For a debut novel, To Bargain with Mortals was pretty solid. It took me a while to get into it, but the second half really picked up the pace. Basu doesn’t shy away from a very clear political message, which feels especially relevant right now.

The pacing in the beginning was slow, and I struggled with Poppy as a main character at first, but I came to understand her a lot better by the end. Her birth parents were native to the island of Viryana, and after their deaths, she is adopted by the Viceroy. She doesn’t quite fit in anywhere, never fully accepted by the colonizers and their high society, while also being forced to leave behind any trace of her heritage by her adoptive parents. Returning to the island after years away at a strict boarding school, she has to decide where her loyalties lie. There’s political scheming, ancestral magic, criminal enterprise led by an intriguing MMC, and (weirdly) cars.

I appreciated the ideas behind the book and the way Basu explored a colonized society fighting back against its oppressor. For a debut, it’s a good start, and I’m interested enough to see how the story continues in the conclusion to this duology.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bindery Books, for an early copy in exchange for this honest review.

4,5 stars.

I was lucky enough to get to read the arc on netgalley and I'm so glad I did. This book truly has everything I love in a fantasy and I really recommend everyone who's intrigued by the synopsis to pick it up. You won't regret it. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel!

Overall 3.75 stars!

A Gripping Blend of Magic, Politics, and Post-Colonial Tensions
This new adult historical fantasy delivers a compelling blend of magic, political intrigue, and nuanced social commentary. At its core, the story follows an outcast heiress and a vigilante gang—each harboring secrets and political ambitions of their own. Their lives collide in unexpected ways, sparking a chain of events that reveals the tangled web of power, rebellion, and identity.
What sets this book apart is its layered exploration of colonialism. The narrative doesn’t shy away from depicting the brutal realities faced by the colonised, while also shedding light on the complexities and moral ambiguity of those complicit in the system—whether knowingly or unknowingly. It’s a thoughtful, often unsettling look at complicity, resistance, and the many shades in between.
The fantasy elements are also well-woven into the political drama. Rather than serving as a simple backdrop, the magic system deepens societal divisions, creating yet another layer of tension and inequality. This "magical diversity" is not just worldbuilding flair—it actively shapes the plot and power dynamics in a way that feels organic and relevant.
While there are hints of romantic tension between some characters, there’s no overt romance, which I appreciated. It leaves room for emotional growth and a more natural progression into the second book of the duology, without forcing relationships into the spotlight before they're ready.
That said, the main characters didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. Their motivations and arcs felt somewhat overshadowed by the richer, more compelling secondary characters—several of whom I found far more interesting and dynamic.
Overall, this is a strong recommendation for readers who love politically driven narratives with a touch of magic. If you're drawn to stories that tackle colonial legacies and power struggles—with just a hint of slow-burn character development—this book is well worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

Rating: 5 / 5 ⭐
From page one I was hooked and I’m hard to get. To Bargain with Mortals is more than promising. The political intrigue, the elemental magic, the character work–all fantastic. R.A. Basu will be a big name in fantasy, mark my words.

Poppy is the adopted daughter of the Viceroy. Her father sends her nanny away as a child for telling her about the old gods and the magical powers they bestowed on the people. In the present day, magic is banned, but The Jackal and his people have it.
The story was compelling and engaging from day one. Based on the colonization of India and the inner politics of the caste system, I felt Basu’s take was fresh and not overly complex for readers to grasp. I felt like I was watching a great film with drama, twists and turns and build-up for the sequel.

I loved both Poppy and Hasan, but I enjoyed the side characters as well. Zeyar….I’m looking at you!I love love loved Basu’s writing style. This will be great for fans of Fonda Lee and possibly even Jane Austen. Basu has studied her classical romance well.

This book covers colonialism, colorism, and family. The pacing was very good. I did not find it to be slowing down at any point, but overall I would say this is a medium to fast paced book. The world building was expertly crafted. Everything was revealed beautifully and I was never confused.
I think this book is my new personality. I loved it so so much and to see characters wearing salwar kameez and drinking chai and being so cool it warmed my desi heart. I would recommend this book to character and plot driven fantasy readers who enjoy authors like Fonda Lee, Robin Hobb, and Sabaa Tahir.

“You don’t have to have the same experience as someone to feel for them, only the desire to understand.”

