I loved this audiobook. Loved that it was dual narration. The narrators did such a great job of bringing this story to life.

Madinia is a fierce, no-nonsense heroine who has endured more than her fair share of hardship. Sassy, passionate, and utterly untrusting, she’s built walls around her heart to shield herself from further pain. Beneath that tough exterior, however, lies a deep well of emotion—one she refuses to show. She’s unwavering in her loyalty, willing to do anything to protect the people she loves. But after three years of solitude, she comes to a startling realization: she craves human connection. At the same time, she’s consumed by a burning desire for revenge against those who wronged her and her friends. Yet, she’s convinced they’ve moved on without her, forgotten she ever existed.
Enter Calysian—a man who believes he can control Madinia by barking orders. He quickly learns that his domineering approach will get him nowhere. His possessiveness only fuels her defiance, setting the stage for an electrifying dynamic between them.
Their relationship is nothing short of captivating. The banter between them is razor-sharp, their chemistry undeniable from the very first interaction. Every snarky remark, every lingering glance had me grinning. The slow burn was agonizing in the best way possible, making their eventual union all the more satisfying. And the revelations at the end? Absolutely brilliant—they tied everything together and deepened the meaning of their connection. I can’t wait to see where their story leads in the next book.
Set in the same world as Kingdom of Lies, this novel brings back Madinia, a familiar face from that series. While you don’t need to read Kingdom of Lies first, doing so provides valuable insight into Madinia’s past and the intricacies of the world. Stacia does a great job of introducing the setting, but the original series offers even more depth. Seeing old characters return and play a role in this story was a delightful surprise.
The twists and turns kept me hooked from start to finish, and the ending left me absolutely breathless. If you’re looking for a book packed with secrets, action, unexpected revelations, a strong-willed heroine, and a possessive male with a hidden past, this is the one for you. I’m already counting down the days until the next installment!

Came for the author, stayed for the plot! Absolutely loved this! Great world building, characters that build in layers as the plot thickens, banter, magic, Gods & an action filled quest what’s not to love! Can’t wait for the next one. Dual narration that added so much more life to an already amazing book.

Rating: 5 million stars!

A bad ass ex-pirate? A dark god? Three grimmoirs hidden across the world? Enemies to lovers? Always lovers? I had no idea there was a whole series before this book! I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC and I think this book stands firmly on its own. That being said, now that I know there is an entire series with the backstory of these characters, I cannot wait to go read them! The drama, the magical elements, the bad-assery (is that a word?) of the main characters had me FLYING through this book! If I could give this book 5 million stars I would. I cannot wait for book 2!!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙉𝙤𝙬 𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.”

The 1st book in the Kingdom of Death spin-off series of Stacia Stark's Kingdom of Lies series. Madinia was one of my favorite characters from the Kingdom of Lies series, and I love her and her strong, prickly, suspicious, sarcastic, brave personality even more now. The banter and chemistry between Madinia and Calysian was perfection. I loved getting a glimpse of some of the other characters from this universe and what happened with them after the ending! Complex, well-written characters, amazing world-building, action, magic, lost memories, tragedy, betrayal, humor, and the right amount of spice. I loved every second of this book!! I did NOT expect that ending! My jaw literally dropped, and I squealed out loud! I am DYING for the rest of the series!

Oh my god inject this book straight into my veins. Their immediate connection, their shared experience working through stolen memories and trauma, their constant out-maneuvering of each other (and how they kind of actually enjoy sparring with each other). These are two alphas circling each other and vying for control, and watching them be simultaneously infuriated and turned on by each other's schemes is a delightful way to spend a book.

It's written in such a way that you don't need to read the Kingdom of Lies series (A Court This Cruel and Lovely, etc) first, but I think you will probably get more out of it if you do. And that's just a really good series that you should read anyway. If you do read this first, going back and reading Kingdom of Lies could help you pass the time until Part 2 comes out. Honestly, given Stacia's previous demonic cliffhangers, we got off easy on this one, but my god I'm still dying to get my hands on the next one IMMEDIATELY. Like, right now please.

