This one wasn’t for me. I struggled a lot to get into it but I gave it a go. I did however did not finish. I appreciate the publisher for sending it my way. Thank you.

I loved this story so much!! A Roman Empire inspired, fast-paced dark fantasy romance, full of danger, secrets and political intrigue. Vampires, ancient magic, mythological creatures, Gladiator style warrior games, and and some insane worldbuilding! Arvelle is fierce, relatable and full of trauma. I loved that she wasn't just instantly powerful, but makes her way with luck, training and hard work. I related to her fierce protectiveness of her younger siblings. So many twists and turns, some serious tension, and even some spice. I was HOOKED! I absolutely cannot WAIT for book 2!!

vampire diaries meets gladiator is the perfect way to describe this book! it was different, it was fun, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. not going into enough depth with the world building and gods would be my only critique but overall I enjoyed this one. excited to see where the next books will lead us to!

thank you so much stacia and team for allowing me to be apart of your street team and thank you harpercollins and netgalley for sending me an e-arc!

grammar error/need edit: loc 3611 chapter 16: “arvelle would hiding”

I believe this book will be a runaway favorite when it is published December 30, 2026.

Without spoilers, I really loved this story! Think the Roman Empire, with Hunger Games overtones, but run by ruthless vampires intent on retaining power at any brutal cost. The empire also is home to another set of magic users, those with various levels of sigil magic. Enter Arvelle, a strong, but incredibly anxious female main character, blackmailed into an impossible situation to save family members. Battles, grudge matches, pasts slowly revealed, romance elements begun that I expect to explode in the next book, powerful and quirky magic, forbidden pairings and a twist toward the end that…well, you will just have to read it!! Make sure it is at the top of your TBR list!

Thank you to Avon Books and HarperVoyagerUS for the digital arc copy.

4.5⭐️

This book is going to be a huge hit with the romantasy lovers, myself included. I was engaged from the very first page. Arvelle, the fmc, is endearing and you are rooting for her the entire time. I loved this book and could not put it down.

The magic system is captivating with vampires, sigilmarked and mundanes. There are deadly and violent trials, which Arvelle must participate in as part of a dangerous deal. This is just an all around good time, steamy, romantasy that you will not be able to put down.

Thank you to the author, publishers, & NetGalley for this arc!

I love a book that’s difficult to put down, and that’s exactly what this was. From the world building to the magic system to the flawed but endearing FMC.

We follow our FMC (Arvelle) as she navigates a very cruel and depraved world, all for the sake of her loved ones. Although I didn’t agree with some of her decisions, I could understand her feelings and motivations. I could recognize the ways in which her trauma influenced her actions.

There were parts of this book that were especially gruesome and difficult to read, and other parts that were soft and tender in the most unexpected ways.

I already know I’m going to looove the romance in the second book. I appreciate the foundation that was established for it in this book. The author created such fascinating (main and side) characters with complex relationship dynamics. I can’t wait to continue on this journey with them!

Stacia Stark has done it again! Vampires, magic wielders (sigil marked), and mundanes make up this fantastical world where freedom is desired in some way by all.

In a world where vampires reign supreme and the Emperor finds entertainment in Gladiator style games, the FMC Arvelle (sigil marked) is conscripted to a series of trials after making a bargain with a seedy vampire. The mission: complete an unimaginable task in order to save her brothers and gain her freedom. Arvelle has already been through so much in such a short time and she is nowhere near prepared for the trials ahead in life and on the battle field.

This slow-burn Romantasy will have you on the edge of your seat with such a dynamic plot you don't know what is going to happen next. Stacia excels in world building, character development, and plot twists that will be sure to have you kicking your feet!

Thank you Avon|Harper voyager and NetGalley for this free e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I’m sorry but how can I go on and have to wait for book two in this series!!!!!!! This book hit all the right spots for me and I couldn’t get enough!!! Although I’m going to need a certain thing to happen in book two or all will be lost for me hehehehhe. Gosh seriously this book was a perfect example of a romantasy and I’m here for it! I loved the world Stacia built and can’t wait to explore further. I’m also super glad vampires are back in because my goodness this was one fun ride. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper voyager. This is a must read for sure and can’t wait for my friends to read this so I can discuss it!!!

I cannot explain how much I loved this book. When I say I didn’t want to put it down and was rushing through daily tasks just to be able to pick it back up…. I’m serious. Stacia Stark has become one of my favorite fantasy authors. She writes in such a beautiful, descriptive, and engaging way. I could get lost in her worlds forever. We Who Will Die will be one that I can’t stop thinking about for a long, long time.

