To Bargain with Mortals is an enthralling blend of fantasy and politics that grips you from the first page and does not let go. Set in the colonized nation of Viryana, this novel masterfully explores identity, power, and rebellion through the compelling journey of Poppy Sutherland and Hasan Devar.

Poppy is a protagonist who immediately steals your heart due to her strength, intelligence, and her fierce ambition. Born poor, but adopted into nobility, Poppy has spent her life caught between two worlds, never full accepted by high society yet disconnected from the people of her native land. What makes Poppy's journey so powerful is that she not only fights external oppression, but she must also confront her own internalized biases. Raised with the Welkish ideas, she struggles to see herself as a true leader of her people. But as the story unfolds, Poppy transforms in someone who does not just seek to sit back and follow the rules, instead she seeks a revolution.

When her AWFUL fiance threatens her future (WE HATE YOU RICHARD), she makes a daring escape, where she crosses paths with Hasan Devar, the enigmatic and ruthless Jackal. With his family's divine magic and unyielding spirit, he is a force to be reckoned with, making him the perfect balance to Poppy's strategic mind.

Basu's world-building is rich and immersive, seamlessly weaving in themes of colonialism, resistance, and the cost of power. This novel is beautifully written, with prose that is both poetic and sharp, which enhances the emotional weight of the character's struggles. The stakes are high, the twists are exhilarating, and the ending is tied together nicely.

If you love historical fantasy with depth and revolutionary intrigue, To Bargain with Mortals is an absolute must-read.

To Bargain with Mortals by R.A. Basu is a breathtaking, emotionally charged fantasy that weaves together politics, magic, and the complexities of identity in a colonized world. This book is the first in the Reckoning Storm duology, and it’s an absolute powerhouse of a story. Set in the colonized nation of Viryana, it follows Poppy Sutherland, an outcast heiress caught between two worlds, and Hasan Devar, the infamous gang leader known as the Jackal. Their paths collide in a way that’s both explosive and deeply moving, setting the stage for a revolution that could change everything.

What makes this book so extraordinary is its depth. Basu doesn’t shy away from exploring heavy themes like colonization, identity, and the weight of inherited histories, but she balances these with moments of hope, resilience, and even tenderness. The world-building is rich and immersive, and the political intrigue keeps you on the edge of your seat. But it’s the characters who truly steal the show—their struggles, their relationships, and their determination to fight for a better future are incredibly moving.

I don’t think I could love a book more than this one. It made me incredibly emotional at times, but it also left me in awe of its brilliance. The way Basu crafts her story—with such care, nuance, and heart—is nothing short of phenomenal. If you’re looking for a fantasy that’s as thought-provoking as it is gripping, To Bargain with Mortals is an absolute must-read. I can’t wait to see where the Reckoning Storm duology goes next!

This book took me on an emotional journey! Prepare to cry! I loved the FMC in this, I love when the main character is underestimated and ends up proving everyone wrong! On top of that, the FMC and other characters were relatable and extremely well written! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physically so I can annotate it!

To Bargain with Mortals by R.A. Basu masterfully intertwines magic, politics, and identity in a colonized world. The story follows outcast heiress Poppy Sutherland and gang leader Hasan Devar as their paths collide, sparking a revolution. With rich world-building, gripping themes, and unforgettable characters, this first book in the Reckoning Storm duology is a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts.

My favorite books are the ones where I don't even know what words to write in a review because feelings can be difficult to translate.

Poppy is such a unique character, one who strays from the typical heroine stereotypes. She is smart and brave, but she is also flawed and naive, and we get to watch her be confronted by her own bias and grow from it. Character development for the win!

The Devar brothers are a perfect example of family dynamics. And while I adore Hasan and disagreed with Zeyar's bargain, I understand them both. Looking forward to seeing all three brothers together again.

The layered racism in this book really adds depth to the typical "good vs evil" story. I loved the slow reveal of the relationship between vasudhakt and daivyakt as we learned the different points of view. One of my favorite parts in the book was the vasudhakt maid chewing out Harithi.

I do hope Richard makes another appearance. I felt his exit was a little too easy given how much power he had and the entire plan to blackmail Poppy. His exile seemed to be more of plot convenience, so I hope we haven't heard the last of him (if for no other reason then so Poppy can get her revenge).

Lastly, I GREATLY appreciate the book not ending on a cliffhanger. It makes me excited for the next book but not frustrated at being left on the edge.

<i>Huge thanks to Bindery and Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I really enjoyed this! It's got everything that a great fantasy needs: an interesting magic system, an underestimated but powerful female main character, a hot-headed but just male main character, and a people ready to rise and stand up to those who have colonized and exploited them for centuries.

I think what I appreciated the most with this book is that nothing is black and white. No side is perfect here, because even the Virians have had issues with discrimination and exploitation among themselves, long before the white oppressors arrived. So, to work together and cause actual change, they have to better themselves and admit their faults on various levels.

Another excellent part of the reading experience was watching the characters grow and develop. In the beginning, Poppy is ruled by fear and self pity so much that she doesn't recognize her privilege and only sees her own victimhood as important. But she learns, and meets new people, and listens to their stories, and learns about her own powerss and where they come from—and she changes her ways. The same goes for Hasan: by the end, the hot headed gangster whose only idea and response to everything is violence tries his hand at diplomacy and working for the good of his people without any personal gain. It was lovely to see!

I'm very excited to read the sequel and see where these characters end up. There were a lot of loose ends here that also intrigue me. And let's face it: we're all waiting for the Hasan & Poppy romance!

I'm so happy I got the chance to read this before release, what an honor! Please add it to your TBRs if you love fast-paced fantasy books with realistic characters, great world-building, and important commentary on colonization, racism, and oppression. It's impressive that it's only a debut novel!

I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for a review.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I thought that the characters, specifically our main character Poppy, were really well developed, and even over the course of this one installment grew and developed tremendously. You can really feel and understand Poppy's struggles, and I loved the way the author handled the balance between Poppy's hardships as minority in a majority-white space not being brushed aside and acknowledging the more difficult and systemic struggles her people have faced. I loved the political maneuvering, as well as the tense relationships between the characters. I'm also a sucker for books exploring dysfunctional and complex familial relationships, and there was definitely a lot of that lol. I can't wait for the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC copy of the book!

I absolutely devoured this book and had trouble putting it down. This is a fast-paced fantasy with a well constructed world and a heavy emphasis on the politics within the world. The characters were written very well and had so much depth to them that developed over the whole course of the book. I am very much looking forward to the next installment and getting into more of the worldbuilding.

“You don’t have to have the same experience as someone to feel for them, only the desire to understand.”

I absolutely ate this up. It was one of those “I stayed up all night reading this story” for me. Poppy is character arc goals, and I honestly just want to be her when I grow up. I absolutely loved watching her experiences and the experiences of others change her from page to page. I, too, was chanting “Poppy! Poppy! Poppy!” alongside the Virians. Right now we need empathy more than ever, and this really gave me hope. “Poppy already had power-and with it, a responsibility to care for those without.” WE ESPECIALLY NEED EMPATHY IN PLACES OF POWER.

And when we don’t see the change we want in the world, we should recognize we’re the majority and do something about it. “ Will you risk mutiny? Those are your workers, your servants, your farmers. No amount of formal education or leadership experience can make up for the loyalty of the people. You are in the minority, and you would do well to remember it.”

I’ll probably think of more coherent things to say soon, but just add it to the TBR. If you liked Jade City, Babel or Blood Over Bright Haven, you will love To Bargain with Mortals. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. Fingered crossed for a little Hasan & Poppy situationship. I REALLY hope the Savana and Altan story was beautiful foreshadowing.

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. To Bargain with Mortals is a strong and unique addition to the fantasy genre. I'm already absolutely desperate to read the sequel.

Poppy is such a fierce and complicated protagonist. I completely fell in love with her and her quest to understand her identity and carve out a place for herself in the world.
Hasan is impulsive and so so stubborn, but his love for his family and his people guides so many of his actions that you can't help but love him.

The world-building in this is fantastic. It's inspired by a colonized India, with the magic system adding additional layers of complexity to the existing systems of oppression. The magic system that R.A. Basu has created is so unique, and one of my favorite parts of the story was the history lessons and explanations of how it works.

My eternal gratitude to Bindery for the opportunity to read and review this early. I loved it so much.

An amazing story of overcoming prejudice and learning how to connect with ourselves and our roots, wrapped in a fantasy world based on the colonization of India. Full of rich, complex characters, all with their own pasts, hardships, and prejudices to work through. A must-read for any young person learning about colonization and it's long term effects. This story strikes a perfect balance, highlighting the flaws and prejudices existing in all societies, without stripping any one group of their humanity.

I really enjoyed this book. The plot is gripping and the overall world building is great.

