I really enjoyed This Vicious Dream. The audiobook production was great—well-paced and immersive. I normally listen at 1.0x speed, but I found myself bumping it up to 1.2x.

let me preface this with saying I have not read any of Stacia Stark's other books, but now look forward to reading them all.

A personal (and slightly eerie) surprise was hearing my name in the story—even if it’s spelled differently. RIP Shana.

The plot kept me engaged, and I’m definitely invested enough to continue with Book 2. That said, the male main character had some definite Gaston energy (overly cocky I will save you vibes)—he was a bit hard to like at times. Still, I’m intrigued to see how his arc develops, especially with the unfolding storyline involving the Gods.
Overall, I’d rate it 4 stars. It is a solid start to the series with a lot of potential, and I’m excited to see where it goes next.

Oopsy poopsies

Totally didn't realize that was a spin off of another series, so I was pretty confused and missing so much context and backstory. Overall I enjoyed This Vicious Dream despite that, but definitely would have liked this better had I read her previous work.

Let me start by saying - I didn't know this book was a spin-off of Kingdom of Lies, so understandably I was SO confused at first. I had no idea what was happening or how the world worked, but we eventually got somewhere, and I enjoyed it! I'm going to have to go back and read the main series!

Madinia and Calysian are so HOT! I love a strong FMC and MMC who will burn the world for her. The found family and the plot twist toward the end were so good.

This audiobook was so good - Tim Paige and Meg Sylvan totally killed it. Excited for more!

🎧 / 4⭐️

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this early in exchange for my honest opinions! #ThisViciousDream #NetGalley

This Vicious Dream by Stacia Stark is an absolute must read! This book not only deserves all the glory but more.
This fantasy is easy to read, not a very complicated word building, is kept to a simple but engaging world. With a complexity that comes more from the dynamic of the past.
We have a very feisty and fierce FMC, Madinia that easily won my heart as a strong and independent FMC, she is complex and layered that hides under a very brass personality. She easily became one of my favorite FMC of this year.
The MMC, Cas is as interesting, protective, possessive, devoted and stubborn. At the beginning CAs is fueled by the desire of remembering his past and the vengeance for his weakness. But the more we get to know him the more we realize that he is a very complex character, battling emotions and trauma and have obv an extremely sweet side of him.
The dynamic and slow burn between this two is absolutely delicious! Together they create the most beautiful fireworks show and atmosphere!
There is a cliffhanger! Oh man, Stacia, why??? Why are you trying to kill me? I just simply can't wait for the next book.
Audiobook: narrated by Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige, in dual narration style, both dousing an excellent job. As usual I wish it was a duet, but I do understand sometimes is more difficult for that to happen.
I love this book so much and I can't thank you enough for this ALC Stacia, your team and NetGalley for this wonderful adventure into a world that I can't wait to dive back in with the second book and as well with the previous series! Thank you very much!

This Vicious Dream is a spin off following Madinia from The Kingdom of Lies series. I do recommend that series be read first so that you don't accidentally spoil yourself. We also see characters from that series and it would be helpful to have that foundation.

I was so excited to read Madinia's story. She was one of my favorites in KOL and it did not disappoint.

It picks up right where A Queen this Fierce and Deadly picks up. I love the journey/quest to different areas to find the grimoires. I loved how everything unfolded. I honestly had no idea what to expect and that ending just completely surprised me and I cannot wait for book 2!


Reluctant allies
Forced proximity
One bed
She saves herself
Feminine rage
Who did this to you


Thank you @nerdfam for the eARC and Netgalley for the ALC. The audiobook is narrated by Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige. The same narrators for A Kingdom of Lies.

Have you read the Kingdom of Lies series yet? It's one of my favorite series. "The Vicious Dream" is a spinoff of the series following Madinia and Calysian. I was lucky enough to receive an ALC of this and it was absolutely amazing. It can be read as a standalone, but it really is a lot better to read after the you finish the series.

Madinia and Calysian are forced to work together to find the grimoire. The banter and spice between these two characters is perfection. The story was interesting and easy to follow. I honestly cannot say anything bad about the series, I cannot wait for the next book.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the ALC. This is my honest opinion.

