I tend to be fussy with books with Vampires, as that’s that my teenage self read once upon a time, and it mostly feels I’ve outgrown them.

The author has me absolutely rescinding that view and had me absolutely hooked from the start of this story.

The story starts in Greymere Prison, but we quickly join Sam and Raphael on their ventures to find the grimore and back to the West Vampire Kingdom. This story starts off at a quick pace, without sacrificing and of the story and character building, and keeps the reader guessing on what will come next.

There is still so much left to discover - Sam’s background, her new status - this story has SO much potential and I can’t wait to read the next book.

A Bargain So Bloody is the first in a new series by Vasilisa Drake. I've not read anything by this author before but I saw the cover and read the summary and was intrigued so decided to pick it up and am glad I did. Although fair warning...there's a cliffhanger on this one.

Samara is our fmc and we meet her right out of the gate by learning that she has been living in a prison for the last 12 years although we don't know why. And when a mysterious prisoner is brought in and she is tasked with treating his wounds, she finds out that he is a vampire. Samara's problem is that vampires killed her mother and she's not willing to trust this guy...that is until she learns that the freedom she was promised is just a lie and she realizes she will never be free again unless she can break out on her own but to do that she will need some help.

Raphael has secrets...that's clear from the moment we meet him in Castle Greymere but he's not willing to push Samara too far. He's always just right there when she needs him to be regardless of what she says or does and I think that is what makes the rest of the story so frustrating for me. Yes, he hid who he was from her until they got to his realm and he is in no way a good guy (he is a vampire after all) but there are definite touch her and die vibes here he tries everything to give her back her strength and power throughout the novel.

This one feels like it will be an extremely slow burn romance...I'm not sure how much is coming but there was next to nothing in this book outside of the tension between these two. It's clear Raphael feels something for Samara but Samara is fighting her feelings for Raphael based on the fact that he is a vampire so it will be interesting to see what happens now based on the ending of this book.

If you're looking for a new fantasy romance to pick up, consider this one. I will definitely be grabbing the next book in this series as soon as I can so I can see what happens next and I will also be checking out more books by this author.

Ummm, noooo! At 30 pages left, my mind raced to possibilities, and waved the red flag, warning that there wasn’t enough for a complete ending that my brain decidedly needed. So unnerved, I had to set it down for a few days before picking it back up to finish. Surprisingly, I was left both satisfied and miffed. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

Overall, I am really impressed with this novel’s background work, imagery, character believability and likability, and plot. I stayed in and engaged with the female lead, Sam, the entire time. I adored Raphael’s protectiveness, even if it’s unhinged in this violent world of vampires and magic. The feels on this one are touch her and die, morally gray love interest, age gap, rags to riches, disowned, and orphaned.

Haha, I want more. Vasilia’s novel sets up a solid foundation for a gritty, marvelous series. Yes, from me.

Note: Be wary of violence, death, cruelty, fear, and sexual spiciness. ‘R’ Rating

4.5/5 stars
This was a sponsored ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

I was lucky enough to get both the eARC and the ALC of this book, (many thanks NetGalley and Victory) and I had a GREAT time with both. I opted for the immersive experience of combining the two and I’m glad I did. The narrator did such a great job and found her so easy to listen to, helped keep me immersed in the story.

I was hooked on this from the start, our FMC Samara has a history that hasn’t yet been fully revealed on page but there’s enough hints to guess, and I know the reveal is going to be amazing when it all comes out. She goes through so much growth over the course of the first book and I cannot WAIT to see what happens in the second.

We’ve got a deliciously morally gray Vampire MMC who after convincing Samara to release him in exchange for her freedom will burn the world just to see her safe. The cliffhanger at the end has me impatient for the second book and I’m about to go DEVOUR everything Vasilisa has already written - can see some
New favourite stories on the horizon.

NetGalley ARC Review: A Bargain so Bloody sated my craving for vampires. Samara finds an unlikely alliance in a vampire in order to escape her imprisonment. With this comes sacrifice. The setting is dark, the characters are intriguing, and the magic system is unique. I can’t wait to see how Rafael and Sam’s journey continues. This book is going to be the next TikTok sensation, I just know it!

This book was absolutely brilliant. The world building had me utterly immersed. The enemies to reluctant allies was so prefect. Love Raphael’s silent pining. The only issue I had was that this book left on a cliff hanger and now I’m DYING for the next book. 😭

Oh my gosh, you guys 😩🖤 I just finished this book and honestly, I’m not okay. If you love dark, morally complex vampires, a unique magic system, and those touch her and die moments, this has to be on your TBR right now. I couldn’t put it down, didn’t want to put it down. And that ending?! 😱 Still recovering.