I cannot think of a more timely book than To Bargain with Mortals. Though fictional, its themes resonate strongly with our world today. As readers follow the journeys of Poppy and Hasan, they are likely to see echoes of their own experiences in the characters’ struggles. Basu skillfully weaves Indian folklore into a narrative that confronts political realities, engaging with issues such as colonialism, classism, racism, and police brutality. She portrays characters reckoning with their privilege and striving to make amends in meaningful ways, while also highlighting the sustained effort required to challenge and dismantle a corrupt government.

My main critiques are the limited world-building at the start and the overall disjointed feel of the plot. I was confused about the setting’s time period—originally thinking the story might take place in the late 1800s/early 1900s, but then the author introduced modern elements like luxury cars and handguns.

Overall, I enjoyed To Bargain with Mortals, and I look forward to checking out the sequel when it is released in the future!

- Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! -

Books have always been one of the easier ways to understand the perspective of someone whose life you did not live. By reading their story, you learn more about them, their motivations, as well as why they feel the way they do.

To Bargain With Mortals exemplifies that idea to the highest degree.

The author shares with us the raw, honest sides of both the colonizer and the colonized in her story.

The book begins as we meet Poppy. She is a native of the island of Viryana, where this tale takes place. Welkand has colonized the island through a series of devious moves. Her adopted father is the Viceroy and runs the island as the representative of the King of Welkand.

As the story unfolds, we walk with Poppy as she tries to become the daughter she is expected to be in all ways, even though most people in her father’s circle see her as subhuman.

We then meet Hasan, the MMC, also a native of Viryana, and his brothers, and their gang. They are vicious, but not heartless, and have found a way to make a way on the island run and owned by outsiders. They have secrets, and as we learn later on, some dark customs passed on to them from their own forefathers.

The MMC and FMC collide in an unlikely event, and harsh truths push them both to reevaluate what they believe. There was no serious love vibe, but the building towards it in this book was subtle, yet enticing. I read eagerly as they learned from each other and reshaped the way the other thought. This part of the book was, I think, the most fun for me.

There is magic, there are caste systems, and heartbreaking realities within these pages. Most of all though, there is an appealing story that will change the way you see the world.

The found family is epic, and the actual writing is melodic with some poignant highlight-able phrases that stick with you long after you have finished reading.

I expect this one to hit those who can empathize in the feels, and at the very least open minds and hearts to the ways we all treat one another, as we blindly follow expectations of elders and their traditions.

This is why books are written.

Before you read, check out the TW. And be aware that this book will change you, hopefully for the better, as it did me.

Thank you to Bindery Books and NetGalley for this arc in return for my honest review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7768719537
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/6f096c6f-6414-4d01-9583-bf9d52d148d8
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOjUq5zEXMd/?igsh=MTdpbGJob2wxbGlmbA==

I just finished To Bargain with Mortals and honestly, I found it really refreshing. The world feels inspired by colonial India, which immediately sets it apart from your usual fantasy settings. There’s this cool mix of magic, politics, and cultural tension, and it all feels pretty immersive without being too heavy.

Poppy, the main character, is super relatable in her struggles. She doesn’t really fit in anywhere, and you feel that tension as she tries to figure out where she belongs. I liked that she’s flawed—she’s stubborn, sometimes makes mistakes, but you’re always rooting for her to find her place. Hasan (the Jackal) adds a nice edge too. He’s not just a “tough guy,” he actually has some layers, and you get to see more than just the surface.

The book deals with some big themes like class, power, and family expectations. Sometimes it spells things out a little too much, but honestly, I didn’t mind. It made the story feel real, and you can tell the author cares about these issues.

The pace is pretty solid. It never felt like it dragged or rushed. There’s a good balance between action, character moments, and world-building, so you get to know the cast but also stay interested in what’s happening next.

One thing I really liked is the focus on messy family dynamics. Nothing feels simple or perfect, and that makes the characters’ choices and emotions stand out. You can tell everyone is carrying some kind of baggage, but it’s handled in a way that feels honest.

If you’re looking for a fantasy that’s a bit different, with meaningful themes and characters who feel real, I think you’ll enjoy this one. It isn’t a super flashy book, but it sticks with you, and I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes next.

To Bargain with Mortals is a book that deals with a lot of important and still relevant themes: political struggles, structural racism, identity and belonging.

