It’s fine. Many fantasy books with a similar concept, style, and execution are being released at the moment, and this one doesn’t stand out. My personal issue with this is if it’s based on South Asia, the author doesn’t totally understand the mentality and mechanisms of the Raj. It’s the like the air they breathed. Basu hammers in the wrong points, with the subtlety of an actual hammer. At some point I wasn’t super interested in reading further.

This book did not go how I expected in the best ways possible. I enjoyed watching the main character find herself and her values, and now I need to onow what happens next!

To Bargain with Mortals is a fantasy set in the colonized nation of Viryana, following the lives of Poppy Sutherland, an heiress who is indigenous and adopted by colonizer parents, and the Jackal, a local crime lord. Their paths are pushed into each other by outside forces and in the confluence of events they must test their loyalties and discover who they are meant to be.

When reading TBWM, I ran into many new names for countries, people, and cultures, but they are easily recognizable and analogous to experiences in our own world. The author does a wonderful job letting colonization be in the backdrop (ever present), but keeps the story on our main characters. They are all smart, driven, and their actions makes sense (even the bad guys). I found myself really invested in the story and I appreciated the pacing as well!

While I enjoyed myself during this read, I think the author has set the series up for a bigger world and I am looking forward to that as well. This book is light on the fantasy, so you don't need to spend a ton of time learning names or how things work, which is a plus if you want to jump right in.

3.5⭐️ This is a compelling story that centers Poppy, a girl who has been adopted by the viceroy and grows up brown-skinned among the white colonizing elite in this society.

I loved the setting and the well-thought-out history of Viryana and its colonization. The plot moved quickly, which was beneficial in the sense that I wanted to keep reading to see what happened, but unfortunately, I think the characters were not as strong as a result. Poppy is hard to root for, and I feel like her internal conflict could have been explored more in-depth to give the reader a better emotional connection to the character. I found myself way more invested in some of the side characters, such as Samina.

The book tackles some highly relevant and important topics surrounding colonization and racism, among others. I completely agree with the book’s message on these issues, but I wish it was more often shown rather than told, as I feel like that would have made it more impactful. Overall, the emotional impact was the main thing I was missing from this book.

I’m excited to see where the story goes, and although I didn’t fully connect with it, I think this was a strong debut!

Thank you so much to Bindery Books for providing a digital Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review!

Overall I really enjoyed To Bargain With Mortals. The social commentary was great and hit on a lot of heavy topics with nuance. I will say I had a hard time connecting with Poppy, but did love her growth in the book. I loved Hasan and the Devar family drama. Sometimes I wished the book would do a little more showing than telling.

A great use of the fantasy lens to examine colonialism. The world is well developed, and the characters are flawed and three dimensional. I do, however, feel like the magic system was underutilized.

I found this book hard to get into but liked the idea of it was the racial and religious aspects. I found it waffled a little much for me, but I know lots of people who would enjoy it. I just found it a bit too predictable and I like to not be able to guess the ending right at the start of a story.

I was granted early access to this title as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

WOW! This is exactly the type of story that I love recommending to people that aren't "fantasy readers." The subtle incorporation of magic, while also maintaining themes of deep cultural significance, is a perfect balance in storytelling. And the juxtaposition of that spiritual resonance with themes of imperialism, classism, and racism pulls the reader in and makes us want to learn more about Poppy and who she is. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoyed the Greenbone Saga, The Fifth Season, and even Bridgerton! To Bargain with Mortals is spectacular, and I can't wait for book 2!

To Bargain with Mortals is a gripping fantasy-political novel set in the colonized nation of Viryana, centering on the fierce and brilliant Poppy Sutherland. Torn between her adopted nobility and her native roots, Poppy’s internal journey is as powerful as the rebellion she sparks. When her despicable fiancé threatens her future, she escapes and joins forces with Hasan Devar, the cunning and magical Jackal. Their dynamic sizzles against a backdrop of divine magic, colonial resistance, and high-stakes intrigue. Basu’s prose is sharp and lyrical, and the world-building is lush and layered. A must-read for fans of historical fantasy with teeth.

A stunning debut novel for the political and coloniser fantasy genres. "To Bargain with Mortals" is ambitious, it is (deservedly) angry, and it acknowledges the deep complexity of the themes it tackles. It doesn't always land perfectly, but it is highly impressive for any political fantasy about colonisation, let alone a debut.

Poppy Sutherland is a native orphan adopted by the Welkland (English) Viceroy (Governor) of colonised Viryana (India). Shunned by Welkish nobility and banned from Virian culture, she belongs nowhere despite harsh societal and parental force to conform and "better herself". As her father's health fades, marriage looks to be the only way Poppy can secure her future - but her choice of fiance throws her into a political storm of police brutality, native uprising, caste and class-tier oppression, and the dark conspiracies of nobility hungry for more power.

The novel's themes are strong, currently-relevant, and very charged. There are several times the novel wavers in their use - on one hand the novel frequently has characters realise how very complicated the situations, politics and themes are, and muse that someone else is overly simplifying them, but on the other hand, the character who most over-simplifies them (Hasan) is frequently positioned as being "more correct" than the characters who recognise the complexities. It muddles the message, which is the main reason I can't give this mostly-stunning debut a full five stars.

The prose is easy to read and very tight - the only places I skimmed were some "newspaper articles" that opened a few chapters, which tended to have far more waffle than the novel's prose.

In any political novel there are going to be many different viewpoints and especially in a political uprising we're going to have characters who do unlikeable or unsympathetic things. Mostly I think the author handled this well. There is one character who became slightly too cartoonish a villain right at the end, after being realistically terrifying for 80% of the novel. I think Poppy was not always handled as well as she could have been: after meeting the Jackal, the novel is quick to villainize Poppy as being so privileged that her struggles don't count. While she undoubtedly has privilege that other Virians don't, it over-simplifies what the novel itself claims are very complex issues. All that being said, I enjoyed most of the characters and apart from the fumble when Poppy first meets other Virians, I think she is presented as a complex yet sympathetic character.

