4.5/5 (rounded to 4 stars)

A Bargain So Bloody takes us in a world in which witches, vampires and other magical beasts live. Here, we follow Samara, a void, a human without powers, that has been sentenced to fifteen years in a magical prison and Raphael, a vampire, mortal enemy to humans that finds himself in the same prison. The story is really interesting, although a tiny bit predictable at times, it has the codes of fantasy and romantasy while still being original. The magic system is well thought, different and really well used in the story so it's not overwhelming at all.

The main characters are all endearing, each one having their own personality and motivations making him impossible to not like them. I particularly loved how their difference in morals and ethics were portrayed, each of them having good reasons or arguments, even when they clashed. I particularly loved Samara and Raphael relationship and following its development.

The pacing is amazing, a lot of things happens in the book, with the characters going to a lot of different places but not once did it feel rushed or passed over too fast.

The narration was super good! Cecily Foster managed to bring the story to life magnificiently well. She did a great job voicing all the characters, and I particularly loved how she portrayed Samara emotions during the book.

I didn't expect the ending at all and I just loved it. It left me hanging and I cannot wait for the next book!

All in all, I think this book is a really good romantasy and I definitely recommend it!

Really excellent slow burn vampire story. I feel like most the vampire books I read that have romance are a quicker burn because well they are vampires. But this one is so slow of a burn. The first half moved along really fast and had a decent unique plot. I was really excited for the ending/cliffhanger, but sadly that part felt a tad predictable and similar to other books. Still excited to read book 2 when it comes out.

Thank you so much for the alc copy of this!
This was absolutely amazing and the narrators did an amazing job with this story and Brining it to life!

The slow burn I don’t even know what to say except well done! It’s not often that we get a book where the slow burn is actually a slowww burn to the point where the yearning and tension is thick.

The world building, along with the pacing, tension and characters made for a very well made story and plot and I can’t wait for the next book!

Thanks to netgalley/the author for an audiobook of this. My reviews tend to be posted on Goodreads, Tome, and Fable. I plan on posting my review on 6-28-2025

I’ll start off by saying the narrators voice is great and they did an amazing job. It’s a voice that’s super easy to listen to and I never found myself zoning out while listening to this story.

This story starts off with the MC, Samara being trapped in a magical prison. She helps a vampire, Raphael escape once she learns that once her sentence is up she wasn’t going to be released. From here on out it’s an adventure with her traveling with someone she’s deadly afraid of. I honestly was shocked by the ending and didn’t see it coming.

As soon as I saw this was about vampires I had to request it. Because I am and have always been a vampire girlie. The characters for the most part are likable but there are a few times I was giving side eye to a few characters. I really liked two of the side characters and without spoiling anything let’s just say I’m holding out hope for something to happen.

I’m once again mentioning the ending but I seriously was shocked by it in a good way. I can’t wait to see how this story continues in the next book. Definitely recommend this to my friends who love vampires and witches.

A very entertaining vampire romantasy. Slow burn. Enemies to? Hidden identity. Witches. magic cards. Found family. He’ll burn the world for you. It was a solid read, great narrator, but, for me, it was predictable. Also her being imprisoned at 8 years old in that hell hole was quite unbelievable ( even for fantasy) and it wasn’t explained until way late in the book, I was under the impression having been there for 12 years she must be at least close to 30. Overall it was a great book aside from that.

I recently started receiving advanced reader copies for books that are soon to be coming out, and one of the first ones I received was A Bargain So Bloody by Vasalisa Drake. I listened to this ARC as an audiobook, and the words had me gripped from the first sentence.

Overview:
A Bargain So Bloody starts off inside a witch prison and follows the main female character, Samara. She has been in prison for 12 years at this point and was sentenced to serve inside because she has no magic. Inside the prison, she is sent to tend to a vampire, which she has never done before. After finding out she might never leave the godforsaken prison, she makes a bargain with the vampire that she might never come back from…

My Review:
A Bargain So Bloody has been one of my all-time favorite books. I am so glad that I was sent to ARC to listen to. The flow of the book was amazing, and like I said before, my attention was grasped from the first sentence of the book and was held throughout until the end of the epilogue. Now that I am finished A Bargain So Bloody, I have so many questions and theories about what is going to happen next. There were so many twists and turns in this book that I did not see coming, and this is impressive since usually I can predict what is going to happen.

