I absolutely loved this book. I was not sure what to expect with the theme being similar to gladiators, but I was definitely blown away by how captivating it was literally from the first chapter….. The characters are so well thought out & I am fully invested in Arvelle & definitely ready to eat Rorrik (IYKYK). Loved this book. I’m thinking it’s about to be my next most anticipated trilogy.

Holy infinity stars. This is a five star book, no questions asked! We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark is an electric, emotionally charged fantasy that grabs hold of your heart and doesn’t let go. The story is told from our main character Arvelle’s perspective navigating extreme poverty and trying to find the healing so desperately needed for her brothers.

With fierce characters, simmering tension, and a unique romantasy plot like NONE other, Stark crafts a story that’s as brutal as it is beautiful. If you’re craving a read that will haunt you, thrill you, and keep you up way past midnight, this is the one. Don’t walk—run to this book.

I don’t even know how I could possibly fit everything wonderful about this book into a review. This is going to be one of the biggest books of next year, without a doubt. We Who Will Die includes a strong FMC, arena/gladiator style fights, powers, vampires, gods, magical vows and love drama.
Arvelle comes in as a capable, strong woman right off the bat. She’s faced with a devastating choice and is forced to enter the arena to compete to be in the emperor’s guard, leaving her brothers behind and potentially in danger. She must work to fulfill her vow to one dangerous vampire while balancing interactions with a vampire from her past and the emperor’s dangerous vampire son.
“You don’t see each other in the present. He’s still trying to save you, and you’re still trying to be his escape.” 😩
She must avoid detection by those around her and the emperor himself. Oh, not to mention she has to STAY ALIVE both in the arena and out. We see Arvelle struggle with past loss, grief, and love throughout all while uncovering things about herself and everything she thought she knew.

This book will keep you twisting and up reading all night because you can’t put it down! This author has a way of creating such depth in characters and the plot is more than I could have asked for.
If you enjoy conspiracy, brutal fights, and heart wrenching love interest then We Who Will Die is absolutely for you.
I can’t wait to see what comes next @staciastark.

Special thanks to Avon/HarperCollins for the read!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who has to wait until January 2026 to get their hands on We Who Will Die. This book is everything: Vampires, magic, mythical creatures, ruthless gladiator-style battles, and a fierce, cold, yet empathetic FMC who commands the page. Add in two morally grey, possessive brothers who are as dangerous as they are devoted, and I was hooked.

Stacia Stark delivers a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy that never lets up. The world-building is rich, the stakes are high, and the tension (both romantic and otherwise) is constant. And the cliffhanger? Absolutely brutal—in the best way. I’m officially nursing a full-blown book hangover and will be diving into her other series while I wait for the next installment.

Highly recommend for fans of gritty romantasy with bite.

‘…a slow-burn romantasy set in a Roman-inspired world ruled by merciless vampires. Filled with breathtaking combat, vengeful gods, and magical creatures, We Who Will Die is the epic first installment in an enthralling new series perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent, Jasmine Mas, and Rebecca Yarros.’

Did someone say vampires? Hell yes! I couldn’t dig into this one fast enough.

Exciting, sexy, wicked, clever and vengeful, Stark hit the mark with We Who Will Die. Try not to chew off all your nails reading this one!

And the windup! Ooof! That ending easily guaranteed to keep me hungry with crushing anticipation until the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this arc in exchange for review! I am always grateful.

Pub: 1.20.2026

🌕Mystery/suspense
🌖Plot twists
🌗Vampire Diaries vibes brothers
🌘Character growth
🌑Gladiator trials
🌒Vengeful gods
🌓Second chance romance
🌔Love triangle or why choose?

What a great blend of vampires meets Roman Empire. The atmosphere really puts you in the arena alongside the fmc and the story handles grief and loss so heartbreakingly well.

FMC: Arvelle grew up impoverished and with an addict mother so she became the sole caretaker to her younger brothers. She’s also trying to run from the grief of seeing her best friend killed in front of her and the simultaneous abandonment of her lover 6 years ago. She’s forced into a bargain to train and fight in the gladian arena all to get close enough to assassinate the Emperor.

Her growth through the story is absolutely phenomenal and the romance that gets rekindled was 💋chefs kiss💋 I loved getting their backstory from her memory flashbacks of childhood, from friends to crushes and eventually into lovers.

MMC’s: We have two brothers here, definitely Vampire Diaries coded cause Tiernon is our broody boi and Rorrik is ummmm the toxic boi lol 🤭 he’s so secretive and I manically want to know everything, now!!! Not sure if this is going to turn out to be a love triangle or why choose but I’m hoping for the latter!!!