For the main characters, Hasan is a great character and I loved the intricacies of the relationships between the Devar Brothers some of it felt contrived but it mostly felt like brothers being brothers (and being slightly dumb). I found Poppy a bit harder to get on with. She was a great character and it was great to see her personal journey. However, I found her inner monologue trifling at times.

There were a few points in this book where I felt like the story dragged slightly. Some of the plots felt unnecessary. There were points where it felt as if a certain plot was going to lead the the final stretch. However, the plan involved in that plot was soon changed and it felt like there were a few too many side plans trying to come together. I do wish we had learnt more about the gods, hopefully these will be expanded on in the next book as Poppy grows into her ‘new’ powers.

I’m so excited to see where Poppy and Hasan’s stories go in the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and R. A. Basu for the eArc and allowing me to review this. 4.25 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Where to begin with this book! The lush and immersive descriptions pull you in right from the start. Throughout the entire book you get vast knowledge on the history of this world, explained in a way that didn’t feeling over the top or forced.

The characters were fleshed out so well. I looooved journeying through the story with Poppy as she came to realize the power of who she is as a person and her acceptance of her daivyakt. Hasan is a brutal gang leader and oh my goodness I loved it! 😂 He uses violence as scare tactics and it created such intense and action packs moments in the story. As he progresses I loved seeing him recognize that violence, though effective lol, won’t get him to where he wants to be in the world.

Overall this book was such a fun ride full of politics, magic, tension, action, understanding, and rebellion. I highly highly recommend if you’re looking for a book to sweep you away and leave you wanting more!

This book blends colonization, identity, magic, and romance in a way that feels fresh and powerful.

It follows a girl who was adopted by a white colonizer family and raised to suppress her heritage and magical gifts. Watching her slowly unlearn that internalised shame and reclaim her power was incredibly satisfying. The turning point—where she finally stops trying to blend in and starts fighting back—hit hard in the best way.

The romance is slow burn and full of tension. Her love interest is fighting for his people and pushes her (gently, persistently) to face the truth of who she is. Their relationship builds gradually but meaningfully—it’s not just romantic, it’s part of her journey back to herself.

The political tension ramps up toward the end, setting the stage for a rebellion that I’m dying to see unfold. By the last page, I was fully invested. Bring on book two—I’m ready for war.

Excellent fantasy novel about colonialism and society. That sounds heavy and like it might not be enjoyable, but let me tell you, R.A. Basu crafts a beautiful story, the plot is incredible, the world building is fantastic, and the characters *chefs kiss*, I can't wait to read more from this author, 4.5 stars!

What drew me to To Bargain with Mortals was the interesting setting - this fantastical take on India offers an unique setting seldom explored in new adult literature. While the political commentary is quite on the nose, it certainly isn't intended to be subtle and sets up a reallt interesting premise for the second volume.
I enjoyed this story of empowerment and power struggles with a hint of fantasy and look forward to the second one!

3.75 stars

"There are more of us than them, and they know it. Every tyrant needs his subjects, but no people need a tyrant.”

To Bargain With Mortals is the first book in The Reckoning Storm duology by debut author R.A. Basu, it follows the story of Poppy Sutherland, the adopted daughter of the viceroy, and Hasan, a criminal leader known as the Jackal.

Overall, I really liked the story. I enjoy other world fantasies or alternate universe fantasies in which we have a situation heavily inspired by actual historical events (no surprise there since I'm a huge R.F. Kuang fan), when I heard this was inspired in colonized India, I knew I had to pick it up.

I don't know if it's because my own country was colonized as well, but I really enjoy reading stories about colonialism, resistance and how people fight to keep their culture, while also critiquing the flaws in their previous system, and this book delivered that.

We had many discussions about privilege and intersectionalism, which are always welcome. Poppy is a character that needed to have that reality check.

"But just because you didn’t have it easy doesn’t mean that you didn’t have it easier than the vast majority.”

“So you can tell me how lucky I had it in a Welkish-run organization that dehumanized me, but I can’t tell you the same? What makes us different, Poppy? What makes your struggles more important than mine?”

“You know what I think? I think you’re so used to being the most marginalized person in the room, you don’t know how to recognize that other people have it far worse than you. Maybe you were an outcast— but being an outcast in a Welkish school for fine ladies is still a hell of a lot more privileged than being an orphan in a shoddy human-trafficking sham.”

Now, what's this story actually about? What does Poppy have to do with Hasan? When do they meet?

As explained before, Poppy Sutherland is the adopted daughter of the viceroy of Viryana, the problem is that Poppy is Virian, not Welkish, so she's stuck in the middle, not belonging to the Welkish aristocracy but not belonging to her fellow Virians either.

However, Poppy is determined to make a place for herself in the world, so she decides to marry the best prospect so the society has to accept her. And everything is turning alright... until Poppy discovers her fiancé planned to betray her all along and just wanted to marry her to become the next viceroy.

Yeah, no, thank you. Poppy decides to run away in her own engagement party but when she realizes she doesn't have anywhere else to go, it's too late, she's kidnapped by the Jackal.

And this is the character that conflicts me the most and one of the main reasons of why I rated this book 3.75 stars and not higher. He feels too unrealistic to be a criminal, more specifically the criminal that has control in the whole city, the country even.

Hasan is not a morally gray character, he's almost completely white, his faults are so minimal to his overall character that every reflection he made about the damage he jad caused felt forced, we didn't have much ambiguity. He did have morals and followed them, even when he had to recover money he had lent.

He felt more like a hero trapped in a criminal family, which doesn't make sense since he's the most feared criminal lord. Also, he and Zeyar had tons of communication issues. With that I mean they barely communicated with each other. It felt really unrealistic that they could hold a whole city together with that lack of communication.

Regardless, I really enjoyed the book and I cannot wait for it to be released and for the sequel to be written, I hope I get approved for an arc on NetGalley when the time eventually comes because I really want to know what happens next. And I'm also really interested in what's going on between Zeyar and Harithi, there was one particular scene that had me kicking my feet and giggling.

Zeyar reached for her slowly, giving her enough time to move back if she wished. She didn’t. He laughed, placing one hand at the small of her back, pulling her toward him. The tip of her dagger pierced his skin, crimson staining his shirt, but he barely felt the sting as he leaned down and kissed her.

I'm sorry, but this had me screaming like a total fangirl, I really hope R.A. Basu gives us more content about them in the next book.

“If you take anything away from his story, let it be this: Neither gods nor blood decide who rules. The people do. Understood?”

Some of my favorite quotes that I didn't know where to place in the review:

"Our culture and traditions are not rude. Our way of life is no less valid or civil just because it hasn’t gotten the imperial stamp of approval.”

“The cost of revolution is always blood.” He spread his arms. “Did you really think you wouldn’t have to give anything up to win? Or were you expecting me and my family to make all the sacrifices?”

"She’s so damned sheltered. The only injustices she’s seen are the ones committed against her.”


There was enough food to go around, but the distribution had been intentionally clogged in one place.

“They’re already slaughtering us!” Hasan seized her by the shoulders, forcing her to meet his eyes again. “Don’t you see, Harithi? They starve us, brutalize us, force us to labor in their prison camps. If they tag us like livestock, it’s only a matter of time before they round us up and put us in a pen like cattle. We are all going to die. Will you die on your feet, with a gun in your hands? Or behind an electric fence, shackles around your ankles?”

"When you bargain with mortals, the terms can change at any time. Today, you have the faith of the people. But tomorrow? You may have nothing at all."

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: fantasy, anti-colonialism, magic, dual POV

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 4/6 and my review blog as of 5/1, and will be posted to Instagram 5/3.

This book actually reminded me a lot of And the Sky Bled , though this one focuses less on the environmental side of things than that one did. Also, revenge overall is less of a factor in this one. That being said, if you liked AtSB, you'll probably like this book as well.

We start the book with Poppy as a child and get a glimpse of what her life is like as the adopted Viryani daughter of the Welkish Viceroy. While Poppy is clearly privileged, it's also obvious from the start, even as a child, that she's been isolated from her culture and is craving that contact. Naturally, as colonialism tends to go, that contact is actively discouraged and denied, and eventually she's sent off to college in Welkland. Again, while Poppy is clearly privileged, even among the Welkish, she also faces the difficulties of being a brown Viryani in white Welkish high society, and thus is subject to abuses, both physical and social.

With this background, we're primed to be sympathetic to Poppy, and she is a sympathetic character. She clearly cares about people and has clearly been through a lot, I liked her character. That being said, she's also blind to a lot of the misfortune prevalent in Viryana as a result of Welkish colonial rule. While she recognizes some of it, she still has a lot of learning (and unlearning) to do. One of the other Viryani characters calls her out, saying that Poppy is so used to being the most oppressed person in any room that when she's not, she doesn't even recognize it, and I think that's a very apt way of putting it. Something I appreciated was that she is willing to learn and she is willing to apologize when she gets things wrong. Over the course of the book Poppy is abused, gaslit, and kidnapped, so she could very easily refuse to listen to what the people around her are saying, but once she's given evidence and time to process, she does tend to come around.

