Raphael is THAT man! 100% “touch her and die”. He’s the epitome of that intense protector archetype.
He’s definitely not your classic hero, more like a villain in hero’s clothing LOL! But you can’t help being drawn to him. Whether you admit it or not, you’ll find yourself crushing on him just a little (or a lot).

I did enjoy this book a lot. There was just something I wasn’t totally in love with. The world building is amazing. I loved magic she created. It was different, but also slightly confusing. I was not to big on the lack of personal growth from the FMC. She kept going back to where she was. The lack of information of what she did to get to the prison was also frustrating. I can’t understand Sam’s pov. I will say I did enjoy Raphael. He was interesting. All in all, I did enjoy this book and look forward to the next one. I’m curios to see if my predictions are correct. I will say it will keep you on your toes.

I received this book as an arc. I was not paid for my review.

(Below is the review that will be posted by me to Amazon and I have already posted to Goodreads and Barnes and Noble. I will work on an Instagram/TikTok review and hopefully have them posted by Monday 6/30/25).

“That’s right. As long as you’re here with me, dove, you’re mine. And I protect what’s mine. Ruthlessly.”

“Because you remind me of a little bird, between the rapid flutter of your heart and clear desire to spread your wings.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I received this book as an ARC from the author and Net Galley.

I loved this book. I literally devoured it.
By chapter 4, I was hooked. I read this book in less than 24 hours and am in desperate need of book 2 in this series!

The main FMC is Samara, whom we meet as a prisoner catching rats for food and whose main focus is solely surviving. It’s in prison that she meets Raphael our main MMC who is literally perfect in every way and I will dream about him. He is also ,of course, a vampire which only increases his desirability.

Samara helps Raphael escape and their story is off. He needs her help (or so he claims) and in the name of survival she agrees.

The world is brutal and unforgiving and so well written. The main world revolves around witches, which includes Seers, Vampires and Voids (those with no magical powers). The world has magical creatures of all sorts including shape shifters, fae, ogres etc. and they are mentioned within the book even if not introduced (yet).

The reason I took off half a star was because by the end of the book, though one could surmise what happened and what was coming, we still don’t really know Samara’s back story.
Why was she in prison and what did her mother supposedly do to earn the title she did?

Also, frankly, I love Raphael and that she even considered betraying him despite EVERYTHING (which may or may have happened) just annoyed me. Raphael’s devotion is unwavering so I’m miffed at Samara.

I am a pick me girl now for this full on fictional vampire character.

“Raphael pick me, choose me, love me.”

Their banter and his dry wit was top notch and often had me smirking or giggling. For example:

“I call it food. Now eat, Samara. Your body’s healing relies on you using that mouth to masticate, not argue.”

How these two are going to overcome what happened, I do not know. Which is why this story will be living inside my head rent free and I need book two immediately.

Tropes you’ll find:

He falls first
Touch her and die
One horse
Forced proximity
Royalty
A Quest

I loved this book! The main characters are great! There were a lot of twists and turns and a lot happens in this book. A must read!

4.25 Stars - Dark, bloody and totally addictive.

This book owns its title, its sharp, intense, and full of that unhinged, desperate kind of romance I can’t stop thinking about. The writing is gorgeous without being too much, and the story goes dark in the best way. Some parts dragged a tiny bit, but overall I devoured it. If you’re into dangerous bargains, morally messy characters, and slow-burn chaos with teeth - read this. You won’t regret it.

Wow wow wowwww!!! This was better than I could have imagined. I saw it on an Instagram post about him unaliving souls for her and blood drinking, and I was like oh yah, let me read this. It delivered. DELIVERED. I'm pretty much Raphael's biggest fan at this point. What a delicious and uniquely created MMC.

The chemistry and slow burn have me wanting to dive into book 2 immediately, so the wait is going to be tough!! Oh, and the ending, it was incredible. It was the kind of ending that makes you want to keep going, but it doesn't necessarily hurt too bad. Which are the perfect cliffhangers for me.

One thing I read for is character development and growth, and this book has such powerful arcs. I can't wait to see their overarching arc throughout the whole series.

Seriously, such a delicious read. I enjoyed everything from the way it was worded, pacing, writing, characters, and plot. The storytelling itself was a lot of fun. I am enjoying where the story is going and I have read the magic before but it is less used. I do enjoy card magic a lot.

3.75 stars rounded up.

Samara, her character arc was so nice. From the "little dove" to the "little viper", how she got her voice and started standing up for herself and what she sought rightful. My only problem was her indecisiveness.

Raphael, this vampire!!! I mean he was so "touch her and die" coded, literally! He has to be the definition of it. He is not a hero, more a villian but you can't do anything than to fall for him or at least have a tinge bit of crush.