Romantasy fans, listen up. Run, don’t walk. Add it, preorder it, tattoo it on your soul. I’m already counting down for the next one. Dark, delicious, and exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

Huge thanks to the author for letting me read early! 🖤

This book had my jaw on the floor the whole time. The character growth for our girl Samara is next level. the person she is at the beginning of the book to who she is at the end is amazing. She truly grows into her own skin. And Raphael what a vampire. He's so patient and kind with her and I love the agonizing slow burn between them. But what truly makes this book a five star read is the ending like WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK!!! I need book two like now!!

10/10 would recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶 (slow burn)🔥

Vasilisa Drake's new book, "A Bargain So Bloody" will undoubtedly be one of your next faves! This is the first book in her new series and will have you in a chokehold from the start. I did not want to put it down.. but also wasn't ready for it to end! The unique card-based magic system, whitty banter, exceptional character development, and unexpected plot twists are phenomenal🙌

Raphael and Samara will live rent-free in my mind until book 2 is in my hands, and this stellar story continues! If you loved Serpent and the Wings of Night, Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, CC, or Heartless Hunter, then this is perfect for you!

✨Tropes✨
🦇vampire x "human"
⚔️enemies to lovers
❌️trauma
blood🩸drinking
touch her & 💀
🔥slow burn tension
🔮 card-based magic

This book had me in a chokehold from the first chapter and was a read-it-in-a-day, 5 star read for me. We enter at Greymere Prison, where void Samara has been imprisoned since she was a child of 8. After twelve years of captivity, an opportunity to escape presents itself in her mortal enemy: a vampire, Raphael. After discovering how bleak her future is truly going to be, Samara makes a deal with Raphael, she frees him in exchange for him helping her safely break out of the prison. Once on the outside though, Raphael isn't done with Samara. Together, the two go on a quest to locate what was believed to be a mythical grimoire of the witches. Though Samara has been raised her whole life not to trust vampires, she has to decide if trusting Raphael is worth the price of safety outside of Greymere.

Filled with witches, vampires, and hints of other magical creatures, Vasilia Drake weaves a story that is taunt with its tension between the two main characters. The character development is next level. Watching Samara slowly start to learn who she is and how strong she is after spending all of her growing up years in a prison was so good. The secondary characters introduced to us are as page-worthy as the main characters and I loved all of the interactions with them (besides Titus, he can go kick rocks...).

Raphael, our MMC, takes the whole 'touch her and die' trope VERY seriously, and honestly, if a man isn't bringing that level of devotion to our relationship, I don't want him. His caring for Samara while simultaneously giving her room to learn who she is outside of a prisoner is top shelf. I want his energy in all MMC I read from here on out. Even when he is withholding information from her, it's not in that self-superior 'I know what's better for her than she does' more than a true effort to try to protect her as she emerges from the shell she has been for the last 12 years. I love him.

I absolutely cannot wait to find out when we can get the next book in this series. The ending left me shook, and I need to know ASAP where Samara and Raphael go from here. In the meantime, I will be adding Vasilisa's backlist to my TBR pile with both of my grabby fists; if the rest of her novels are as engrossing as this one, I hope to be busy reading them for a while. <3

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Vasilisa Drake for allowing me to read an eARC of this novel.

Ok listen. I am also slowly getting burnt out of romantasy books. But THIS ONE made me want to devour it. I loved the way the magic system was handled. Raphael was the perfect morally grey love interest - and the slow burn of the romance was so well handled. I am not one for nicknames and pet names in books - but I swooned when he called her dove and when it switched to little viper, it was never overkill.

I am ready for book 2 already.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and Victory Editing. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.

I have just finished this in one sitting and had one of my best immersive reading experiences ever. I could not put this down. The vampire aspect is what drew me in and it was a masterpiece. The story was so gripping from the very first chapter.

The ending has me so excited for the next book I was not expecting that at all and I’m so here for Samara and her journey in the next book.

A big thank you to NetGalley for this ARC I loved every minute of it.

Audiobook ARC is coming in hot, and yes, yes, yes! Read this if you're a fantasy lover. If you're in your vamp era. I loved the world, I loved our main characters. I loved how easy the story was. This was so far up my alley I don't even know what to say about it. What I do know is I CANNOT wait for round two. Shoot it into my veins Vasilisa!!!!

I flew through this journey. Please hold, I'm off to see if Vasilisa has a back catalog for me to raid.

Wow. This book was amazing! Vampires, slow burn, witty banter, and one bed/horse *chef kiss* The character development for both main characters was really good. Of course it ended in a cliff hanger. I cannot wait for the next book. GO READ THIS BOOK!!!