I also liked seeing Poppy's relationship with her parents. Poppy is Viryani while her parents are both Welkish, and they've tried to raise her to be Welkish. Any digression from that, even in enjoying Viryanian stories, is considered a transgression to be met with reprimand (Poppy going to a Welkish college is actually a punishment). At the same time, Poppy's parents do love her, which becomes especially clear later on in the book. Likewise, Poppy is perfectly aware of her differences from her parents and all the ways both them and others make her suffer for those differences. Despite that, she also loves her parents and is deeply affected by the idea of anything happening to them. I liked seeing how Poppy and her father's relationship in particular evolved over the course of the book, and I liked where they were at the end, it set up an interesting path forward. I'm also curious to see where Poppy and her mother's relationship is going. They were more at odds over the course of the book, but by the end seemed firmly on the same side, so it'll be interesting to see more of that.

Hasan is also an interesting character. He and his two brothers inherited a large and fairly successful gang after the passing of their father and have continued to run it well. Family plays an important role here, and we see pretty much from the get-go that though the Devar brothers may quarrel, they would go to the ends of the earth for each other. Aside from wanting/needing to get his brother back, Hasan is coming from a place of disadvantage, having had to survive the Welkish regime and deal with the issues that arise from it in ways that Poppy hasn't. His worldview has been shaped by those experiences and the experiences of those around him, and while he's often right, there are also times where he makes assumptions that Poppy corrects him on. Like her, he's stubborn. But like her, he's willing to learn.

I particularly liked seeing Hasan and Zeyar's relationship. The middle brother is the mediator, but Hasan has a black and white viewpoint while Zeyar operates more in the gray, which naturally causes tension between the two. I liked seeing their moments of unity when it came to getting their brother back. One thing I found particularly interesting was when Hasan did something that aligned with what Zeyar might typically think/do but Zeyar disliked it, and vice versa. It was an interesting way to challenge their existing viewpoints.

The side characters all felt fleshed out and real as well. Zeyar, as mentioned, gets a good amount of time on page, and he even has a view POV chapters himself. I actually liked him a good bit, though later on he makes some decisions and has some perspective shifts that made me like him less. It'll be interesting to see where he goes from here. Harithi and Samina are two other gang members that get a good amount of page time. I liked Harithi's no nonsense attitude and her willingness to call out everyone. I look forward to getting to see more of her in book 2. Samina was an interesting one as well, though she's on-page less than Harithi. Samina actually started out as a childhood friend of Poppy's, and we get to see the two of them interact from the beginning of the book. Their lives diverged, however, though they clearly end up back in the same place. I enjoyed getting to see both their perspectives on things, past and present, and I definitely get both sides of their relationship.

This book deals primarily with themes of racism, colorism, and colonialism. We see a lot of this from Poppy's POV and the way she's treated despite being the Viceroy's daughter (and even the way her parents treat her). That being said, Poppy also has moments of perpetuating these things throughout the book and it's one of the areas she experiences growth in. Alongside these topics, we also get casteism as a theme. In this world, there are Viryanis who have elemental powers, called daivyakt, and those who do not have any powers, called vasudhakt, with the daivyakt being the higher of the two castes. Most of the book is focused on the first three topics, but we see aspects of casteism throughout the book, with it really coming out toward the end of the book, with people even directly pointing out to Hasan, Poppy, and co. the issues with caste and with assuming the Welkish made it all 'equal under oppression.' It was an interesting conversation and I'm curious to see where it'll go in the next book.

To Bargain with Mortals is an Indian-inspired fantasy that’s not afraid to say what it wants. Weaving a wonderful story of politics, coming into your own powers and standing for what you believe in, it also highlights the consequences of colonialism in a way that more people ought to see.

Poppy Sutherland is the adopted daughter of the Viceroy of Viryana. She has grown up brown-skinned amongst the white elite, and as the story progresses, she is forced to change her perspective on the world in order to get what she wants - and deserves.

Meanwhile Hasan, the notorious gang leader known as the Jackal, ends up in deep water when one of his brother’s is captured. In a desperate move he ends up crossing paths with Poppy, which ends up having consequences for all of Viryana.

I enjoyed this book tremendously, and it was even my favorite read in April! Poppy as a main character is a breath of fresh air. She knows what she wants, and she knows how to lie. And even if she is naïve, she is also extremely clever, and I couldn’t help but root for her.

The writing is easy to get in to, even if action scenes does get a little too abrupt or confusing from time to time. The cast of characters were great, and I either hated or loved certain characters with a passion.

Overall, a great book with some great societal commentary woven into the world. 4.25 stars rounded to 4.

First, thank you to Bindery Books and NetGalley for the e-arc. I will make the review vague as to not reveal any spoilers.

Overall I loved the book. It's right up my alley with an easy to understand magic system and political drama.

For the most part, I liked the characters. It was easy to sympathize with each main characters struggles. I enjoyed the theme of family and loyalty, both through Poppy and the Devar brothers.

The story is interesting and kept me wanting to keep reading.

The world building was a little tough for me at times. I felt like I started to have a grasp of it and then something would be revealed and I would have to reorient myself, even when I was about 75% through the story.

I had some issues with pacing of the character development of the FMC. I felt like her change happened too quickly. I hope in the next book we can see her really get in touch with her roots and really discover who she is.

My only regret is now I will have to wait so long to see how the story ends.

This book is so good in so many ways
Thinking back on it I would have loved more depth with the world building, that would've absolutely made this a five star read for me. But overall the plot, magic, characters, world, were all so well executed

This book addresses racism, prejudice, discrimination, sexism and colonialism perfectly. The writing style is unique and well done.
The pacing of the book was steady, I enjoyed how our multiple POVs were explored and noticeably flawed characters with room to learn and grow. I loved poppys development throughout the story and I enjoyed seeing her find who she is meant to be.
The romance was definitely more subplot which I did enjoy as a lot of fantasy these days are very romance heavy.
This was a good political fantasy that overall addressed serious and potentially tricky subjects in a way that was done well.
I look forward to book 2

Receiving this as an arc and going in blind, I have to say I really enjoyed this book. All of the characters were so lovable, and grew throughout the story. Poppy’s inner struggle with her upbringing and how she really had to come to accept facts about her biases was so well written. The Jackel was perfection. I throughly enjoyed reading about him and his brothers (and their mom is hilarious). For being a fantasy, I found the world simple to understand and yet easy to be drawn into. I love that they are required to give something up in order to use their gifts, and Poppy’s struggle with that. The ending had me stressing, and while I heard there is a second book coming out this ended was more soft pause, rather a big cliffhanger. You’ll have some answers but a lot more still to come. My teeny tiny complaint is I would have loved more of Hasen and Poppy’s relationship to grow together in this book. This is not a romance IMO, BUT as a person who only reads romances, I still really really loved this. And I can’t wait to see if/how their relationship ends up.

I’m back and forth between 3.5 and 4 stars so I’ll round up. To keep it simple…

What I liked:
-the focus on world building; no immediate romance; themes of colonialism and racism, preservation of culture, self-governance and representation, sexism, and class boundaries. Lots to tackle but woven together well.
-POVs were primarily on 2 main characters but did stray to some minor supporting characters as needed.
-exposition was done pretty naturally
-easy read without being dumbed down or simple
-unique world set in an industrialized time

What I didn’t love:
-felt like more of a setup for the next book at times
-the premise of what Poppy wanted felt pretty far fetched for the type of society this world was built into

Actual rating 4.5, but rounded up!

This book was an engaging read. Once I got into it a few chapters, it was hard to put down and I was always excited to pick it back up again. The magic system is very cool and unique, I love its cultural ties. I also liked the ethical dilemmas that our characters struggled with. Poppy and her natural-born culture vs the culture she was raised in and her working to come to terms with that. Hasan and what he and his family have done to achieve the power they have. The dilemma regarding the daivyakt and how they treat(ed) the vasudhakt and how that helped opened the door for the the Welkish to colonize under the guise of equality. Just so well done. I also appreciated Poppy's growth to someone who can take control of her own future.

The drawbacks for me were
1. Poppy did take longer than I would have liked to wake up to her naiveté but then when it did happen it somehow happened too quickly in the moment? Hard to explain. Overall it wasn't poorly done, but maybe could have been smoother?
2. I did initially have a hard time establishing in my brain what kind of time period we were in, though I know this is a fantasy so it can do whatever it wants. Initially I was thinking more Regency era, but then there were cars and factories which moved it to the 1900s which was initially whiplashy but I did settle in.

Overall, this was great! I am very much looking forward to the next book to see how their story finishes. It simultaneously wrapped up well but gave me enough to chew on that I am ready to start the next book like right now, which is my fav ending to a book in a series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery for the e-ARC!!

