This was a unique romantasy read, which is a rare find these days. I really enjoyed the Roman-inspired setting and the gladiator-style action. Adding vampires and other magical elements kept things exciting and fresh.

The main character could be frustrating at times, making some questionable decisions, but her journey felt intentional. I appreciated how the story explored themes of power and morality, and how her own struggles with being a "good person" were highlighted.

The world-building was a lot to keep up with, blending different magical elements like vampires and sigils, along with gods. While most of my questions were answered by the end, a few things about the world are still a bit cloudy.

Overall, this was an intriguing and fun addition to the genre, and that major cliffhanger has me eagerly waiting for the next book!

This was SO GOOD!!! I can't wait for the next book!!! Gladiators with vampires and a touch of the vibes I enjoyed in the Crave series. 😍

This book gives Gladiators meet Vampires feelings for the entire thing! I was on the edge of my seat for every page and cannot wait for book 2! The slow burn romance was sweet, but also kept me guessing. Arvelle is a strong-willed FMC. She shows character growth throughout the whole story and even though I am neither a gladiator nor a vampire, I felt she was very relatable. I cared about every single side character and the plot twists and turns all kept me guessing. I had no idea what was going to happen next, but I could not wait to keep reading to find out more. Thank you so much to Stacia Stark and Harper Collin’s Publishers for letting me read this ARC.

3.25 stars, minimal spice. This book has the potential to turn into a good series, however I feel like there are a lot of plot holes and info dumps that may not necessarily be needed in the story. A LOT happens but is it all really necessary to the story? (Being book 1 in a series we will have to wait and see!) The world building shouldn’t have been as hard to understand as it was (I was constantly searching my kindle book to see if I missed an explanation for a word/thing… I still don’t understand how one is “sired”). I’m also confused with the romance storyline (maybe that’s on purpose?). It kind of felt like we really didn’t get anywhere in the plot/nothing vital was really revealed, even though a lot happened. And for being a bodyguard, shouldn’t Arvelle be in better shape??

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Combine a brutal competition that is a blend of Hunger Games and Serpent and the Wings of Night with Vampire Diaries and you've got yourself another 5 Star Romantasy by Stacia Stark. I loved the pace of the world building and the multiple mysteries you slowly unravel throughout the book. The slow burn and sexual tension is amazing and FRUSTRATING, but in THE BEST WAY. While there are a few things I could have predicted there were a LOT of unexpected twists and I LOVE when an author throws a curve ball I wasn't expecting. The end actually has me wanting to immediately RE-READ the book to now that I know one of the big reveals! Because half of the story line will be seen in a whole new way!!!! EEEEEEE!!!!!!!

I'm so appreciative of the opportunity to get to read an ARC release but knowing the book won't go public for a while is BRUTAL because I am screaming to get my hands on the next book in the Empire of Blood series! :-P I don't want to wait!!!

A Couple of My Favorite Quotes:
"All this time I thought leaving you smashed my heart into pieces, and I'd be picking shards out of my chest until the day I died. But my heart wasn't smashed. I left it with you, and you've held it hostage ever since."

"Murder and life-ruining aren't the only things I find fun." His gaze drops suggestively to my neck before lingering on my lips. "Maybe you'll learn all about the other things that amuse me, little rabbit."

Spice: 2 chili peppers... it's more about the slow burn and angst, which are delicious

Hate to love, forced proximity, slow burn, Vampire Diaries x gladiator, arena fighting/gladiator competition, world inspired by Ancient Rome, family held hostage, vengeful gods, magical creatures, betrayal, high stakes, political intrigue and plots

Arvelle has been doing everything she can to keep her and her brothers fed and housed, while also trying to make enough money for the life saving medication her brother needs. But one day a vampire arrives to threaten her brothers and coerce her into being his champion in an arena competition and then kill the emperor. Once there, she struggles with who to trust and tries to avoid the wrath of a high ranking warrior who has decided she doesn't belong and the unwanted attention of the emperor's cruel son.

What a fun world this was with gladiators and vampires and other magical creatures! The way the magic is set up was also unique. I loved the flashback scenes as we got more and more details of Arvelle and a certain someone's past. I don't want to say too much because while I guessed some of the twists/reveals, I don't want to spoil them! The twists definitely had me feeling all the feels! I definitely am so intrigued by where things are going at the end and I CANNOT WAIT for the next book!!

