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.

Review: To Bargain With Mortals

To Bargain With Mortals is a historical fantasy deeply rooted in themes of racism, colonization, and identity. The story follows Poppy Sutherland, who returns home after seven years away, sent off by her adoptive family for a past transgression. Determined to secure her place in Welkish society, she struggles with belonging to neither world.

Opposing her are the Devar brothers, particularly Hassan, the youngest. As Virian natives colonized by Welkland, they wield magic and power to serve their own ambitions.

This novel is beautifully character-driven, with each protagonist undergoing meaningful growth. Poppy’s journey is especially compelling as she grapples with self-perception and belonging. The world-building and magic system are rich, and the pacing never falters. While the book leaves some loose ends for future installments, it avoids a frustrating cliffhanger, making it a satisfying read. I’m eager to return to this world and see what the author does next!

Thank you to Bindery Books and NetGalley for early access to this book.

To Bargain with Mortals by R.A. Basu is such a good story. This author is a genious! I loved everything about this story. The characters are fantastic, the story is immaculate!

I was drawn to this story because of the description: "a stunning reflection on politics and purpose, blood and allegiance—and what we do with the histories we inherit."

The author dealt fairly with the hypocrisy of the welkish people and their 'founder's beliefs' (the welkish religion itself was stunted, but possibly making it otherwise would make for a much longer book), while also not letting the virian's religion off the hook for its role in promoting castism.

Probably my biggest take away was the portrayal of hinduism - I don't know enough about hinduism to tell how real some of those parallels are, but I hope they are, because while I've done some research on hinduism, I generally find it shrouded in mystery. 

There were some beautiful portrayals (such as the play Hasan puts on for Poppy), as well as other, more chilling ones of the gods they worship, and this book has probably done more in helping me begin to understand hinduism than any non-fiction book I've read, so thank you to the author for that.

Many great parallels were laid out between this story and actual historical events with some keen insights on human suffering and how we respond to the suffering of others in our desperation to defend our beliefs or justify our actions (or lack).

Poppy and Hasan's character arc was well done.

On the other side of things, the resentment was heavy, and there was not much to redeem it. 

I sometimes appreciate resentment (<i>Kristin Lavransdatter</i> has it in spades, and I consider it mandatory reading), but this one left me feeling uneasy, like it would only doom the cycle of injustice and violence to repeat.

The end fell flat for me, though there were a scattering of moments that granted some light in events that felt overwhelmingly bleak and bitter. 

All the talk about tearing down old legacies makes me wary, mostly because I never know what people mean by it. Does it mean replacing unjust laws with just ones? Or does it mean destroying everything your enemies touched/everything that's ever shown signs of corruption? If it's the latter, how do you prevent corruption in the new system (unless your focus is true and just laws, in which case why wouldn't it mean the former)?

And if it's the former, why the violent language? Because the words we choose to use have power.

Over all, an intriguing read in a beautiful and dynamic setting, and certainly a valuable one to discuss. The slide and sludge of the resolution took this from a four star to a three star for me, but I'd like to finish this series. There were some unexpected turns in this one, so I hope my predictions are proved wrong in the next one and we continue to see these characters develop.  I wish the author all the best with her work.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

While I liked several aspects of the novel, I felt like the book could use some major tweaks to make it a more enjoyable read. I didn’t find myself rooting for our protagonist, Poppy. I felt like her character was kind of a mix of many different fantasy heroines and she didn’t feel real to me. This is an adult fantasy, yet it definitely came across as YA to me. The main villain of the story just felt like a stereotype. This book has heavy topics, and I think it’s doing a disservice to its reader not to make the stakes seem higher.

I am intrigued enough by the loose ends to pick up the sequel one day.
Thank you Bindery and Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review. This was the first book I've read by R. A. Basu, and it definitely won't be the last. The story was intriguing, the world building complex and the characters kept you on the edge of your seat wondering what they were going to do next.
While there was a lot to remember, the complex story made sense as it played out and every character had an important role. The magic system and political system were intricately linked, which is a concept I love, and the fact that each character had to make sacrifices for their end goals made it all the more heart wrenching. I loved this story and will definitely be recommending it.

Wow, this book was amazing. It had everything I love in a great Fantasy; an easy to understand magic system, an underestimated FMC, a violent, hot-headed MMC and a strong political system. This story left nothing on the table and I had such a great time with this book.

All of the characters in the story are so flawed and imperfect, especially Poppy and Hasan. Even through I found myself rolling my eyes or sighing out loud at some of the decisions these characters made I still found that it made sense for the story and I understood their motivations. The character growth for Poppy especially was so great, There were moments throughout this story were I found myself unsure of if I wanted Poppy to succeed, which made it all the more powerful when I was fully rooting for her in the end. And Hasan's relationship with his brothers is so complex and emotional, some of the scenes between Hasan and Zayar were so tense I found myself gripping my ebook a little too aggressively. The author did such an incredible job of living in this gray area with all of their characters, nothing was black or white and even the oppressed Viryans experienced discrimination amongst each other. No side was without fault.

