I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Wow! This was so much fun to read. I was entertained the entire time. I couldn't put it down and read it all in one sitting! I loved the ending so much and can't wait for the next book in the series.

This was a great read the relationship that develops between the king of the vampires and the void who saves him for the prison they are both stuck in was so good watching it unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will admit I did not see the epilogue plot twist coming and can not wait for the next book.

I felt like the premise of this story was really interesting, it has a different start to your normal fantasy books and a cool magic system. I also really liked the ending although part of it didnt really make sense to me. The only reason I'm not giving it a higher rating is because I thought the middle of the book dragged and didn't really do anything for the progression of the story or the characters.

I received an audiobook ARC of A Bargain So Bloody from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Description:
She is trapped in a magical prison, and the only way out is to strike a deal with the most dangerous prisoner of them all, a vampire.

Samara is sentenced for a crime she did not commit, left to endure the torment of Castle Greymere. When she discovers that freedom is nothing but a cruel lie, her only hope becomes Raphael, a powerful, ancient vampire shackled in enchanted cuffs. But while he agrees to help her escape, he never promised to let her go.

My Thoughts:
To be honest, this was not the most unique romantasy I have read, and I predicted most of the plot twists early on. That said, it was still an enjoyable listen, a feel-good, slow-burn romantasy that works perfectly as a palette cleanser after a heavier fantasy or thriller.

Since this was my first vampire romance (yes, not even Twilight), I stumbled a little over some of the terminology. The audiobook narrator repeated them enough in context that I eventually got the hang of it. For newcomers to the genre, it is approachable and easy to follow.

This is very much a dark, very slow-burn story, with emphasis on atmosphere, tension, and intrigue rather than heavy spice. The romance is plot-driven, emotional, and intense without being overwhelming.

✨ What I loved most: the characters.

Amalthea (Thea): a total baddie, sassy, sharp, and fearless.

Samara: resilient in a quiet, understated way. I loved watching her grow into her own strength, not through flashy power but through grit, persistence, and self-discovery. Her journey of finding confidence and agency in a world determined to crush her was one of my favorite parts.

Raphael: the morally grey, dangerously obsessive vampire archetype I always fall for. He is lethal, ancient, untrusting, and powerful, yet watching him unravel over Samara had me completely hooked.


The worldbuilding and magic system were fascinating, with just enough setup to make me excited for the rest of the series. The pacing and tension also worked really well, making this a solid series starter.

Tropes you will find:

▪︎ Vampire x human

▪︎ Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers

▪︎ Forced proximity (only one horse / only one bed for warmth)

▪︎ Prophecies, betrayal, secret identities

▪︎ Unique magic system

▪︎ “Touch her and die” vibes, taken very literally


Standout Quotes:

~ Open your eyes to the world you're living in, not the one you'd like to believe you are.

~ The best lies were rooted in the truth.

~ Always move with a purpose, even if you have none. It was true everywhere from prisons to castles.

~ "I'm sorry," he said. "No one deserves to be forgotten. lf it's any reassurance, Samara, I intend to live a very long life. And I will not forget you for any of it."

~ He was an enemy, king of the monsters I despised.
May the ninth hell spare me, he was everything I craved.


Audio Review:

🎧 Score: 4/5

Narration Style: Solo, clear, engaging, and well-paced.


Spice Rating: Low to moderate. Perfect for readers who want emotion and tension without overly explicit scenes.

Release Date: June 30, 2025
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

A Bargain So Bloody, Kingdom of Dark Magic, Book 1 by Vasilisa Drake and Narrated by Cecily Foster

A Bargain So Bloody follows Samara on a journey to freedom with a dangerous vampire sidekick. The world Vasilisa Drake created was really fun to listen to. The plot did not drag as Samara and Raphael travel to their destinations. I really liked the magic cards that come into play. Samara grows into herself as the plot thickens. I will definitely be tuning in to book 2.