The last time I was this excited to read the next book in the series was when I read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrows. I would also love to say that the plotting and writing were great. There was plenty of description when it came to the magic system the the character’s world, especially when it came to the witches, vampires, and voids. I also thought it was very unique that their world has magic cards that can be used by those without magic.

Overall, I think A Bargain So Bloody is an amazing book, and I strongly recommend that you read it. It is the first book in the “Kingdom of Dark Magic” series and will be released on June 30th, 2025. This book had minimal “romance”, so this series will definitely be a slow burn, but well worth the wait in my opinion! This book would also be a great pick if you love tropes such as forbidden romance, “she’s mine”, touch her and die, haters to lovers to haters, and morally grey love interest.

I ended up rating A Bargain So Bloody five out of five stars and would urge any reader who loves fantasy to give it a chance.

A Bargain So Bloody by Vasilisa Drake is an utterly immersive fantasy tale full of dark secrets, quiet strength, and slow-burning emotional tension. Narrated flawlessly by Cecily Foster, this audiobook is a must-listen for anyone who loves morally gray characters, lush world-building, and a heroine who comes into her power slowly, painfully, and triumphantly. At the heart of the story is Samara, a Void who is imprisoned for crimes unknown. When the book begins, she’s a timid and compliant prisoner, focused solely on surviving and quietly serving out her sentence. But everything changes when she crosses paths with the vampire Raphael bound in chains and just as much a prisoner as she is. Faced with the possibility of never getting her freedom, Samara takes a leap of courage: she strikes a bargain with Raphael that she will release him from his bonds if he’ll take her with him.

What follows is a blood-soaked journey through a brutal, merciless world. Everywhere they go, a trail of bodies follows, whether due to Raphael’s cold efficiency or the violence others aim at Samara simply for existing. Despite the chaos, there are moments of stunning intimacy and connection: the two of them riding together on a single horse, her trying to maintain distance while he remains fiercely protective. Raphael never forces or pressures her, always giving her space and choice even when everything around them demands brutality.

Through it all, Cecily Foster’s narration is masterful. She gives Samara a gentle vulnerability that evolves into quiet strength, while imbuing Raphael with a layered intensity which is menacing, yet achingly tender when it comes to Samara. Every moment, from whispered conversations to deadly battles, is brought vividly to life.

And just when you think you understand the shape of this story, Drake delivers a jaw-dropping twist that redefines everything you thought you knew. It’s brilliantly executed, perfectly timed and one of those rare reveals that makes you want to go back and re-listen to catch all the hints you missed.

A Bargain So Bloody is a stunning fantasy that proves you don’t need spice to build a romance that burns. With its haunting atmosphere, emotional depth, and unforgettable ending, this audiobook will stay with you long after the final chapter.

So much plot that keeps you realed in wanting more but the tension between the FMC & MMC just continues to build! Twist at the end GIVE ME BOOK 2 PLZ!

Thank you Netgalley & Vasilisa Drake for allowing me to devour the audiobook ARC!

I genuinely hope booktok and bookstagram goes feral for this book and rest of the series.

Book: 5⭐️
Audio: 5⭐️

I made a journey over to #netgalley try my hand at reviews.
I've read alot of new to me authors this year and Ms. Drake joins the ranks of women authors who are not disappointing!!!!!

This is a paranormal fantasy. I listened and read this today. It's delicious.
Character development on point
Plot on point
There are no lulls in the story. Be prepared to devour this book. @cecilysexily gives every character life!

The FMC has been imprisoned since her teens. She believes she can handle the rest of her 3 years sentence and make her way to a religious organization to live her life in anonymity. Her jailer mocks her beliefs, the MMC makes her bargain and the story flows vigorously from there!

Pick this book and audio up on June 30 2025.