To Bargain with Mortals by R.A. Basu is a great story about identity, loyalty, and reclaiming power. Poppy Sutherland, caught between the world she was raised in and the one she was born into, has to decide who she truly wants to be. Her shaky alliance with Hasan, who is a gang leader fighting for his people’s survival, sets the narrative about resistance and self-discovery. The setting, inspired by colonial India, I think does well in grounding the magic and politics in a world that was easy to follow.

Basu explores the cost of assimilation and the quiet violence of prejudice, showing how deeply systems of power shape personal choices. This is a great pick for readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with political intrigue, slow-burn romance, and a strong commentary on colonialism.

Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC

To Bargain With Mortals follows Poppy Sutherland and Hasan Devar. In the country of Viryana, Poppy is caught between two cultures, and isolated by both. Trying to fit in to be seen as worthy of the next Viceroy while learning to understand who she is and who her ancestors were, Poppy finds herself kidnapped by Hasan Devar, a notorious gang leader also known as the Jackal.
Hasan kidnaps Poppy as a bargaining chip to get his brother back from the police officers that imprisoned him, only to realize that Poppy is one of them, and knows absolutely nothing about her magic and powers.
On the brink of revolution and learning about herself and what she is capable of, both Poppy and Hasan have to do serious politicking and use their strengths both together and separate, to get what they want.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery for this arc.

To Bargain with Mortals by R.A Basu is an extraordinary read. It delves deep into the roots of power and one's place in society.
Poppy Sutherland has no power over her life. No control, no freedom to speak her mind. Shipped off to a finishing school, she returns to secure her place in society. Hasan, in an attempt to retrieve his captured brother, kidnaps the heiress. The banter between them is top-notch!! Would love to see more of it.
This is a tale of coming of age and finding who they are against all obstacles.
Loved her character arc and how she changed herself and her views of the world as she learnt more about her heritage.
Deeply set in political it is an inspiring story altogether.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this digital review copy.

To Bargain With Mortals combined the world of fantasy and impactful themes to tell a compelling story while addressing real social issues that can be easily blocked out in a fantasy setting.
I really enjoyed the world building, which is very loosely based on the colonial India, the lore that was created for this story, and found the politics interesting.
I thought highlighting the issues of racism, sexism, and classism, for example, was integrated well into the fantasy plot. It's important to keep telling these stories and not shy away from heavy topics, as they're so relevant in today's climate.

I found the characters really likeable, and loved how nobody was really without flaws. Even the FMC, Poppy - while wanting to work for the greater good, she still had some unconscious bias as a product of her upbringing, and perhaps didn't have the best motivations for her goals even though her heart was in the right place.

While I do enjoy romance as a part of fantasy books, it was refreshing for it to not be a plot point in this story. I think I see this becoming a theme further in the story, and the slow burn romance I am imagining would be quite enjoyable!

One thing I would have liked is more magic being used, and the religions explored deeper, and I hope this is expanded on in as the story is being told. I think the dynamic between Poppy and Hasan could be fun, with the opposing elements of their magic.

Overall I found this enjoyable and easy to read, and I am looking forward to seeing how the story continues!

Thank you to NetGalley and Skies Press for allowing me to read and review this ARC!

To Bargain with Mortals is a powerful, bold fantasy debut that's well worth your time. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel! Highly recommended for readers who love intricate world-building, rich cultural lore, political nuance, deeply human characters, and stories about reclaiming identity and history.

The world building including the politic struggles and the faith and culture feels like a fantastic version of colonised India in the first half/ middle of the 20th century. The characters undergo great development and change to be even more nuanced in the end.

The romance here is subtle, quiet, and beautifully done.
It simmers in the background, never overshadowing the plot but still hitting all the emotional beats. If you love a slow burn (like... painfully slow) where a lingering touch or using someone's given name feels more intimate than a kiss, you'll adore it! I hope the second book explores this aspect a little more (yes, l'm a sucker for romance, though this book doesn't necessarily need it).

4.5 ⭐️

This is a fantastic story of betrayal, cultural heritage and new found friends!
The main characters are Poppy, an adopted heiress to the local leader of the colonising nation stripped of her original heritage struggling with racism and sexisms on her voyage to become member of the local high society, and Hasan, young co-leader of the local native crime syndicate struggling with his personal moral compass and the connected family problems. They meet under surprising circumstances and even more surprising become allies and possibly friends manoeuvring the local politics.
The world building including the politic struggles and the faith and culture feels like a fantastic version of colonised India in the first half/middle of the 20th century. The characters undergo great development and change to be even more nuanced in the end. There is some romantic tension between Poppy and her male companion, but there is no romantic plot which is quite refreshing. This also makes this book a good fit for younger readers since there is no sexual content or gore, only some fighting scenes without too much detail or brutality (I would probably recommend for 12+ year olds).
I also like the described connection between magic and faith which makes a very believable and easy to grasp system with great implications for the political conflicts. Since Poppy has a birth culture and a culture she grew up with the reader gets a good impression of both sides and not a definitive Good vs. Bad which underlines the great character development again.
All in all a fantastic YA/historical fantasy debut and I can't wait to read the second book of the duology to hear about what happens next to Poppy and Hasan!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.

This is such a unique story, weaving magic and religion into a fictional setting based on colonized India. The exploration of privilege and power was done so well. I really appreciate how it’s brought up that the colonizers helped to further divide the Virians between magic users and non magic users.

I loved all of the POVs and each character felt so realistically flawed but willing to learn and grow.

My only issue is the end felt rushed. Many of the plot points felt easily resolved. I also was looking for more interaction and meaningful conservation between Poppy and Hasan at the end. I love slow burn but I expected them to have a stronger friendship by the end. I hope we get to see their relationship build up in book 2.

Thank you so much for the ARC. I’m very excited for book 2.

Debut novel you say?

3.5 ✨✨

Well this political fantasy was a blast to read! Poppy our main FMC has been adopted by a duke and his wife because they want to show that they can take a Viryana citizen and essential teach them “their ways” aka take her away from her home and make themselves feel better about colonizing and committing genocide. This obviously brings a very complex and oftentimes complicated feelings to Poppy’s world as she starts to unravel all of the harm that has been done to her community.

I had a really great time for the first half of the book! I was locked into Poppy, the gang(Hasan 🤭) and I was ready for that second half. I do think when I got to the second half it almost felt too fast paced, the characters would go through an event and it seemed to be figured out too easily and too quickly.

I think for a debut novel this was good overall and I’m looking forward to the second book!

Thank you to NetGalley & Bindery Books for this ARC!

R.A. Basu’s To Bargain with Mortals is a powerful and thought-provoking debut that delves deep into the complexities of power, privilege, and colonization—all wrapped in a richly imagined world full of magic, politics, and heart.

The story follows two main characters: Poppy, a young woman navigating the privileges of her upbringing and the slow, painful awakening to her heritage and responsibilities; and Hasan, who is trying to preserve his culture, protect his family, and survive in a world where just existing as himself, a brown man with divine powers, can be a death sentence.

I’ll admit, Poppy frustrated me at times, especially in the beginning, but that felt intentional. She starts off blind to her own privilege, but she genuinely wants to do better, to reconnect with her roots, and figure out who she could’ve been. Her emotional journey and inner conflicts felt real and meaningful by the end.
That said, Hasan’s storyline was the one I found myself most drawn to. His stakes were so high, and his growth was incredibly satisfying to watch (though he still has some growing to do at the end of this novel). His bond with his brothers was one of my favorite parts of the book—so sweet and messy and real. I come from a big family myself, and their arguments and love for each other felt so familiar and raw. The characters in general are a true strength of this novel. From Hasan’s brothers and his gang to Poppy’s social circle and complex relationship with her father, everyone feels vivid and distinct.

The romance here is subtle, quiet, and beautifully done. It simmers in the background, never overshadowing the plot but still hitting all the emotional beats. If you love a slow burn (like... painfully slow) where a lingering touch or using someone’s given name feels more intimate than a kiss, you’ll adore it! I hope the second book explores this aspect a little more (yes, I'm a sucker for romance, though this book doesn't necessarily need it).

The world-building is seriously impressive. The magic system is unique and tied beautifully into the culture, lore and religion, with real consequences and limitations to using it. The political aspects are compelling too. This book doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like colonization, classism, colorism and police violence. The way these themes were woven into the characters’ lives—especially through Poppy’s perspective as someone raised by white colonizers—was handled with such care. Watching her reconnect with her people and her faith was genuinely heartwarming!

Now, the beginning is a little slow. There’s a lot of dialogue and quite a few time skips in the first quarter, which made the pacing feel a bit off. Some scenes are heavy on exposition, and I personally wished for a bit more emotional depth and descriptions in the writing style, especially early on, just to set the tone. A few plot points and twists were also pretty predictable, and the ending felt a bit rushed and convenient.

Still, To Bargain with Mortals is a powerful, bold fantasy debut that’s well worth your time. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel! Highly recommended for readers who love intricate world-building, rich cultural lore, political nuance, deeply human characters, and stories about reclaiming identity and history.