Ok you had me at ‘Roman-inspired world ruled by merciless vampires’. SOLD! This was Gladiator meets The Serpent and the Wings of Night. It had gladiatorial battles as trials, magical creatures, a cool magical system in the way of sigils, political intrigue, found family, some slow burn and possible love triangle? Oh, and vampires. I didn’t realize how easily vampires fit into the upper echelon of Ancient Rome, but now I can’t unsee it!

Cannot wait for this to catch fire when it is released so I can get to the next installment quicker.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

Thank you HarperCollins Publishing and NetGalley for the eArc of We Who Will Die!

This was Vampire Diaries meets Hunger Games and Gladiators....and it was perfection.

Tropes:
- Ennemies-to-lovers
- Second-chance romance
- Gladiators / fight to the death
- Forced proximity

Every time I read one of Stacia's books, I get completely swept it the characters and their story. And this was no exception. It was a rollercoaster of emotions I just couldn't get enough of. The pacing was perfect, and although I usually think trials are kinda overdone in romantasy, they didn't bother me at all in this. I actually quite enjoyed seeing Arvelle's progress and growth between each trial.

Stacia has a way to capture your attention like no other. The fighting scenes were as captivating as the chill dialogues between the characters. I'm not usually a fan of first-person POVs, but I loved this. Arvelle is such a bad ass FMC already, I truly love her so much and can't wait for what's to come for her.

AND THE MEN. Ok...to be honest, I wasn't sure about the Vampire Diaries part of this story. But then..."Hello, Brother."
I was hooked, to say the least. Honestly, if you love the Damon and Stefan rivalry/relationship, you'll LOVE this (ps. team Damon here). The banter was top tier!

I am SO excited for book 2 it's a CRIME I'll have to wait until next year.
Mark my words, this will EXPLODE on booktok (in a good way).

Dark, intense, and utterly addictive. We Who Will Die sinks its teeth into you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Set in a brutal vampire-ruled empire, this book delivers a high-stakes mix of gladiator arenas, dangerous politics, hidden magic, and a heroine you can’t help but root for.

Arvelle is fierce, loyal, and determined to protect her brothers at any cost—even if that means binding herself to a vow to kill the emperor himself. Thrown into the deadly Sundering trials, she must navigate alliances, old wounds, and the haunting presence of the Primus—her once-lover, now a powerful vampire protector. And then there’s Rorrik, the emperor’s wicked son with secrets of his own, who might be just as dangerous to her heart as to her mission.

Stacia masterfully blends grit and emotion, carving out a world that feels ancient, bloody, and real. The banter is amazing, the pacing tight, and the emotional payoff worth every bruise.

If you mixed some Hunger Games with The Vampire Diaries and sprinkled on some Blood of Hercules you have We Who Will Die.
I loved how Stacia broke the mold by creating a world of gods and monsters, vampires and magic all based in Greek mythology.
This book is filled with tension, action, secrets and of course romance. The love story though between Arvelle and Tiernon isn’t the main part of this book. The love between her and her brothers is way more the focus.
With so many questions left unanswered at the end of this book it leaves you dying for book 2!

Thank you netgalley for this arc!

I LOVED this book and I will be very impatiently awaiting the next!! The angst?!? The characters?!?! Ugh, it’s one of those books that you read and the next dozen books you read will pale in comparison.

We Who Will Die (arc)
Anticipated release January 20, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark-I devoured this book and I'm already desperate for the next one.
This story is packed with suspense, plot twists, and betrayals I did not see coming. The world is unique and layered, with three types of people. There are vampires, sigilmarked (they have elemental magic with a unique ranking system), and mundane (those without powers) There are also mythological creatures that added to the Romanesque vibe of the book
The trials were intense, the side characters were also quite unique and loveable.
Also-one of the male main characters? Morally grey with serious Blake from The Wolf King vibes. A bad guy you can't help but love. I'm obsessed. There's even a hint of a potential love triangle in future books and I am so here for the chaos.
I went absolutely feral for this book and read it within 48 hours despite getting ready for a trip and being quite busy. It consumed me and it was all I could think about. Romantasy lovers will froth at the mouth for this one. I don't know how I'm going to manage to wait for the next one.