This was an addictive listen. Such a great audiobook for the fall and a fun book to get you out of a slump.
I enjoyed the atmosphere, discovering the world alongside our FMC and of course, reluctant allies.
(Who doesn't enjoy an overprotective vampire male?)

I liked the mystery around our MMC and NEED more. Emphasis on the need. Such a great audiobook with excellent narration.

I did wish that the beginning and the time in jail was built out a bit more. Rating this a 3.5 and rounding up. Ultimately, this book read a bit more YA to me which isn’t a bad thing—simply not what I expected coming into it. Regardless, I will definitely be picking up book two!


Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the advanced listening copy! All thoughts are my own.

This is such a good audiobook. The narrator really lulled me into the story. Sometimes, with narrators, I get taken out of it because of overacting or strange accents for characters, but that wasn't the case with this one. I really loved the plot of this book and
the female main character's struggles felt real.
I did see the ending coming but that fault purposeful, and didn't disappoint me. The ending just got me excited to see what happens in the next book. If you like vampires and witches, intrigue and romance, definitely pick this one up for fall.

Cured my book slump! OMG this book had me on the edge on my comfy couch throughout! I felt the FMC’s reluctance in trusting vampires, just when you think it’s safe.. bam something happens!

The world building was simple yet full of possibilities and still leaves the reader curious to learn more. The same curiosity applies to the backstory of the characters, we know pieces but I personally want more! Especially with the ending! I do have to admit I had a feeling about her but the way the author wrote this out just felt better!

The characters were enjoyable and relatable. So many moments between the main characters they I love. Very much appreciated that Raphael was humble and didn’t let her in on his position in court. Plus his tender care for her pulled at my heart strings! Such an amazing read and can’t wait for book 2!!

A Bargain So Bloody is a dark, atmospheric start to a new romantasy series that hooked me from the very first page. The setting of Castle Greymere is chilling and immersive, with its cruel guards, eerie prison cells, and the constant presence of danger. The tension between Samara and Raphael crackles throughout the story, and I loved the morally grey dynamic between them especially Raphael, who completely stole the show.

The slow-burn romance was done really well, and I can tell this series is going to deliver on angst, danger, and betrayal. The only drawback for me was Samara herself she could be a bit frustrating at times as the main character, though I think her arc leaves a lot of room for growth in future installments.

Overall, this is a compelling and bloody bargain worth picking up if you love enemies-to-reluctant-allies, morally grey heroes, and stories drenched in danger and dark magic. I’ll definitely be reading book two!

I loved this audiobook. The dark, gothic vibes, the mix of vampires, witches, voids (humans), and the unique magic system had me hooked instantly.

Samara’s journey is full of discovery, especially as she learns more about the mysterious vampire Raphael. He tries to keep his distance, but it quickly becomes clear that he would do anything for her. Their dynamic is electric.

I highly recommend this audiobook. Dark, bloody, emotional, and addictive, it’s easily one of the best I’ve listened to in a long time.

I can see this easily becoming a favorite FanRo series! I was intrigued in the beginning and obsessed by the ending of this book. It was everything I love/hate in a fantasy romance. Enthralled with the couple, but also angry at their stupid stubbornness, and wanting to scream, "Just get together already!" The fiestiness of Samara! I don't even know how she resists Raphael.

The magic system is unique in this. It was magical elements I haven't come across before, and I'm a big fantasy reader, always have been. I'm intrigued to potentially discover more than just the vampire kingdom in future books.

The cliffhanger?! I'm supposed to wait after that for book 2 to come out! I may just want to bang my head against a wall at having to wait. What's going to happen?! I need answers!

I had the opportunity to listen to the audio arc of this. Audio is spot on, and the cadence and pronunciation are perfect. Clear distinction in the narrator's voice when she's speaking other characters' words.