Overall:
A slow-burn dark fantasy romance indeed. This was definitely a bit on the darker side. I was honestly not expecting much from this but it delivered!! The writing was easy to understand and there wasn't much world building. Everything flowed in pretty easily. See this is the reason I NEVER start any ongoing series. With so much left to uncover, so many questions left unanswered and that ending! I am left craving for the next book *sigh*.I definitely would have rated this higher only if there would have been more tension and honestly and if Samara wasn't as indecisive.


Thank you Vasilisa Drake, Victory Editing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you for the eARC! I hadn't read a book by this author before and went into this one based on the interesting blurb. This book is single POV and follows the FMC Samara who makes a deal with a vampire to break out of the prison she's been in for 12 years. From there Samara and the vampire MMC (Raphael) embark on a journey and agree to another deal. I ended up loving this book! The writing was easy to follow and the world building wasn't too clunky which can sometimes happen with the start of a new series. I thought the magic system and various types of magical entities (vampire, witches, etc) were a fresh take. The romance was done well with a very slow burn/tension/yearning that fit with the characters-especially given the FMC's background. Would have loved to see Raphael's POV just because I'd love to know his thoughts haha. I have A LOT of questions about Samara's past in particular as well as the politics. Though I think the author set it up like that on purpose. The ending is somewhat of a cliffhanger and I can't wait for book 2!!! Very interested to see where the story goes and where the romance goes. The ending really left it all up in the air. Highly recommend if you like slow burn, vampires, intrigue!

Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the early advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Okay, this book was so much better than I expected. It completely hooked me from the start and never let go. The romance and the tension was incredible. It’s that perfect slow burn where nothing feels rushed or forced. And honestly it gave more villain gets the girl vibes and enemies to lovers and I was so here for it.

Raphael is the kind of morally gray villain character who I always root for in this type of dark romantasy books. He would absolutely kill anyone who even thinks about touching Samara, his chosen one.

The worldbuilding was another highlight. I loved how we got this dark and immersive look into the species and everything felt fresh. And like mentioned that I was completely hook with the story, most of it is because of the pacing that was very fast. I flew through this book and was actually shocked it was under 500 pages, it felt like so much happened without ever dragging.

The only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars is because I started getting a little annoyed at Samara near the end. Her indecisiveness in those final chapters really left me a bit frustrated, especially considering where it led things. But I’m still very intrigued by the direction the story’s going, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next book.

this was a strong start to the Kingdom of Dark Magic series, it had that fantasy romance element that I was wanting and enjoyed the overall storyline that was happening in this. It had me from the first page and was engaged with how the characters were used in this story. Vasilisa Drake was able to weave that element that I was looking for and was glad I read this.

The slow burn I live for. I couldn’t tell you whether they are enemies or lovers and the ending? Well let’s just say I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds in the next book.
Vampires, witches, unique magic systems. I truly enjoyed this book and it far exceeded my expectations from my original thoughts at the start. Be sure to add this to your TBR! Released 30th June.

a bargain so bloody was such a great book! i ended up giving it a 4.5 stars! i absolutely loved this book. i got attached to all of the characters and would visibly react anytime they did anything. i did think there were some pacing issues in part I, but it resolved itself by the time we got into part II. after finishing this book, i had to go look up and see when the next book came out. i can’t wait for 2026!

3.5 ⭐

Was it the best book I have read? No.
Was it a pleasant read? Yes.
Will I read the following book? Yes.

This first book presented a bit of a content rollercoaster—not emotionally, but in the way the story unfolded. I generally liked the plot, but there were moments where I felt a crucial element was missing, perhaps a deeper emotional resonance. I typically seek to embody the main character, to feel their emotions intensely, but I struggled to form a strong connection with the FMC on this occasion.

While it eventually became clear who the FMC would be by the end, her true identity, origins, and past before the story began remained largely enigmatic. The dominant feelings I experienced towards the FMC were hate and disdain, and I found it challenging to empathize with her conflicted emotions towards the MMC.

For those considering it, be warned: this is a VERY slow-burn romance (🫑). It's so gradual that they're still in the preliminary stages of gathering material to start a fire, and it's uncertain if there will be anything more than smoke by the conclusion. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Overall, it was a pleasant and easy read. Though I find myself more invested in the MMC than the FMC, I'm genuinely curious to discover how the story concludes and what future developments await.

I would like to thank Victory Editing and NetGalley for this ARC . It was a pleasure to read and honestly review this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It was an excellent fantasy about a vampire and human who escapes prison with the vampire - a race she hates and detests.
It was a different take on vampire fantasy and I really enjoyed it unable to put it down at all
I loved Samara's character, she was strong-willed and fiercely independent.
And Raphael ... he was cruel and all the things a vampire should be but yet melted for her.
The ending was brilliant and I cannot wait to read the second book

This is my honest review about A Bargain So Bloody by Vasilisa Drake. I've got this arc from Netgalley, the author and by Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op.

The book is about a girl Samara who lived almost all her life in prison. This is also where she meets Raphael, a vampire. Together they're escaping this prison and they both go on the road where things happen and they help/save eachother out. This is a very slowburn-story and gives me more the vibes of a YA-book.

