Thanks Stacia Stark and NetGalley for the arc!

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Stark’s work and I am very excited for this new series!

A gladiator inspired setting with vampire diaries vibes, say less! Overall, this was a great story full of hope, betrayal & some fun magic that I’m excited to explore more of.

The FMC, Arvelle makes a deal with a vampire in order to save her brothers lives. The bargain?…Kill the emperor.

This bargain throws her into a gladiator style competition in order to get close to him. There, she’s reunited with the man she once loved who left her suddenly, years prior. Bitter and cold hearted from losing so many people she loves, she pushes away anyone that tries to help or befriend her. But can an old love and renewed hope thaw Arvelle’s heart?



(Sort of) spoilers…


I’ll also add that though I’m usually not a huge fan of love triangles, I didn’t mind the ~possible~ hints we got. I think there is definitely something brewing for the next book. I’m rooting for that second chance romance between Arvelle and Teirnon personally, but I definitely see the appeal for Rorrik and can’t wait to see more of him as well.

5/5. This was a fantastic romance-fantasy. I’m a sucker for a potential love triangle, so absolutely ate this up. The relationship dynamics were chefs kiss. And there are enough secrets to keep you interested, engaged, and begging for more but it didn’t come at the expense of the story at all.

My only complaint is that I read this so early and now I have to wait for more books.

I received a free ARC and this is my honest review

Great start to a new series. Very action packed for the beginning. Classic tale of the older sibling fighting to save younger ones. World building pace was steady with a nice stream of details throughout the book. Gods, Vampires,, and magical creatures are all present in this epic fantasy. Not too sure what’s going on with the love triangle and it’s hard to know who to root for but I can’t wait to see where the story goes. I highly recommend this book

We Who Will Die





Okkkkkk this was giving Vampire Diaries meets Gladiator meets The Hunger Games!!!! Such a good mesh of all three! I also love when authors just throw you right into the action and give a back story as you go — this one made me stop for the first few chapters and be like “is this a sequel?” BUT a few chapters of confusion was perfect because we get a lil flip back and forth from present to past and then the puzzle pieces all fit. Fabulous read.

I award this one my rare 5 star rating!!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟 🌟


Thank you @netgalley for the chance to read and review this ahead of time🤩

Mark your calendars for January 20, 2026 ✏️ 🗓️

Title: We Who Will Die
Author: @staciastarkauthor
Genre: Romantasy
Release date: January 20th,2026
Rating: 5/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶

Gladiators, vampires, mythical creatures - yes! This was my first read by Stacia Stark, and I can honestly say I was utterly surprised! I read this book in one sitting, and it was gloriously delicious! It reminded me of the movie Gladiator, but with vampires, forbidden romance, a love triangle, and mythical creatures! The murder mystery kept me guessing, and boy, was I wrong! The action and adventure were incredible, and I loved all the characters, especially Rorrik! Arvelle and Tiernan's love was beautiful, and the slow burn, second chance, made my toes curl. Arvelles's growth throughout the book and the unwavering love for her brothers endeared her to me, unlike any character I've encountered before. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next installment in what I'm sure is going to be a helluva story.
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This book is a punch to the gut; it knocks your wind out and leaves you gasping for air!

She really was not kidding in the dedication where she says it goes out to all of the older sisters.
I won’t go too deeply into my own childhood but if you were worried for the survival of yourself and your siblings when you’re still a child this good is going to hurt.

Be ready for twists, turns, action, romance, heartbreak, betrayal, and reveals the likes of you rarely see.

Frankly, I’ll read anything set in the Roman empire, but the whole fantasy system set up in this universe‘s Roman Empire is so interesting. It’s a cast system within a magic system within a political system, all of which is under a monarchy. Although maybe it would be better to call it a dictatorship through birth???
A lot of the political dynamics of the Holy Roman Empire are still at play in this novel. So, those who are sensitive to reading about fantastically dramatized events that took place in the Colosseum, i.e. slavery, fighting and torture might have difficulty reading those parts.

Overall, I am just floored by the last chapter and cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you Netgalley for the free e-Arc of this book.

I don’t think I’ve been this obsessed with gladiators since watching Russell Crowe in Gladiator back in the early 2000s. Stacia has done it again—and this time she added vampires 🥵.

Part of me is mad that it’s an ARC and I have to wait until the official release on January 20, 2026, but the other part knows this will be my most anticipated release of the year. Based on the first book, this entire series is going to be amazing.

✨Tropes:
🧛 Vampires
🔥 Slow burn
🏛️ Roman-inspired world
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
🏹 Forced proximity

Arvelle, our strong FMC, will do anything for her twin brothers. When their lives are at risk, she’s forced down a path that makes her relive the worst moment of her life.