A bargain so bloody by Vasilisa Drake (fun fact in greek Vasilisa means Queen and i absolutely agree that she is the new queen of dark fantasy romance).
To be honest, once i read the first sentence of the description, i knew that i would love the book and spoiler alert thats exactly what happened.
I want to clarify that I actually don’t like reading books about vampires thats just me and i didn’t know that this book is mostly about vampires but i am glad i didn’t DNFed it the i found out (it also changed my opinion about thinking that all vampire books are bad).
Anyways,
I can’t explain how much i loved our fmc Samantha and all the emotions i felt while reading it.
This book truly stand out to me for two main reasons:
First, Samantha is not foolish and naive, the mmc literally gave her anything she could possibly want but still she didn’t fell in love with him right away(yet🙈🤨).
She is also the sweetest and i loved how kind and caring she was for most characters that deserved it.
Secondly, my favourite favourite trope is then we don’t know the fmcs background. As i was reading, i always kept wondering Who Samantha really is🧐 and that indeed was the reason why i couldn’t put the book down(what caught my attention and is still not revealed how an eight year old little girl ended up in a cruel magical prison).
The only bad thing is that i can’t wait for book 2 and all the answers that would be revealed🥹 but i am so glad i discovered this author as i also loved the writing style of hers.

Thank you so much to the author and Net Galley for this ARC and this is my honest review :)

Fantasy
Romance/Slow burn
Vampires/Witches
Violence
Touch her and die
One horse
Secrets
Book 1 in a series


An absolute gem of a book.

This new series kicks off with a bang. Samara has been trapped in prison that nullifies all magic since she was a little girl. Her only hope of freedom is dashed by a fellow inmate who informs her that there is no freedom from Greymere Prison. Her only salvation is Raphael, a dangerous Vampire recently imprisoned and viscously beaten.

The vampires are viscous, dangerous and deadly and this makes the MMC extra appealing. I love the side character too but I am not sure who to trust yet as the story is entirely unpredictable as it stands now. I am frothing at the mouth for book 2 and this book deserves as much hype as possible because it is worthy of it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this e-arc.

I was kindly provided with an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.🩸🦇

I really enjoyed this book! Very interesting world and a unique magic system! Has a morally grey MMC and I loved watching the FMC’s growth from beginning to end.

I enjoyed the drops of information that you get here and there about Eurobis and Samaras past, but that there is still so so much to learn and it certainly keeps you hooked.

The end I did see coming, but not in the way that I expected. I was still happily surprised and look forward to seeing what Samara does next.

I’m very much looking forward to the next book in this series!

I devoured this in less than 24 hours and stayed up late in the night to finish. A vampire romance with a broody, but sweet MMC and a vicious FMC? Give me more! Sam, our FMC, is a prisoner with a hinted at secret identity. Raphael is the vampire who just might get her out....if she agrees to release the one species she hates the most. Will she do it for her freedom? Or will she forsake all of her beliefs and get him out. You will have to read to find out! I thoroughly enjoyed this spicy vampire romantasy! Highly recommended!

3.5 stars

A Bargain So Bloody is a pretty unique take on your typical vampire romance, and I really loved the magic system here. The world building was good, but the pacing of the story is what got me. I think I went in expecting something a faster paced with high stakes, and ABSB didn't give me that.

Overall though, this was a fantastic read and I'm definitely intrigued to see where this series goes.

For the fans of SJM universe, Trial of the Sun Queen and vampires, comes A Bargain So Bloody by @𝐕𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐞 - a thrilling and darkly YA fantasy. Great intro to high fantasy with a slice of romance for lovers of cutthroat politics, magic, and a smoldering mortal enemies-to-lovers. The plot starts plotting at the end of first chapter and Samara (Sam) emerges as a fierce heroine, while the narrative wastes no time throwing her into Raphael’s orbit, sparking tension and mystery.

The world building isn’t overwhelming but provides enough to immerse yourself as a reader in a new world. A world filled with politics, cruelty, inaquality, magic and betrayal.

The hints about Samara’s mysterious blood—unlike any other’s—promise that she’s no mere mortal, and Raphael’s obsessive protectiveness (“touch her and die” vibes start early!) adds just the right edge of intensity. The vampire court politics are richly detailed, evoking ACOTAR’s Night Court dynamic in their complex alliances and banter-driven friendships.

Standout scenes include the monastery’s harrowing cruelty, where Raphael’s arrival to rescue Samara by cutting down her tormentors is equal parts swoon-worthy and cathartic. Raphael’s transformation into a bat? Damon Salvatore, is that you? Yet it still feels fresh, adding a playful tone rather than a tired trope.

The quest for the Black Grimoire adds an Indiana Jones-esque adventure feel, while the slow revelations about Samara’s heritage and power and who Raphael turns out to be weave together an epic-level payoff. The final chapters pack a punch—Samara’s final choice has consequences on all, adding unexpected layer to a story.

Overall, A Bargain So Bloody was a ride I didn’t want to get off. It balances gritty darkness with light banter, romance and some sizzling chemistry. I’ve loved it and given it 4.25 stars. It’s tailor-made for fans of vampire lore, high-stakes court politics, and heroines who carve out their own power. It might have not been released yet but I’m already counting down the days to the sequel!