I could not put We Who Will Die down and several days after finishing this story, I'm still thinking about certain scenes, interactions, and plot twists. This is a fun, absorbing, wild ride of a book. We Who Will Die is a vampiric romantasy of epic drama and a crazy love triangle and at its heart, protagonist Arvelle is a character who I can't help but root for. Arvelle's determination, strength, and resolve make her a dynamic fmc; her experiences and struggles as the oldest daughter of her family as well as its sole provider make me think about the ways in which she learns, in this book, how to care for her loved ones as well as herself, and how to begin healing after devastating loss and trauma. I love Stacia Stark's books and We Who Will Die is no different!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and publishers Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I read this book in two days, over the course of my vacation and trip to the Harper Collins Canada Frenzy event, and honestly, it was entertaining as hell. I am an archaeologist, so I really enjoy reading Roman or Greek inspired novels, and this one made great use of roman terms and political schemes, staying true (generally) to how the Roman Empire works. With all fantasy books, creative liberties are taken, but the inaccuracies did not take away from the story, and did not bother me as much as other books did (think blood of Hercules).

This book was action packed, had things happening all the time, and kept me on the edge of my seat with it's fast paced mystery and, well, coliseum violence. I can only describe this as a sexy action packed version of Gladiator, with a healthy sprinkle of sharp tongued vampires.

That being said, it was challenging to determine which brother was the love interest (which I'm sure was the point), and with the reveal at the end in regards to the two brother's history with Velle, it was reminiscent of Vampire Diaries in so many ways (which I did not HATE per-se, but idk, undecided at this time). The main character was likeable, and honestly took very rational courses of action, and was not very cringe.

BUT. The plot was not very strong. The driving force, or rather main issue in the story that had to be resolved was, what felt like drawn out, and could have been solved much faster if Ti was on the ball, which irritated me. I definitely liked the bad boy brother better, as I am sure most readers did by the end.

But, given the weak-ish plot, and the climax of the story, I give this three stars. Would read the second, but feel the execution could have been done better.

This was everything I hoped it would be! There was gladiator type fights, there was tension, there was romance, there was vampires and there are theories I'm thinking of that I hope will be confirmed in book 2! The world created is exciting, the characters came to life for me, and the story kept me interested throughout!

One of next years viral obsessions, I'm sure! When I saw Stacia Stark, it was an automatic add to my TBR list!😍

We Who Will Die is the start to a new romantasy trilogy, taking inspiration from Ancient Rome! It has a magical twist however; vampires 🧛 and sigil-marked humans. It's bold, creative, and very engaging. Stark's world building is rich and vivid, so immersive that I was roped in immediately!🖤

It was right up my alley, mixing romantasy with a bit of the paranormal mixed with influences of Roman Gods. That said, it was a little overwhelming at times because there was so much happening!

The core of it got some of the regular heavy hitter tropes, but between the writing, the great plot twists, and the uniqueness to what's been on the market, I was fully engaged and hooked on Rorrik. I need to know where it goes!!🫶

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the awesome read!

Review posted June 17, 2025 on Instagram, Goodreads, and fable!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@staciastarkauthor how do you do it? Write these magnificent pieces? I don’t know but I do know I will always devour these stories. 😩✨

Releasing Jan 2026
You do NOT want to miss this one!
It’s giving vampire diaries mixed with gladiator ⚔️
I was HOOKED.
The depth in each of the characters had me feeling their emotions as if they were my own.
The world was put together so smooth and perfectly.

Arielle is a force to be reckoned with, and we LOVE a strong FMC.🔥
The PLOT twists.
The emotional tension.
Dark and broody MMCs 😩🖤
Genuinely, everything I want in a story and more!

As always MISS STACIA STARK 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼!!!!!! I keep reading your books and think that nothing can top it and then I read your next book

Stacia, you are a QUEEN! This is one of those gripping reads that keeps you awake at 3 AM, ignoring the clock while you can't put the book down. I absolutely DEVOURED this book!

This book truly has everything for romantasy lovers: Vampires, high-stakes rebellion, sigil powers, romantic tension, incredible world-building, gladiator-style trials, and vengeful Gods. The characters are filled with emotional depth, and I fell in love with them. Arvelle is such a fierce and strong FMC, she ticked all my boxes for features that I love in female leads. This story features not one, but two dark & broody MMCs who are ready to bring the world to its knees for the FMC. Arvelle is drawn to both men and I am 1000% here for a why choose situation.

This story is filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, & thrilling action. Between the angsty romance & constant tension, the sharp & witty banter, and the moments of heartbreak & betrayal – I was utterly hooked. If you love all of these elements, this book will rock your world.

𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓥𝓲𝓫𝓮𝓼:
🩸 Roman Inspired Romantasy
🩸 Vampires
🩸 Enemies to Lovers
🩸 Forced Proximity
🩸 Slow Burn
🩸 Vengeful Gods
🩸 Fierce FMC
🩸 Broody MMCs
🩸 Found Family
🩸 High Stakes Trials
🩸 Hilarious Banter
🩸 Political Intrigue
🩸 Magical Creatures

“The Rabbit thought she was saving the wolf,”

Wholly crap I loved this book, now it was a little slow to start but the heat picked up gawd damn. Stacia Stark builds this gritty, dangerous world with layers of rebellion, gods, sigils, and a heroine fighting for everything she loves.

Tiernon is a literal dream Vampire. Protective, devoted, absolute swoon. Like, who gave him permission?! And Rorrik? Hot. Villain. Vampire. The tension between him and Arvelle had me feral. And yes, I am begging the universe for a why choose situation because I’d be ruined if she had to choose.

But in all honesty I loved the world building, and I had an amazing time with this book, every time Stacia knocks it out of the park. I need book two like I need water.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Spice: ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎/5

@staciastarkauthor does it again! Stacia's word building is fantastic and fast paced. A magical book with gladian fighters, vampires and other creatures. Arvelle makes a magical vow with a vampire since she needs to heal one of her twin brothers. She would do anything for them. She has to enter the Sundering to compete in 3 trials. The trials go by really quickly as they are written really well. There is intrigue with twists and turns you don't see coming and it keeps you wanting more.

Arvelle is a sigilmarked, strong FMC, but unable to access her power. She relies on her training and wits. Each MMC brings their own challenges for Arvelle. The banter is great throughout the book. Arvelle tries throughout the book to complete the vow she made and there are definitely interesting things in her way. The book is very exciting and fast paced! You don't want to miss it!

Thank you Stacia Stark, Netgalley, and Avon books for the opportunity to read this eArc preview.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!

I am currently suffering from a severe book slump from this absolutely amazing story!!

It was perfect is all ways 🖤

I need the next book soooo badly- it’s like a personal investment into the lives of the main characters

Gladiators ✔️
Vampires ✔️
Mythical creatures ✔️

The villain… well I did love him and I feel there is more then meets the eye with him x

The world building and the characters are fantastic and I loved the layers of suspense and mystery this book had

I love all of Stacia’s work so if you are a fan you will most definitely love this book x

Stacia Stark has my heart after this book. I loved her Kingdom of Lies series and it was hard to picture how she could top that with a new series, yet, here she is. We Who Will Die was the perfect blend of Roman Empire mixed with Vampire Diaries and I was immediately entranced from the first chapter. I am always looking for romantasy books that feel unique and this one was IT.
All of the overlapping plots were high stakes which kept you engaged every minute. The death, the brutality, and the sacrifices committed by the gladiators was ever present while also showing how most of the characters did everything to hold onto their humanity.
While Arvelle’s deal with Bran was the focal conflict in the story, the unexpected murders of gladians as well as the political conflict between the sigilmarked and vampires was engrossing.
The flashbacks of Tiernon and Arvelle was beautifully written to establish their past and made me fall in love with their characters having a “second chance” love. However, I already see how Rorrik could become a potential love interest as the series continues based on everything we now know about the brothers and their shared interest in Arvelle which is in its own way exciting.
I can’t wait for the next book to be out already. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this book!

Oooh, this one was fun! The Vampire Diaries x Gladiator is a great way to describe We Who Will Die, but it’s also SO much more than that.

Games & trials, political resistance, romance, vampires, gods, magic, and mystical creatures… Stacia Stark has woven it all together seamlessly within one girl’s high-stakes story of survival.

The romance felt like a small piece of the puzzle, but I cannot wait to see where it goes in the next two books. I NEED tortured, broody Rorrik to get his moment in the sun — pun intended?

Thanks to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for access to the ARC!

#WeWhoWillDieDeluxeLimitedEdition #NetGalley

We Who Will Die is a bold story and loaded with grit, loss. A fight for loved ones and reuniting with others. Did I mention vampire heroes?? I enjoyed this story very much. It is one of those where the FMC makes terrible decisions and of course that leads to more danger... I did mention Vampires right? It may take a chapter or two to find its rhythm, but once it does, it grips hard—and leaves you hungry for more. Well done, Stacia!

I fell in love with this story. Arvelle, Ti, and even Rorrick took my heart by storm. Arvelle’s lens as narrator shows you the story through her grief, loyalty, love and heartbreak. It shows you how she begins to heal and grow as a person while being locked into a dangerous situation all for the safety of those she cares about most. The highlights on my kindle are absolutely overflowing with yearning, passion, loyalty and everything in between. Thank you SO much @staciastarkauthor for giving me the opportunity to arc this incredible novel. This book is absolutely going to explode on to the fantasy scene in January, and you’ll absolutely want to be there for it.