There are gladiator-style fights/trials with magic, vampires, mythical creatures, and Roman mythology.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is an amazing read filled with an adventurous plot. The vampire twist with a bit of history is perfect. I loved it.
I love the tension between the two brothers and secretly hope she falls for R.

Oh Stacia here we go again! Once again she knocked it out of the ball park. This book was easily a 5 star read. I love the characters, the plot, the cliffhanger. It sucked me in and before I knew it I turned the last page. The FMC is relatable and real. The plot reads easy and well paced. I can’t wait for book 2!!!

⚔️
⚜️ Book Title - We Who Will Die
⚜️ Author - Stacia Stark
⚜️ Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚜️ Some Genre/Themes/Tropes: Adult Fiction, Romance and Fantasy

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is my honest review.

When I saw this described as gladiators meets The Vampire Diaries, I was instantly intrigued - and it absolutely delivered on that premise. This was a highly enjoyable read with a gripping blend of action, mythology, and supernatural drama.

The plot was compelling and complemented the rich world-building beautifully. I loved the incorporation of gods, powers, and otherworldly beings. It added layers of intrigue and tension that kept me hooked. I’m really curious to see how these elements continue to unfold in future book/s.

There were a lot of characters introduced, and I’ll admit I struggled a bit to keep track of who was who at times. That’s more of a me problem than anything else, but during a reread I’ll definitely need to see a character guide. Especially to understand the gods.

I have so many theories and need answers ASAP in the next book. And, of course, I’m dying to know… is there an endgame romance? If so, who is it with? Because right now, I’m getting major Damon and Stefan vibes, and I need to know who I should emotionally commit to!

I would recommend this book to others. I will be waiting anxiously for the sequel and definitely will look for other books written by this author.

I want to say thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Note (How I rate): One is DNF. Two is got there but struggled. Three stars is a good, enjoyable read. Four is an excellent read and five is a comfort read that lingers with me for life.

Mark my words, this book will absolutely pop off once it is released!!

5 star read with a plot that has you screaming to know what happens next and feral for the two MMCs. Could I put it down? Absolutely not.

World building? Yes, I loved every second I was lost in this world ruled over by a merciless vampire emperor.

Plot? The plot is perfectly paced and filled with a murder mystery, hidden identities, gladiatoresque trials, vampires, mythical creatures, vengeful gods playing games, childhood friends to enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, a stabby FMC, morally grey smoking hot villainous older brother, and unique magic abilities!

Real life trauma? The way Stacia deals with the heavy topics of grief and addiction through the FMC is so genuine and real.

Plot twists, political intrigue and a cliffhanger had me squealing!! I am so team Rorrick! I can’t wait for him to train Velle in her magical abilities. The tension is going to sizzle.

If you're into vampires, deadly trials, slow-burn tension, and high-stakes games that feel like The Hunger Games, Trial of the Sun Queen, or The Serpent and the Wings of Night—buckle up, because this one’s for you.

Arvelle isn’t new to survival, but when her brothers' lives hang in the balance, she’s thrown into a world even deadlier than the last. Between ruthless vampire politics, dangerous mages, and hidden forces, the past won’t stay buried—and neither will her power.

Stacia Stark delivers a gripping, blood-soaked fantasy with heart, slow heat, and enough twists to keep you hooked. So get comfy, grab a snack, and clear your schedule—you’ll want to read this in one sitting.

Shoutout to Stacia, NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this amazing ARC.

We Who Will Die
4/5 ⭐️
We who Will Die was a smashing good read! I’ll be honest, it took me about 20% to really get into it but I think that has more to do with the mood I was in because the set up for this book is wonderful!

Arvelle is just trying to get by, day by day, and take care of her two younger brothers. But when a stranger shows up knowing far too much and holding her brothers sickness over her as leverage she has no choice but to enter the arena and do whatever it takes to survive…

I really enjoyed this book, once I got into it I was able to finish it in a day. The main FMC is compelling and her motivations clear, the side characters are a lot of fun and also very lovable, and the love interest(s?) are mysterious enough to keep you wondering what will happen.

The set up for an eventual love triangle was fun, though I did expect it. I also saw the identity of the primus coming from a mile away, so it wasn’t so shocking but still enjoyable.

Stacia Stark can do no wrong in my opinion, I Stan Stacia Stark! that being said I would have loved for it to be a bit shorter, and there were times when the pacing slowed down a lot but overall I really enjoyed this book!

Stacia did it again!!

I’m deeply sad that I read this book six months before release because now I have to wait extra long to read the next book. If you like the book Bloodguard, I absolutely think you will like this one.