Thank you to Bindery Books and NetGalley for providing me with an AeRC for review purposes! All opinions are my own.

Let me first say that I cannot wait to read the next book in the series! There was nothing I did not love about the story. I found the characters incredibly interesting and well developed. The story itself was beautifully written. The underlying theme or themes of the book are of that which we see all too often in real life. It is a story depicting institutional and societal racism, cultural genocide, manipulation tactics and gaslighting used by those in power to keep people in line, etc. The main character, Poppy Sutherland knows these all too well. As the adoptive daughter the most prominent Welkish family in Viryana, Poppy is not only forced to work twice as hard to be viewed as someone to be respected, but her life is a constant uphill battle of trying to find a place in society that sees her as nothing more than her gender and ethnicity. I don’t want to give much else away so all I will say is buy the book when it comes out. You won’t be disappointed.

Loosely inspired by colonial India, To Bargain with Mortals takes place in the country of Viryana, which has been colonized by Welkland. The FMC, Poppy Sutherland, is a Virian girl who was adopted by the Welkish viceroy as a child. She has some privilege as the viceroy's daughter, but is also subject to the prejudices that the Welkish hold against the Virian people. She's too Virian for the Welkish to accept, and too Welkish for the Varian. The MMC, Hasan (aka the Jackal), is supposed to be a ruthless gang leader, but his hesitant and idealistic nature really didn't sell his intended portrayal. Both characters work to unlearn their own prejudices and challenge their oppressors. They do not have a romantic relationship, but I get the feeling it'll head in that direction in the sequel.

The premise was great, the magic system was intriguing, and the novel explored important topics, but the pacing was off and the character development often felt inauthentic. The setting can be tough to gauge; it feels almost medieval until some modern technology like a car or phone interrupts the vibe. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but I had to force myself through the middle when Hasan is teaching Poppy about their culture - it draaagged and the characters' personalities just kinda disappeared. The end moved too quickly and the conclusion felt too easy. This book does *not* leave you on a cliffhanger, which I appreciate, but still leaves you wondering what will come.

All that said, this is a debut novel and has a lot of potential! I wonder if some of my more negative opinions here will change once the second half of the duology is released and I can see how the story comes together as a whole.

As has happened to so many indigenous children, Poppy was divorced from her people, her culture, her religion in order that she could be white washed and turned into a proper, model minority with excellent manners and proper beliefs. That isn’t to say her adopted parents were terrible people; they wanted a child and loved Poppy as though she were their own. Their own Wlkesh child. What they did was wrong, but they chose not to know better.

This has left Poppy to be … well, indecisive. She temporizes, prevaricates, dithers and tries to be a good Wilkesh woman. The way she interacts with people, both Virian and Wilkesh has a decidedly Wilkesh flavour, with entitlement and a naive bewilderment about why people would choose to live the way they do, why don’t more powerful people just … feed the starving ones? It’s all good thoughts, no effort; a desire to do good without either knowing how or being willing to knuckle down and do the work.

Hasan is a criminal who preys upon the poor and struggling while still thinking he stands for them just because they share a skin color. And he never really deals with that; he’s a hero of the downtrodden, sure, but he’s also the one that’s been helping to trod on them. He’s a better option for Poppy than the murderous asshole who wants to frame her for murder, but so is the baker down the street or the wealthy merchant who deals in clothing.

Hasan doesn’t work for me as a hero. Love interest, sure, I guess. He’s nice enough, once he decides to care, but he’s also thoughtless and willing to use Poppy to his own ends. (And considering how lost Poppy is, maybe it’s just as well there’s someone to tell her what to do.) Again, she means well, but she’s ineffective.

The ending is rushed with the last fifteen percent filled with all manner of politics and world changing decisions made off page and clumsily, and as that’s the last memory I’ll have of this book, it’s a shame. It dropped it a full star, for me. As it is, there’s a lot to like here. The world building, the magic system, but there’s no real resolution to anything and so many people are like Poppy, full of good vibes but no real answers, and I’m not inspired enough to pick up the second book in the series.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

A compelling and interesting novel. From start to finish, there was always something happening that kept me compulsively turning pages.

While there were tons of great ideas throughout, I did feel like any conflicts that arose were resolved a bit too quickly and simply, which made it hard to fully connect. We seemed to breeze through plot points like we were checking items off a list.

For instance, I would have loved to spend more time with Poppy as she explored the Virian culture and how that growth strengthened her resolve and her partnership with Hasan. I understood that that’s what happened, but I didn’t fully feel it.

That said, I particularly enjoyed the last quarter or so and am absolutely already eager for the sequel!

Thanks to Bindery for providing an arc through NetGalley for me to review!

Thank you to Bindery Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

To Bargain With Mortals is a richly written story of social rebellion and cultural (and literal) genocide. It is fast-paced and impossible to put down. It is one of my few 5-star reads for the year thus far and I’m so grateful I got a chance to read it.

It’s rare to find a book that deals with the subject of class/caste and widespread cultural erasure and oppression with such nuance and sensitivity. There are so many layers to it, including within the oppressed culture itself. It’s also rare to get such a poignant look at the ethnic and cultural no-man’s-land that mixed and adopted POC have to occupy, never truly belonging anywhere.

The characters are courageous and tragically flawed, and your heart will break and soar in equal measure going on their journey with them as they navigate what it means to break a system while attempting to keep it from collapsing on the most vulnerable people within it.

A brilliant start to a new duology, I simply cannot wait to see this one hit the shelves. This would be an excellent choice for book clubs and library groups, as well as simply enriching your own bookshelf. Do not miss.

I really enjoyed this one and I think this will be a favorite for the 2025 fantasy category. This has Six of Crows energy but with its own plot and mishaps. The pacing felt a little off at times, but I found myself rooting for the characters and their success. I'll definitely the second installment.

Thank you to Bindery Books, NetGalley and Skies Press for this e-are in exchange for an honest review!

This book covered a lot of heavy topics and I loved how R.A. Basu showed us multiple sides of these issues and how nothing is black or white. Though the issues this story highlighted and the message was profound, the plot fell flat. It was just another story of a girl coming into power for me.

I loved the immersive world building and the magic concept was unique, I’m really excited for book 2!

This book is very political heavy, so it did take me longer to finish this since I had to find myself in the right mindset to read something so politic heavy.

Rebellion simmers in every line of To Bargain with Mortals—a bold, thought-provoking fantasy that speaks to both the past and the present. Set in the colonized nation of Viryana, R.A. Basu’s debut blends divine magic, revolution, and political complexity in a story rich with tension and cultural nuance.

Poppy Sutherland is an immediately compelling protagonist. Raised as the brown-skinned adopted daughter of the white Viceroy, she has spent her life walking the tightrope between two worlds—never fully accepted by the ruling elite, yet distant from the struggles of her own people. What makes Poppy’s arc so powerful is how deeply it wrestles with identity and internalized bias. As the story unfolds, she slowly transforms from a reluctant bystander into a woman with the potential to ignite systemic change.

Her journey collides with that of Hasan Devar—infamous gang leader, magic wielder, and revolutionary icon. Their alliance is uneasy but magnetic: Poppy’s political cunning and Hasan’s raw power create sparks on the page, even when their dynamic borders on transactional. Their relationship, and its potential, is a core strength of the novel.

Basu’s prose is lyrical and incisive, layering every scene with cultural texture and emotional stakes. Themes of colonialism, inherited history, and the cost of resistance are handled with both subtlety and fire. I especially appreciated how the novel critiques power not only as a force wielded externally, but as something internal to be reckoned with.

To Bargain with Mortals left a strong impression. It’s a beautifully imagined, emotionally charged fantasy debut with sharp teeth and a revolutionary heart. Readers who love historical fantasy with political bite, complex identity themes, and reluctant heroes will find much to admire here—and plenty to ponder.

I absolutely adored this book. Although the main character, Poppy, drove me crazy at times, you could tell that she was more than willing to see things from other perspectives. Growing up with a royal family, full of white people, she never got to know where she came from. Adopted at the age of 2, all she ever knew was the culture of her 'parents'. Then there is Hasan, who grew up in the slums and became a part of his family's gang. Both he and Poppy believe they are doing what is right. Now they have to work together to lead the island into a new and better world. I cannot wait for book 2. 4.5 stars!

I absolutely loved this book!!! It was such an amazing well developed novel from a debut author from the world-building to the discussions of race, colonialism, factionalism and gender. The unique aspects within the plot made the story so twisty, turny and interesting gripping me throughout despite its length. I absolutely loved the presentation of the characters who were left flawed and the character development that subsequently followed - and the magic of the book not being a main plot but being interwoven throughout and being far from overpowered (as can usually be the case). I'm so relieved to know this will eventually be a trilogy and I'm left waiting for so much more and to truly see the development (and the inevitable probably violent challenges) the kingdom will face. The politics of the book were so interesting and the exploration of culture was brilliant I cant wait to see where the other books go and absolutely adored the writing style and clear effort that went into such a well written novel!!

