This Vicious Dream

Kingdom of Death, Book 1

By: Stacia Stark

Narrated by: Meg Sylvan, Tim Paige

Once, I helped save a kingdom.

Now, I’m trapped in a prison of thorns and nightmares.

My crime? Knowing the location of a power that could reshape the world—a grimoire I swore to protect with my life.

That secret is the only thing keeping me alive while my captors wait for me to break.

Until he arrives.

Beautiful. Ruthless. Dark, inscrutable eyes. A dangerously wicked grin.

But he’s not here to rescue me. He wants the grimoire for himself–and he’ll destroy anyone who stands in his way. My only choice is a fragile, temporary alliance with a man I can never trust.

Because there’s more at stake than just a stolen grimoire or an ancient grudge.

And behind his mask of effortless allure, he’s hiding something far more dangerous than a thirst for power.

Something that could destroy us all.

©2025 Stacia Stark (P)2025 Dreamscape Media

Amazing story

I really liked the Kingdom of Lies series but this new book continues the story and is even better!!! The FMC is relatable the morally grey God/man is delicious great pacing and good twists.

loved this book!!

This story with Medinia was so good!! I need the next book to come out asap!!

Madinia’s Story

It’s so incredibly good, can’t believe I have to wait so long for next book!!

Loved Madinia's Story

I honestly could have died when this book announcement was released!! Getting to go back into the World of Kingdom of Lies, but this time to see Madinia’s Story!! I have been waiting for months (but it feels like forever) to be able to get my hands on this book and finally read it!! And I loved every second of it!

If you do not remember, Madinia was a crucial character in the Kingdom of Lies series that Stacia created!! She was always a character I loved, and I could not wait to be able to jump into this book!
My reviews are always a little different, because I truly do not like to put any type of spoilers in my reviews!! And that is a personal preference, because I would not want to ruin anything within the story for anyone else. I love that is Dual POV, as well!! Do you have to read the Kingdom of Lies series to be able to read This Vicious Dream? NO, the world building is fantastic, and this can be read as a standalone. But having all of the knowledge of Madinia’s background definitely made reading this more enjoyable.

We are meeting Madinia after the events of the Kingdom of Lies series. So it does feel like a continuation, but from another character’s point of view (WHICH I LOVED). Madinia is fiery, fierce, and deadly all on her own accord!! We are catching up with Madinia three years after the events of the ending of Kingdom of Lies, and much as happened to our poor girl. Madinia had originally fled with the grimorie and hid it from anyone who wanted to use it!! Especially for anything that they had fought so hard to change.

Calysian was also introduced in the Kingdom of Lies Series. A man with hidden secrets, unknown power, and a little amnesia (Yes, he doesn't remember some of why he is on the continent). We start to peel back the layers that is Calysian during their travels, including his secrets and him wanting the grimorie, and why. His hidden alternative motives come to light and have taken everyone off guard!

Together, Madinia and Caysian spend a good portion of the book not trusting each other further than they could throw each other. But you can feel that spark, that connection, something undeniable that they both feel, and try and fight for as long as they possibly can. Because in their eyes, they are each other's enemy. They spend a great portion of the book trying to outmaneuver each other and figure out what each other's true motives are. But somehow they still come together for some intimate moments, emotions and feelings get high(which is something Madinia is not used to). But too many things happen, that by the end of the book you are ready to start kicking some character butt too!

Lots of twists and turns happen along the way, and you may even see a favorite character or two from The Kingdom of Lies Series!! I truly enjoyed this read, and am so happy it is a duology and can not wait to read the next book, because that cliffhanger sucks!! But Stacia does like to torture us with her cliffhangers!

I do have an ARC of this book, but I read it after the book was released, so this is not an ARC review!

I did listen to the Audio version of the book, and I just loved it!! They continued to use the same narrators that they used with the Kingdom of Lies series, which just made it feel like I was coming home! The book was paced well, and the emotion felt from the narrators was amazing!!

Swoon

The banter is top tier and begins immediately. I enjoyed the book a lot. Did the audio for a reread and liked it even more. Ends on a cliffhanger and am anxiously awaiting the next.