I honestly can’t tell if this is going to turn out to be a love triangle or a why choose, and I’m really hoping it’s going to be a why choose because I personally wouldn’t be able to pick. They’re both broody, dark, powerful in their own ways, and delectable.

There is a lot going on at every moment in time, which caused me to have some mixed emotions about this one, but I was throughly entertained the entire time.

The trials gave me everything I was looking for, and the battles were absolutely everything.

We have a fierce heroine, tension tension tension, found family, trials, and dramaaaaa.

Thank you very much to Avon, Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and Stacia Stark for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one has Hunger Games vibes but with vampires and magic powers. Arvelle has had a hard life before being forced into a bargain with a vampire. She’s too closed off to make friends but too righteous to attack the undeserving.

The emperor is clearly the bad guy but it’s less clear what the end game is for his sons. I’m not sure which one I prefer.

The powers of the sigil marked and whatever Arvelle has stumbled upon remains somewhat of a mystery. She will hopefully become all powerful soon. An overall exciting read with lots of action.

I'm a sucker for arena/competition fantasies, so I knew I was gonna enjoy "We Who Will Die" based on the blurb. And it's a really good novel. There's romance. Action. Gore. Plot twists. Intrigue. I read somewhere that it's "Vampire Diaries meets Gladiator" & it definitely very much is so, with Arvelle's two possible love interests, Tiernon the Sweetheart & Rorrick the Sadist. But if you've ever seen VD, you'll know that people aren't just one thing. If I had two issues, its that I had trouble relating to Arvelle, she was a little too shortsighted & passive for me personally. The other is that the characters read way younger than they are (I was stunned to learn that Rorrick is in his mid-3os because he definitely gives early 20s). Overall, yet another great addition to the romantasy genre. The book ends in a way that has me salivating waiting for the sequel.

Whew! It's going to take me a bit to catch my breath!
This book stressed me out, and I loved every single minute of it!
This book is fast-paced, plot twisty goodness all the way through! Even the things I saw coming hit hard. The things I didn't see coming... holy what the heck!
Velle is independent, strong, and smart. I love how her character grows throughout the story. I love the way Ti loves and protects her .
Ohhhh, Rorrik. Let's just say I love a bad boy, and I can't wait to see where his story goes.
As always, Stacia Stark has me obsessed! From the characters to the world building, the fight scenes and the emotions, this book is amazing!

We Who Will Die is a story filled with magic and all types of mythical creatures, vampires, gods and more. This story has vengeance, mystery, suspense, secrets, killings, competition, survival, friendships, betrayal, scheming, planning, plotting and more. If I could describe this story, it would be a touch of the hunger games and gladiator. The author created a world that draws you end and keep you guessing who's behind everything. There were times when the story felt a bit slow for me but there's constant action so I kept reading to find out what would happen next. I enjoyed both Arvelle and Tiernon characters along with Micah, Neris, Lucius, Nyrant, Dietra and Orna. I know Rorrick is supposed to be the villain in the story but he's not as bad as he seems when it comes down to it. There are times he does things to protect someone close to him even if he goes about it the wrong way. I'm not sure if this story will turn into a love triangle but there is definitely something brewing between Rorrick and Arvelle even though she's in love with Tiernon. I'm not sure if this is a type of story that I would read more than once, but I do think it's a story worth reading a least once, especially if you enjoy a story full of magic, mythical creatures, vampires and power plays. It ends with a cliffhanger, and I will say that I will give the next book a read because I still have so many unanswered questions and I want to know what happens after the explosive ending.

This will be a huge Romantasy favorite in 2026. This really has it all: Vampires, Gods, Gladiators, mythical creatures, and magic!

This was fun & fast paced, with high stakes and plenty of action throughout the entire book. Arvelle is a fierce FMC that would do anything for her brothers. Both MMC’s are dark & broody, and it’s easy to root for both of them - I don’t usually like a love triangle trope, but this was well done.

After the ending, I’m excited for book 2 and what’s to come!

This is my first Stacia Stark book. She’s been in my TBR forever and I can’t believe I haven’t prioritized her stories sooner. I’ve definitely become a fan and can’t wait to read more from her.

This book grabbed my attention from page 1. The angst, the twists, games and trials, ugh so entertaining! I enjoyed that the FMC isn’t crazy overpowered and grows emotionally, physically, and in her knowledge about the politics and the world around her. The side journey through her grief was heartbreaking and some of her trauma-reactions very believable. The romance was just enough to keep the story enticing, but not the sole focus and I loved that. It gave me a little bit of everything! It was a highly entertaining and engaging story that had all the things I love in romantasy, but different enough to keep it interesting.

This will definitely be a must-read in 2026 when it releases and I will absolutely want to reread the final product and hopefully the additional books in this series (fingers-crossed we don’t have to wait too too long).

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book!