A good solid debut from an obviously veryv talented author. Great female lead character with an interesting and unique magic system. Reminded me a bit of a cross between Brandon Sanderson and Gourav Mohanty. Recomended for sure!

3.5 stars! Thank you so much NetGalley and Skies Press for the advance copy! As always this review is completely my own honest opinion. Review incoming ¨̮
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To Bargain with Mortals did some things really really well, and other parts fell flat for me so this book lands in the solid 3 range for me. It was overall a very powerful and well written book, and the social commentary made in it was phenomenal. This book covered lots of heavy topics like colonialism, racism, sexism, classism, prejudice vs privilege, religious intolerance and abuse of power.

What I really loved about this book was that every single issue was shown from multiple sides, and nothing was black and white. We also got to see how upbringing plays a big part in internal biases that are hard to break, even when you know they’re wrong. The social commentary in this book is so impactful and is very relevant to the world today.

Beneath all of that however, the actual plot fell extremely flat for me. The story was extremely predictable and had nothing uniquely special to it. While the issues the story highlighted and the message it had were very profound, there was nothing in the plot that hooked me in. It was a basic story of a young woman coming in to her power and becoming a ruler. I was very happy that romance played such a small role, they very much set the romance up to be a bigger plot in the sequel which was nice. The book focused so much on Poppy becoming her own person and coming in to her own power that a romance plot would have been way too much on top. The pacing was very strange to me, with the ending feeling very rushed. The main plot of the book only spans about 3 weeks and in it way too much is accomplished. We’re talking huge political movements and revolutions. Everything also came together way too easily in the end, it all worked out way too perfectly. It almost felt idealistic instead of realistic. I really enjoyed the first half of the book but the second half just didn’t flow as well structurally. The writing of the book was very well done and it flowed very well. A lot of the statements made were very poetic, profound, and deep. I had a really hard time connecting with the dialogue though, which made it really hard to connect to the characters. A lot of the dialogue sounded very childish to me and not very natural.

I think the main character Poppy had an amazing character arc and growth. There were so many times where she was infuriating me to no end, but was then checked by other characters and immediately self reflected to grow as a person. She changes so much throughout the story and uses every experience to evolve her world view and perspective. Despite all this however she still wasn’t my favorite character and I never really cared if she accomplished her goal or not. My main issue was that even until the very end, after she had learned and experienced so much, her motivations still felt selfish. She always said she wanted the title because it was her birthright, not because she wanted to help others when asked. I very much loved all of the side characters!! Hasan and the brothers were amazing. As well as Samina and Harithi. I think all of them carried the story more than Poppy. Even Catherine and Theodore had more personality than Poppy. Overall I think this book did an amazing job of highlighting very real and very relevant societal problems, and it did it in a very profound way. I just think the rest of the underlying plot was average. I still thought this was a very well written book and a great debut novel!

To Bargain with Mortal is a magnificent read, point blank, nothing else to say. But since I love to yap, here's a little bit of my opinions: I thought the writing style was gorgeous, I thought the characters jumped straight out the page and I loved how human they all felt like while reading, and I thought the magic system was to die for.

Fantasy is one of my favorite genres in the whole world, and this one was the exact type of fantasy I was looking for. I was never bored, never tired and never disappointed throughout all the twists-and-turns this book took, and I'm inmensely thankful for the opportunity to have read it early.

I loved this book a lot! The magic system was wonderfully done and it was a great story! Would highly recommend.

Nope! No no no. Put this down at 16%, and I have no desire to pick it up again. For me, it’s obvious this is a debut. The author relies on telling instead of showing, and mutilates a dead horse with her over explaining. On top of it all, the plot is average at best, and adds nothing to the fantasy genre. I was really looking forward to this one, so it sucks that I have to write this, but… no. That’s all, folks.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚Rating*ੈ✩‧₊˚
3.5/5 Stars
(Rounded Up)

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗Tropes˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
🌊 Broken Society
🔥 Dual POV
🌊 Underestimated Fmc
🔥 Unique Magic System

𓂃🖊Notes and Highlights-

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･“You don’t have to have the same experience as someone to feel for them, only the desire to understand.”°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

💭 Thoughts-
I thought this was a very interesting book that was fun to read, with a lot of political intrigue in the plot and lots of power struggle and stuff like that. I liked the magic system that was in the book and thought it was pretty unique too. I did struggle with really connecting with the main character Poppy though. Not only that, but I thought she was a bit annoying at times and a little pick me just with the whole I’m not like the girls like I get it you aren't like all the other high society girls but like still get over yourself girlie. 🙄. I will say I did enjoy seeing the growth she went through throughout the book and just how she come to realize the actual state of her society and everything. All in all a good book, butt not the best by any means.

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This was amazing. 10/10 no notes. I loved it so much and I need the second book injected into my veins ASAP.

Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for this ARC.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but that wasn't it. Politics, intrigue, gangs and magic with a young woman stuck in the middle trying to make her mark. Can't wait to read the sequel

To Bargain with Mortals is a sharp, evocative, and beautifully layered fantasy that grabbed me from the very first page and refused to let go.

Set in the colonized nation of Viryana, this story offers so much more than the enemies-to-allies dynamic between a disgraced heiress and a feared gang leader. It's a story about power, identity, and the fractures left by empire. Poppy and Hasan are two magnetic leads, equally flawed and driven, both caught in a system that wants them silent. And yet, together, they spark change.

What I loved most was how this book blends intimate character growth with big political stakes. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, but never gets in the way of the emotional core. Poppy’s internal conflict—caught between the world that raised her and the one she longs to fight for—feels achingly real. Hasan, with his fury, grief, and reluctant hope, is equally unforgettable.

The writing is clear, powerful, and full of purpose. The tension (emotional, political, romantic) is perfectly paced, and the magic system tied to divine inheritance is both elegant and thematically meaningful. Every element—colonial critique, rebellion, romance—feels essential.

This book made me feel angry, inspired, and breathless in the best way. It’s about what we owe to ourselves and each other. About how survival, in the face of oppression, is both resistance and reclamation.

A must-read for fans of political fantasy, slow-burn romance, and stories that challenge the systems they’re set in.

I have been absolutely, on every level, blown away by this story. I don't think I've ever been so invested in a character as I have been with our wonderful Poppy and the character arc she embarks on. Its very much a character driven story and to have a MCs like Poppy and Hasan at the helm made the chapters fly by. The writing was absolutely amazing and the pace has never been so perfect. Through every page I was completely immersed in this world and its dynamics. The vibes are here, the vibes are great. I would have like a little more of its magic system displayed but I'm happy with what was shown and can't wait to read what's to come!
Thank you Netgalley and Bindery for the chance to read this awesome debut!

Thank you to Bindery and Netgalley for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.75 stars rounded up. I devoured this book. After I got past the 10% mark I was invested. I do wish the first 10% hooked me quicker than it did but once it had me, it had me.

I loved the character growth our main character goes through and I can't wait to see how much she changes in the sequel. These were lovable and complicated characters and I really enjoyed their depth.

The magic system in this book was also interesting and I can't wait to see how it plays out in the second book. I have a feeling this series will be one of my favorites once it progresses even more!

I have conflicting thoughts about this one, and unfortunately to get into it I would need to mention things that are spoilers so I will just do some commentary now and wait to write a more in depth review when the book is officially released on October 28th.
With that out of the way I’ll start with the downsides: To Bargain With Mortals is mainly worldbuilding for the second book in the duology, a very long prologue or prequel, if you will. We are shown many cultural and political aspects that will play a part in the continuation, get to know the characters and setting as well as the historic events that lead us to where the territory is at present. It lacked action and stronger plot points, so it felt a bit underwhelming at times. Another problem that will(hopefully) be fixed on the final product is not enough editing, as an example there is some information that is given to us at multiple occasions.
However the good vastly outweighs the bad. It’s a very good book about colonization and the erasure of customs and culture that comes with it. The commentary about occupation, racism, privilege of class and gender and marginalization is so relevant to current world problems, making it an important book nowadays.
Overall I enjoyed the book, and am excited for the sequel.

Thank you Netgalley and Bindery Books for the ARC!

This is a great debut fantasy novel. I mean it has everything if you think about it; an interesting magical system, political warfare, a strong but underestimated female lead and a hot headed but kind male lead. It is well written, fast paced, and a page turner. There is also growth and development in the characters which makes them more appealing and real. The racism and subjugation have also been depicted aptly by the writer.

I really like the fact that there is no black and white in the story, even the supposedly good people Virians have discrimination amongst them. Which gives the plot depth and makes it feel even better when they all come together.

I can’t wait to read the sequel and am eagerly waiting for the romance.

Thank you NetGalley and BinderyBooks for the title.

4.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I found each of the main and secondary characters to be very dynamic. I loved the elemental magic system and the world of politics created. I’m excited to see where the next book leads.

3.5*

To Bargain with Mortals is, I think, a relatively inoffensive and generic book, which is a shame considering how much more it could have been. The plot is predictable, the magic system is nothing new (!! this is the thing I'm most disappointed by), and the characters don't really have much uniqueness to them. Like they're kinda just normal human beings that I'd interact with but never connect with.

Everything was quite surface level —there were several opportunities, I think, for the author to dig a little deeper into the issues they're trying to talk about, but it never happens. Poppy and Hasan as characters suffer from this too, and it results in our main leads lacking depth, with Poppy being especially hard to relate to, which?? I literally have similar experiences with her as someone who's PoC but grew up around white people, but I never resonated with her.