I honestly give this book a 3 star, the writing is very fluently but for me it's lacking more tension, more details. Also the FMC is too naive and I think the MMC has to be more mysterious but it's lacking this kind of vibes. Overall it's a good story but I need more details.

I give this a 3-star read.

I was excited to read this one—the description sounded right up my alley, and I wasn’t disappointed.

From the very start, the writing pulled me in. The pacing was spot on: not too fast, not too slow. Just that really satisfying middle ground where things unfold steadily, giving you time to connect with the characters and the world without feeling like you’re being force-fed plot points. The details are revealed with care, and I appreciated that not everything was tied up neatly—there are enough lingering threads to have me genuinely looking forward to the sequel.

The characters are the real standout for me. They’re vivid, well-rounded, and stay true to themselves in a way that felt refreshingly consistent. Even when they made choices I didn’t always agree with, I could understand why they were doing it—it all tracked emotionally and logically. They weren’t perfect or polished, but that made them feel real. It’s rare for me to say this, but I didn’t feel like anyone was just filling a trope or role—they each had a purpose, a personality, and depth.

There’s a decision that Sam makes near the end (and the fallout that follows) that honestly hit like a gutpunch. And for me, that’s one of the clearest signs of a good book—when something fictional can land like that emotionally. It didn’t feel manipulative or unearned, just… painful and right for the story. I still keep thinking about it.

One thing that really stood out thematically was the tension between choice and consequence. The story doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight of decisions—whether it’s about loyalty, survival, or personal growth—and that gave it a depth I wasn’t fully expecting. It’s not a light read emotionally, but it’s not crushing either—it strikes a nice balance.

The settings, too, were described with just the right amount of detail. I could picture the scenes easily without feeling bogged down in description. Everything felt grounded, whether it was gritty or atmospheric, and I always knew where I was in the story without needing to go back and re-read.

I’m honestly excited for the sequel. This book didn’t just set things up—it told a complete story while making it clear there’s more to come, and I’m fully invested.

This is an honest review given in exchange for an advance copy of the book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First book from Vasilisa Drake, and suddenly I’m ready to sell my soul for Book Two.

This is what happens when a practical prison-born heroine (who’s been locked up since she was EIGHT, mind you) makes a deal with a broody, tortured, deliciously dangerous vampire. Samara and Raphael? A slow-burn power couple in the making. Zero spice, ALL tension. And I ATE. IT. UP.

Samara is sharp, flawed, and so easy to root for, even when you want to scream “GIRL, NO.” Raphael is the touch-her-and-you-die alpha who’s somehow sweet and emotionally constipated at the same time. And I. Am. Obsessed.

🧛‍♂️ Secrets? YES.
🩸 Lies? Absolutely.
💥 Twist I saw coming but still gasped anyway? YUP.
📚 Book Two? NEEDED IMMEDIATELY.

Thank you, Vasilisa Drake and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for this ARC, and also for emotionally wounding me just enough to keep coming back. 😭🖤

i binge read this book so fast! from the first couple of chapters, i was hooked. i really loved samara's character and found her easy to root for. samara's character arc was amazing and i loved watching her learn everything at the same time we do, as it added so much shock value to the book. i also loved her banter and her relationship with raphael. it was a perfect slow burn!

i thought the pacing was wonderful and easy to follow. the plot was constantly moving and i never once felt bored. and the ending?? i need book two like... tomorrow! the ending seriously had me on the edge of my seat, needing to know what happens.

i definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and especially fantasy romance. this book and these tropes were so well done and i enjoyed it so much!!

thank you netgalley and victory editing for the opportunity to read this arc!

This book really grabbed me from the start and didn’t let go. Samara’s story of being trapped in a witch prison was intense and raw, especially how she survived malnutrition and harsh conditions. When Raphael, the vampire prisoner, showed up, their deal to escape was so interesting. Raphael seemed cold at first but slowly revealed he would protect Samara no matter what. I loved how the magic system was new and different from other books I read, mixing witches, vampires, and magic cards in a cool way. The characters were not just simple good or bad, they were very complicated and realistic. The ending shocked me with a crazy twist that I didn’t expect, and I can’t wait for the next book. The story moved fast but gave good space for the characters to grow. Loved it. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.

Wow.. I binge read this in 24 hours. I could NOT put it down and I think I've now found a favourite author to put on my shelf. I absolutely loved the pacing of this book and the set up of the FMC's growth, such a beautiful slow burn romance between the two characters as well. I absolutely loved how mysterious everything was and how we were learning through her and no other POV's or information. It added so much more mystery to the plot, characters and world we were in. Raphael being this mysterious otherworldly creature never left the pages either and I really appreciated that because too often I find romantasy tales leave the allure of mystery behind. These vampires and vampire world are gory and dark and they are a predatory species. Absolutely adored this book! It was a pleasure to read and I cannot wait for the next instalment.