Will I be picking up the sequel? Absolutely.

Rating: 4.5 stars, rounding down as always.

I loved the book! The social commentary on caste, religion and colonization veiled with magic and revenge. I loved every second of it. Thanks netgalley for providing an advance review copy. I'll be posting a detailed review on my page closer to release date.

Engaging plot, with well-developed characters. Slight pacing issues, but still a great read overall. Looking forward to what the author has next!

To Bargain with Mortals is a quiet, emotional fantasy that sneaks up on you. It excellently blends Bengali mythology, grief, identity, and a touch of horror in a way that feels deeply personal and refreshingly different from typical YA fantasy.

The story follows Tara, a Bengali American teen grieving the loss of her grandfather while navigating cultural expectations and the complexities of being caught between two worlds. When she strikes an accidental deal with Yama, the Hindu god of death, her life takes a surreal turn—but the heart of the book remains grounded in real, human emotion.

What stands out is how Basu uses mythology, not just as world-building, but as a mirror for Tara’s inner struggles. The folklore is woven in naturally, without over-explaining, which makes the magic feel more immersive and lived-in. Yama is a calm, eerie presence, and his interactions with Tara are laced with quiet tension.

Tara herself is a fully realised character: angry, loving, guilt-ridden, and messy in a way that’s deeply relatable. Her grief isn’t romanticised, and her struggle to reconcile her American life with her Bengali heritage is handled with care and honesty.

The pacing is slower and more introspective, but it works well for the style of the book. Basu gives space for emotion to land, and her writing has a lyrical quality that adds depth without being too heavy. It’s the kind of book that lingers after the final page.

To Bargain with Mortals by R.A. Basu is an entertaining, action-packed fantasy novel that you'll be flipping the pages over from cover to cover. The main character, Poppy, is an easy character to feel for. Her emotional depth and growth make her story real and compelling. The speed is just right, and the book never slows down.

One of the best aspects of the novel is that it's in various perspectives. That makes the story more profound and the sense of the world and people in the book greater. It's always pleasant to see things from others' eyes, and it makes it more profound than what is going on.

The finale ties everything up, providing the sense of closure but leaving just enough loose ends to make a sequel possible. Whether or not the book is sequelled, however, it is finished and is an uncomplicated stand-alone read.

To Bargain with Mortals is, in all things, a good solid read with excellent character study and never-faltering plot.

To Bargain with Mortals is such a fun and twisty read, with just the right mix of magic, danger, and snarky characters. I loved the vibe—dark, a little mysterious, but still totally readable and fast-paced. If you’re into deals with dangerous beings and morally messy choices, this one’s for you.


Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

To Bargain with Mortals by R. A. Basu
4.3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Poppy is the adopted daughter of the viceroy of Viranya. But she is Virian- brown skinned, dark haired and "uncivilized". She has to make her way to secure her place in the Welkish society. But what will help her achieve this? A husband? Taking control? Or becoming the vicereine herself?
Poppy is quite a likable character and i loved her transformation as she tries to get back to her roots yet makes a place in the high society. But sometimes she lacked taking a firm ground, not the always badass fantasy princess
The male lead, the Jackal or Hasan is more interesting though. He is a gang leader but his soft and empathetic side make him a well written character.
The supporting characters are amazing too with their diverse personalities. I loved it all

As for the plot it deals with a lot of racism, castism, colonization and it is done quite well. The pacing was fast which made it easy to fly through. Although near the end it felt a bit rushed but the setting for the next book seems interesting! As a debut novel the author did amazing and really looking forward to the next one
✨🏛️🌿🔥👩🏽‍🦱🐺

This book was a fun adventure of a fantasy. The world building was well done and I loved the plot. The characters and their development was fantastic, and I loved Poppy the most. Watching her go from scared underdog to a B.A. through the story, finding who she is, was great. There is so much I need to know though, so I'm absolutely looking forward to the next book! I very much recommend this to all fantasy lovers.

I was in a heavy reading slump prior to reading this and it kinda cured me, one chapter in and I remembered why I love reading so much.
I really live all the characters in this book they feel like real people.
The magic system is nothing special but I enjoyed it.
I really love how this book tackles colonialism and racism.
This book is not really romance focused (which was a big plus for me personally)
Overall I had a blast reading this

"How long are you going to let who you are hold you back?"

To Bargain with Mortals is a brilliant, politically driven fantasy with a magic system deeply rooted in the culture and gods of the colonial India-inspired nation of Viryana. The book deals with themes of colonization, racism, and casteism and I think the author handled them beautifully. The characters were incredibly complex and well developed and i found myself invested in each new perspective especially the FMC Poppy, who is born Virian and adopted by the most politically powerful Welkish family in Viryana and raised with their traditions and biases and is struggling to find her place stuck between to two cultures, not fully accepted by either.
R. A. Basu has absolutely cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me through her characters and writing style and I literally can't wait for book two and this one isn't even out yet!

I really wanted to like this one— the premise of the story is super interesting but unfortunately the writing and execution fell flat for me. Overall, the underlying social commentary was interesting (it’s an obvious critique of British-Indian relations, with some commentary also on the Indian caste system), but the writing just doesn’t get all the way there. Poppy isn’t a likable character and I never felt connected to her—and you don’t really get the gratification of seeing if she changes anything in the end once she achieves power.

I also have a pet peeve for magic systems built to read like an old world in every way but the most random components. Sea voyages by ship over months but also cars and tabloids? That didn’t work for me.