The magic system was awesome, and I LOVED the idea of having to sacrifice something in order to procure power. It's such a simple concept but it was turned into such a powerful moment for Poppy in the story. And the political system was so well fleshed out, I loved all of the intricacies between the first families, second families, and the Viryans. It was so complex but so well thought out, and I never once felt like I couldn't keep track of who was what or where. It was all explained so well.

If you love fast-paced fantasies with strong character growth, powerful magic and a complex but easy to understand political system I would highly recommend picking up this book, I can't wait to purchase a physical copy when this is published!

To Bargain With Mortals is a historical fantasy, heavily steeped in themes of racism, colonization, and the characters’ own internal biases.

It is about Poppy Sutherland, who is just returning from seven years away from her home. She was sent away to gain an “education” by her adoptive family because of a transgression she committed, and we learn later as readers. Her goal is to secure her place within Welkish society.

It is also about the Devar brothers, mainly Hassan, the youngest of the group. They are part of the Virian natives who have been colonized by Welkland. They use their magic and privilege as heads of a gang, to mainly further their own pursuits.

I really loved the world and magic system. More than anything though this was character driven, and each character had an arc of growth and change that makes sense for where they started and where they end up. Poppy‘s growth is especially beautiful to see because she has to come to terms with how she sees herself as never really being part of either world due to her upbringing.

The flow of this worked really well, I was never bored and there was always enough going on to keep me interested in what was going to happen next. I also enjoyed that there is not a cliffhanger at the end of this. If not for some loose ends, this could almost be a standalone. And those are always the best books to read when you know it is part of an unfinished series. I am excited to see more from this world and from this author.

Feeling conflicted and I need to gather my thoughts.

I admit I rarely pick up fantasy books because the issues of the world sit heavy on my mind. It’s hard to escape. So when I do pick one up, I know my notes will be long because my thoughts just pick up on many things. What do I want from a fantasy book? In a fantastical world showcase the arduous fight it takes for characters to make change for equality, visibility, and the truth.

To Bargain with Mortals had good intentions but struggled with execution. I really appreciated the commentary on classism, race, cultural erasure, genocide, poverty, colonization and so much more. But it lacked bite. I didn’t find Poppy to be a lead that I could cheer on, Hasan was intriguing, and the number of side characters were good but this could’ve been left out to strengthen the clear leads. I really struggled with Poppy, truly I tried but felt the side female characters to be stronger despite limited page time.

Don’t get me wrong I liked this book but certain things for me need to be reworked. I would move around certain narratives, character arcs, and emotional intensity. Giving this 3.5 stars.

My thanks to Bindery Books for the digital arc.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC copy of the book!

I absolutely devoured this book and had trouble putting it down. This is a fast-paced fantasy with a well constructed world and a heavy emphasis on the politics within the world. The characters were written very well and had so much depth to them that developed over the whole course of the book. I am very much looking forward to the next installment and getting into more of the worldbuilding.

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

I absolutely ate this up. It was one of those “I stayed up all night reading this story” for me. Poppy is character arc goals, and I honestly just want to be her when I grow up. I absolutely loved watching her experiences and the experiences of others change her from page to page. I, too, was chanting “Poppy! Poppy! Poppy!” alongside the Virians. Right now we need empathy more than ever, and this really gave me hope. “Poppy already had power-and with it, a responsibility to care for those without.” WE ESPECIALLY NEED EMPATHY IN PLACES OF POWER.

And when we don’t see the change we want in the world, we should recognize we’re the majority and do something about it. “ Will you risk mutiny? Those are your workers, your servants, your farmers. No amount of formal education or leadership experience can make up for the loyalty of the people. You are in the minority, and you would do well to remember it.”

I’ll probably think of more coherent things to say soon, but just add it to the TBR. If you liked Jade City, Babel or Blood Over Bright Haven, you will love To Bargain with Mortals. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. Fingered crossed for a little Hasan & Poppy situationship. I REALLY hope the Savana and Altan story was beautiful foreshadowing.

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. To Bargain with Mortals is a strong and unique addition to the fantasy genre. I'm already absolutely desperate to read the sequel.

Poppy is such a fierce and complicated protagonist. I completely fell in love with her and her quest to understand her identity and carve out a place for herself in the world.
Hasan is impulsive and so so stubborn, but his love for his family and his people guides so many of his actions that you can't help but love him.

The world-building in this is fantastic. It's inspired by a colonized India, with the magic system adding additional layers of complexity to the existing systems of oppression. The magic system that R.A. Basu has created is so unique, and one of my favorite parts of the story was the history lessons and explanations of how it works.

My eternal gratitude to Bindery for the opportunity to read and review this early. I loved it so much.

To Bargain With Mortals is a South Asian fantasy that centers on Poppy Sutherland, a young woman adopted by a colonial viceroy, who struggles to find her place between the Welkish colonizer society she's been brought into and the colonized Virian community she's been pulled away from. This story explores the different layers of power and oppression, and how to tear them down.