I read this as a standalone and I don't recommend it. I feel like there was too much context missing between the characters to invest and enjoy the story. Overall it was fine but I'd read her other works before picking this series up.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the ARC. I attest that I am leaving my review voluntarily and honestly.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (I wish I could rate it more)
🌶️.5

Holy. Forking. Shirt....
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and Stacia really nailed it!
From showing us more depth about Madinia; who she is and where she came from, to Calysian and all his interesting quirks and backstory, and the way she was able to knit the two stories of this world together. For fans of KOL we get some updates from some of our favourite characters as well!
I absolutely didn't expect the storyline that Stacia brought us on... But I LOVED that! I am here for the road she decided to take these two down! To say I screamed several times reading this book... is an understatement hahahaha (I am sure if anyone had the cameras rolling for my work they may have gone deaf)
If ever you have read a Stacia book and thought " Hmm, I wonder what an amazing author levelling up would look like.." This, this is what it looks like!
I consumed this book half/half! I did the first half as an eARC and the second half as an ALC!
Tim Paige and Meg Sylvan do the narration and.... DAMN... These two together are my new favourite pair. The range Meg has for every character that I just sink into each view and know exactly who is talking because she adds such depth to their character! && Tim, well sir there are a couple phrases I wouldn't mind having you say to me, mmmmmmm ;)
Waiting for book two is gonna SUCK!

Perfect for those who enjoy;
🥀 Fantasy/Romance
🥀 Rivals to lovers to ...
🥀 Fae/Hybrid/Humans/Gods
🥀 Ancient Feud
🥀 Hidden Identities
🥀 Touch her & ☠️

Thank you SO MUCH netgalley for this ALC! I started it immediately after getting that approval and I LOVED it!! If you read A Court This Cruel and Lovely you'll absolutely love Madinia's story. I'm a sucker for a Death God and Calysian was everything a girl could dream of 😍 I can't wait to see book 2 after that ending 👀 the downside of reading books early is that i have to wait even longer for the next book 😭 if Stacia wants to send book 2 along to me I won't say a word 🫣 I'll absolutely be purchasing this for the event in September to have Stacia sign 😍😍 so grateful to authors and this community for trusting me with their babies ❤️

A little over three years after the events of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly, Madinia and Calysian meet again. Calysian is looking for the grimmoir Madinia fled with and hid, and she now needs to get it back before the Queen of an enemy nation gets her hands on it and wreaks havoc on the lands. Calysian convinces Madinia to work with him to retrieve the grimmoire, but they are both planning to double-cross each other and get to the grimmoire first… That is, if they survive long enough to get to the grimmoire because the Queen’s soldiers and her top witch are hunting them, and their time is running out.

This is a quick and engaging read, and we are thrown into the action from the very first chapter. The world-building is kept simple in this book because it builds upon what we knew from the previous series, hence why I recommend reading the Kingdom of Lies series first. There are mentions of the history of the land, the war fought, and the magic system, but it is not that elaborated since we know all of it from the previous series. Having read the Kingdom of Lies, I appreciated that the author did not spend pages repeating what had already been explained in the previous books, but it can make it a little confusing for someone who hasn’t read the previous series.

Madinia was one of my favorite characters in Kingdom of Lies. I liked how complex and layered she was, and how she hid everything she felt under her sneer and prickly personality. I was also curious about Calysian and what could develop between them. From the moment they first met in the Kingdom of Lies series, it was clear that there was potential for more between them, and it was also obvious that their path would cross again when Madinia left at the end of the final book of the series.

Knowing Madinia’s past allowed me to appreciate her growth in this book even more. She has always been a strong and driven character. Feisty and fierce, with unrelenting loyalty, but she is now scarred by what happened to her in the past 3 years, and she is realizing that being alone is not everything she thought it would be. She is thirsty for her revenge, but she also yearns for friendship and meaningful relationships after those 3 years spent isolated and deprived of human interactions. I like that while she is changed because of the traumatic events that happened to her, she still has her inner fire, and she is still a fearsome character, but she also shows more vulnerability in this book, which will, hopefully, allow her to finally let in the people who care about her.

It was funny to see how Cal tried to bully Madinia into doing what he wanted. The poor guy had no chance, he was so out of his depth with her, and I adore how she would put him back in his place whenever he tried to order him around. Finally learning more about Calysian’s past and his identity was satisfying, because I had so many questions about him while reading the previous series!