Meanwhile, I am already feening for the next book.

I'm very happy this was my first net galley ARC / ALC.

Those last 2 sentences!!!!! You could kinda tell it was leading up to that but damn. I wanted to know more of Samara's backstory the entire time reading this and we only get tiny glimpses. I can't wait for the next book to learn more. Raphael was an interesting character to have show up and I love his interactions with her. This book is great at sprinkling in bits of information; just enough to have you questioning and wanting to know what the heck it means.
The narration was great as well!
I'm definitely keeping this author in my TBR.

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op for the Audio Arc
Overall I thought this was a good book that was a good set up for a series. I liked the magic system in this world as well. Having it so witches have powers but non-witches can use cards to use some magic was very cool and make it seem more real. I know people who couldn't use magic would pay what ever they could to use it. The book is a bit insta-love which is not my favorite. The book was a little predictable with what was going to happen but I didn't mind it. I was having fun with the story so being obvious wasn't a deal breaker. I will say there are a lot of questions and barley any of them get answers. I know it's a series but I thought we would get a few more answers for what was going on. I also don't love when characters hold onto information because they assume people will assume the worst of them. Seems like a cheap way to get the plot moving the way you want. I though Cecily Foster was a great narrator. She kept the flow and timing of the book very well! I will continue the series to see what happens!

Moody, emotional and utterly immersive.
I received A Bargain So Bloody as an audiobook ARC via NetGalley, and I was immediately pulled into its dark, slow-burning atmosphere.

This is a romantasy that leans into quiet tension, character depth, and a haunting world full of danger and hidden truths. There’s no explicit romance, but the chemistry simmers underneath every scene. The dynamic between the two main characters is built on mistrust, slow understanding, and a fragile alliance that feels earned.

As an audiobook, this story truly came alive. Cecily Foster’s narration was perfectly matched to the tone of the book – calm, expressive, and emotionally grounded. Her performance added so much nuance, especially to Samara’s emotional journey. I really appreciated how subtle yet impactful her delivery was. I’d happily listen to more audiobooks narrated by her.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy:
– Enemies to reluctant allies
– Morally grey vampires
– No spice, but emotionally charged tension
– Forced proximity
– Slow burn romantasy
– Strong narration that enhances the story

Huge thanks to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook early. I’m very excited to see where the series goes next.

Thank you so so much Netgalley for this ALC. This book was absolutely amazing! I was completely obsessed from the beginning! The magic in this book was so intriguing, I loved how it was done! I’m a huge fan of humans being thrown into a world with higher powered ones and in this one was no different! It was so well done, full of world building & amazing characters development!

Will most definitely be posting this on my booksta when it gets published!

Samara, or Sam, our FMC is a Human Void. Raphael, our MMC, is a vampire. They start off as enemies who utilize each other to meet their mutual goal, which, first and foremost, is escaping the prison. Sam is stuck working there to pay off a debt, and Raphael is a prisoner. After escaping, they go on an adventure where, along the way, they get very cozy. When they reach the kingdom, Sam starts to learn more about their world. The good, the bad, and the ugly. The ending leaves you with a cliffhanger that will bring you back for more- I cannot wait until the next book!
A Bargain so Bloody comes out June 30th and I promise you, you won’t be disappointed and will love the world as much as I did.
I received an ARC&ALC copy and will voluntarily leave an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Vasilisa Drake, for this opportunity

Unfortunately for A Bargain So Bloody, I think I am a little burnt out on romantasy. This has all the expected elements: a female protagonist that is young and inexperienced, meeting an older cool sexy magical male protagonist, and she just can't figure out why he is acting so nice and protective over her. Usually I'm head over feels for that, but I think I've overdone it for a while and need a break. I spent about 90% of this book hating it. But the ending was exciting, and somewhat redeeming, so I will be on lookout for additional books in the series.

The book reads pretty YA. Samara, the FMC, feels young and naive. She starts the book in prison, where we know she was treated very badly, but it doesn't seem like she learned anything from the experience. She is in constant need of saving and protecting and doesn't seem to have much of a personality. The vampire MMC is obviously in love with her, but I can't understand what he would see in her other than a damsel in distress. I could see him being into that, but he is 600 years old and has apparently just never been so taken with a woman before. Right.