I already cannot wait for the second book! This was a 4.5 out of 5 stars for me!

I loved this book, and I’m not typically a historical fantasy reader. This first book was not as complex on the work building which made it easier to read and follow, and I think it (hopefully) sets up the second book to be a little bit more complex on that end.

I love the concept of the magic system and the gods, I wish there was a little bit more to it, but again, hopefully more to come in the second book.

The setting threw me off a little bit, I don’t know what the time frame is supposed to be, but it is historical, but with cars and technology? It didn’t make the most sense, but I vibe with it overall.

I love when people underestimate a character, and that’s Poppy. I very much enjoyed following along with her while she was relearning her culture that tried to be “white” washed away from her.

The Jackal, or Hasan, the criminal, has similar views as Poppy when it comes to fighting the regime, but he is I would say, a little bit more naive and doesn’t understand the complexity of it. But Poppy puts him in his place and its great!

I can’t wait for this book to be published so I can read the final works and then I’ll be not so patiently waiting for book 2! I will be rereading the ARC prior to the final published version just to see how far it’s come from this and I am ready!

Thank you Netgalley, Bindery, and Skiespress for the eARC of this absolutely wonderful book!

I received an early copy of this and I’m so thankful, it was amazing! Poppy and Hasan are wonderful main characters who you route for even when they make you cringe or shake your head with some of their decisions. This story deals with so many difficult larger topics (racism, adoption trauma, classism, sexism, etc) in a great way, both knowledgeable and still intriguing. I also loved the way the book ended. This was a fabulous debut - thank you for the opportunity to read it so soon!

Wow this story was absolutely captivating! The world building made it so I was easily able to immerse myself in the world. I loved the political intrigue and gang wars. There were so many big that were touched on that added to the story such as mental health and bias’. I loved Poppy’s journey and can’t wait to see where she goes in book 2.

This was so much fun to read, and I loved the Indian references. I really hope to see more of this author!!

Me waiting this long to read To Bargain with Mortals when I've had it on TBR and readily available is a tragedy because it was phenomenal!

I read this in two days, responsibilities be damned. I loved the premise (magical chosen one, yes please.) I enjoyed the magic system and that it utilized deities to power up the users.

The action was gripping and the prose was well done. Dialogue I felt was a strong plus on this as well. Some of the themes were a bit heavy handed (someone else mentioned "white=bad!" And I can say that that felt true) but this did not deter me personally. One thing that felt off was the presence of vehicles in the world. What time period are we in? I ended up shrugging this off but the rest of the world building seemed to put the cars in a really weird juxtaposition that didn't feel quite right.

Poppy's journey was interesting, however some of the beats of her journey were a bit....expected? Definitely a set of actions that Ive read before. The side characters really helped with making this feel well rounded and made up for her shortcomings. I really loved Hasan and his brothers! I thought the relationships within the gang were well built and believable. That is something I felt a bit conflicted about: I cared far more for these side characters than our FMC which is probably not the goal.

I loved that the hinted at romance between our two leads was just that: hinted at. Hopefully it will bloom into something really exciting next installment along with a new antagonist. I'll definitely be completing the series!

Thanks to bindery, Skiepress, and netgalley for the Arc!

This was such an addictive read, I was immediately immersed and had the hardest time putting it down. The prose is excellent and the story flows very naturally. I love the complexities involved with this very real world issue of colonialism and its impact on all people. I love when characters have specific biases and prejudices based on the world they live in, and it was so interesting to read Poppy's perspective as a strong lead with deep personal issues to work through. It's easy to see how much work was put in to make all of the characters more than just a typical archetype, and they have a lot of deeply human layers.

I do think some aspects of the story felt a little too simple and easy to predict, but I don't think that's a major deterrent from my enjoyment of the story. The creativity of the world building and characters made for a story I was desperate to consume, and I'm so excited to see where the story goes in the sequel.

This story kept me engaged. It was so well written, i found myself not getting lost with all the events unfolding but getting lost in the world of it. It was entertaining and i love a strong female character. Overall, an amazingly done story.

Despite the formatting issues, I could not put this book down.
The world building is rich, the culture is both compelling and explained in a very easy to digest way, and the character work is immaculate. I appreciate not ending on a huge cliffhanger, but still setting up the second book beautifully.

I loved this book! It's a strong fantasy debut with immersive world-building, a great magic concept and a whole heap of interesting characters! One of the things I particularly liked is that it's a fantasy take on the British colonisation of India and it's nuanced. Not all the Welkish (British) people are bad and not all the Virian (Indian) people are good which is often a tricky balance to get right and one that tends to fall one way or the other. There's issues yet to be resolved in Virian culture between the magic users and non-magic users, rather reflective of the Indian caste system still prevalent today.

The characters are also excellent! Poppy as the main character was refreshing, she's strong and fierce but at the same time filled with her own prejudices despite being Virian by birth. Hasan is reckless and dangerous yet has multiple soft spots. Also, big shout out to Zeyar! He's a great side character, the opposite of Hasan despite being brothers, and I'm honestly intrigued to see where the second novel will go.

The only thing I think that stops this being a five star review for me is that sometimes it's a little bit predictable when it comes to the plot. But, nonetheless, it's an enjoyable and engaging read!

The main characters' journeys are both relatable and richly layered. The book takes the classic “uptown girl meets bad boy from the hood” trope and deepens it with thoughtful explorations of class, race, and magical ability.

I appreciated that the story didn’t reduce the divisive element to just white vs. brown. Instead, it highlighted how division and cruelty existed among the marginalized even before white colonizers arrived—especially around magical ability. That internal conflict weakened the people and made them vulnerable to outside exploitation and oppression.

The magic system was a refreshing surprise. Rooted in sacrifice to gods, it made power feel sacred, rare, and costly. You can’t just magic your way out of everything, which raised the emotional and ethical stakes in a meaningful way.

The book is well-written, with strong pacing and complex, believable relationships. I especially liked how it shows that people can hold harmful beliefs and still be loved. Being wrong doesn’t make someone irredeemable—but refusing to grow when presented with new truth does. The story illustrates that nuance beautifully.

4 Stars - Highly Recommended!

What a dazzling read this book is. I am so glad that I took a chance on To Bargain With Mortals despite the fact that I haven’t read anything about the author and the premise seems like the usual fantasy trope of girl-of-destiny. But as I have mentioned in my previous reviews, I can put up with familiar fantasy tropes as long as executed well and To Bargain With Mortals has just done that. It’s not perfect but every page was perfect for me.

Inspired by colonial India, R.A. Basu’s To Bargain With Mortals follows the story of Poppy Sutherland, an orphaned Viryani who was adopted by a childless Duke and a Viceroy at that; and a Viryani criminal, Hasan a.ka. The Jackal, who despite being a criminal and being unrepentant about killing people still has morals to save the innocents. I know it’s crazy but he is just what he is. Heh. Know that these characters are already adults which made the story more novel in the sense that both protagonists seemed innocent about a lot of ways of the world. Poppy, having raised by the nobility, was sheltered and has this great tendency to act like the world owes her a lot for taking a lot from her. And Hasan for only seeing things the violent way. It’s almost always a black and white for him. If he wants to get something, he always faces it head on, with violence, without even thinking about the repercussions of his actions. Sounds irritating but Hasan is such an adorable guy despite the flaws. I may not relate with his logic but I can understand where he is coming from. He is jus a product of oppression who wants to do good but and make a better world for his fellow Viryans and at the same time, protect and provide for his family. Only that he still needs a lot of growing up to realize that fists are not the only way to do things.

I cannot say the same thing for Poppy though. She’s prolly the only reason why I did not give To Bargain With Mortals a perfect 5 star review because she really grated on my nerves. She’s a self-centered brat and is basically someone who had gotten everything that she wanted because she threw a tantrum or had coerced people to do her bidding. I did not feel that she worked hard enough to deserve her achievements at the end. She did not experience sufficient suffering for me to give her a pat in the back and tell her, “You did well, Young Padawan.” I did not see her displaying acts of remarkable brilliance or intelligence or cunning that made me “Oh, wow.” Yes, I know how miserable her life is and that she really has the right to feel hurt but it does not give her the right to invalidate the hurt of others when comparatively speaking, she had it better compared with the other Viryanis who did not even got a chance for any thing better. Le sigh.

Anyway, enough with Poppy lest I spoil the whole book for you with all my rant. Setting my dislike for Poppy, I am happy to tell you that I like all the characters in the book even the villains and the not-so villains. They’re well developed and has their certain depth that it’s difficult to not relate with them at some point. The way R.A. Basu made them was definitely not just your bad-bad kind of villain or good-good kind of protagonists. They have their admirable traits despite having both acceptable and non-acceptable flaws.

