A review by marylu412
A Bargain So Bloody by Vasilisa Drake

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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!