A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty Summary: A Tale of Magic and Betrayal

Introduction

In a world where magic is both a gift and a curse, A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty by Stacia Stark takes you on an unforgettable journey. Imagine being thrust into the role of a queen you never wanted, with powers that could either save or doom everything around you. What would you do if your kingdom’s future depended on you and a cursed amulet?

In this A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty Summary, you’ll uncover the intricate world of magic, political intrigue, and the battle for survival.

The book is set in the Those Who Wait universe, where hybrids, fae, and humans are locked in a tense struggle for dominance. At the heart of the story is Prisca, the hybrid heir, who must come to terms with her power and identity in order to confront the dangerous forces that threaten her people.

As she navigates her tumultuous journey, she must learn who to trust, what sacrifices to make, and how to wield her magic responsibly.

Quick Summary

• Key Insights: Magic, betrayal, and complex relationships define this dark fantasy.

• Rating: 4.5/5

• Main Recommendation: Perfect for fans of epic fantasy with strong character-driven plots.

• Primary Audience: Fantasy lovers, especially those who enjoy stories about self-discovery and political intrigue.

• Pros: Complex characters, engaging plot twists, emotional depth.

• Cons: Some themes may be mature for younger readers.

Reader Reviews

• “A captivating fantasy that blends magic, betrayal, and romance. Prisca’s journey is a rollercoaster of emotions.” – Goodreads Reviewer

• “Stacia Stark has done it again. The world-building and character development in this series are second to none.” – Amazon Reviewer

• “The tension between Prisca and Lorian is electric. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their story is unforgettable.” – Goodreads Reviewer

• “The plot is unpredictable, with twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!” – Amazon Reviewer

• “A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty is a perfect mix of heart-pounding action and deeply emotional moments.” – Goodreads Reviewer

A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty Summary & Plot Summary

In A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty, the story begins with Prisca, a seemingly ordinary girl, who is thrust into the role of the hybrid heir to a kingdom thought lost to history. Prisca possesses time magic, a power that can manipulate time, but at a cost: severe physical tolls that leave her exhausted and sometimes incapacitated. As the rightful heir, she must navigate a world filled with betrayal, shifting allegiances, and a cruel tyrant king, Regner, who has used stolen magic to prolong his life and maintain control.

At her side is Lorian, the Bloodthirsty Prince, a fae with a violent past and an intense, possessive love for Prisca. Despite his cold and calculating exterior, Lorian’s actions reveal a deep loyalty to Prisca, even if it means defying his own kingdom. As they journey together, they must battle internal and external demons, confronting their pasts and dealing with the threat posed by Regner’s cruelty. With the fate of their people in her hands, Prisca is forced to embrace her destiny as a leader—whether she’s ready for it or not.

A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty Main Characters

A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty Themes & Analysis

Power and Corruption
The novel delves into how the pursuit of power can corrupt individuals and entire kingdoms. Regner’s tyranny, sustained through stolen magic, exemplifies the lengths to which he will go to retain his dominance, while Prisca’s internal conflict reflects the struggle between using power for good or evil.

Identity and Leadership
Prisca’s journey is a complex exploration of identity and self-discovery. Initially reluctant to accept her royal bloodline, she must learn to embrace her role as a leader, a theme that resonates deeply as she navigates the political landscape and personal betrayals.

Betrayal and Trust
Trust is a fragile thing in A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty. Prisca’s relationships with Lorian and others are tested as secrets are revealed and loyalty is questioned. The betrayals she faces are both personal and political, making each choice a life-or-death decision.

Love and Sacrifice
The romance between Prisca and Lorian is one of the novel’s key emotional drivers. Despite their past traumas and Lorian’s violent history, their connection grows stronger, exploring themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. Both characters must grapple with the tension between their past actions and their desires for a better future.

A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty Summary Chapter-by-Chapter

Chapter 1:
Following a major rebellion, King Sabium is furious over the theft of valuable jewels and the escape of prisoners, including Prisca, the hybrid heir. Kaliera, the queen, secretly celebrates the chaos, while Lisveth reveals that Prisca saw through the Bloodthirsty Prince, Lorian’s disguise, hinting at her unique abilities.

