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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Where do I even begin. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. It kept me invested the whole time. I loved the way that Samara’s story unraveled and how well Raphael fit into it.
The unwavering chemistry they have, the secrets that are kept, the hardships that Samara has gone through to get to where she is. Lies. Betrayal. Sacrifice. Action. Lust. It’s ALL HERE.
My only complaint is that there isn’t MORE. I know that it’s just book one in the series but I want to know more about Raphael and Samara.
Thank you so much to Vasilisa Drake for letting me be a part of the ARC team to read this incredible book. The release date is TODAY! So go grab yourself a copy now and dive into the incredible world of vampires, witches, and voids.
The unwavering chemistry they have, the secrets that are kept, the hardships that Samara has gone through to get to where she is. Lies. Betrayal. Sacrifice. Action. Lust. It’s ALL HERE.
My only complaint is that there isn’t MORE. I know that it’s just book one in the series but I want to know more about Raphael and Samara.
Thank you so much to Vasilisa Drake for letting me be a part of the ARC team to read this incredible book. The release date is TODAY! So go grab yourself a copy now and dive into the incredible world of vampires, witches, and voids.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
"He drew me deeper into the kiss, his other hand coming around my side and pressing me against him. He tasted like darkness and temptation." (Ch 42)
"Blood and blood and blood."
Magic, witches, vampires, and voids.
I went back and forth between the ALC, eARC, and print.
There are some pretty good plot twists and hidden plots, hidden identities, and secret pasts. The journey is short, yet long. Intrigue in abundance. Romance was a little iffy, often felt it was one-sided and perhaps more lust than anything. Don't get me wrong, there was a strong sense of caring and protectiveness, but I didn't get a mutual lingering and consistent longing.
There's so much, especially Sam's past, that still remains a mystery. The ending, though... the story built up to it and gave up hints, so it should have been something predictable, but the way it unfurled and came about was gripping! Left me wanting more!
"He wore red jewels. I would wear blood. Blood and blood and blood." (Ch 46)
eARC/ALC Review
"Blood and blood and blood."
Magic, witches, vampires, and voids.
I went back and forth between the ALC, eARC, and print.
There are some pretty good plot twists and hidden plots, hidden identities, and secret pasts. The journey is short, yet long. Intrigue in abundance. Romance was a little iffy, often felt it was one-sided and perhaps more lust than anything. Don't get me wrong, there was a strong sense of caring and protectiveness, but I didn't get a mutual lingering and consistent longing.
There's so much, especially Sam's past, that still remains a mystery. The ending, though... the story built up to it and gave up hints, so it should have been something predictable, but the way it unfurled and came about was gripping! Left me wanting more!
"He wore red jewels. I would wear blood. Blood and blood and blood." (Ch 46)
eARC/ALC Review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
adventurous
Really enjoyed this book - can't wait for the second one to be available
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A Bargain So Bloody totally surprised me in the best way. I picked it up expecting a quick dark fantasy read, but I ended up way more invested than I thought I’d be. The premise hooked me right away—Samara stuck in this awful magical prison, surrounded by cruelty and lies, and her only chance at escape being a literal bloodthirsty vampire? Yes, please. That tension between needing someone you absolutely shouldn’t trust made for such an intense dynamic.
I really liked how layered both Samara and Raphael were. She’s tough but vulnerable, and he’s dangerous but not one-dimensional. Their uneasy alliance had just the right amount of tension, mistrust, and slow-burning connection to keep me turning pages. Plus, the setting of Greymere is so atmospheric—it’s cold, terrifying, and just oozing with dread.
I’m giving this four stars mainly because while I was hooked, I did feel like some pacing parts dragged just a bit, and I wanted a little more clarity around certain magical elements. But honestly, it didn’t take away much from my enjoyment. If you’re into gritty fantasy with reluctant partnerships, morally gray characters, and high-stakes escape plans, this is one to check out. I’m really curious to see where the story goes next!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Spice Level: 0/5 (But the tension was spicy enough)
Tropes: Touch-her-and-you-die, reluctant alliance, enemies-to-lovers (kinda)
Okay but… VASILISA SNAPPED.