The relationship between Madinia and Calysian is a slow-burn, but I would not call it a romance yet. They are both physically attracted to the other, and Calysian is attracted by Madinia’s fierce personality too, but while he makes no secret that he wants her, she tries her best to resist him… Until she doesn't anymore. I liked that she was wary of him and didn’t give in to him simply because he was gorgeous and she knew him from before, but the whole “this is just for one night and can’t ever happen again” happening again and again made me roll my eyes. While I enjoy some spice in the books I read, in this case, I find that the spice almost overshadowed the plot near the end. Not because there was an over-abundance of spice, but because it seemed that the last few interactions Madinia and Calysian had always revolved around, or ended up with sex... But that part is probably me being picky and not being in the mood for intense smut at the moment...

The narrators did a great job with this book. I received an e-copy from the author and an audiobook arc from NetGalley, so I jumped between both formats, but both narrators (Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige) were compelling and kept me hooked into the story.

The book ends on a twist that I didn’t see coming, and a mild cliffhanger that makes me eager to get my hands on the second book as soon as possible! If you enjoyed The Kingdom of Lies series and you were a fan of Madinia, you will love this first instalment in the Kingdom of Death series for sure!

Madinia is a woman of thorns. She purposely holds herself apart from others, allowing her rage to fuel her. She's spent the last three years a prisoner in her own body because she refused to give up the location of a dangerous grimoire. Then Calysian arrives, but not to rescue to her but to find the grimoire for himself and restore his memories. Can their fragile alliance survive?

Read if you like:
-Gods, Fae, and Magic
-Feminine Rage
-Reluctant Allies
-Only One Horse/Only One Bed
-Lost Memories

I'm so excited to see Madinia get her own duet! She was one of my favorite characters from the Kingdom of Lies series (along with Asinia and Prisca), and This Vicious Dream is the storyline she deserves. I love all her, thorns and all! And her chemistry with Calysian sizzles. He sees her sharp edges and isn't afraid. He slowly earned her trust and broke down her walls. The ending left me feral for the second book of the duet. I hope these two get their happily ever after.

I really enjoyed This Vicious Dream. Technically, this is the first book of The Kingdom of Death series but it is a spinoff to Stacia Stark’s other series The Kingdom of Lies. I highly recommend reading that series first as I wish I would have. I appreciated that she didn’t spend too much time re-explaining their world and what happened in the previous books; however, I think I would’ve been a little less confused about what exactly was going on.

All that being said… this book is a quick and fun read that started and ended with a bang! There was action throughout and the pace was perfect!! Even though I was immersed in a whole new world with new characters (to me) - I was able to follow along and develop a connection. I loved the banter and spice. I think the storyline was intriguing. I was not expecting the ending and it definitely left me ready to continue to read the rest of the series. I am actually going to read The Kingdom of Lies series to fully appreciate everything this book has to offer and then re-read. I loved Stacia’s writing style. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a wonderful job. 🌹

I would like to thank Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for giving me an ARC (which did not sway my opinions or review).

This Vicious Dream

I haven’t read a book before where both characters start out equally violent . It’s a good combo in a romantasy.

For those who haven’t read Kingdom of Lies (and you should), this is based on Madinia who is taken captive for 3 years and trapped in her body, with only her mind occasionally aware. Her adventures are as epic as can be as she races towards saving their world. When she meets Calysian (a blast from her past) he definitely complicates matters.

This book can be read as a standalone but the references are so much better, and you know more about the MFC if you read Kingdom of Lies first.

I appreciated how the pacing changed throughout the book and the back and forth (will they won’t they) of the main characters.

Thank you Stacia Stark for the ARC, we always need more inns with one bed, sharing a horse, and strong powerful female characters! Love and cannot wait for book 2!

I think this is a spin-off of another series so my TBR stack is going to get bigger. Great story and I love the world building. Good tension between the main characters. You get an enemies to lovers trope. Cliffhanger ending so just now patiently waiting for the next one. Narrators were solid.

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

It has been a really long time since I have read a book where I still had no idea what was going to happen when I got to the end. I like to think I'm pretty good at figuring out the plot, but this vicious dream by @staciastarkauthor had me second guessing everything until the very end. The plot twists are twisting!!
I had the pleasure of listening to the ALC early and I am so honored that I got to read this story because it was fantastic.
This is a prequel series to the Kingdom of Lies, so if you haven't, I do recommend reading that first.
This story follows madinia who is locked in a tower because she holds the knowledge of an old gods hidden grimoire locations. Upon her escape, she knows that she must find the grimoires before the evil. Royals and any malicious gods who want to destroy the world. This is very much an adventure story, enemies to lovers, and badass FMC.

Thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to the lovely Stacia and Cristina for the physical arc from Apollycon and thank you to @dreamscape_media and @netgalley for the ALC!

Be sure to pick up your copy when it releases, so soon, May 13th!!

My first Stacia Stark book. I will admit I went into this with really high hopes as I’ve heard great things about her other books. While this reads as a standalone, I think it would probably be better to have read the series prior to this to better understand the backstory and magic system. I just couldn’t get into the rhythm of the book. It’s kind of all over the place.

I listened to an ALC and I think that was a big part of why I couldn’t get into or enjoy the book. I do not like the narrators and can’t stand their side character or opposite sex voices. They are terrible. It was very distracting to the storyline and I found myself getting bored very easily. This alone means I most likely won’t go back and listen to A Court this Lovely and Cruel series as those are also narrated by the same narrators.

Thanks to NetGalley and DreamScape Media for the advanced ALC but this one was just not for me.

Stacia!!!!! I absolutely loved loved loved this book!!!

This story picks up a few months after the end of the Kingdom of Lies series. And it immediately is action packed. Madinia is on the run from Queen Vicana’s men. But she is taken by Vicana’s number two and we immediately go into a three year time jump. Madinia has voluntarily gotten rid of her memories to protect the location of the grimoire. I loved Madinia and Calysian in the Kingdom of Lies series and I love them even more in this! The banter is top notch and the slow burn and tension was so good!!! There were so many jaw dropping moments and things I did not see coming!

You don’t necessarily need to read Kingdom of Lies first but I highly recommend it if it’s something you plan on reading eventually !

⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️This Vicious Dream by Stacia Stark.

So I just learned from Stacia’s team that they recommend reading Kingdom of Lies first! You don’t have to, but it adds richness to the Kingdom of Death duology that This Vicious Dream is part of. So I’m posting this review not having read that series, but I am still hooked! And now, I must go back and read Kingdom of Lies!

This book was amazing! It had action, romance, mystery, deception, all the things I love!! I don’t know how I’m going to manage waiting for book 2! Ugh!!

You’ll enjoy this book if you like
2 POVs
Who did this to you?
One bed
Forced proximity

The ALC was amazing, I don’t usually listen to fantasy books, but I loved this one via audiobook! It was so interesting to have the dual POVs, and the emotions truly came through!!

WOW! Stacia Stark, are you for real?! This book was amazing! I love the world building, plot, and characters. I listed to the audiobook, and the dual narration was excellent. I enjoyed listening to both narrators, as they truly brought the characters to life. I waited a couple of days to write my review, and I can’t get this book out of my head! I love the dynamic between Madinia and Calysian. I like that they’re both intelligent, witty, and questioning. Neither knows who to trust, and I enjoyed following along as they attempted to figure that out. The whole story (and spice) was great! Now, I need to go back and read the Kingdom of Lies Series, as This Vicious Dream was my introduction to the author (and apparently a spinoff from that series). Again, this book was sooo sooo good! I’m (im)patiently waiting for the next since I was left with my jaw hanging on the floor with that cliffhanger. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review!

🌶️🌶️
This was my intro to Stacia Stark and what a great intro it was. The mix of darkness, magic, reluctant allies to lovers and power of found family was just so perfectly formulated into this book and I cannot wait for read the second half.

Thank you Stacia Stark, Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for an eARC and ALC respectively.

I had every intention of reading Kingdom of Lies before reading this, but I am actually glad I didn't. I will be catching up now that I have read book one of this duet. Stacia Stark herself says you do not need to have read KoL to read this duet. I felt like I was on a more even footing with our FMC Madinia as she had lost her memories and I didn't know her backstory and got to learn with her as they came back to her. Did I mention this book is dark and full of suffering both physical and mental, because it is, but it is also full of love, amazing allies, including an animal companion and swoony spice. Madinia doesn't need MMC Calysian but they make such an interesting team and I hope he gives her the world in book two. The small details, the world building and all the characters are so well written. I loved every moment of this read and am now a certified Stacia Stark fan. A must-read for fans of The Broken Kingdoms. The Fragile Divine and Thezmarr.

The audiobook was narrated by Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige and both were amazing. Voices for side characters were different enough to keep track of who was talking and stay immersed. Spicy scenes were perfect.

🥀Witch FMC
⛓️Mysterious MMC
🥀Reluctant Allies To Lovers
⛓️Feminine Rage
🥀Animal Companion
⛓️Found Family
🥀Foreseen Fates
⛓️Dual PoV