Title: A Court This Cruel and Lovely
Author: Stacia Stark
Publisher: Independently published
Publication Date: March 14, 2023
ISBN: 9798379124304
Synopsis:
For years, when I fell asleep, I dreamed of a man with blazing green eyes and a cruel smile. The day I meet him, the ruthless mercenary leaves me for dead.
Just hours after humans are born, the gods take what little power we have. In return, they protect our borders from the vicious, merciless fae. The humans who manage to keep their power are known as the corrupt. And they are burned.
When my forbidden power is discovered, I’m forced to flee my tiny village and the life I adore. To survive, I make a desperate bargain with the mercenary who abandoned me at my weakest. But the ruthless mercenary is hiding secrets of his own. Secrets that threaten the safety of everyone I love. Secrets that could tear this kingdom—and perhaps even this world—apart.
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And here I’ve found another new series that’s swept me away. I think I have too many on the go to keep on top of. Thank you #BookTok. Stark’s A Court This Cruel and Lovely presents another interesting world where humans and fae have long been at war and the poor stand oppressed by the greed of the wealthiest and most powerful among them. There is a lot standing against this book: it’s not a new concept, most of the story is very predictable, and there isn’t a ton of world-building happening. Still, Stark’s characterization and writing are so engaging and draw the reader in with detailed politics, intense magical abilities, and webs of secrets spun by every single character. There is so much intrigue and unknown, it’s impossible not to get hooked.
This book checks a lot of the boxes for a good romantasy: enemies-to-lovers, found family, forced proximity, betrayal, magic, strong FMC. The characters are each very interesting. Prisca, in particular, has an unknown past and a dim future. Despite adversity, she feels duty-bound to protect the innocents who are much like her. Because of her growing power, she is one of few who is capable of making an impactful difference. Opposite to her is the MMC, Lorian, a secretive mercenary who is inexplicably drawn to Prisca, but who brings her into the fold of his traveling group, adopting her as one of their own. Lorian’s secrets are pretty clear to read between the lines, so his story line is minimally surprising. As their relationship unfolds and these two grow closer.
I wish there was a bit more time spent focusing on the extend of Prisca’s training and magical growth. The relationship also seemed oddly rushed, with Lorian being particularly forward and possessive, and Prisca falling to her attraction despite her strong dislike for the man. Though it has key areas where it lacks, this first book in the series makes up for it with strong pacing and character development. There’s a good blend of court drama, rebellion politics, and dramatic action. The characters spend time in the villages, travelling through the wild, and within the king’s castle, so there is a regular change of setting and challenges to keep the characters moving.
I can’t wait to see where this story goes in book two. I’m hoping for more development of the found family trope, greater development of friendships and relationships, and with any luck, greater world building as Prisca is poised to leave the human world she’s grown up in.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 