🎧 narrators were fantastic, probably would have a really hard time reading this if it wasn't for the audiobook

This was my first Stacia Stark book, when I requested it, I wasn't aware how connected of a spinoff it was. While it's not necessary to read the original series, I think it might give greater context and help understand what happened. I don't think this is the best introduction to the world, but knowing it isn't necessary to understand what's happening.

The first bit is kinda clunky, the story doesn't flow as well as the last 1/3. There are a lot of interesting/fun plot points, but it just felt disconnected. Amnesia, especially double amnesia, is not my favorite troupe, especially when it lasts a large portion of the book.

I'm going to go back and read the original story this comes from (It's on hold with my library) and I'm going to see if it helps connect them together. My guess is that this is mostly a transition book, the author was having trouble getting from the ending of the last series to the crux of this one. This probably would have been stronger as a single-POV with all of the plot points and troupes involved. Once I've read it, I'll go back and give it a rating on Goodreads and modify the text of the review if necessary.

2.5 stars

This Vicious Dream was a fast-paced story set in the same world as the Kingdom of Lies series by the same author. While it can be read as a standalone, I don't know if I'd recommend it without first reading the other series. I was able to follow the story, but it was tough to really get into it without all of the missing context surrounding the world and characters.

It felt pretty shallow as a standalone, just another basic fantasy story for me. There was a lot of convenient single-use plot devices that had no explanation, and side characters who came out of nowhere and disappeared almost instantly. Maybe they were characters from the previous series?

The narrators of the audiobook did a great job though! They both used a lot of emotion in their voice that helped bring many scenes to life.

4.5
I LOVED this!
Start to finish. From the world building to the characters from the secrets to the twists.

This Vicious Dream gave me strong The Witcher and low-key rapunzel vibes (If Rapunzel was the bad-ass witch that is)
It comes with some of my favourite tropes and arcs while still being new and exciting and unpredictable.

The magic system is so well thought out and the mythology works so well!
On top of that, I don't always love a book that follows quests like this one does since they can quickly feel drawn out or even forced. But in This Vicious Dream, I enjoyed every second of it.

To start a book with not one but two main characters that are lacking memories? That's as brave as it was genius in this case.
I loved the dynamics between the FMC and MMC, loved the balance of plot driven and character driven developments and the way my own perception of the characters kept changing.

I read Stacia Stark's Kingdom of Lies series, which I loved, but I think this will be a new favourite! The writing had moments that felt slightly over-explained, but apart from that, I very much enjoyed it. It matched the world and vibe and the narrators did an amazing job at bringing it to life.

And that ending? I'll just say, I am NOT happy about now having to wait for book 2 when this one isn't even out yet! :D

This Vicious Dream is utter devastation. Beautiful and heart wrenching. It's so full of yearning, for life, for belonging and love. It's like a dagger to the heart and I'm utterly obsessed.

The banter in this book is incredible. The sarcastic I hate you while still calling her beautiful woman with soft eyes is KILLING ME. The sharp looks and smirks make me swoon. Their personalities work SO well together. I love that Madinia stays a strong, fiesty fmc with slivers of vulnerability shining through. I'm obsessed with Stacia's ability to write relatable, raw characters that make you want to rip out your heart for their suffering.

I'm so in love with Calysian. His battle with his lost memories, the call of his power and his love for Madinia is truly a stunning, moving story arc. He loves her so deeply and it's beautiful even when he is blinded by the call of the grimoire. Stacia knows how to write a love meant for legends.

This Vicious Dream is a 6 star read from me and will be taking over my entire personality for the foreseeable future. I absolutely devoured this book in less than 24hours and I wish I could wipe my memory so I could read it again for the first time.

This Vicious Dream by Stacia Stark was phenomenal! An action-packed romantasy with just the right amount of spice and an exquisite slow burn—I couldn’t get enough. I adored Madinia—she’s the perfect sassy, strong heroine, and I loved every moment of her journey. The pacing, the tension, the emotion—it was all so well done. I flew through this book in less than 24 hours, and the audiobook was absolutely exceptional. I truly can’t rave about it enough.

I have to confess that I’m a huge Stacia Stark fan, no one gets me kicking my feet and giggling like she does and she doesn’t disappoint with her latest offering.
Funny, engaging, slow burn, angst, world building, yes yes yes and I can’t wait for more!

I’m a huge fan of A Court This Cruel and Lovely—so it’s no surprise I devoured the first installment of Madinia’s spin-off story, This Vicious Dream (seriously, what a killer title).

It’s packed with all the best romantasy tropes: powerful magic, slow-burn tension, simmering secrets, one bed, and the grumpiest female lead with a heart of gold. Madinia is sharp-tongued, stubborn, and completely unforgettable.

This feels like the start of something epic, and I cannot wait to see where it goes next.

If you loved the Kingdom of Lies series, this one’s a no-brainer. Trust me—you’re going to be obsessed.

4 ⭐️ 3🌶️ 3🎧

This is everything you want from a far romantasy series.
Our FMC Madinia has been imprisoned for 3 years and has lost her memories of what her mission was before her imprisonment. Calysian a powerful God who has lost his way on the continent searching for a missing piece of himself, is drawn to the tower she has been trapped in, right as she is enacting an escape plan and about to get revenge on her captor.
They join together to go on a search for both of their memories and what they are being pulled toward.
The story feels a bit like a mystery as you read and slowly uncover what is happening with the characters and their pasts, and how entwined they really are. I enjoy unraveling plots like this and waiting for the shoe to drop.
I think it could have been a bit more intense and got boring at times, but I did enjoy the character development and strong relationships that are built. I will definitely continue the series.

Audio notes- it was overall an average audio as far as narration goes but I think I may have enjoyed it more if I did read the actual book. At times the male narrator felt a bit cringe and it took me out of the story.

It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. I listened to the whole thing and while I enjoyed the story, it felt overly formulaic. Usually that isn’t a huge issue for me, but I felt like nothing truly unique happened until the last 10%. Stacia’s story telling is fine- but I wanted more character building and world building to make everything feel less flat. I don’t like that this is marketed as a new story set in the world of the Kingdom of Lies, implying one not read the previous series to understand what’s going on. While I didn’t need to read the previous series (nor have I), I believe I would appreciate the entire story and world more if I had.

Now to the audiobook portion:
Ew. The narrators are popular seasoned narrators but holy moly neither can voice the opposite gender well. This is a duet- why can’t they each voice their respective gender throughout the entire thing? In addition I found their attempts (well, not attempts because they did sound sultry) almost too much. The female narrator’s male voices were over the top. If I hadn’t received this as an ALC I would have either moved to a physical copy or just DNF’d.

So… overall it was okay. I have no idea if I’ll read the next book. If it’s like the typical romantasy formula I won’t enjoy the second book as much as the first.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

YESSS. This was SOO GOOD. Everything I ever wanted wrapped up into one beautifully read audio book. Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige read this better than I would have in my head. Listening to them had me hooked, and I think they were perfect for Calysian and Madinia. I think the plot was addictive, and really kept me engaged.

The cliff hanger is rough, so thats neat. Thank you for that.

Thank you Netgalley, Stacia Stark, and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to the audio early!

Dual POV
Touch her and die
Rivals to lovers
Forced proximity
Vengeful Gods
Hidden identities
Secrets
Spice

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars

Let me just say—I went in completely blind and have zero regrets. I saw *Stacia Stark* and immediately hit request. No reading the blurb. No second thoughts. Just vibes. And WOW did this audiobook deliver.

*This Vicious Dream* pulled me in from the first line and refused to let go. The moment I realized this was *Madinia’s* book, I full-on gasped. The *screams I SCRUMPT* were loud, and I have no shame.

Stacia’s writing is once again absolutely magical—dark, lush, and addictive. If you’ve read *Kingdom of Lies*, you’ll definitely catch some extra layers in the worldbuilding and character depth, but this absolutely holds its own as a standalone. Think Rapunzel meets Beauty and the Beast, but with sharper edges, a touch of amnesia, higher stakes, and delicious slow-burn danger.

Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige *nailed* the narration. Their performance brought every ounce of tension, chemistry, and emotional weight to life.

I’m obsessed. Utterly hooked. And already desperate for more.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC!

In classic Stasia Stark style, “Vicious Dreams” is yet another five-star read! Dropping on May 13th, this thrilling spin-off from the “Kingdom of Lies” series puts the spotlight on one of my all-time favorite characters—Madinia Farrow. She’s finally front and center in her own standalone duology, and I am 100% here for it! And if you love audiobooks...you will love how Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige bring these characters to life!

The plot? Absolutely CAPTIVATING! Madinia, with all her fierce independence, stubborn streak, and unwavering strength, is on a mission to protect her world from a dark god on a quest to reclaim his lost grimoires. The emotional intensity had us hanging on every page—the sharp-witted banter vs the tender moments, the fiery passion vs heart-wrenching pain, the distrust vs true understanding. We’re already desperate for Book #2!

Here’s what you can expect:
– Dual POV (because, of course, you want inside Calysian’s head and the fact that Tim Paige does such a good job narrating our MMC...is a cherry on the top!)

– “Touch her and die” energy 🔥

– Unapologetic feminine rage

– Rivals-to-lovers tension you can cut with a knife

– A ruthless game of cat and mouse

– Forced proximity (hello, slow-burn intensity)

– Vengeful gods with unfinished business

– Hidden identities and ancient secrets

– Surprise cameos from your Kingdom of Lies faves 👀

Spice Level: 3/5 – Just the right amount of heat to keep things smoldering.
Emotional Damage: 4/5 – Our hearts are broken for Madinia and Calysian… and that cliffhanger? Brutal.

Worldbuilding: 3/5 – The layers being added to the Kingdom of Lies universe are *chef’s kiss*
Favorite Character: Calysian—no contest.

Favorite Side Character: Fox, obviously. He’s bitey, grumpy, and we adore him for it.

Runner-up: Eamonn. That mysterious energy? We need more.
Favorite Quote:
“As you die, your last thought will be this: Harming Madinia Farrow was the biggest mistake of your life.”
(Chills. Literal chills.)

Our Take:
You can dive into this without reading Kingdom of Lies—but should you? We say no. Knowing Madinia’s backstory adds so much depth to her journey. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Our two main characters start out as enemies, become reluctant allies, and then lovers — and then a lot more. I did find the beginning of the book a bit harder to follow, especially in the audiobook, as it jumps back and forth in time and sometimes wasn’t very clear. However, once I got a handle on the time jumps, I was able to really get into the story.

Our FMC and MMC team up to find an item that everyone is searching for. It’s very much a traveling story, as they journey first to find the item and then move on to search for another. You can tell there’s a lot more to both characters than meets the eye, though the full picture isn’t clear at first.

The end of this book reveals a lot of information about our two main characters and how they became who they are. We also learn more about several side characters and how they connect to the overall storyline.

This does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, so be aware of that going in! But it’s only supposed to be a duology, so hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to find out all the things.