The worldbuilding is inspired by the British Raj in India, and the story truly highlights how politics is more complicated than it seems, especially as the plot progresses. At the beginning, our vision of the world is clear-cut: the Welks invaded Vyriana and they erased the identity of their citizens as much as possible to impose an iron fist that only benefits them. So, we cheer for a revolution that would re-establish the old Vyrian ways. However, as we progress in the story, we realize that, while the Welks are clearly oppressors, the old system didn't benefit every Vyrian citizen and it was still divisive and discriminatory - those who possessed magic discriminated against those who didn't.

I think that the historical and political lens makes the story intriguing even when, at the beginning, I didn't connect with the main characters. In the first half, Poppy came across as entitled and detached from the real world and its struggles - because she was! It was hard to connect with her because these characteristcs made her unlikeable and annoying. However, as she learned about Vyrians' identity and struggles, she changed and became more empathetic. Also, it was beautiful to finally watch her lean into the identity that was stolen from her, and it was painful to watch her struggle as she realized that she did not belong to either the Welk or the Vyrian society - but, in a way, to both. By the end of the book, I was truly cheering for her and holding my breath.

Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Hasan. I believe he didn't grow as much as Poppy and is a bit bland. However, I have hope that things will change in the second instalment.

Overall: though the first part of the book is a bit slow, it is necessary to set the scene and it definitely picks up in the second half, both in plot and in character development. The topics discussed are important and well-developed, though the message is a bit too heavy-handed for me. I think that the author could have trusted the readers to understand that racism, discrimination and misogyny are egregious without constantly reminding us that they are (as this is targeted towards adult and not teens).

Looking forward to the second book!

Yays:
- Interesting magic system and the effect of colonization to a culture's magic
- The plot overall was interesting and what made me excited to read the book

However,
Nays:
- at the beginning I was confused about the "era" the book took place. I thought it was more medieval or pre-industrialization with the slow boats. However, later in the book it was known that they had cars, advanced military rifles and factories which through me off balance
- Poppy was not a character I could root for. She, as well as some other characters, weren't developed or flushed out, and didn't act their supposed age. At the beginning of the book I didn't know what age she was supposed to be! I thought she was a teenager with her naiveté and general personality. However, it was revealed she was in her mid twenties!! The shock I had
- I wish the magic system was expanded on more, I feel like there was potential to really dig into it
- Pacing was odd, it was nice and fast paced at the beginning which kept me reading, but then I hit closer to the middle of the book and it sort of just dragged

Overall, not a bad book! I feel like it had good potential but maybe needed a bit more work done to it.

Thank you to Bindery books and Netgalley for the ARC!

I loved how this book managed to be both intense and heartfelt. The pacing kept me turning pages, but it was the quieter, emotional moments that stayed with me. A perfect blend of suspense and depth. I can’t stop thinking about it!!

To Bargain with Mortals is a thoughtful and ambitious fantasy debut that shines brightest once the story finds its footing. I’ll admit the beginning felt a little slow and hard to settle into, but once Poppy is swept into Hasan’s world, the pace picks up and the book really grabbed me.

Poppy and Hasan are dynamic characters—an outcast heiress learning to claim her voice, and a notorious gang leader burdened with power and purpose. Their tension-filled alliance was easily my favorite part, layered with political intrigue, questions of loyalty, and just the right amount of chemistry.

R.A. Basu weaves in themes of colonization, cultural identity, and resistance in a way that feels both timely and deeply human. By the time I turned the last page, I was invested not just in the characters, but in the larger revolution brewing around them.

It may start slowly, but this story rewards your patience with intensity, heart, and a setup that makes me very curious for the sequel.

Small note: seeing the word “hoity-toity” pop up in the middle of a fantasy novel made me giggle. I genuinely wasn’t expecting that.

4.5⭐️
“Gods, blood and kings do not decide who rules. The people do..”

To Bargain with Mortals touched me deeply.

This fantasy adresses very important themes such as colonization, the dispossession of identity, and the search for roots that are lost when one is alienated from their origins.

Poppy, Hasan and the rest of Virians are a great representation of the different consequences resulting from division, segregation and colonialism.
I want to mention that Harithi was a perfectly constructed character and my favorite.

A solid debut and I genuinely can’t wait for the sequel.

