This book checks all the boxes!

The brutal Roman-inspired backdrop is intriguing and sets the tone for this book early on. I also really enjoy the nod to gladiators in the title.

The FMC Arvelle is a good mix of strong and broken. She gets things done in her own way, even though she usually needs to push through her impulsiveness to get there.

The glimpses into the past are well done, they’re short and to the point and they always give some new meaning or additional information. Often times when authors pull the story back into the past it disrupts the story so I was happy it was so well done in this book.

I also really enjoyed the pace, this book has trials but they don’t take up the whole book, you get more from it and I loved that. The spice is there but it’s not overdone, the romance is interesting but it takes a backseat to the intrigue and plot, and it leaves you wanting more which absolutely works for a first book in a series.

I will say there are a lot of characters and it’s easy to get them mixed up in the beginning, but I did catch on better by the end.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon/Harper for the ARC!

Anything Stacia Stark writes is always worth reading. This one is definitely going to take off when its releases. Epic tale of love, sorrow, fighting, and a villain that might be worth falling for. It’s very reminiscent of Rome times with magic. And vampires!

4.5/5

This book grabbed me by the throat and did not let go. We Who Will Die is a dark, heart-pounding romantasy with gladiator-style games, cutthroat politics, and a heroine who fights like hell for the people she loves.

Arvelle is fierce, clever, and beautifully flawed—shaped by grief but never consumed by it. Her journey through the deadly Sundering is brutal, but it’s her emotional resilience that hit me hardest. Add in a complex second-chance romance and two dangerously compelling brothers (yes, you can love them both), and I was fully feral.

Stark’s writing balances nonstop tension with raw, emotional depth. It’s not just about survival—it’s about healing, loyalty, and love in the darkest places.

I’m obsessed. I need the next book like yesterday. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

This book was a trip! There were many aspects that I enjoyed and some that fell flat. Things I love about this book. The dual male character love interests. Obviously, one is the main love interest, Tiernon, and the other is the "villain", Rorrick. However, the FMC and Rorrick's relationship is giving "Crave" vibes and I'm here for it! I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers. I can't wait to see what happens in the second book with Rorrick and I'm praying it's a why choose situation. I also adored the unique magic system. The whole world of vampires, magical creatures, and all set during a Roman-inspired era. Yes, please! I also enjoyed the political intrigue and the caste system. It truly adds an emotional depth to the storyline that kept me riveted.

Things I didn't love about this book. A lot was going on and seemed to suffer from just too much and too many plot lines. While I enjoy subplots it was hard to distinguish subplots from the main plot which made the book confusing at times. There are also characters in the book that pop up with little to no information about them and then will be referred to later on in the story again with no real reference. For example, one of the gladiants is murdered, and the FMC needs to identify the body. The reader has minimal connection to this character and ends up not caring that he dies because he hasn't been properly introduced. The world-building was very intense at times but also seemed to lack some basic information. A character or feature of the world or magic system was vaguely mentioned once and was never redescribed, or we never receive further detail. The reader is expected to remember too many details that were not thoroughly flushed out. In general, I feel like this book could definitely be a huge success with increased editing, additional revisions, further clarification of important details, and removal of insignificant information and storylines. Overall, I really liked this book but didn't love it. However, I do want to read the second book. 3.5 Stars rounded up

*I'm In the middle of reading The Kingdom of Lies Series. I have finished the first two books, which were 4.5 and 5 stars respectively, and so now I have a feel for Stacia Starks writing style. Btw, I'm loving that series!!

With that said, We Who Will Die is good. Not as good as Kingdom of Lies but still very good. There were things that I didn't like and things I did.
The things I didn't like was a lot of the world building was very overwhelming for me. All the locations and the people from different kingdoms, and honestly a map would've been helpful here. The other part of this is the hierarchy. A lot of titles were dropped right at the beginning portion of the book and I got lost on who was who and what they were. Again, a glossary or a tree guideline might help with this. As I kept reading it started to straighten out for me but at the beginning portion it felt like a lot of info that I couldn't sort.
I wanted to mention (I took some notes) that at 18% in, Chapter 28, There is a sentence with an error. The only error that I saw. It reads, "The Primus doesn't at me again."
There were 3 instances where 3 characters came into the scene, having never heard their names before in the story and there was no introduction into who they were. I had to use the search function to check because I thought I missed a character. They just came in to the story like they'd been there the whole time. Her memories of Kassia, also kind of took me out of it because it was constant. It felt frequent to me.
These were my issues with the story.