On top of the remarkable character development, I also enjoyed the author’s manner of writing. It’s poignant without being flowery. It really set the tone of the book which is inspired by colonial India. And yes, the way the author the built the story around the gods and goddesses of India made it so much more vibrant. I am only familiar with India’s history and mythology on the surface level but this book made me delve deeper into the intricacies of the Indians’ plight regarding their colonization. I also love the magic system created by the Author because there’s a balance. You cannot just use something so powerful without paying for it.

But most important of all, what I truly admired about To Bargain With Mortals was its heavy focus on family. It was just so heartbreaking to witness how the events of the book led to some heartwrenching scenes. Clarence Sutherland was a despicable man through and through but I could not find fault on how he tried, in his own perspective and views of the world, to be a good father to Poppy. How he tried his very best to protect Poppy is his own misguided ways. And then there’s The Jackal’s family whose filial bonds are so strong that they’d rather see the world in chaos than surrender one of their own. Truly, family is complicated but as this book has conveyed, it’s worth fighting for.

Summing it all up, To Bargain With Mortals had been a perfect companion these past days where the mundaneness of life has tried to swallow me whole. It’s surely a series that I’m looking forward to. Another gem in the Bindery books line up that I would not hesitate shoving down anyone’s throat. I pray to the gods of Virian that Poppy would at least grow up in the second and last installment of the series because she’s the only underachiever among the lineup of amazing characters in the book.

It was interesting enough to keep me going into the book because of the commentary it makes about colonialism. The impact that has to someone whose a BIPOC that assimilates to white culture. But like make it fantastical, interesting and full of intrigue. I actually really liked it!!!

And my man, Hasan... he's so cute to me but he'll probably hate being described that!! I adoreeeee the relationship he has with his brothers, it's really sweet and strong. It's refreshing.

Another thing though, the quiet moments where we're learning more about the characters, the plot, and the society they live in felt boring SOMETIMES. Because with the idea being colonialism, I felt like I knew how things were going to go so it felt quiet predictable.

Would still recommend this book if the ideas it explores intrigues you. It's a great read!!

Wow!! Took me a day after finishing to even start this review! The author did an incredible job with this story. I love a strong FMC and this one is top tier! There is a lot going on, but the author was able to write it in a way that I didn’t get lost or overwhelmed. I will be patiently counting down the days till book two is released.

I stumbled across this book on TikTok because I follow Emma Skies, who acquired this book through Bindery. The cover is GORGEOUS, and as an international adoptee I was wary of but intrigued by the premise.

I needn’t have worried. I don't even fully know where to begin, but I thought this book -- once I got over the first 26% or so -- was brilliant. I only really got pulled in once our main characters' goals came together, but after that it simply flew by.

I loved all of the characters in this. The main characters, Poppy and Hasan, have a kind of naivety to their worldviews, and they both come to understandings, by the end of the book, that left me feeling relieved. There's a lot that happens towards the end of the book, and I think all of it is earned... and therefore extremely satisfying to see. The side characters are numerous, and I enjoyed what all of them brought to the narrative. Our main characters are often challenged for their words/decisions, and I loved how characters are not easily let off the hook for their choices.

Poppy, especially, was such a wonderful character. Without giving too much away, I think her growth over the course of the book was such a joy to witness. Underlying all of her actions is this desperate longing to belong somewhere, and that’s a feeling that resonated with me so deeply, as an asian adoptee raised by white people. I just loved her.

I have so many thoughts about this book, and not all of them are super coherent at the moment, but I am looking forward to this book's release and cannot wait for the sequel.

Thank you to Bindery & NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Bindery Books, Skies Press, and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I overall rated this a 4 star out of 5.

The character’s depth felt rigid. While we learn their inner thoughts and workings via the shifting POVs and through their words and actions, I feel like I was told more than shown. The relationship between Poppy and Hasan felt like it solidified too fast while the story itself felt too slow.

There was a lot that felt like fluff that could have been removed and would have made the book a bit faster paced and less full of info dumping. It could be 50-75 pages shorter and still pack a powerful punch with the themes presented. It felt like maybe book one’s main goal was to give a deeper understanding of the lore, political structure, and magical system, and then possibly more intricacies to the magic system and character depth will be introduced in the next book? I definitely hope the magic system comes more into play in the next book.

Having said that, I did enjoy the story as a whole. I think the themes are strong pillars throughout the book and incredibly necessary for people to read. The politics are eerily similar to our current climate, and I felt those similarities are so important to be shared.

I enjoyed watching Poppy learn and fall in love with her culture after so many years being forced into a box that didn’t fit her. The fights against systemic racism and sexism are also relevant and powerfully written and presented. This was the strongest part of the book and rightfully should be.

The author’s voice is so strong. She writes with a beautiful cadence that’s easy to follow. I highlighted so many one liners that were so powerful and made me incredibly emotional. Overall this is an incredible freshman novel.

I enjoyed this a lot and love the themes.

To Bargain with Mortal is a magnificent read, point blank, nothing else to say. But since I love to yap, here's a little bit of my opinions: I thought the writing style was gorgeous, I thought the characters jumped straight out the page and I loved how human they all felt like while reading, and I thought the magic system was to die for.

Fantasy is one of my favorite genres in the whole world, and this one was the exact type of fantasy I was looking for. I was never bored, never tired and never disappointed throughout all the twists-and-turns this book took, and I'm inmensely thankful for the opportunity to have read it early.

I loved this book a lot! The magic system was wonderfully done and it was a great story! Would highly recommend.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚Rating*ੈ✩‧₊˚
3.5/5 Stars
(Rounded Up)

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗Tropes˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
🌊 Broken Society
🔥 Dual POV
🌊 Underestimated Fmc
🔥 Unique Magic System

𓂃🖊Notes and Highlights-

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･“You don’t have to have the same experience as someone to feel for them, only the desire to understand.”°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

💭 Thoughts-
I thought this was a very interesting book that was fun to read, with a lot of political intrigue in the plot and lots of power struggle and stuff like that. I liked the magic system that was in the book and thought it was pretty unique too. I did struggle with really connecting with the main character Poppy though. Not only that, but I thought she was a bit annoying at times and a little pick me just with the whole I’m not like the girls like I get it you aren't like all the other high society girls but like still get over yourself girlie. 🙄. I will say I did enjoy seeing the growth she went through throughout the book and just how she come to realize the actual state of her society and everything. All in all a good book, butt not the best by any means.

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This was amazing. 10/10 no notes. I loved it so much and I need the second book injected into my veins ASAP.

Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for this ARC.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but that wasn't it. Politics, intrigue, gangs and magic with a young woman stuck in the middle trying to make her mark. Can't wait to read the sequel

To Bargain with Mortals is a sharp, evocative, and beautifully layered fantasy that grabbed me from the very first page and refused to let go.

Set in the colonized nation of Viryana, this story offers so much more than the enemies-to-allies dynamic between a disgraced heiress and a feared gang leader. It's a story about power, identity, and the fractures left by empire. Poppy and Hasan are two magnetic leads, equally flawed and driven, both caught in a system that wants them silent. And yet, together, they spark change.

What I loved most was how this book blends intimate character growth with big political stakes. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, but never gets in the way of the emotional core. Poppy’s internal conflict—caught between the world that raised her and the one she longs to fight for—feels achingly real. Hasan, with his fury, grief, and reluctant hope, is equally unforgettable.

The writing is clear, powerful, and full of purpose. The tension (emotional, political, romantic) is perfectly paced, and the magic system tied to divine inheritance is both elegant and thematically meaningful. Every element—colonial critique, rebellion, romance—feels essential.

This book made me feel angry, inspired, and breathless in the best way. It’s about what we owe to ourselves and each other. About how survival, in the face of oppression, is both resistance and reclamation.

A must-read for fans of political fantasy, slow-burn romance, and stories that challenge the systems they’re set in.

I have been absolutely, on every level, blown away by this story. I don't think I've ever been so invested in a character as I have been with our wonderful Poppy and the character arc she embarks on. Its very much a character driven story and to have a MCs like Poppy and Hasan at the helm made the chapters fly by. The writing was absolutely amazing and the pace has never been so perfect. Through every page I was completely immersed in this world and its dynamics. The vibes are here, the vibes are great. I would have like a little more of its magic system displayed but I'm happy with what was shown and can't wait to read what's to come!
Thank you Netgalley and Bindery for the chance to read this awesome debut!

Thank you to Bindery and Netgalley for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.75 stars rounded up. I devoured this book. After I got past the 10% mark I was invested. I do wish the first 10% hooked me quicker than it did but once it had me, it had me.

I loved the character growth our main character goes through and I can't wait to see how much she changes in the sequel. These were lovable and complicated characters and I really enjoyed their depth.

The magic system in this book was also interesting and I can't wait to see how it plays out in the second book. I have a feeling this series will be one of my favorites once it progresses even more!