Poppy and Hasan, the oddly idealistic crime lord Poppy crosses paths with, are both deeply flawed characters whose prejudices and over-simplified moral convictions are continually challenged throughout the story. Poppy, having been raised within Welkish noble society, has sympathy for the suffering of the Virian community, but still has a tendency to view herself as the ultimate victim of Welkish racism. Hasan believes firmly in fighting Welkish rule and returning power to the previous rulers of Viryana—his own caste. Like Poppy, he fails to recognize the suffering of those below him in status and the ways he participates in that harm. Both of them are challenged repeatedly, and those call-outs were some of the most satisfying moments in the book.

It's realistic that neither Poppy nor Hasan suddenly unlearn their prejudices from a few lectures, and both have moments that it feels they backslide into their more aggravating habits. As realistic as it may be, I was frustrated by Poppy's continued fixation on her "birthright" to hold colonial power. I have no doubt that this will be challenged in the second installation of this duology, but I was surprised how much the arc of this book relied upon electoral politics to challenge colonial oppression.

The resolution felt like it came together a bit too smoothly to me. It portrayed a willingness by Welkish colonizers to compromise with or concede to the people they've colonized, even for a moment, that felt a bit unrealistic. Ultimately, I appreciate the themes of this story and what it was trying to do, even if the narrative didn't come together perfectly for me. Many of my criticisms may be a product of not having seen the full story arc, and I'm curious to see where it goes in book 2.

I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for a review.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I thought that the characters, specifically our main character Poppy, were really well developed, and even over the course of this one installment grew and developed tremendously. You can really feel and understand Poppy's struggles, and I loved the way the author handled the balance between Poppy's hardships as minority in a majority-white space not being brushed aside and acknowledging the more difficult and systemic struggles her people have faced. I loved the political maneuvering, as well as the tense relationships between the characters. I'm also a sucker for books exploring dysfunctional and complex familial relationships, and there was definitely a lot of that lol. I can't wait for the sequel!

This book took me on an emotional journey! Prepare to cry! I loved the FMC in this, I love when the main character is underestimated and ends up proving everyone wrong! On top of that, the FMC and other characters were relatable and extremely well written! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physically so I can annotate it!

<i>Huge thanks to Bindery and Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I really enjoyed this! It's got everything that a great fantasy needs: an interesting magic system, an underestimated but powerful female main character, a hot-headed but just male main character, and a people ready to rise and stand up to those who have colonized and exploited them for centuries.

I think what I appreciated the most with this book is that nothing is black and white. No side is perfect here, because even the Virians have had issues with discrimination and exploitation among themselves, long before the white oppressors arrived. So, to work together and cause actual change, they have to better themselves and admit their faults on various levels.

Another excellent part of the reading experience was watching the characters grow and develop. In the beginning, Poppy is ruled by fear and self pity so much that she doesn't recognize her privilege and only sees her own victimhood as important. But she learns, and meets new people, and listens to their stories, and learns about her own powerss and where they come from—and she changes her ways. The same goes for Hasan: by the end, the hot headed gangster whose only idea and response to everything is violence tries his hand at diplomacy and working for the good of his people without any personal gain. It was lovely to see!

I'm very excited to read the sequel and see where these characters end up. There were a lot of loose ends here that also intrigue me. And let's face it: we're all waiting for the Hasan & Poppy romance!

I'm so happy I got the chance to read this before release, what an honor! Please add it to your TBRs if you love fast-paced fantasy books with realistic characters, great world-building, and important commentary on colonization, racism, and oppression. It's impressive that it's only a debut novel!

To Bargain with Mortals by R.A. Basu masterfully intertwines magic, politics, and identity in a colonized world. The story follows outcast heiress Poppy Sutherland and gang leader Hasan Devar as their paths collide, sparking a revolution. With rich world-building, gripping themes, and unforgettable characters, this first book in the Reckoning Storm duology is a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts.

My favorite books are the ones where I don't even know what words to write in a review because feelings can be difficult to translate.

Poppy is such a unique character, one who strays from the typical heroine stereotypes. She is smart and brave, but she is also flawed and naive, and we get to watch her be confronted by her own bias and grow from it. Character development for the win!

The Devar brothers are a perfect example of family dynamics. And while I adore Hasan and disagreed with Zeyar's bargain, I understand them both. Looking forward to seeing all three brothers together again.

The layered racism in this book really adds depth to the typical "good vs evil" story. I loved the slow reveal of the relationship between vasudhakt and daivyakt as we learned the different points of view. One of my favorite parts in the book was the vasudhakt maid chewing out Harithi.

I do hope Richard makes another appearance. I felt his exit was a little too easy given how much power he had and the entire plan to blackmail Poppy. His exile seemed to be more of plot convenience, so I hope we haven't heard the last of him (if for no other reason then so Poppy can get her revenge).

Lastly, I GREATLY appreciate the book not ending on a cliffhanger. It makes me excited for the next book but not frustrated at being left on the edge.