What I liked: I liked all the characters. I liked Arvelle and I liked that her goals were to save her brothers but she didn't hesitate to put herself before others. I liked that alot. I liked the brothers but if I'm being honest here, Rorrick was my favorite from the start. He just had way more personality and he was way more intriguing of the two. There is nothing wrong with Tiernon but you can tell he's the "good" brother. I love how dark and mysterious Rorrick is. The story around Arvelle and her mission and her friendship with Maeva was good. I loved the action scenes where they fight and they train. I love action. The maginari part was cool and I would love to see more of that.

Overall, the story was really good. I wasn't a huge fan of the world building but that is because it just felt a tad overwhelming with info but the story and the plot and the action was really good. Arvelle's story was good and I can't wait to see where this goes from here.

What an amazing read! When I tell you it’s been so long since I couldn’t put a book down like this! I stayed up until 4am and then forced myself to get some sleep but I was so hooked. I love the gladiator/Ancient Rome setting with the magical and vampire twist! The friendships, the betrayals, the bonds, the secrets yet to be unraveled- I can’t believe I read this so early that it’ll be so long before the next one 😭

On the romance side- this could be a slight spoiler….

I’m a mess over this Vampire Diaries-reminiscent brother triangle situation… and I’m definitely a Damon girlie 😜

Think Vampire Diaries meets Hunger Games meets Gladiator. This intense mash up kept me hooked from start to finish. I was SAT!

We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark is the first book in the Empire of Blood series and is a great book. I went into this book blind and absolutely loved it. I love trying to figure out who the FMC is going to end up with while I am reading, and this book had me guessing for a while.
Arvelle is the FMC, and has had a rough life. she is left raising her younger twin brothers, one of whom is very sick and needs medicine that she has trouble paying for.
Then enters Bran, he is a vampire with an offer that seems too good to be true, but Arvelle is desperate to get her brother healed. so she enters the Sundering in hopes to fulfill her end of the bargain she makes with Bran.
while training and competing in the Sundering, the Primus, who is responsible for protecting the emperor, shows an odd interest in Arvelle and keeps telling her she doesn't belong here. Then there is Rorrik, the emperors eldest son who is ruthless and cruel. Arvelle sees him doing something out of character and after that he has her in his sights.
The tension is this book is high, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Book two of the Empire of Blood series will be a must read for me!

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me an E-ARC for this book!🥰

Great first book in a new trilogy. It's got everything we could ask for: vampires, sigilmarked (magic wielders) and mundanes, politics and schemes, games and trials betrayal, mystery and steamy romance 🖤🔥

I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it's unique in every aspect. It sucked me right in and I already can't wait for book 2 after THAT ending! I've got so many questions about Arvelle, Tiernon and most of all RORRIK?! He intrigues me so much I wouldn't even mind a love triangle 😂

And the way Arvelle is mourning. It hit close to home this time around. Especially the next quote. 💔

"It takes strength to mourn. It's... it's easier to wrap yourself in numb apathy and refuse to think of the people you've lost, but that does them a disservice. The pain doesn't go away, it just lingers, waiting until you have no choice but to acknowledge it. But by then, it's grown teeth and claws, and it will shred your entire life apart if you let it."

We Who Will Die is a masterpiece of intrigue and will have you on the edge of your seat in anticipation of how the story will unfold. I cannot wait to see how the story continues in the next book, such amazing writing and plot development!

First of all, I’m so mad I read an arc of this so many months before it comes out bc I don’t have the patience to wait for the next book! This was Vampire Diaries meets Gladiator and was such a fun story to read. I don’t always love gladiator era stories, but this one made it so fun. This book had a few tropes in it that I’m not always a fan of, but it was so well written that I enjoyed them anyways. The tropes didn’t feel like cheap plot devices, but like actual ways to further the story.

I’m a dark villain, Damon (TVD) girly through and through so I’m excited to see more of Rorrik in the next book. I also want to know more about some of those revelations in the end!!! If you like trials, vampires, and genuine emotion/substance, you’re going to like this one. Can’t wait for the next book!!

