series and was so excited that she was getting a spinoff. And book one of this duology did not disappoint 🔥

The tension between Madinia and Calysian kicked up like 10 notches and I am so here for it. I love their constant back and forth. Madinia is such a badass - she doesn’t need anyone to save her, but that doesn’t stop Calysian from trying.

I’m so glad we learned so much more about Calysian after the brief glimpses we got of him in Kingdom of Lies. He’s such an interesting character and I’m so excited to see what’s next for him.

And, of course, I always love when you get cameos from some folks in the original series 🥰

The ending to this book was jam packed with information and changing circumstances. With how things left off, I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2 and see what Calysian and Madinia get up to next 🥵

Y'all... STACIA DID IT AGAIN!!!

I was hooked on this book FROM THE VERY START!! Having loved Madinia in Kingdom of Lies I was so excited to learn more about her and get her story after the events of KoL. This book is basically a 300 page roller coaster filled with the most intense slow burn, feminine angst and OH THE TWISTS!!!
And when I tell you the last 10% will leave you with your heart racing I AM NOT KIDDING!!

Recap: This book follows the story of Madinia Farrow after the events of Kingdom of Lies. After having saved a continent and helping to free her people Madinia sets off with the goal of getting away and exploring the world. But Madinia has a target on her back. There are those who want her dead and those you just want her.
Madinia is 100% an independent badass woman. She's used to keeping her walls up and her feelings shut down. And all that's true until she meets Calysian... again. He's a powerful man with no recollection of his past... but he remains drawn to Madinia and found her yet again. The slow burn between these two is simply delicious but the TWISTS AND TURNS in their story will leave you breathless!

Thank you Stacia Stark and the BookSprout team for the opportunity to review this book prior to its release.

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

First and Foremost: Extreme Gratitude to Stacia’s team for sending me an advanced copy of this Audiobook!

I have been a fan of Stacia’s work since I picked up the first book in the Kingdom of Lies series. This story, This Vicious Dream, follows Madinia, a literal fiery red-head, with an anger problem. I LOVE MADINIA. I relate to her deeply, and I love her relationship with Calysian.

Madinia is given a grimoire to protect and told not to let it fall into the hands of someone who would do ill-intent with it, especially its original author. Unfortunately for her, it seems everyone on her new continent wants that grimoire.

Calysian is looking for something, but he can’t remember what it is. When he reunites with Madinia, he knows that she will lead him to what he lost. They reluctantly agree to help each other and embark on a dangerous quest. What could possibly happen?

-One Horse
-One Bed
-Banter
-Mental Health Rep (self-loathing, depression, anxiety, PTSD)
-Gods/Fae/Witches
-Magical Artifacts
-Vengeance
-Soulmates
-Hidden Identities

I was provided a physical copy by the author and an alc from Netgalley ( thanks to dreamscape Media), all thoughts are my own.

Honestly, this is the story that I didn't know I needed, and I am so happy the author decided to continue on in this world and write about one of my favorite side characters, Madinia. This is her book, and she shows us both how strong she is and how much she keeps her past and feelings bottled up. We follow Madinia and Calysian throughout the story as we search for an object (no spoilers) and learn both of their backstories and how it impacts the world around them. The ending had me in a chokehold, and I was gasping in my car while listening.

I was lucky enough to read both the physical book, which has beautiful chapter headers, and also listen to the alc, which is narrated by Meg Sylvan and Tim Page. Both are incredible narrators and use a wide range of vocal skills to depict the various characters in the story, giving them each their own voice.

I would highly recommend reading the Kingdom of Lies series prior to starting this book, as there's so much backstory and characters that cross over along with a lot of the world building as well, but you don't necessarily have to.

Madinia, who’s been through so much trauma, sees herself unworthy and keeps everyone at arms length to protect herself from abandonment. I ached for her. Yet she’s a protector, fierce, determined.

Calysian is our broad-shouldered, protective (but not undermining), hunk of a god who is a perfect match to Madinia’s fierceness. And when the 2 are forced to work together? The chemistry and banter had me all giddy. .

The world building, the sky-high tension, the action, gosh I just love Stacia’s writing style and how she fully immerses you. And after that ending?! I’m a mess.
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞.”

WOW. I was not ready for this book, in the best possible way.

After finishing Kingdom of Lies, I wasn’t sure where Madinia’s story would go next. I avoided the blurb (because I love going in blind when I can), and let me tell you, I definitely wasn’t expecting this. And I loved everything about it.

While you can read this series without having read Kingdom of Lies, I highly recommend starting there. It gives you a deeper understanding of Madinia’s character and makes her journey hit so much harder. She’s a complex, layered heroine who’s been through hell and back, and knowing where she came from made her arc in this book all the more emotional. It also adds to the reunions with characters from the previous series.

I love how Stacia Stark expanded the world she built in Kingdom of Lies. The world-building, the banter and the chemistry between Calysian and Madinia? Perfect. I felt everything—pain, tension, heartbreak—and I never saw the twists coming. The emotional depth was off the charts. I’m dying to see what happens next for these characters.

I split my time between the audiobook and the ebook, and I absolutely loved by the narration. The narrators brought Madinia and Calysian to life with so much emotion and intensity, I felt every second of it.

Huge thanks to Stacia Stark and Dreamscape Media for the ARC and ALC. This is my honest review.