I listened to the ALC of This Vicious Dream, and found it to be a perfectly fine audiobook. It’s dual narration, not duet. The narrators both have the usual ways of pitching their voices to indicate the opposite gender that I don’t terribly care for, but they both thoroughly understand and embody the sass that is so prevalent in each character and their interactions.

Rating: 5/5
Audio: 4.5/5
Spice: 2/5

Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- One horse
- Dual POV
- One bed
- Trauma rep
- Touch her and die
- Banter
- Talking animal sidekick

Thank you to Stacia and NetGalley for the chance to listen to this in advance.

I was so excited to see Madinia's story come to light! Stacia has done an amazing job with the book. The story stands on its own, but you will really enjoy this if you've already read the Kingdom of Lies series. I'm always a sucker for an enemies-to-lovers trope, and feisty FMCs make me happy. Looking forward to the next one because that cliffhanger... !!

This Vicious Dream by Stacia Stark ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When your favourite supporting character now has her own story!!!

“Once, I helped save a kingdom. Now, I'm trapped in a prison of thorns and nightmares.”

If you are looking to cure your book hangover following Stacia Stark's King of Lies series, this is exactly what you need!!!
Prepare to be ensnared by the dark allure of This Vicious Dream, the first book set in the same universe as Kingdom of Lies series, follows one of my favourite characters, Madinia, and her journey. Some of our favourite characters from KOL are refferenced and/or making appearances.

- Romantasy
- Magical Intrigue
- Found Family
- Self Reliant FMC
- Brooding MMC
- Tension
- Betrayal
- Reluctant Allies
- Slow Burn

Madinia, once the saviour of a kingdom, now finds herself being imprisoned. Her captors are looking for the location of a powerful grimoire that she has vowed to protect. Her silence is her only leverage. Calysian mysterious yet gorgeous man arrives, desiring the grimoire for his own ends. Madina must make difficult decisions and is reluctant to ally, but she must navigate a web of secrets and power plays, where trust is a luxury she can't afford.

Madinia and Calysian were fabulous. Madina was one of my favorite characters from the Kingdom of Lies series. You do not need to read the Kindgom of Lies series to enjoy this book. Stacia Stark does a great job of world building. the book has action, spice and great dialogue

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book, but I absolutely devoured this story. I fell in love with the characters immediately and was hooked from the beginning and kept going with so much action and twists and turns. Madinia is a complex, firecracker of an FMC and I really adore her. That cliffhanger is going to leave me reeling until the next book comes out.

This Vicious Dream completely consumed me. With characters that captured my heart and twists that owned me, this story was impossible to put down. It’ll keep you on the edge of your seat while you find yourself falling in love and wiping away your tears. This story deserves all the stars!

Madinia could be so vicious and ruthless, so I absolutely loved her! She had been held captive for the last three years inside of a tower, because she knew the location of a grimoire that would completely change their world. She was brave, tenacious, fearless, and would not be broken. So, when Calysian appeared, it set them on a path together. For the grimoire.

Madinia and Calysian both struggled with their memory, but I loved that a common mission forced them together. Their banter was phenomenal and the tension that simmered between them was addictive! And as memories started to find their way back to Madinia, it forced her hand to become hard-hearted and throw remorse out the window when it came to Calysian. But he was tenacious, and he refused to give up Madinia without a fight. Even if she was the one who was standing in their way.

Calysian came across as dangerous and lethal, but I loved how he saw so much. It didn’t matter how much hate Madinia threw his way, he took care of her. And could be so kind and thoughtful. Calysian is a book boyfriend you will fall hard for. So, when he called her beautiful woman or sweetheart, it was impossible not to melt into a puddle. Calysian was everything!

As the story unfolded, I was terrified for them. They were being hunted and nowhere felt safe. Life and death situations were always around the corner. But through it all, they both had their dark and twisted humor. And their vicious rage. Together they were a formidable team. And with fabulous banter and steamy moments, Calysian and Madinia were a powerful couple that sailed right to the top of my favorites list!