All in all, this really does just feel like another generic fantasy book™ that's too scared to do something more fun, which is quite disappointing given the inspirations behind this book. It isn't all bad, though. The book's got thought and intent behind it, but needed to be executed better. If you're just starting out in fantasy and is looking for something with a bit more political intrigue, with commentary on race and class sprinkled in between, you may like this.

Thank you so much for NetGalley and Bindery Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review :D

Thank you Bindery and Netgalley for providing the e-arc for this!

I knew with Emma Skies picking this up and repping it so hard it had to be good! I loved this. It was powerful, thought provoking, and obviously a great reflection of colonization and the way it affects the people who are colonized. I really liked the in depth view of Poppy understanding her own privilege and bias and self hatred in order to understand both herself and her culture and people better. I felt Hasan to be kind of annoying with his very black and white view of the world, but he really started to come around for me in the end. Honestly I could've lived without Hasan and Zeyar's drama. It felt like they just circled the same arguments over and over and it never went anywhere. I felt the middle part of the book dragged, but this could obviously be attributed to Poppy relearning her culture. I would have liked to see more of the magic being used. Definitely leaned more into the political intrigue (not complaining!) that I felt the actual magic part was left behind. Hopefully we see more in book 2! There is work to be done and nothing is going to stop Poppy Sutherland from accomplishing it.

#ToBargainwithMortals #NetGalley
I thoroughly enjoyed the politics of this world along with the deep character development. I am definitely interested to see where the 2nd book takes us.

To Bargain With Mortals was everything I wanted in a book. I loved the world Basu created and the themes this novel explored. It does not shy away from heavy topics which I find so important, especially in today’s political climate.

I absolutely loved the complex characters and the exploration of how one’s upbringing shapes their worldview. Poppy, while Virian, was raised within the highest ranking Welkish home on the island. She had the Virian beaten out of her, shaping her to be a “true Welkish” lady. I loved watching her try and seize power for herself, despite the color of her skin and the fact she is a woman. I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Hasan and his brothers and the people within their gang.

I think what I liked most of all about the characters are they are all deeply flawed and have to work through their own biases. Their choices made sense within the context of the story in relation to their upbringings. Speaking of upbringings, I thought it was so impressive how Basu incorporated racism and discrimination into the story. It wasn’t just white vs color, but also explored how societies tend to favor the select few within the same populations of people.

I’m so excited to see where Basu takes this in the next installment. I’ll definitely be rereading once this hits shelves in October!

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves political fantasy and complex, flawed characters!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review: An interesting take on subtle magic and the inter-play between cultures divided by caste. What surprised me was that the era had a sudden reveal with cars, powered rickshaws and industrialism. Huh? Initially this novel felt quite medievel with boats for long journeys, royalty, slums and aristocratic propriety. In your head its Oliver Twist with orphans, starvation and shjt, then out of nowhere a phone rings.

The very liberal baseline expression that is the foundation of this novel just tires you out. White is bad is iterated constantly. This race baiting is really just an excuse to exercise a foundational identity in a public setting. I find it tedious in the extreme as it builds nothing but blame and justification for the characters.

This novel really never goes anywhere interesting. It is mostly a journey about overcoming self-recrimination and building esteem, finding inner magic and saving your ancestral Island from whitey. There is a burgeoning love story between THE JACKAL (LOL) and Poppy, but you gotta wait until the next installment to find out.

I received this ARC for an honest rev

To start thank you Netgalley for and arc of this. I wanted to begin this review by saying that I enjoyed this book a lot. I can see the potential of this book and where it could go in its sequel. Moving on to my positives that I had for this book, Poppy's arch was captivating and thought out. Every moment I was rooting for victory and I felt her anxieties. The care and detail that went into Poppy's story was so intricate and detailed that made me want to keep reading.
 
My main criticisms where that the story heavily relied on telling instead of showing. Specifically, when it came to Hasan's POV regarding back story. The reader was given a lot of exposition when it could have been revealed later as the story progressed. For example, the description of members and their pasts were given away as they came to the first meeting after Paranjay was kidnapped. This could have been revealed just as Samina's past was (i.e. the necklace). I feel this could have helped with some of pacing which dragged near the end.
 
The final act and final vote for who would be the viceroy was exciting and created such great tension. I truly did not know how it could have played out. However, the resulting chapters of purely politics caused that energy to stagnate. Having the main villain leave in the final act contributed to this. However, I appreciated the realism of the politics and how in reality that there are really no happy endings.
 
In conclusion, I feel that some moments telling vs. showing caused the plot to drag. But besides this, “To Bargain with Mortals” was a solid Debut. I am excited for the future sequel and whatever lies in the future for R. A. Basu.