A review by ambers_book_cave
A Court This Cruel & Lovely by Stacia Stark

adventurous challenging fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I loved every second of this story! In a world where magic is a death sentence, Prisca is forced to use her powers to save someone. She ends up on the run, and that’s when she crosses paths with a grumpy mercenary, named Lorian. The tension between these two was great, and the slow-burn romance was well done and kept me rooting for them to eventually end up together. The world-building and cattiness of the court politics was just the cherry on top. 🔥

The dual POV added so much to the dynamic between Prisca and Lorian. Their banter and growing attraction kept me engaged the whole time. There’s so much to love here—betrayals, hidden identities, and that perfect found-family vibe with the side characters. If you're into enemies to lovers, political intrigue, and morally grey characters, this book is definitely for you.