The next big viral romantasy book. I’ve read everything Stacia has written and have loved it! Gladiators, Vampires, Mythical Creatures, and some intense plot twists...this book had it all and it didn’t disappoint. Arvelle has a TON of character growth through this book. There are times when she made me frustrated me, made me proud, and disappointed me. This also had a ton of drama and I was so ready for it. The side characters were a lot of fun and made the story that much more enjoyable. The romance was a slow-burn and it sizzles in the background, with just enough angst, history, and emotional depth to leave you aching for more. The Primus is all intensity and mystery, while Rorrik-the emperor's sadistic son-manages to steal scenes with unpredictable energy and a hint of something more beneath the surface. The push-pull dynamic and unclear loyalties between all three characters will have romantasy lovers hooked. have so many questions after that ending and can't wait to see how everything unravels next. I would recommend this book to all romantic fantasy readers!

Wow!! I absolutely loved this book. Such a cool blend of Roman inspired with vampires, humans with magic, politics, rebels and a compelling romance story.

We Who Will Die follows Arvelle, a former champion of The Sands competition turned contract bodyguard who is looking after her brothers who are twins, one of which who is very sick with a lung disease. Arvelle is approached by a vampire who offers her an opportunity she cannot pass up - to heal her sick brother. All she has to do is enter The Sundering - a deadly gladiator competition and join the Emperor's guard.... and eventually kill the emperor. No biggie, right?

Arvelle has such a complex history and has dealt with so much in her life. The flashbacks are done inside chapters and are short and have immediate application to the current scene - I love this style and appreciate enhanced background and context as the story progresses.

Arvelle and the Primus have immediate tension and it's really interesting who they are when they're eventually revealed. Rorrik was also a super interesting character - seems somewhat morally black at first glance but looks can be deceiving. I really like how Stacia Stark had little reveals here and there and never gave everything away. I didn't pick up on a lot of things and am so looking forward to rereading upon release!

What a great book. I am so excited for this new series!!

Thank you so much Harper Voyager and Avon Books for the advance review copy.

Another amazing book from Stacia Stark. With so many twists and turns the plot is completely unpredictable and hard to see what is coming next. The main female character is fierce brave and loyal to a fault. The unique storyline keeps the reader intrigued page after page and I cannot wait to see where the author takes this series next.

🩸🔥 We Who Will Die is a fierce, blood-soaked romantasy that will grab you by the throat and not let go. If you're into deadly competitions, morally gray vampires, found family stakes, and the kind of slow-burn tension that makes you want to scream into your pillow—this book delivers.

Set in a brutal Roman-inspired world ruled by merciless vampires, Arvelle is a heroine you’ll root for with your whole heart. She enters a deadly arena to assassinate the emperor—but to survive, she’s forced to team up with the vampire who broke her heart and the sadistic prince who may hold the key to her forbidden powers.

What to expect:
⚔️ Gladiator-style trials
💔 Second chance romance
🧛‍♂️ Scheming, powerful vampires
💥 Tension you can feel
🩸 A magically binding vow with impossible stakes

The political intrigue, combat, and supernatural twists are top-tier—but it’s the emotional undercurrent and sizzling dynamics that make this a standout. And that deluxe edition? Absolutely worth it.

Perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, Fourth Wing, and The Shadows Between Us. Preorder it. Devour it. Obsess over it.

The book was really mundane. It really struggled to move on and flow. This writing was not for me. I found the writing and story line pretty similar to bloodgaurd.

This one deserves all the hype! Think Gladiator with a cool magic system, vampires/mundanes and political machinations. Add in some badass characters, a dash of yearning and you have the potential for an excellent series to come!
I didn't see the plot twists coming and I love it when the author can surprise me!
I truly enjoyed reading this and can't wait to continue the series.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book, I loved the setting, loved the characters and loved the whole vibe.

I am a huge fan of Stacias books, and this was no different. She has a beautiful writing style that just lulls you in and you can't stop reading.

Arvelle was a fabulous FMC, strong, courageous, self sacrificing and eternally loyal. She has suffered such immense loss and heartbreak and this is so beautifully portrayed, you can't help but want her to survive everything that is thrown at her.

I really liked Tiernon and I even have a little soft spot for Rorrik, the ending left me super excited to see how all their relationships evolve.

This is definitely an excellent fantasy romance book and I think it will most definitely be the next big thing once its released.

Wow I really did not like this. The main character is dumb in a way that eventually gets explained away but not before I can’t stand her. The male romantic lead is bland. There are WAY too many other characters I could barely tell them apart. The only interesting character was the one clearly being set up to be the real romantic lead ala ACOTAR.

The first 60% was an incredible slog before anything interesting happens. Finally but the end I felt like they were introducing a plot I wanted to read and wasn’t just filler.

This world is also just way too incredibly bleak. No one was having any bit of fun.