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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
As a big fan of Vasilia Drake, I ran to sign up as an ARC reader for A Bargain So Bloody, and it did not disappoint. Her signature blend of dark romance, emotional depth, and razor-sharp banter is everything I hoped for. With morally grey characters, found family, and tension filled dialogue, this book hit all my favourite tropes.
Trope List
✅️ Enemies to lovers
✅️ Forced proximity - One horse
✅️ Bargain with a vampire
✅️ Morally grey MMC
✅️ Hidden identity
✅️ Unique Magical system
✅️ Power imbalance
✅️ Found family (with sharp edges)
✅️ Touch her and die
✅️ Slow burn romance
✅️ “I’ll burn the world for you” energy
Darkness Level:
Trope List
✅️ Enemies to lovers
✅️ Forced proximity - One horse
✅️ Bargain with a vampire
✅️ Morally grey MMC
✅️ Hidden identity
✅️ Unique Magical system
✅️ Power imbalance
✅️ Found family (with sharp edges)
✅️ Touch her and die
✅️ Slow burn romance
✅️ “I’ll burn the world for you” energy
Darkness Level:
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kind of a slow pace, but I enjoyed the ride. Romantic and mysterious. Fun ending. Absolutely will read book 2.
4.5 ⭐️
At the beginning I really thought I wasn’t going to like this, but turns out, I actually loved it! It took a bit & I was so irritated at Samara. But she grew on me.
At the beginning I really thought I wasn’t going to like this, but turns out, I actually loved it! It took a bit & I was so irritated at Samara. But she grew on me.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just wished the FMC was smarter and actually capable, growth wasn't fast or happened behind the scenes, felt like smattering of plot holes, and the usual not talking causes the conflict.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
This book was so bingeable, I loved it! I would give it 5 stars for how entertaining it was but I couldnt understand the FMCs decision at the end of the book. Like Raphael is a literal angel who worships the ground you walk on and you want to betray him! Wish this was a HEA type stand alone instead.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
I devoured this book—it was fast-paced, addictive, and a whole lot of fun. The mix of magic, danger, and slow-burn tension made it hard to put down, and I was hooked from the very first chapter. While some twists were easy to spot, the journey there was so entertaining that I didn’t mind. By the end, I was equal parts satisfied and desperate for the next instalment.
—
🙌 What I Liked
The magic system was one of the highlights.I loved the concept of magic being imbued into cards, which could then be purchased and used by voids (those without magic of their own). It gave the world a practical layer of accessibility and made magic feel like a resource, with value and consequences, rather than just an innate gift.
The characters were another standout.The FMC was very relatable—naive at first, having spent most of her life in prison, yet determined not to let her lack of experience hold her back. Watching her grow stronger, trust herself, and step into her own was incredibly satisfying. I also appreciated the hints scattered throughout the story about her identity as both the necromancer the MMC was searching for and the King’s daughter. Yes, it was fairly obvious, but it still worked well in the narrative.
The MMC was equally compellingand while I guessed he was an important figure amongst the vampires, I never guessed he was a King—that was a fun surprise. Charming, dangerous, and protective, he complemented the FMC perfectly. I especially liked that he allowed her space to train, translate the grimoire, and discover the world for the first time on her own terms. The tension in their dynamic and the delicious slow burn kept me glued to the page. I definitely caught the possibility of a fated mates angle being teased, though the book never outright confirmed it.
World-building wise, the prison setting created a grim, claustrophobic starting point, before expanding into a broader world full of layered politics and threats. The writing style was clear and immersive without ever being weighed down by too much detail—it struck a great balance, letting me race through the story while still feeling grounded in the world.
❌ What Didn’t Hit
The story did lean on a few predictable reveals,particularly around the FMC’s identity. I could see them coming a mile off, but they didn’t lessen my enjoyment. If anything, it made me curious about how the fallout of these revelations will play out in future books.
👀 Do I Recommend It?
Absolutely. This was a gripping, addictive read with an exciting magic system, memorable characters, and a slow-burn romance that left me aching for more. The ending floored me, and I’ll be counting down the days until I can get my hands on the sequel.
—
🙌 What I Liked
The magic system was one of the highlights.
The characters were another standout.
The MMC was equally compelling
World-building wise, the prison setting created a grim, claustrophobic starting point, before expanding into a broader world full of layered politics and threats. The writing style was clear and immersive without ever being weighed down by too much detail—it struck a great balance, letting me race through the story while still feeling grounded in the world.
❌ What Didn’t Hit
The story did lean on a few predictable reveals,
👀 Do I Recommend It?
Absolutely. This was a gripping, addictive read with an exciting magic system, memorable characters, and a slow-burn romance that left me aching for more. The ending floored me, and I’ll be counting down the days until I can get my hands on the sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder
Minor: Self harm, Blood