A Court This Cruel & Lovely by Stacia Stark (Paperback)

Prisca’s life changes forever when her forbidden magic is exposed. In her world, gods demand that humans surrender their powers at birth. Those who resist are labelled “corrupt” — and face execution. When Prisca’s secret is discovered, she is forced to flee her village and leave behind the life she cherishes.

On the run, Prisca strikes a risky agreement with a dark, brooding mercenary named Lorian. She’ll help him into the city, and in return he’ll train her to master the dangerous magic she has always hidden. But Lorian harbours his own secrets — ones that could destroy everything Prisca loves, including her fragile new power.

As Prisca learns and grows, she begins to uncover political plots, ancient betrayals and a looming threat that casts a shadow over her fledgling hope. Every step forward places her deeper in danger, and Lorian’s motives raise more questions than answers. Their forced alliance becomes entangled with passion, power play and a shared burden neither was prepared for.

A Court This Cruel & Lovely is a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy that blends political intrigue, dark magic and emotional stakes. With brooding heroes, moral complexity and a heroine who must fight to define her own identity, the novel sets the stage for a high-stakes saga where power costs more than you think.