We Who Will Die is the first book in Stacia Stark’s Roman-inspired romantasy series.

Stacia Stark creates a unique world filled with high stakes, vampires, gods, magical creatures, and gladiator type trials. It can be described as Vampire Diaries meets Gladiator, and I am here for it!

Arvelle is our fierce and determined FMC, willing to do whatever it takes to protect her two younger brothers that she is raising on her own.

Desperate to save her brother Evren, Arvelle must make a binding vow with a vampire, which will have dangerous consequences.

Arvelle must do the impossible, kill the emperor, an ancient vampire forged by the god Umbros himself.

What to expect

-Vampires
-Roman inspired world
-Unique magic system
-Fierce FMC
-Magical creatures
-Gladiator type trials
-Political intrigue
-Dark and broody MMCS

We Who WIll Die will pull you in with its addictive plot, simmering tension, and a world filled with danger and mystery. It is a must read for romantasy lovers.

The world building and character development was done nicely throughout the story. We get glimpses into Arvelle’s past romance which sheds light on the background between her and one of the MMCs.

The story is far from over, and I am dying to see what happens next in Stacia Stark’s Empire of Blood series.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and Stacia Stark for the eARC and the opportunity to read this amazing book!

Hunger Games + Vampire Diaries + Gladiator = A ridiculously addicting read that will have you second guessing everything you know at every turn.

Arvelle makes a deal with a dangerous vampire to save her brother, entering a violent trial with one goal.. kill the emperor (and try to survive). This is a love triangle (maybe... hopefully?) done in the best way - will it be second chance romance or enemies to lovers? I'm secretly wishing for why choose because I still can't decide who to root for.

The action: 10/10. The tension: 10/10. I will be thinking about this book for a long time and am gutted I will have to wait so long for the next book. We Who Will Die will absolutely be THE romantasy of 2026 if I have anything to say about it.

Highly recommend for fans of Serpents and the Wings of Night, Fourth Wing, and anything Sarah J. Maas.

Thanks to Stacia, HarperCollins Publishing, and NetGalley for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

A fast-paced, Roman-era-inspired book filled with twists and turns. The story is set in a magical world of vampires, sigil-marked, maginari, and mere mortals. We follow Arvelle as she is sought out by a vampire and strikes an impossible deal. Arvelle must prove herself over and over to keep her loved ones safe. Stacia Stark does a marvelous job with world-building and character development. Why did I have such strong feelings for side characters?? Truly impressive writing. This book is like Serpent and Wings of Night meets Twilight meets an Ember in the Ashes meets Bride. Gritty and intriguing, I could not put this book down. I am so excited for more books in this series!

Love every bit of the concept/idea of this and ultimately did enjoy it but the pacing made it hard to enjoy throughout the entire thing.

I liked the world building and character introductions but felt like the attention to detail was lost as the story progressed and a lot of the way new things were being introduced became compromised for the sake of packing more and more into the story.

By the end of the book there's so many things going on it felt like tropes and elements of so many stories were trying to be thrown into one. I loved all of the fighting/action scenes and I think those aspects could've been so much more impactful if the things being discovered were given the same length/detail. I think scenes like the library and sneaking around to find the imaginari felt confusing and rushed and would benefit from either the book being longer or ending sooner to give those big moments time to feel like big moments in a second book.

The romance and possible love triangle have so much potential but a lot of their connection felt very "tell" rather than "show"

Overall its fun, fast, and a stand out in terms of its ingenuity combining classic settings with modern fantasy romance/almost dystopian themes. I think it'll sell well in store and be a really fun book for book club discussions.

This book is for the romantasy girlies that just want to get lost in a book and not think too hard. If you flew through Fourth Wing without a care in the world you will fall in love with this Roman inspired, vampire romantasy.
Unfortunately I am primarily a fantasy/sci-fi reader nowadays and felt the main character and world building left a lot to be desired. The main character seems to succeed out of pure luck because she certainly isn't good at planning or decision making and doesn't train as hard as everyone else. The boys make up for this a little bit by continually saving her butt, however I want a strong female character that puts in the leg work and earns it! Additionally, her priorities are all messed up when it comes down to it. She says her brothers are her priority but constantly does things that put everything at risk because she is too much of a bleeding heart. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions and that is what makes characters and stories compelling.
The world building was too chaotic for me and it felt like they just threw in whatever felt cool and convenient. Having magic vampires AND magic people AND oppressed magic beings AND magic aether that powers everything AND potions means that you know there is going to be some magical loophole for any problem.

