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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
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!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The only advice I have on this is... READ THIS BOOK NOW!
Wow. I loved this book. The writing was incredible, the characters were done so well, I truly cared for our FMC and MMC. I had no real thought about where it was going till about the 90% mark and I did guess correctly but it didn't take away from it as the execution was done beautifully!
I am foaming at the bit for the next one! I cannot wait to see where this goes next.
This was an e-arc and I'm super grateful for this.
Wow. I loved this book. The writing was incredible, the characters were done so well, I truly cared for our FMC and MMC. I had no real thought about where it was going till about the 90% mark and I did guess correctly but it didn't take away from it as the execution was done beautifully!
I am foaming at the bit for the next one! I cannot wait to see where this goes next.
This was an e-arc and I'm super grateful for this.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Infinity stars to this gem! But I already knew that because Vasilisa Drake can do no wrong! Morally gray heroes are my thing. All the juicy tropes were executed so perfectly and the tension between the MCs had me turning the pages even faster. I love a good character development and when the one helping Samara is the one of the most feared vampire, it just makes the plot even thicker. Found family has never felt more validated because when Samara literally had nobody on her side to a whole crew, there’s nothing more heartwarming than that! Trust is not easily bought and with these family secrets, it might never happen again. The little things that Raphael did for Samara were so dang cute and endearing! The ending! What?! I need more of Samara and Raphael immediately!
•Touch her and
•Touch her and
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC.
A Bargain So Bloody is a fast-paced, enjoyable read — especially if you’re in the mood for slow-burn romance, vampire intrigue, and morally grey dynamics.
The protagonists, Rafael and Samara, were immediately likeable. Their chemistry was compelling without being overdone, and the story carried a smooth readability that made it easy to sink into from the very first page. The worldbuilding was solid — not overwhelming, but enough to ground the politics and vampire-human tensions in something believable.
While I had a great time reading this, it’s fair to say the plot isn’t reinventing the vampire wheel. The vampire-human romance dynamic is a familiar one, and parts of it felt a little derivative of stories we’ve seen before. Still, the execution was confident, and for fans of the trope, that won’t be a deterrent.
Perfect for readers who enjoy angsty alliances, romantic tension, and political undercurrents with just the right amount of bloodlust.
A Bargain So Bloody is a fast-paced, enjoyable read — especially if you’re in the mood for slow-burn romance, vampire intrigue, and morally grey dynamics.
The protagonists, Rafael and Samara, were immediately likeable. Their chemistry was compelling without being overdone, and the story carried a smooth readability that made it easy to sink into from the very first page. The worldbuilding was solid — not overwhelming, but enough to ground the politics and vampire-human tensions in something believable.
While I had a great time reading this, it’s fair to say the plot isn’t reinventing the vampire wheel. The vampire-human romance dynamic is a familiar one, and parts of it felt a little derivative of stories we’ve seen before. Still, the execution was confident, and for fans of the trope, that won’t be a deterrent.
Perfect for readers who enjoy angsty alliances, romantic tension, and political undercurrents with just the right amount of bloodlust.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of the book. I am excited to leave a review.
A Bargain So Bloody is the first book in the Kingdom of Dark Magic series and releases on 6/30/25. I thoroughly enjoyed this story as Samara learns about herself and the world that she lives in. Watching her grow throughout the book and gain confidence in herself and what she believes was truly beautiful. Raphael was wonderfully developed. He has a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming but he keeps you guessing and wanting to see what comes next. While amazing on their own, the relationship between Samara and Raphael is entertaining with witty banter and a slow burn.
The world and the magic system are unique but easy to follow as you read and learn more about them. The side characters are interesting and provide color to the story and are just as entertaining (looking at you, Amalthea and Iademos). The twists and turns in the story are perfect and kept me guessing right up to the very end. I cannot wait for the next book.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes