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.

4.75⭐️

I loooved this book! Sam is a quite naïve FMC but she KNOWS this about herself, so she takes every opportunity to learn and adapt, and she trusts her instincts. She might be naïve , but she is definitely not weak!
Then we have Raphael, our white-haired (truly) morally grey vampire! His banter with Sam? Phenomenal! He is so sassy , in a quiet broody way - I was instantly charmed.
Even though the world building and magic system are quite unique, the story is very easy to follow and the lore is easy to learn! I didn’t feel lost or grasping at straws, everything clicked into place quite nicely.
The found family in this book was phenomenal as well - I was obsessed with Thea as soon as we met her😍
The plot is very fast paced, so much happens but it all feels very organic! The ending definitely took a turn I wasn’t expecting , so I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series will unfold!

I would recommend for fans of The Serpents and Wings of Night 🩸

Thank you Netgally and Victory Editing Netgally Co-Op for the ARC

Samara has spent over a decade locked away in Castle Greymere for a crime she didn’t commit, resigned to a future of magical suppression and prison guards—until she learns no one ever really leaves. Her only way out? Strike a deal with Raphael, an ancient vampire imprisoned alongside her, shackled and dangerous… and her people’s mortal enemy.

What follows is a dark romantasy full of secrets, magic, betrayal, and a touch-her-and-die MMC. Samara and Raphael’s dynamic is pal[able, and absolutely fantastic for fans of morally gray heroes who fall first and hard. It is definitely predictable at times, but I couldn't stop reading.

My major complaint? Reading an eARC via the NetGalley app was rough. I would've preferred it and read it so much faster with an e-reader friendly ARC option.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vasilisa Drake for the eARC!

This was my first read from Vasilisa Drake but it won’t be my last. I ready enjoyed her writing style and her character.

The story starts with Samara. A young (20 years old) girl in prison just trying to survive. Samara Is a very self aware, intelligent and practical MFC. She is very easy to like and even when you disagree with her choices you can understand why she made them.

On the other hand we have Raphael. The mysterious, handsome a vampire who is captured and tortured in the prison. When he offers Samara a chance to escape it is to good of an opportunity for her to pass up.

I really liked Samara and Raphael’s dynamic. This is a very slow burn so not expect spice. In a lot of ways Samara is very naïve to her world. Since she was in prison at the age of eight, she knows very little of what goes on, except for what she was taught as a child. She has extreme biases against vampires and Idolizes Magic, even though she is incapable of it. Raphael, while he is a mysterious character, much more open minded. Although Raphael is the epitome of a touch her and die alpha male, he is also very sweet and productive.

There are a lot of mysteries in this book. Neither character are ever truly honest with the other. While some twist are easily guessed there are still a lot of an unanswered questions. I will definitely be looking forward to the sequel.

I would definitely recommend this book

Thank you to Vasilisa Drake and Late Night Daydreams LLC for this ARC

This was my first read from Vasilisa Drake but it won’t be my last. I ready enjoyed her writing style and her character.

The story starts with Samara. A young (20 years old) girl in prison just trying to survive. Samara Is a very self aware, intelligent and practical MFC. She is very easy to like and even when you disagree with her choices you can understand why she made them.

On the other hand we have Raphael. The mysterious, handsome a vampire who is captured and tortured in the prison. When he offers Samara a chance to escape it is to good of an opportunity for her to pass up.

I really liked Samara and Raphael’s dynamic. This is a very slow burn so not expect spice. In a lot of ways Samara is very naïve to her world. Since she was in prison at the age of eight, she knows very little of what goes on, except for what she was taught as a child. She has extreme biases against vampires and Idolizes Magic, even though she is incapable of it. Raphael, while he is a mysterious character, much more open minded. Although Raphael is the epitome of a touch her and die alpha male, he is also very sweet and productive.

There are a lot of mysteries in this book. Neither character are ever truly honest with the other. While some twist are easily guessed there are still a lot of an unanswered questions. I will definitely be looking forward to the sequel.

I would definitely recommend this

Thank you to Vasilisa Drake and Late Night Daydreams LLC for this ARC

ARC Review —— thank you NetGalley!

2.5 stars⭐️ This book was really fast paced with short snappy chapters which I feel was really refreshing for a fantasy book!

The start of the book really gripped me but unfortunately just lost me slightly, I didn’t feel that emotionally connected or invested in the characters and at times did feel slightly bored of the plot.

I also did not feel like this was very dark at all, more just a standard vampire short fantasy than a super dark one!

If you’re looking for a really snappy fantasy with magic, witches, vampires, prison settings etc this would definitely be for you! 🧛🩸🗡️

A nice under-400-page vampire fantasy read that I ate up! This book focused on plot and character building with a romance sub-plot. It was giving enemies to, well, bigger enemies, but maybe lovers in the next book? It was easy to read, and the story flowed nicely. I did feel like something was missing but I can't put my finger on what it was. I'll definitely take a bite out of book two in the future.

I updated my review after taking some time to digest.

5✨
omg im obsessed with this book!! From start
to finish loved every single thing about it!!
Vampires, witches
love love love!!
The Fmc Samara is trapped inside a magical prison for a crime she's didn't commit she's constantly bullied by the guard (Nelson) grr hate that guy!!
Nelson orders her to attend Raphael, (who's known as the worst kind of monster) to attend his wounds as he is whipped daily.
After they meet Raphael has promised Samara he will help her escape if she frees him from his shackles.
But this is a Vampire she's has to put her trust into, the same breed that killed her mother.
Highly highly highly recommend this book!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

I started and finished reading this book in a day, that’s how good it was! Throughout the book there were clues to what Samara was, though I did wish there was more information volunteered on her background. As for Raphael can’t wait to see what his character bring in the next installment and now I cant wait for the next installment in this series!! The storyline line was unique from other vampire books I’ve read, and the events at the beginning of the book did well with grasping and maintaining my attention!! Can’t thank the author enough for sending a copy to review!! The five stars are well deserved and can’t recommend this book enough!!

First of all, gratitude for the author and team for extending a chance to read this book early. I am going to refrain from leaving my full review/feedback here and have only rated and shelved the book on good reads, my chosen review platform, for now. My full review will be posted shortly after the release of the book for the integrity of release. However with that said, my review is a negative one and I was not able to push through to finish the book.
You can look for my review listed on my good reads page shortly after the publication of the book. Thank you again for the opportunity to be an early reader.

From little dove to viper, Drake does an amazing job of roping you in! It’s been a while since I’ve read any vampire novels, and this does not disappoint at all, and the ending!!!

Lovable tropes include forced proximity, one horse, one bed (or floor), and I’d even say court of intrigue.

Samara’s devastating start in life seems as though it can’t get any worse so she takes a chance on a vampire named Raphael. After taking her risk with him, she sets out on a cautious journey with him for a mysterious grimoire. Once at Raphael’s home in the West Vampire Kingdom, Samara has quite a few changes and choices to make, even as a void (a person with no magic).

In the end her choice is sure but yields the result she tries to avoid…

I really enjoyed the human aspects to Samara, her feelings and emotions are genuine, and we get to see an awakening in her character. She’s not trusting and we see that ebb and flow throughout the story. Yet while she grows, it’s not finished and we can see that in book two, she’ll have even more growth, and I can’t wait!

Raphael…well he’s the “no one touches her” from the beginning! While being ruthless we still see a kindness in him, even though it may be twisted.

The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger that leaves the reader not wanting, but needing more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ A solid 3 stars — in spirit for its potential and engaging first half.

I was immediately hooked by the first half of A Bargain So Bloody. The writing is fluid and fast-paced. The forced proximity between the two main characters — travelling together, sharing a tent, riding one horse — combined with sharp-witted dialogue, created a real spark. The fantasy setup with magical cards, vampires, witches, and humans was rich and intriguing, and it definitely got me invested.

I also appreciated how the story explores the fragile balance between humans and vampires under the Vampire King’s rule. Side characters like Amalthea and General Demos added warmth, loyalty, and complexity to the political layers of the story.

However, the second half of the novel lost some of its momentum. The chemistry between the leads faded, and the emotional tension that had been built so well early on became repetitive. I understand the intention behind the slow burn, but Samara kept doubting Raphael’s motives over and over again, without much emotional growth or deeper insight into her past. That made it hard to stay fully invested in her arc. Raphael’s feelings, too, lacked development — we’re told he’s drawn to Samara, but we don’t really feel why. Perhaps this will be explored further in book 2.

The slow burn became a little too slow, and unfortunately, the emotional connection between the characters started to fade. The ending and its twist came rather quickly, and I was left wanting more — more connection, more development, more payoff.

🖤 Special mention to Raphael, who was my favourite character. I enjoyed his dry humour and the way he behaved around his love interest. Sadly, the second half lacked meaningful scenes between them to fully develop their dynamic.

Still, I believe this world has strong potential, and Vasilisa Drake’s writing definitely shows promise. I would consider reading the sequel, especially to see how Samara grows after the final cliffhanger.

A solid debut that left me curious, if not entirely satisfied — hoping book 2 will deepen the emotional stakes.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author Vasilisa Drake for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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

“You should never have to beg”

“You caught me”
“I did”

I would like to say to the judge that I did try in fact ro slow down my reading … I simply couldn’t manage to do it. This book got me in such a tight chokehold that I simply couldn’t stop reading it and finished it in two hours straight. Vampire fantasy romance. They made a bargain to get out of a magical prison in the Witch Kingdom she’s been at for twelve years. They embark on a journey together that will make them from enemies to allies to … nothing really clear. But the possessive side of a vampire is always there and it shows … and oh how I did enjoy when it did reveal itself. Raphael and Samara … oh my goodness what a slow burn it was. How bittersweet. How addicting. How obsessive. A combination of the Twilight movies but with more of a slow burn you would expect from a book made in recent years. The way I was dying to read every interaction they had and how the action and the plot would have developed was insane. I think people around me might have gotten scared because of the faces I made. I simply couldn’t help it!! And the way the tension climaxed in the end (not literally unfortunately) … only to leave us with one the biggest cliffhangers? I NEED MORE !!! And I need it NOW !!

“He lowered his mouth to my neck. And I let the vampire bite me”

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

“There is nowhere in this world I would not go if you wished me to”

“Little viper, I find you irresistible”

Holy. Freaking. Smokes. What a great book!

Great characters, I'm very very attached. I can't wait to see what they do in Book 2. I enjoyed the romance, the friendships, all of it.

The magic was unique! I really dig the system Drake created. It's really cool... it's like One Dark Window but different. It creates all different sorts of potential plots. I can't wait to see some awesome plot twists with it.

I was a little worried there at the end, not gonna lie.

All in all, there was something about this book that grabbed me right away and kept me reading. I read it in two days because I just couldn't put it down. It's worth cutting in the TBR line!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️

If you’re craving a dark, romantic vampire fantasy that keeps you turning pages well past bedtime, A Bargain So Bloody delivers in every way. From the opening pages, where the heroine is trapped in a brutal prison, to her escape alongside a brooding vampire, this story grips you with its high stakes and emotional depth.

Their journey—bound by necessity and an uneasy alliance—leads them in search of a powerful grimoire and into the heart of the vampire kingdom. Sharing one horse (and some intense chemistry), she must confront everything she’s been taught to fear about vampires. The dynamic between the two leads is full of tension, slow-burn heat, and reluctant trust.

The magic system in this world is refreshingly original and intricately woven into the plot, adding a unique layer to the unfolding mystery and danger. Vasilisa Drake blends fantasy, romance, and rich worldbuilding in a way that feels both fresh and satisfyingly dark.