We start out with our young heroine, Arvelle, working tirelessly to support her twin brothers; one of whom has a lung condition requiring specialized tonics. She’s barely getting by and keeping her head above the water (because EVERYTHING has kicked her down) when she’s cornered by a vampire hellbent on blackmailing her into risking her life for his dark goals. Arvelle is left with no choice but to accept the “bargain” and jump head first into a dangerous mission. When she arrives at her destination, she is faced with memories she wasn’t ready to face and someone she thought she lost long ago.

Arvelle’s journey to protect her family while staying true to herself and navigating the challenges of her bargain is addictive. There’re so many little details that make the world come alive. I can’t decide which MMC I like more: Tiernon, the fiercely protective and “touch her and die vibes” or Rorrick, the possessive almost bully-like one. Let’s be honest, sometimes we love a bad boy.

Run, don’t walk, to get this once it’s released in December. I NEED book two like a fish needs water. I’ll share more once it’s published. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the publisher (and author) for the eARC.

Phew- this world building was intense! Stacia does an amazing job of having Arvelle come off as independent and strong, while also incredibly relatable and human in her emotions. This was the first cross over I have read that is a combo of Roman-inspired Gladiator aspects and vampires, as well as sigilmarked people. The two MMC's are both well written and I truly don't know what to expect from them going forward but I am invested. I enjoyed the flash backs from Arvelle that help clarify why she acts certain ways at times and how her motivation is solely for her brothers. I also appreciate that romance does not overpower the plot. I would recommend reading the trigger warnings, as it does get violent etc at times. I dread to know how long I have to wait for the next book to come out.

Series: Empire of Blood
First Book: We Who Will Die
This book is first of a series. (1 of ?) (I'm dying to know how many books are in this series)
INCOMPLETE Series
Original series (not a spin off/not same world as previous series)
Spice: 4/5 (Explicit Open Door based on romance.io)
Release Date: Dec 30th, 2025

I LOVED this book! I already bought/pre-ordered my trophy book because the deluxe edition was so pretty and I only buy trophies for 5 stars!
The world-building was fantastic. The romance was great. So much stuff happened! It was a really fun read! I'm dying for book 2. Why am I reading books early? Now I have to wait longer!

My rating: 5/5
I would definitely recommend this book/series!

Specifically for:
- all romantasy readers!
- readers that love vampires (like me)

“We Who Will Die” centers around Arvelle, a former champion of the Gladiator trials known as ‘The Sands’. Arvelle’s brother is suffering from a deadly lung disease and she is looking for any way to save him. Ultimately, she makes a deal with a vampire to enter another deadly gladiator competition to become one of the emperor's elite guards. Her mission is to get close to the throne and assassinate the emperor in exchange for the vampire healing her brother. In the midst of all this she deals with the haunting of her past, loss, romance, fears and friendship.

I really enjoyed this book and it was a fast read. I loved the plot and the overall premise of the book, especially the magic system and world building. However, I did find areas that didn't make sense to me, which took me out of the story. I found myself frustrated and having to go back and forth because I was confused on story line continuity at one point. There are several side plots and moving parts that can make things confusing but those did resolve at the end.

I found Arvelle interesting, I was able to connect to her though she could be infuriating at times. I did love her growth throughout the book. I also enjoyed the side characters and felt they were well developed. I loved seeing Arvelle develop new friendships and reforge the old.

The romance includes a relationship from the past that is rekindled but now she also feels a connection to the main love interest's brother. You could feel the tension with both interests, but it does follow similar Romantasy tropes. The romance conflict feels predictable but we will see what the future books hold.

Despite having a few issues, the story was still overall good and I will be back for book 2.

Thank you Stacia Stark, Netgalley and Harper-Collins for this ARC.

I love Stacy’s writing. Her story has me hooked every time. I found this story refreshing and unique. Vampires and mythical creatures in the age of gladiators, count me in. I love that the story explores the theme of mourning and how it can be difficult to lose a loved one. The characters are so lovable. The pace of the book is perfect, there’s no length. The action is really interesting and immersive. She kept me on my toes throughout the whole story. I can’t wait to see where this is going in the next book.

We Who Will Die had a strong premise and the kind of dark, morally gray world I usually love diving into, but it didn’t fully live up to my expectations.

Stacia Stark’s writing is solid, and the atmosphere was immersive at times, with some intriguing lore and political tension. I appreciated the gritty, high-stakes setup and the sense that no character was truly safe. That said, I had trouble connecting with the characters emotionally, especially the FMC. Her motivations felt a little unclear at times, and the pacing dragged in places, making it hard to stay fully engaged.

There were definitely moments of tension and interest that kept me reading, but overall, I didn’t walk away feeling fully invested in the story or the romance. It wasn’t a bad read by any means—just one that didn’t quite stick with me the way I’d hoped.

This book was so good, it hooked me from the beginning, I could not stop reading!!
The brother’s dynamic reminded me of Damon and Stefan from the vampire diaries and I loved it! There was a lot happening in this book and I gobbled it up. The ending answered a lot of questions but left me asking more, a can of worms has been opened and the second book it’s going to get messy I just know it! This was such a fun read, I highly recommend!! 🤩

We Who Will Die didn’t just break my heart—it took it prisoner, chained it in the dark, and whispered ancient, bloody promises until I was begging for more. Stacia Stark gave me found family tangled in sacrifice, a heroine carved from scars and stubborn hope, and a monster-hero so devastatingly broken that I’d burn kingdoms just to see him whole.

The slow burn? Agony—exquisite, ruthless, worth every page of tension. The banter? Sharp as dagger points dipped in longing. And the spice—raw, hungry, tinged with danger and desperation that left me feral on the floor.

This isn’t just a romance—it’s a war cry, an oath sworn on bleeding hands, love built from ashes and rage. A story that says: we may die, but gods, we’ll choose who we die for.

Stacia Stark didn’t write a book; she forged a living, breathing ache that branded itself into my bones. I’m undone. Obsessed. And already ready to bleed for the next page. 🖤🔥⚔️

4.5 out of 5 (rounded to 5)

This was such a good time! Roman gladiator vampires, deception, deadly trials, and complicated past ties—Stacia Stark knows how to deliver an immersive world. True to her style, the book is packed with a full cast of characters, layered subplots, and high-stakes action that keeps you locked in. If you’re new to her work, it can feel like a lot at first, but if you know what you're getting into, it’s a rewarding, intricate ride. The romance between the main characters could’ve had a bit more depth, but I’m hopeful for where it’s headed in the series. I’m definitely picking up the next one.

Wowzers! I LOVED Stark's Kingdom of Lies Series and was super excited to get a chance to read this one early!! Although it did take me a bit to get into this one, I ended up loving it just as much as the other Stark books I've read!

This story is incredibly packed, and I loved being kept on my toes, never quite knowing what was coming. This level of complexity could easily become muddled, but Stark expertly builds a vibrant world, weaving the storyline into a cohesive and compelling plot that never felt overwhelming.

My excitement for book two of this series is through the roof, though I'm definitely feeling the sting of having to wait for it!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the amazing Stacia Stark for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! 4.5 Stars!

This follows Arvelle who has already won a set of trials called the Sands.
While raising her brothers and working as a bodyguard to be able to buy meds for one of her brothers, she is approached by a Vampire to compete in another set of Trials and he would save her brother who is sick. She is such a loving sister and will do anything to protect and heal her brothers, so she enters the bargain.

We go with her on her training and the competition of the trials. There is a couple of subplots happening at the same time so you have some behind the scenes things playing out too. There is a lot of characters and I was losing focus on them and couldn’t fully remeber them when we see them again.

I love the addition of the different mythical creatures called maginari. I hope we get more of them in the next books.

Also the love triangle being set up which aren’t usually my favorite but I do have one I’m rooting for. He was infuriating at times but I know there is more of a back story coming. 😂

I can’t wait to see where we go next with the story.

-Political Intrigue
-Deadly Trials
-Vampires
-Trust issues
-Gods
-Magic

Thank you NetGalley and Stacia Stark for the eARC

I absolutely devoured this book in less than 24 hours! It's dark, magical, and utterly addictive.

Arevelle is the kind of FMC that I will never get tired of rooting for. She's fierce, clever, and driven by deep sibling loyalty. She gives strong Katniss and Feyre vibes in the best way. I love a story where the stakes feel real and personal - it always hits a bit too close to home for me, so parts were surprisingly emotional.

The worldbuilding is obsessively good. Vampires, ancient magic, mythological creatures, gods, crumbling royalty, forced games - seriously ALL the fantasy elements I love. They're woven together effortlessly, creating a rich world that draws you in fast and doesn't let go.

The magic system is unique, tiered, and deeply tied to power and control. This creates a caste-like system that feels both fascinating and terrifying. It adds another layer of tension to already high stakes. Sigil-marked peoples can be born with gold, silver, or bronze sigils, and even within those tiers, power levels vary. This plays heavily into politics, social status, and survival. The poor mundane (neither vampire nor sigil-marked) are at the bottom with the fewest rights and protections.

And the slow.burn.romance. It's so good! The danger. The secrets. Every interaction is laced with tension. If that's not enough, there's a hint of a future love triangle that throws everything into question. I'm dying for the sequel already!

If you enjoy fantasy with a slow burning romance, great worldbuilding, and rich, layered lore, I highly recommend this!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing an ARC for my honest review!