Chapter 2:
Prisca, now aboard a ship with Lorian, grapples with his betrayal. Telean, her aunt, educates Prisca about her hybrid heritage, the fae, and their artifacts, including an hourglass that amplifies Prisca’s time magic. Regner’s iron guards attack, resulting in hybrid deaths, and Prisca strikes a blood vow with pirate queen Daharak for safe passage.

Chapter 3:
Prisca and Lorian travel across Gromalia. Tensions rise as Prisca struggles with Lorian’s past lies. Lorian, aware of her independence, agrees to let her visit the hybrid camp, despite his desire to control the situation.

Chapter 4:
Prisca discovers a letter from Conreth’s general revealing the hybrid hourglass’s location. Lorian confirms his loyalty to his people, but his growing concern for Prisca becomes evident. Prisca plans to use her brothers to track down the hourglass.

Chapter 5:
Conflicted by her attraction to Lorian, Prisca shares a passionate encounter with him. She confronts her past trauma while reflecting on her relationship with him. Lorian reveals his childhood pain and the return of his elemental powers after touching the stolen amulet.

Chapter 6:
Prisca is wounded by a fae iron arrow during an ambush, limiting her powers. Despite her injury, she freezes time to help Lorian kill some guards. Lorian confesses the truth behind his “Bloodthirsty Prince” reputation, revealing his role in Crawyth’s destruction.

Chapter 7:
At the hidden fae camp, Prisca reunites with her family and friends. She learns of Regner’s ongoing persecution of hybrids, and Madinia’s theft of stolen jewels, leading Prisca to plan their next move to retrieve the hybrid hourglass.

Chapter 8:
Prisca faces distrust from the hybrids due to her ties with the fae, especially Lorian. She enters a blood vow with Conreth, learning more about the barrier Regner created, and the tragic history of Lorian’s family. Conreth hints at separating her from Lorian, causing tension.

Chapter 9:
Prisca publicly demonstrates her time magic to silence doubters. Conreth arrives and confronts her about Lorian’s “treason,” pushing Prisca to confront her feelings and her future. She realizes that Lorian’s defiance of Conreth is due to his love and protection for her.

Chapter 10:
Despite their emotional closeness, Prisca resolves to keep her distance from Lorian, focusing on finding the hourglass. She agrees to demonstrate her time magic publicly to cement her legitimacy as the hybrid heir.

Chapter 11:
Conreth interrogates Prisca, revealing how Regner’s past manipulations turned Lorian into the “Bloodthirsty Prince.” Lorian interrupts, angrily asserting his loyalty to Prisca and defying Conreth’s attempts to separate them.

Chapter 12:
Lorian confronts Conreth about the manipulation and vows to protect Prisca, regardless of the consequences. Prisca learns of Zathrian’s betrayal, as her cousin killed Lorian’s spy. Lorian confesses his regrets about Crawyth and the child’s death, deepening their emotional bond.

Chapter 13:
Lorian receives orders from Conreth, leaving Prisca behind. Prisca, determined to find the hourglass, plans to travel with Telean and Asinia. Tensions rise as she makes plans to protect Lorian from Conreth’s wrath and further betrayal.

Chapter 14:
Lorian discovers Prisca left without him and defies Conreth’s orders to find her. Prisca and her group journey to Quorith, where they steal a magical ship for further travel. They face trials, with Prisca’s emotions for Lorian becoming more evident.

Chapter 15:
Prisca and Lorian share moments of intimacy aboard Rythos’s stolen ship. Back in Eprotha, Kaliera schemes against Sabium, learning of his plan to retaliate against Prisca’s village, which shakes Prisca’s resolve and deepens her guilt.

Chapter 16:
Prisca travels with Lorian to Gromalia, where they confront King Eryndan. Prisca uses strategic rumors to destabilize Eryndan’s alliance with Regner. Lorian unleashes his fae fire to intimidate Eryndan, demonstrating his immense power and causing the king to reconsider his stance.

