The Court that Bleeds Gold

A Dark Fantasy Romance (The Gold Weaver, Book 1)

De: Zara Storm

Narrado por: Ash Kingsley

A dark fantasy romance perfect for fans of Raven Kennedy, Krista Street, and Sarah J. Maas.

Desperate to escape marrying a brutal king, I make a deal with a Fae Prince...

I can spin gold, I lie.

With my life at stake, I have no other choice.

I get one chance to turn my lie into truth, and I'm shocked when I succeed.

But now the cruel human king demands I become his wifepassing between his bed and being locked away in a tower, spinning gold until my last breath.

My only way out is to summon him.

A brutal Fae prince.

The deal we strike is sickening, but it's the only way I'll live after I'm caught escaping.

My new captor drags me back to his realm.

A place of profound beauty and savage cruelties.

As wicked fairies play sadistic games, the prince is my sole protector.

He's not just protecting me, though. He's guarding his own secrets.

I should hate him. But our pact shows me a side his court never sees.

There is more behind his monstrous mask.

I can't stop myself from looking.

Especially when I learn what he really wants with me.

The Court that Bleeds Gold is the first book in a dark fantasy romance trilogy. This enemies to lovers series has shades of Rumpelstiltskin and Beauty and the Beast, with a dark hero who will absolutely burn this damned world to the ground for our sharp-tongued heroine. Expect steam, violence and plenty of barbed exchanges.

©2024 Relay Publishing (P)2024 Relay Publishing

Fantastic Twist on a Blended Fairytale

This book takes a fantastic twist on the romantasy plot by adding in a loose blended retelling of Rumpelstiltskin and Beauty and the Beast. I had already read the series, so I knew what I was getting into in terms of plot, but what I wasn’t expecting was to fall I love with the book all over again. As this book is told from a single point of view, having a single narrator made sense. And Ash Kingsley does a spectacular job breathing life into the characters. Listening to this book was addicting, it was a constant battle of I’ll just listen one more chapter. Cannot wait for the next two books.

Classic fairy tales with a great twist

I liked the overall story with a female MC who actually tries to do things for herself. I like the how the power and magic are brought to life through showing instead for just telling how it works. The male MC is interesting and classically broody to be honest. I did see the the twists coming but maybe that because im a suspicious person and I think the worst of every character lol. Overall very happy to read it and am moving to the next book.

Oh Ruskin, you devil ❤️

This fantasy romance stole my heart. That’s it. I’m still speechless. The story was so good, I couldn’t put the book down and listened to it in one sitting (yes, it’s really that good) and the narrator did an amazing job portraying the characters, including my new book boyfriend Ruskin. I cannot wait for the next book, because that ending?? I need more!

An Entrancing and Captivating Dark Fantasy Debut

Zara Storm's debut, The Court that Bleeds Gold, is a fantastic and captivating dark fantasy romance that will enthrall fans of Sarah J. Maas and unique fairytale retellings.

The story follows a sharp-tongued heroine who, desperate to escape marrying a brutal king, lies that she can spin gold. To save herself, she makes a deal with a feared Fae Prince and is dragged to his realm—a place of profound beauty but savage cruelty. As he becomes her sole protector, she begins to see past his monstrous mask, and an undeniable connection forms.

What sets this book apart is its brilliant balance between plot and romance. The world-building is beautiful and unique, the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the flawed main characters have a connection that feels real and earned.

Narrated by Ash Kingsley, whose top-notch performance brings every emotion to life, this is a must-listen for anyone seeking a thrilling and immersive fantasy romance. I can’t wait for the second book!

Zara Storm's debut, The Court that Bleeds Gold, is a fantastic and captivating dark fantasy romance that will enthrall fans of Sarah J. Maas and unique fairytale retellings.

The story follows a sharp-tongued heroine who, desperate to escape marrying a brutal king, lies that she can spin gold. To save herself, she makes a deal with a feared Fae Prince and is dragged to his realm—a place of profound beauty but savage cruelty. As he becomes her sole protector, she begins to see past his monstrous mask, and an undeniable connection forms.

What sets this book apart is its brilliant balance between plot and romance. The world-building is beautiful and unique, the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the flawed main characters have a connection that feels real and earned.

Narrated by Ash Kingsley, whose top-notch performance brings every emotion to life, this is a must-listen for anyone seeking a thrilling and immersive fantasy romance. I can’t wait for the second book!

Ruskin :)

The Court that Bleeds Gold hooked me right from the beginning. If you’re into dark fantasy romance with fae princes, dangerous deals, and a heroine who finds herself caught in a web of power and deception, this book is gonna be your jam! The story pulled me in from the start with its intriguing premise—a human girl who lies about her ability to spin gold and gets trapped in a deadly game between a cruel human king and a mysterious fae prince. It’s packed with tension, magic, and that delicious slow-burn romance we all crave in this genre. Plus, Ruskin, the broody fae prince, is definitely giving “new book boyfriend” energy.

Would I Recommend This?
Yes! If you love high-stakes romance with morally gray fae and heroines forced into impossible situations, you’re in for a treat. The pacing is solid, and while there are some moments where the heroine's internal struggle frustrated me (more on that below), the overall story is addicting. I'd definitely recommend it to fans of dark, twisty fairytale retellings or romantasy.

While there were a few parts where I found the heroine’s complaints about her situation a bit grating (like girl, you know fae deals are tricky!), it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me. It’s more of a personal gripe about characters who get caught in their own traps, but that’s just me. Despite that, the story as a whole worked really well, and the twists kept me engaged. The world-building is lush, the fae court is both beautiful and brutal, and there’s plenty to love if you're into fae/human tension with a dash of danger.

Ash Kingsley did a great job bringing this story to life. Her performance added a lot of depth to the characters, especially with Ruskin’s brooding intensity and the heroine’s mix of strength and vulnerability. She captured the emotional highs and lows well, making the story more immersive and enjoyable. While there were a few moments where the pacing or tone felt a bit off, overall, Kingsley’s narration really enhanced the experience and kept me engaged. She definitely made the book more enjoyable, and I’d gladly listen to her again.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.