The narration was pretty good, no complaints on that front.

Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

Title: A Bargin So Bloody
Author: Vasilisa Drake
Narrator: Cecily Foster

The ending to this book has me in a chokehold. The build up of the story to the build up of the romance was so delectable. The pacing of the story was amazing. I was entertained the entire time. The world and magic system is so intriguing. I never felt lost to the world building. The way that we only get to see the story from one point of view is so refreshing and kept me guessing with which direction the book was going in. The epilogue was the perfect teaser for the next book. This is a 5/5 star read for me. I cant not wait till the next book is released!

Cecily Foster did an outstanding job at narrating the story. I was beyond impressed with her performance. The audio was clear and the emotion that she was able to convey was chefs kiss. It was not choppy, which I tend to find can happen with some audio books. The different dialects and voices for every side character were distinctive. Over all I do believe that her performance helped the story come to life.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Victory editing and Vasilisa Drake for allowing me to listen and review A Bargain So Bloody. I will be posting a review on Goodreads (TriciaReads), TikTok (triciareadds) and Amazon (TriciaReads).

I was so pleased with this book. As someone who mainly reads books with a lot of spice I wasn’t even disappointed with a 1.5 pepper rating because the story is just that good. It’s captivating and definitely leaves you wanting more. I can not wait for the next book in the series to be released. I’m always a big fan of vampire lore and it’s really interesting to read about different societies and kingdoms and caste type systems. I listened to this audiobook and the narrator was amazing. Very easy to understand and played both the main FMC and MMC very well so that you could differentiate the two well. The world building was enough that even without reading words on a page I knew what was happening based on the audio. Overall very well done and I would recommend to others!

This was my first vampire read since Twilight if I'm being honest. I love vampire reads but I feel as if I'm picky with my fantasy.. I don't like some topics mixing with others. (Dragons & vampires together for example) So finding a vampire book that was in my interests has always been difficult ( I'm always open to recommendations)

That being said i would like to dip my toes into vampire books more and I think this was a good place to start

I think this is a GREAT starter book for anyone looking to get into the vampire genre.

My gears were definitely grinding over a couple things.. I LOVE when author's get inspiration from other authors.. 50% of the point when it comes to the arts is inspiring one another. With that being said I also think it's equally as important to be careful when doing so.. the MMC gives her the "pet name" of "little dove" AND the fact the FMC was a "void" just left me wondering how Galantia was doing. I also wasn't a fan of him having more than one nickname for her but I honestly can't tell you why lol so that one is probably just on me being weird.. I guess I feel like maybe it disrupted the flow a little? .. I also personally wish she was in prison a little longer. only because that was a major part of what drew my attention while reading the synopsis.

I definitely feel like this book isn't for everyone.. If you're a person who likes a lot of world building & backgrounds in your story.... You're probably most definitely going to hate it here.

Overall I still think there's a really good story here & I did have a fun time. I'm definitely intrigued & invested enough to read the sequel & buy a hardcopy trophy.. I just wish there was a lot more depth .... 3.5 rounded down

After Samara teams up with a vampire to break out of the prison that's been her home for twelve years, she expects to part ways with him shortly after. But he's right when he says she won't be able to stay hidden for long, and that he can help her. So they journey together. And ooh boy, the pacing is perfect, the tension is delicious, and on top of all that the narration is great. I was SO enthralled by this book. Just absolutely sucked in, could not put it down, am impatiently waiting for the next book, absolutely obsessed. I will absolutely be going and reading Vasilia Drake's other books.

Plot- or character-driven? CharacterStrong character development? YesLoveable characters? YesDiverse cast of characters? NoFlaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5 stars

I adored this story so much. The characters well so well written in such a way that I was enthralled, I just wanted to keep reading. The FMC did annoy me a tad as i jist wanted her to gove the mmc a chance. 

I CANNOT wait for book 2!!