Chapter 17:
Prisca and Lorian are devastated by Fendrel’s death during an ambush. Prisca finds herself in the hybrid kingdom, Lyrinore, where she encounters a Drakoryx, a mythical creature that tests her worthiness as a ruler. She gains its protection after bowing before it.

Chapter 18:
The group ventures further into the hybrid kingdom, facing more trials. Prisca chooses to bow before the Drakoryx to earn its protection. Meanwhile, Kaliera learns of Sabium’s plan to attack Prisca’s village, adding pressure to her mission.

Chapter 19:
Prisca is taken into the fold of the hybrid elders, who use their powers to manipulate her emotions. After experiencing a vision of Lyrinore’s destruction and her grandmother’s curse, Prisca vows to become the queen her people need.

Chapter 20:
Lorian and Prisca travel to Quorith, where they prepare for a strategic meeting with King Eryndan and his son Rekja. Tensions mount as Lorian shows his protective instincts, and Prisca’s growing bond with him is tested by political games.

Chapter 21:
During a tense dinner with King Eryndan, Prisca secures an alliance by threatening his kingdom’s stability, using rumors of an engagement with Rekja. Lorian’s fae fire reveals the true extent of his power and forces Eryndan’s submission.

Chapter 22:
Prisca’s grief over the destruction of her village intensifies. As she prepares for the next phase of her mission, Lorian comforts her. Demos reveals the hourglass’s location in a labyrinth of caves, prompting a dangerous journey to retrieve it.

Chapter 23:
Prisca and her team enter the fae-iron-laced caves to find the hourglass. Thol, seeking vengeance, is killed in a reckless act. Meanwhile, Cavis is revealed as a “sleeping spider,” a mind-controlled agent of Regner, and seizes Prisca, leaving their fate uncertain.

Chapter 24:
Prisca, devastated by Thol’s death, vows to avenge him and rise as queen. Despite the constant challenges and growing tensions, the group continues their perilous search for the hourglass, facing more traps and enemies.

Chapter 25:
As Prisca’s group struggles through the labyrinth, Cavis’s betrayal is fully revealed. Prisca is captured, and the group faces more trials, leaving the fate of the hourglass and the characters in a tense, cliffhanging moment.

Chapter 26:
Prisca is devastated by the loss of Thol, blaming herself for his death. The group continues their journey through the labyrinth, dealing with more traps and ambushes. Lorian, weakened by fae iron, struggles to heal, but his loyalty to Prisca remains unwavering. They uncover a hidden passage that could lead them to the hourglass.

About the Author

Stacia Stark is a prolific author known for her skill in weaving intricate fantasy worlds filled with complex characters, dark magic, and captivating romance. Her writing is deeply rooted in the themes of power, loyalty, and personal growth, which resonate throughout A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty.

Questions the Book Answers

1. Who is Prisca and why is she significant?

2. What are the hybrid people, and why is Prisca their heir?

3. How does Lorian’s past influence his relationship with Prisca?

4. What role does magic play in the kingdom’s politics?

5. How does Prisca navigate her emerging powers?

6. What is the significance of the hourglass and its connection to Prisca?

7. How does Regner’s reign affect the kingdom?

8. What is the bond between Lorian and his brother, Conreth?

9. How do the fae and hybrid factions navigate their conflicts?

10. What sacrifices do the characters make for the greater good?

FAQ

Q: Is A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty suitable for readers new to fantasy?
A: Yes, while the book contains complex world-building, its emotional depth and character-driven narrative make it accessible to new fantasy readers.

Q: Will there be a sequel to this book?
A: Yes, A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty is part of a larger series. Keep an eye out for the next book in the Kingdom of Lies series!

Q: Is the book appropriate for all ages?
A: The book contains mature themes, including violence and romance, so it’s best suited for older teens and adults.

Conclusion

In A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty, Stacia Stark crafts a world where magic and political intrigue collide with deep emotional stakes. Prisca’s journey of self-discovery and leadership, set against a backdrop of betrayal and sacrifice, is one that will captivate readers from start to finish.

If you enjoy complex characters, intricate world-building, and heart-pounding action, this book is a must-read. Dive into the world of Prisca and Lorian today!