I don’t even know where to start cause whewwww this book had me hooked. I tore through it like I was possessed.
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Spice Level: 0/5 (But the tension was spicy enough)
Tropes: Touch-her-and-you-die, reluctant alliance, enemies-to-lovers (kinda)
Okay but… VASILISA SNAPPED.
I don’t even know where to start cause whewwww this book had me hooked. I tore through it like I was possessed.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a super neat read! Drake does an excellent job of writing a female lead who comes into her own power by her own means and at her own pace, which is incredibly refreshing. There is no miraculous two-week-training-montage which turns a scrappy nobody into the best fighter in the realm, but what we’re given is even better, in my opinion. We’re given a character who slowly has to heal some of her trauma and actively work on herself everyday in order to recognize the power she has always had, and that was beautiful to read.
I thought this book was well paced, giving me time to digest world building moments but moving fast enough that I wanted to read for hours on end. The story also leaves off on a really interesting note. The main plot development may be what you expected, but the *way* it’s written hints at a progression of story that I certainly was not expecting. I look forward to the next book!
Note: I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I thought this book was well paced, giving me time to digest world building moments but moving fast enough that I wanted to read for hours on end. The story also leaves off on a really interesting note. The main plot development may be what you expected, but the *way* it’s written hints at a progression of story that I certainly was not expecting. I look forward to the next book!
Note: I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Samara and Rafael’s story is starts in a magical prison, where Rafael is in a cell and Samara is a servant forced there herself. They make a bargain, If Samara opens the cell Rafael must get her out of the prison safely and not eat her. Did I mention she’s scared of vampires because that’s how her parents died? And everyone has heard of one bed trope but let’s give it up for the one horse trope 👏 I love this trope so much. I am in dire need of book two because I saw part of the ending coming but not all of it and I am shoketh and need to know what’s going to happen next.
A Bargain so Bloody by Vasilisa Drake is the first book in a brand new series, Kingdom of Dark Magic!
This series hit hard with its fast pace, action and tension all rolled into the first book.
When Samara was sent to prison at just 8 years old, she thought she would be able to play out her 15 year sentence and leave! After completing 12 years of her sentence, she discovers that they will never let her go! Her only hope of escaping the miserable life in prison is to make a deal with a vampire!
Raphael has been kept in the prison and whipped continuously, when Samara enters his sell to apply healing salve to his wounded back, he offers her a chance of escape if she helps free him.
The decision made in that cell sets off an adventure that will change both of their lives forever!
This book hit hard! A cross between One Dark Window and The Serpent and the Wings of Night, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. Such twists and turns and little piece of a grand puzzle revealed throughout, I feel like this series is going to be epic!
There is so much that still needs to be revealed and questions needing answered and I can’t wait to go down the journey to find out. I absolutely need more Raphael in my life!
This series hit hard with its fast pace, action and tension all rolled into the first book.
When Samara was sent to prison at just 8 years old, she thought she would be able to play out her 15 year sentence and leave! After completing 12 years of her sentence, she discovers that they will never let her go! Her only hope of escaping the miserable life in prison is to make a deal with a vampire!
Raphael has been kept in the prison and whipped continuously, when Samara enters his sell to apply healing salve to his wounded back, he offers her a chance of escape if she helps free him.
The decision made in that cell sets off an adventure that will change both of their lives forever!
This book hit hard! A cross between One Dark Window and The Serpent and the Wings of Night, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. Such twists and turns and little piece of a grand puzzle revealed throughout, I feel like this series is going to be epic!
There is so much that still needs to be revealed and questions needing answered and I can’t wait to go down the journey to find out. I absolutely need more Raphael in my life!