With forced proximity, brutal truths, only one bed, betrayal, and trust, This Vicious Dream is easily one of my top favorite books! Plus, the side characters captured my heart so easily too. Eamonn and Fox were two favorites, but we also got to see a few of our favorites from the series Kingdom of Lies. So, while you can easily read this as a standalone, I definitely think certain moments will hit harder if you’ve read the Kingdom of Lies Series first. I found myself crying 7 different times. With phenomenal twists that left my jaw on the ground, I found myself laughing and crying while dread pooled in my stomach in those final few pages. This story was beautifully crafted, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

PS I listened to the audiobook, after finishing this book. And it was phenomenal! They brought the characters to life and I was swept away all over again by this story!

It needs to be said that this story is best read after Stacia’s other series (this court so cruel and lovely) I haven’t finished that one (only read the first two books so far). You can read this as a separate story though but I did feel like I’ve missed some parts from the past of the MC’s. They have met before this book.

I think that could be why I felt that there was something missing in the first half of the book. But it was still good enough for me to continue. I actually really started liking the second part and by the end I was invested. Now I’m looking forward too the next installment.

But as I said I think you will enjoy this more if you have read the first series.

I listen to this as an audiobook and really liked it that way. It was dual pov’s and both actors did a great job.

I absolutely loved this book. Stacia writes such brilliantly complex characters that emotionally wreck me in the best way every time. The world building is in depth and immersive without ever feeling like a giant lore dump.

While it's not necessary to read the Kingdom of Lies series to enjoy and understand this, it is one of my absolute favorites so I recommend it and it definitely adds to the fun. I loved Madinia in the original books and love her even more now.

I'm going to be thinking about the last 10% of this book until the next one comes out.

As for the audiobook, I'm so glad it was the same narrators as the Kingdom of Lies series. It was truly a delight having the same voices for these characters again. I love Meg's voice for Madinia so much. The audio quality was great.

Thanks to Stacia Stark for the ARC!

6/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2/5🌶️🌶️

What to Expect:
🌹Enemies to Lovers
🗡️Rivals to Lovers
🌹One Bed 🛏️
🗡️Touch Her & 💀
🌹Dual POV
🗡️Spin-off from Kingdom of Lies
🌹SLOW BURN
🗡️Forced Proximity

From the very first page, This Vicious Dream had me in an absolute MONSTER CHOKEHOLD!!!! Madinia’s story kicks off with intensity and never once lets up with the DRAMA. She’s no different from KOL, STRONG, smart, guarded, and refuses to be anyone’s pawn, which made her inner turmoil and growing vulnerability all the more gut-wrenching to witness… desperately afraid for her downfall. The story throws her straight into forced proximity with Calysian—that GORGEOUS God with secrets, power, and an infuriating amount of patience (especially when it comes to breaking down Madinia’s walls—and the sparks between them are ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. Their tension is deliciously slow burn, packed with tons of flirty banter, betrayal, and so many moments that had me shouting at the page.

I am a sucker for Dual POV, and this story was NOOO DIFFERENT—it made every twist more personal, every betrayal hit harder, and every stolen glance between Madinia and Calysian ten times more devastating. Their dynamic is THE perfect mix of enemies-to-lovers chaos and that soft, aching longing that wrecks you slowly (**cough slow burn alert!**). Watching Calysian go from calculated and cold to a complete RIDE-OR-DIE protector had me WEAKKKKK. And Madinia? She’s the embodiment of feminine rage and resilience, clawing her way through impossible choices with a fire that could level kingdoms.

And that ending?! I needed book two as soon as the last word finished. Like NOW. That cliffhanger absolutely SHATTERED MY SOUL, and I’m still spiraling. Stacia Stark is seriously a QUEEN!!! Whether you’re new to her world or a returning fan from the Kingdom of Lies series, this one stands on its own and absolutely delivers. I do suggest reading Kingdom of Lies BEFORE this one, as there is background you probably will want before diving into this one, however… it is NOT required… you might just have a few hmmm… moments.

A HUGE thank you to Dreamscape Media, Netgalley, and the AMAZING Stacia Stark for gifting me with this amazing ALC! The voice actors were EVERYTHING. They brought so much depth and emotion to the story through the audio, and it just made every single action hit that much harder. I am so grateful for this one and I ran SOOO fast to get a physical copy after finishing this!!! SHELF TROPHY for the win!