SO overall, not my cup of tea or something I would recommend to a serious fantasy reader. But if you want a popcorn read with great romantic interests, this could be up your alley.

Thank you for the ARC NetGalley!

Thank you Stacia Stark & Harper Collin’s for the eARC of this book!!

FULL REVIEW!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (INFINITY STARS!!)

I don’t even know how to function now that I’ve finished We Who Will Die. This book grabbed me from page one and never let go. The pacing? Impeccable. The tension? Constant. The obsession? Very real. This is hands-down one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long time—Xaden Riorson level grip on my brain.

The FMC is everything I want in a heroine: strong, confident, clever, and shaped by grief but never defeated by it. She’s not waiting to be saved—she's fearless (even if her decisions are a little reckless haha). The worldbuilding unfolds with such intensity and momentum, and the “games” element gave me dark, delicious gladiator vibes that kept me glued to the page.

Also... the brothers. The BROTHERS!. The dynamic between them gave me total Vampire Diaries energy (in the best possible way). and I genuinely love both (Katherine Pierce voice: "You can love them both, you know. I did"). The tension, the complicated loyalty, the undercurrent of danger—it’s all done SO well. I NEED MORE!

I was constantly surprised by the plot. I guessed one reveal (which felt intentional), but beyond that, I had no idea where this story was going—and I loved it. We’re given just enough insight into the world, the magic, and the stakes to stay fully immersed, but there’s still so much mystery that I know will unravel in the next books. And I’m desperate for them. STACIA PLEASE!! *paces room in strait jacket*

This book was unreal. Perfection. Everything. I flew through it and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. If you like dark fantasy, cutthroat politics, high-stakes romance, deadly competitions, and morally complex characters, do not sleep on this one.

INFINITY STARS. I don't know what I'm going to do until book #2. Probably beg Stacia for crumbs like the desperate creature I am.

Ahoy there, everyone!

Thanks to the Street Team, I got to read Stacia Stark's newest book in advance – my first by this author, and I was immediately excited! 🤩

We're immediately plunged into a fascinating world reminiscent of the Roman Empire, but ruled by an ancient vampire. Alongside mortals, there are Sigil-bearers and vampires. The captivating writing style instantly drew me into the story! 📖

Our protagonist makes a vow with a vampire to save her brother: she must kill the Emperor. She's not an easy character, and it took me a while to warm up to her, but her motives were always understandable. ✨

The first half took a bit to build the world and characters. But the second half more than makes up for it with a dark atmosphere and compelling tension! We meet vivid characters – I found Rorrik particularly fascinating! The dynamic between Velle and her ex, however, remained a bit bland for me. 🤷‍♀️

Power games, a cult, rebels, and gladiatorial fights – all of this made for huge reading fun! I can barely wait for the second part! 😍

I love this world and plot and can highly recommend this book to you all! If you're fans of Gladiator and Vampire Diaries, you absolutely shouldn't miss this story! A definite read recommendation! ✨

WE WHO WILL DIE is such a fun, unique twist on the classic Gladiator story!

I went into this one strictly expecting warriors in an arena, having not read the synopsis about the power of vampires in this world. I ended up pleasantly surprised by how fun and unique this world-building was--it reminded me of Hunger Games a bit with the connection between our FMC and her brothers, then a total shift done well with so many classic creatures from Greek Mythology. It's like if Gladiator 2 didn't suck (LOL). I specifically remember reading the ship scene in the arena, and thinking, "this is how the second Gladiator movie should have pulled it off!"

The romance thread in this is really interesting, told by a lot of flashbacks (I love an emotional flashback thread), with the added intensity of a royal tossed in. Really fun, easy to read, quick flowing prose, and overall just a fun read. I think readers will love this one!

Lots of action and suspense. Couple of surprises. It was hard to put down. Can’t wait for the next one!