This is a great debut fantasy novel. I mean it has everything if you think about it; an interesting magical system, political warfare, a strong but underestimated female lead and a hot headed but kind male lead. It is well written, fast paced, and a page turner. There is also growth and development in the characters which makes them more appealing and real. The racism and subjugation have also been depicted aptly by the writer.

I really like the fact that there is no black and white in the story, even the supposedly good people Virians have discrimination amongst them. Which gives the plot depth and makes it feel even better when they all come together.

I can’t wait to read the sequel and am eagerly waiting for the romance.

Thank you NetGalley and BinderyBooks for the title.

4.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I found each of the main and secondary characters to be very dynamic. I loved the elemental magic system and the world of politics created. I’m excited to see where the next book leads.

Thank you Bindery and Netgalley for providing the e-arc for this!

I knew with Emma Skies picking this up and repping it so hard it had to be good! I loved this. It was powerful, thought provoking, and obviously a great reflection of colonization and the way it affects the people who are colonized. I really liked the in depth view of Poppy understanding her own privilege and bias and self hatred in order to understand both herself and her culture and people better. I felt Hasan to be kind of annoying with his very black and white view of the world, but he really started to come around for me in the end. Honestly I could've lived without Hasan and Zeyar's drama. It felt like they just circled the same arguments over and over and it never went anywhere. I felt the middle part of the book dragged, but this could obviously be attributed to Poppy relearning her culture. I would have liked to see more of the magic being used. Definitely leaned more into the political intrigue (not complaining!) that I felt the actual magic part was left behind. Hopefully we see more in book 2! There is work to be done and nothing is going to stop Poppy Sutherland from accomplishing it.

#ToBargainwithMortals #NetGalley
I thoroughly enjoyed the politics of this world along with the deep character development. I am definitely interested to see where the 2nd book takes us.

To Bargain With Mortals was everything I wanted in a book. I loved the world Basu created and the themes this novel explored. It does not shy away from heavy topics which I find so important, especially in today’s political climate.

I absolutely loved the complex characters and the exploration of how one’s upbringing shapes their worldview. Poppy, while Virian, was raised within the highest ranking Welkish home on the island. She had the Virian beaten out of her, shaping her to be a “true Welkish” lady. I loved watching her try and seize power for herself, despite the color of her skin and the fact she is a woman. I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Hasan and his brothers and the people within their gang.

I think what I liked most of all about the characters are they are all deeply flawed and have to work through their own biases. Their choices made sense within the context of the story in relation to their upbringings. Speaking of upbringings, I thought it was so impressive how Basu incorporated racism and discrimination into the story. It wasn’t just white vs color, but also explored how societies tend to favor the select few within the same populations of people.

I’m so excited to see where Basu takes this in the next installment. I’ll definitely be rereading once this hits shelves in October!

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves political fantasy and complex, flawed characters!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

To start thank you Netgalley for and arc of this. I wanted to begin this review by saying that I enjoyed this book a lot. I can see the potential of this book and where it could go in its sequel. Moving on to my positives that I had for this book, Poppy's arch was captivating and thought out. Every moment I was rooting for victory and I felt her anxieties. The care and detail that went into Poppy's story was so intricate and detailed that made me want to keep reading.
 
My main criticisms where that the story heavily relied on telling instead of showing. Specifically, when it came to Hasan's POV regarding back story. The reader was given a lot of exposition when it could have been revealed later as the story progressed. For example, the description of members and their pasts were given away as they came to the first meeting after Paranjay was kidnapped. This could have been revealed just as Samina's past was (i.e. the necklace). I feel this could have helped with some of pacing which dragged near the end.
 
The final act and final vote for who would be the viceroy was exciting and created such great tension. I truly did not know how it could have played out. However, the resulting chapters of purely politics caused that energy to stagnate. Having the main villain leave in the final act contributed to this. However, I appreciated the realism of the politics and how in reality that there are really no happy endings.
 
In conclusion, I feel that some moments telling vs. showing caused the plot to drag. But besides this, “To Bargain with Mortals” was a solid Debut. I am excited for the future sequel and whatever lies in the future for R. A. Basu.

Review: An interesting take on subtle magic and the inter-play between cultures divided by caste. What surprised me was that the era had a sudden reveal with cars, powered rickshaws and industrialism. Huh? Initially this novel felt quite medievel with boats for long journeys, royalty, slums and aristocratic propriety. In your head its Oliver Twist with orphans, starvation and shjt, then out of nowhere a phone rings.

The very liberal baseline expression that is the foundation of this novel just tires you out. White is bad is iterated constantly. This race baiting is really just an excuse to exercise a foundational identity in a public setting. I find it tedious in the extreme as it builds nothing but blame and justification for the characters.

This novel really never goes anywhere interesting. It is mostly a journey about overcoming self-recrimination and building esteem, finding inner magic and saving your ancestral Island from whitey. There is a burgeoning love story between THE JACKAL (LOL) and Poppy, but you gotta wait until the next installment to find out.

I received this ARC for an honest rev

Review: To Bargain With Mortals

To Bargain With Mortals is a historical fantasy deeply rooted in themes of racism, colonization, and identity. The story follows Poppy Sutherland, who returns home after seven years away, sent off by her adoptive family for a past transgression. Determined to secure her place in Welkish society, she struggles with belonging to neither world.

Opposing her are the Devar brothers, particularly Hassan, the youngest. As Virian natives colonized by Welkland, they wield magic and power to serve their own ambitions.

This novel is beautifully character-driven, with each protagonist undergoing meaningful growth. Poppy’s journey is especially compelling as she grapples with self-perception and belonging. The world-building and magic system are rich, and the pacing never falters. While the book leaves some loose ends for future installments, it avoids a frustrating cliffhanger, making it a satisfying read. I’m eager to return to this world and see what the author does next!

Thank you to Bindery Books and NetGalley for early access to this book.

To Bargain with Mortals by R.A. Basu is such a good story. This author is a genious! I loved everything about this story. The characters are fantastic, the story is immaculate!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review. This was the first book I've read by R. A. Basu, and it definitely won't be the last. The story was intriguing, the world building complex and the characters kept you on the edge of your seat wondering what they were going to do next.
While there was a lot to remember, the complex story made sense as it played out and every character had an important role. The magic system and political system were intricately linked, which is a concept I love, and the fact that each character had to make sacrifices for their end goals made it all the more heart wrenching. I loved this story and will definitely be recommending it.

Wow, this book was amazing. It had everything I love in a great Fantasy; an easy to understand magic system, an underestimated FMC, a violent, hot-headed MMC and a strong political system. This story left nothing on the table and I had such a great time with this book.

All of the characters in the story are so flawed and imperfect, especially Poppy and Hasan. Even through I found myself rolling my eyes or sighing out loud at some of the decisions these characters made I still found that it made sense for the story and I understood their motivations. The character growth for Poppy especially was so great, There were moments throughout this story were I found myself unsure of if I wanted Poppy to succeed, which made it all the more powerful when I was fully rooting for her in the end. And Hasan's relationship with his brothers is so complex and emotional, some of the scenes between Hasan and Zayar were so tense I found myself gripping my ebook a little too aggressively. The author did such an incredible job of living in this gray area with all of their characters, nothing was black or white and even the oppressed Viryans experienced discrimination amongst each other. No side was without fault.

The magic system was awesome, and I LOVED the idea of having to sacrifice something in order to procure power. It's such a simple concept but it was turned into such a powerful moment for Poppy in the story. And the political system was so well fleshed out, I loved all of the intricacies between the first families, second families, and the Viryans. It was so complex but so well thought out, and I never once felt like I couldn't keep track of who was what or where. It was all explained so well.

If you love fast-paced fantasies with strong character growth, powerful magic and a complex but easy to understand political system I would highly recommend picking up this book, I can't wait to purchase a physical copy when this is published!

To Bargain With Mortals is a historical fantasy, heavily steeped in themes of racism, colonization, and the characters’ own internal biases.

It is about Poppy Sutherland, who is just returning from seven years away from her home. She was sent away to gain an “education” by her adoptive family because of a transgression she committed, and we learn later as readers. Her goal is to secure her place within Welkish society.

It is also about the Devar brothers, mainly Hassan, the youngest of the group. They are part of the Virian natives who have been colonized by Welkland. They use their magic and privilege as heads of a gang, to mainly further their own pursuits.

I really loved the world and magic system. More than anything though this was character driven, and each character had an arc of growth and change that makes sense for where they started and where they end up. Poppy‘s growth is especially beautiful to see because she has to come to terms with how she sees herself as never really being part of either world due to her upbringing.

The flow of this worked really well, I was never bored and there was always enough going on to keep me interested in what was going to happen next. I also enjoyed that there is not a cliffhanger at the end of this. If not for some loose ends, this could almost be a standalone. And those are always the best books to read when you know it is part of an unfinished series. I am excited to see more from this world and from this author.