A Crown This Cold and Heavy by Stacia Stark Summary

A Crown This Cold and Heavy by Stacia Stark is the third book in the Kingdom of Lies fantasy romance series, following Prisca as she's captured by enemies and separated from Lorian. Surrounded by betrayal and fighting for survival, Prisca must escape captivity and reunite with her allies to stop the tyrant Regner from gaining god-like powers that would enslave humans, fae, and hybrids across four kingdoms.

Stacia Stark is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of romantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance known for writing found families, self-reliant heroines, and brooding heroes. Originally from New Zealand, she spent over a decade traveling the world as a freelance copywriter before settling in Chicago. Her books have been translated into over 15 languages, and her Kingdom of Lies series was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award.

A Crown This Cold and Heavy is perfect for readers who love emotionally intense romantasy with high-stakes action, complex character relationships, and intricate political intrigue. Fans of slow-burn romance, resilient heroines, morally gray characters, and epic fantasy battles will find this book compelling. This is specifically for readers following the Kingdom of Lies series, as it's the third installment and builds directly on previous events.

A Crown This Cold and Heavy is worth reading for fans invested in the Kingdom of Lies series, as it delivers emotionally powerful storytelling with significant character development and plot progression. The book was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Readers' Favorite Romantasy in 2024, indicating strong reader reception. However, it contains intense scenes of torture and emotional trauma, so readers should be prepared for darker content.

Prisca is kidnapped by Cavis, who is under Regner's magical control, and endures brutal torture while chained in fae iron manacles that suppress her powers. Despite physical and emotional torment, she refuses to give up hope and plots her escape with calculated precision. Using bones from her restraints to pick locks, Prisca eventually breaks free and fights her way out, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination throughout her captivity.

Regner is the primary antagonist in A Crown This Cold and Heavy, a powerful and manipulative force seeking to attain god-like powers to enslave every human, fae, and hybrid across the four kingdoms. He uses dark magic to control others, including turning trusted allies like Cavis into unwilling servants. Regner commands an army of "spiders" and represents the ultimate tyrannical threat that Prisca and her allies must unite to defeat before he achieves complete domination.

A Crown This Cold and Heavy by Stacia Stark explores four major themes:

• The struggle between hope and despair under oppressive tyranny
• The burdens of leadership and sacrifice
• The tension between fate versus free will
• The power of unity in collective resistance

Prisca embodies resilience by clinging to hope despite torture, while the story examines how ordinary people from different backgrounds—humans, fae, hybrids, and pirates—find strength through solidarity against overwhelming adversity.

Yes, you must read the Kingdom of Lies series in order to fully understand A Crown This Cold and Heavy. The book picks up directly where the second installment ends, with characters reeling from shocking discoveries. Starting with A Court This Cruel & Lovely (book 1) and A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty (book 2) is essential for understanding character relationships, political alliances, magical systems, and the backstory that drives the plot in this third book.

Prisca and Lorian share a deep romantic and strategic partnership in A Crown This Cold and Heavy, with their separation driving much of the book's tension. While Prisca is held captive, Lorian defies orders to search for her, struggling with grief and his responsibilities as a leader. The synopsis emphasizes Prisca's determination to return to Lorian "before his fury lays waste to this continent," highlighting their powerful connection and mutual dependence.

Cavis serves as a tragic figure in A Crown This Cold and Heavy, transformed from a trusted ally into an unwilling villain under Regner's magical compulsion. Despite being controlled by dark magic, Cavis tries to resist and warns Prisca of the danger he poses, even begging her to kill him to protect others. His internal struggle and ultimate fate add emotional weight to the story, representing the devastating cost of Regner's power and the sacrifices characters must make.

A Crown This Cold and Heavy by Stacia Stark contains intense depictions of trauma, including torture, captivity, and emotional suffering that the reviewer warns will "rob you of your breath". The book doesn't shy away from showing the psychological impact of these experiences, exploring PTSD and resilience through Prisca's journey. While emotionally challenging, these darker elements serve the story's themes about hope persisting through despair and the strength required to overcome tyranny.

The Kingdom of Lies series by Stacia Stark stands out for combining time magic, religious manipulation as a control mechanism, and complex political intrigue with romantasy elements. Stacia Stark crafts self-reliant heroines like Prisca who are flawed and fully formed, rather than perfect protagonists. The series emphasizes found family dynamics, fierce female friendships, and explores how characters navigate trauma while maintaining hope—themes inspired by authors like John Marsden who write multifaceted heroes.