If you love vampire romance with a gothic edge, reluctant allies-to-something-more, and unforgettable atmosphere, A Bargain So Bloody is for you. I couldn’t put it down and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC!
#ABargainSoBloody

This book was a truly captivating read! I was immediately drawn into the FMC's intense story and found myself completely invested in her journey. She's been through so much, and I appreciated how the author explored the complexities of her past and its impact on her present. Getting answers to some lingering questions at the end was incredibly satisfying and only fueled my excitement for the rest of the series.

The dynamics of the enemy-to-lovers trope were particularly well-executed. The FMC's justified dislike for vampires felt authentic, and I loved that she didn't immediately cave in to romantic feelings. The slow burn is definitely working! The ending, however, left me reeling. If anything, her animosity towards the MMC seems to have intensified, setting the stage for what I anticipate will be a tumultuous book two.

Despite the rocky ending, I devoured every minute of this book. I'm eagerly anticipating the development of the FMC's new abilities and, of course, the evolution of her relationship with the MMC. They're currently on very shaky ground, to say the least, but I'm still holding out hope for a better outcome for them in future installments. Whether it's in the next book or further down the line, I'm rooting for them to find their HEA! I'm completely hooked and can't wait to see what happens next.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🫑

Oh...my...GAWD! This book had me foaming at the mouth! To say that I'm obsessed might be downplaying it a little bit.
The vibes were immaculate 👩‍🍳💋
The world building was stunning.🗺
The magic was sparkling. ✨️
Big daddy Raphael was taking the "touch her and die" trope to deeeeep in his chest. ☠️🥵
And I was front and center loving the whole ride. 🎢

Now, low spice usually isn't my vibe, but I was feral for all of the little moments between Sam and Raphael. That slow burn was the perfect temperature to keep warming me up all the way through to the end!

And the ending!? I did not see it playing out like that! I cannot wait to see how the rest of Samara and Raphael's story unfolds!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 ⭐️

I’m familiar with Vasilisa Drake’s writing so I knew it would be a solid romantasy read - and I wasn’t disappointed. This was such a fun read that had so many of my favourite tropes.

The majority of the plot was fairly predictable but still engaging and entertaining enough for me to keep reading to the end. Vasilisa Drake always does a great job at putting a fresh twist on tropes which makes the characters feel more real and complex. I particularly enjoyed the exploration of humanity vs monstrosity (“who is the real monster here?”) and the exploration of choices.

Personally, I would have loved a bit more dialogue and getting-to-know-each-other between the characters during the travels (but I know not everyone likes that) to give more depth to the dynamic. Keeping secrets/miscommunication as conflict was also not my cup of tea so my interest and investment in the characters did wane towards the end.

Samara’s inner monologue was a touch too YA for me. Given her childhood and isolation, I can understand her mistrust and naivety but I think her lack of emotional maturity made her seem more foolish and impulsive rather than sheltered. I would’ve loved to see more of her growth into a wary but confident survivor but I felt like she unfortunately remained petulant, terrified and vengeful.

Overall, a fun, fast-paced read with plenty of familiar and well-loved tropes that is sure to keep you reading to the end.

Another great addition to vampire romantasy. There are tinges of similarity to other popular titles, but this is definitely its own entity. It is a slow burn and I found myself impatient to see the two MCs get together. Really enjoyed the story and how it developed.

Big thanks to Victory Editing and NetGalley for this ARC. I enjoyed the first half of the book immensely. The MCs were on an adventure, you were learning about them, it was great. I devoured it.

However, once the book got about halfway, they arrived at a destination and the traveling that I so enjoyed came to a stop. The MCs spent hardly any time together and a lot of political intrigue began. I don’t personally care for that type of plot line and it became a slog that I eventually decided to DNF.

Still rating 3 stars, due to my enjoyment of the first half and because the latter half isn’t bad so much as it isn’t to my liking.