Thanks to Bindery Books, Skies Press, R.A Basu and NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This took me so long to start writing my review. And I think it's because there's such beautiful intricacy from one side of the story to another.

Poppy, an orphan Virian, began her life being adopted by a white family in a position of power. She spends decades learning to act less native, less Virian, and more like these privileged families. As a result, she's ostracized from both communities for being too much of one area and always not enough of the other.

This novel is her quest to find her place in a society, in her culture, in her family, and also understand herself as a holder of power. Clear parallels are here between the colonial power struggles and annexation of India by England. The references to Indian culture and lore are beautifully woven into the story and environment. I cannot wait to read more of these characters!

This book was okay. I was really hooked in the beginning. Then I felt a bit as if I was being told the characters experiences and feelings instead of really diving into the story. I like all of the messages embedded into the book and appreciated that they weren’t completely overdone. I did not really feel any attachment to any characters and felt the relationships a bit forced. But overall it was a fine story.

I really enjoyed this book! I think Emma described it perfectly and I was not disappointed. I think Poppy and Hasan are very compelling characters and I can't wait to see what they get up to in the next book in the series.

For me this is a 3. 5. I loved the setting and the mythology but I struggled with the first half as it was a slow start and it felt repetitive with the characters actions. It also felt like there should have been more politics for what it was but most of that was just quick summaries or asides.

The " gang" members were some of my favorite parts of the book, they had greet backstories and motivations which made the story compelling. The exploration of Poppy's privilege and oppression was also really well done and continues to provoke thought even though I finished this a while ago.

Altogether. I look forward to the next book and seeing how everything comes together.

This is an interesting debut novel. The core of the story is about trying to find one’s place in the world and ideally a position that provides one with financial and societal security. Of course, how each of the characters discovers their place leads to some interesting outcomes and in the process of finding this position, they discover more about themselves and who they want to be. Told through dual POVs, Basu creates a world filled with political intrigue, historical depth, and historical consequences. To Bargain with Mortals is an engrossing story that I’m sure will have an engrossing end in book 2. (Note: While marketed as adult, I read this as a New Adult book.)

If you are looking for a book with really realistic and interesting world-building, specifically a world with unique politics, then look no further. This is a world that brims with complexity and depth, and the characters' dynamics are affected by their past, socioeconomic states, power differences, and society.

I found this book to be such an interesting and unique read, and it had so many standout features! The change and growth of the main character was one thing I really enjoyed, because you watched her start out as a character you could not fully like and turn into a more educated, empathetic, and strong character. Her relationship with the Jackal also had so many interesting courses of topic and politics, and made for such an intriguing pair to follow.

I found the pacing to be fast, the world to be well-developed, and the politics mimicked real occurrences in history that are not as talked about, and the characters eventually turned into someone you could root for.

DNF at 48%

honestly, I’m super bummed I didn’t like this. It was one of my most anticipated fall reads, and I was so psyched to get an arc. Unfortunately this is marketed as adult, and it is extremely YA, and the mislabeling does the book a major disservice. The characters feel young and one-dimensional, the plot isn’t fleshed out, and the dialogue is really rough. I actually double checked several times that this is a supposed to be adult. The premise is amazing, the cover is beautiful, and I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately it really missed the mark for me.

Poppy Sutherland had summoned that storm, washing half the city with her wrath.

We love a female rage moment in this household. We love that book in general.

So, I loved pretty much everything about this book but I'll give you the highlights that made it 5 ⭐️
• The magic is not so much the driving force as the dividing factor. The Welkish, the colonizers, consider it heresy but even among the Viryans it creates issues of classism and racism that the author doesn't shy away from. It was refreshing to read about a world where the characters actually tried to use their brains rather than their magic.
• Poppy. I loved Poppy as a main character so much. She was in an impossible situation being a Varyan raised as a Welkish and even though she had it rough she was humbled on every turn about how worst other people had it and she took it like a champ. She saved herself from her predicament and honestly we stan.
• How realistic all the characters felt. Other than the big bad who had no redeeming qualities, everyone else felt like real people with their goods and bads trying to do what they believed best (expect Hasan, he is my baby boy and I don't care if he burned people alive).

All in all, you should definitely keep an eye for this book. I'm looking forward for the sequel and the first one isn't even out yet.