Short synopsis: Madinia is imprisoned in a tower surrounded by thorns, rescued by Calysian who is looking for the hidden grimmour.

My thoughts: After finishing, I discovered this is a spinoff of another series “Kingdom of Lies,” I plan on going back and reading that series. But I feel like I kept up just fine starting here.

I loved the power that Medinia had in this book, she was feared by so many and stood her ground despite the imprisonment she experienced. I loved the tension and banter between her and Calysian, their rivals to lovers chemistry was top notch.

This is an action packed book, from start to finish. Epic battles, journey through swamps and forests, and a hunt for a grimoire that Madinia has sworn to protect.

I listened to part of this on audio and the dual narration really amplified for banter and chemistry of the characters.

Read if you love:
* Forced Proximity
* Epic journey
* Slow burn
* Feisty FMC
* Only one bed

I really enjoyed listening to this. It was quite an easy listen and with good narration and a plot that had good pace and depth.

I liked the characters and the build up for the 2nd book as there is more to explore in this novel but I found it a fun listen with a bit of spice.

The romance itself could have been more intense considering the plot and I'm hoping this will develop within book 2 which I will very much watch out for and give a listen.

This Vicious Dream was a dark and gripping fantasy romance that pulled me in from the start. Stacia Stark has created a richly layered world filled with high stakes, slow-burning tension, and complex characters you can’t help but root for—even when they’re morally gray.

The heroine is fierce but vulnerable, and her chemistry with the love interest is electric. The banter and emotional depth between them really stood out. There’s a nice balance between the romantic elements and the overarching fantasy plot, which kept things moving at a solid pace.

As for the audiobook, the narrator did a fantastic job. Their performance brought the story to life, adding nuance and emotion to even the quiet moments. The delivery was clear, and the character voices were distinct enough to follow easily.

If you're looking for a fabulous dual POV romantasy with both MCs being morally grey, then look no further. Having not read her first series, I had no idea this was a part of that world, but now I want to go back and read that series! Madinia and Calysean (probably spelled that wrong - I listened to this) are enemies for a looooong time before the lovers part comes in. The tension and angst were positively delicious! And that ending.... I can't wait for the next book!!

I really enjoyed This Vicious Dream. From the very beginning, the book pulled me in with its sharp dialogue and incredible character banter. It is some of the best I have ever read and made each interaction feel alive and engaging. Every character brought something special to the story and I found myself genuinely liking all of them which is rare.

That said the middle section did start to drag a bit. The adventures began to feel repetitive and the pacing slowed down. It seemed like the characters were going through similar motions without much new development. However the final part of the book picked up again in a big way. The ending not only delivered on action and emotion but also helped tie together earlier elements of the plot that had felt a little unclear.

Overall this was a great read. The strong characters and fantastic banter made it easy to stay invested even when the story hit a lull. I would definitely recommend it and I am excited to see where the story goes next.

Oh. My. God. I absolutely loved this audiobook. I hadn’t originally realised this was a spin-off to another series, however i got the gist of what was happening pretty quickly.

The chemistry between Madinia and Calysian was extremely well written, and I loved how strong Madinia’s character was.

Another amazing thing about This Vicious Dream is the very unexpected plot twists. When I tell you my jaw DROPPED at a certain point…

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC, all opinions are my own. I can’t wait for book 2.

This Vicious Dream - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 highly recommend! (Rounded up to 5 stars for review purposes, where half star not available)

It felt SO GOOD to be back in the same world as the Kingdom of Lies series. While this is a new standalone series, I would certainly recommend reading Kingdom of Lies first, as it gives so much back story and there are quite a lot of references to that content (plus it's a top tier series so everyone should read it!)

Madinia and Calysian are so swoon worthy, perfect enemies to lovers, the tropes are all so good. The banter is perfect, the tension will leave you a little giddy, and the 🌶️ is very well written, and not too overdone.

The cliffhanger left me shocked and I cannot wait for the next book!!.