A Bargain so Bloody was a dark and twisted ride that held me completely at its mercy. I could not get this story out of my head and was powerless to stop reading once I began. Samara was everything that I love to read in an FMC. Her resilience and tenacity shone through in her personality, even as she was faced with things that continually took her out of her comfort zone. Raphael was shrouded in mystery from the beginning and consistently had me questioning my morals as his charisma and protectiveness warred with his temperament. He was the definition of the "bad boy" type who is "good only for her" and I was utterly captivated. The tension between Samara and Raphael was palpable and only grew more intense throughout their interactions, and yet I completely understood every iota of hesitation she experienced when it came to opening herself up to him. As more of her past was revealed and the true reason for her fear and her hesitance came to light, it exposed a unique vulnerability in her personality that truly helped me to connect with her character.
From the prison, their subsequent escape, and then their flight through the kingdom, the world building was completely immersive and thorough without being overwhelming. I was able to feel like I was experiencing the perils they experienced without losing any of the momentum from the plot progression. The entirety of their journey was paced in such a way that I was simultaneously engrossed in the story and completely thrown off guard as plot twist after plot twist assailed me. I never could have predicted the turns this story would take and don't know that I will ever truly recover from the cliffhanger. The ending has haunted my dreams and I fear I will not know peace until I know what happens. I enjoyed everything about A Bargain So Bloody and am absolutely desperate to get my hands on the next chapter in the Kingdom of Dark Magic series.
The narrator did an absolutely brilliant job of both bringing the characters to life and establishing the darker ambiance of the story. Her performance helped to further immerse me into the story and really contributed to the feelings of foreboding that ran throughout the story.

♥️ Bookish Thoughts
Oh snap! I LOVED this book and absolutely devoured it in one sitting. The magic system was so cool, and the world building we got was a great setup for the series.

Samara and Raphael completely hooked me. This is how a slow burn should be done! 🥰 I’m still reeling from that cliffhanger and need the next book ASAP. Samara did PMO a bit at the end though 😩😩😩

This vampire paranormal romance was exactly what I wanted, giving me full on 2010’s vampire nostalgia.

✨ Fave Quote
“I’m sorry,” he said. “No one deserves to be forgotten. If it’s any reassurance, Samara, I intend to live a very long life. And I will not forget you for any of it.”

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the performance. Highly recommend.

🩸 What to Expect
• Vampire MMC
• Witch FMC
• Enemies to reluctant allies
• Slow burn romance
• Morally grey MMC
• He falls first

🎧 Audio Score: 5
🎙 Narration Style: Solo
📅 Pub Date: June 16, 2025
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

I adored the audiobook! I thought the narrator did a really good job voicing the characters and the story was very easy to follow.

My favorite part of this book was the unique magic system. Especially the beginning of the books was so interesting and I loved the world building that took place.

Towards the end of the book I was struggling to sympathize with our FMC.
She’s been treated horribly by other witches (thrown into prison) but they’re fine and everything the vampires do is awful. Her moral compass seemed very pick and choose what works for her.

Thank you to NetGalley and everyone involved!

5⭐️🩸

The narrator did an amazing job! Usually I prefer dual narration, but I never once even thought about it with this book. The voices for each character sounded different and were more than fitting, which made it a great listening experience. I’ll happily listen to the audiobook again during my reread and have just as much fun as the first time.

The magic system was something I haven’t read about before, and I really enjoyed it. It was interesting and had me hooked from the start! The same goes for the way the vampires were described (and how they “worked”). It gave me a feeling of “going back to the roots” of vampires with some aspects, which I loved. 

I found the characters all very lovable. They had their own battles to fight and therefore weren't one dimensional, and their imperfections (even if they may initially be seen as annoying) made them all the more unique.
Raphael and Samara’s story was not only gripping, but had me squeaking and giggling - I love them, your honour!

The plot was never once boring and the pace wasn’t dragging on either. It was the right amount of fast-paced and a few “slower” scenes that had me sitting at the edge of my seat for pretty much the entire book. 
This story is packed with twists, smaller and bigger ones. It was fun to speculate and see which parts of it came true and which ones didn't. (I listened to most of it while being in public, and boy was it a challenge to hold myself back with reactions. I definitely wasn't always successful xD.)

ABSB became my comfort (audio)book from the moment I started it. If you like a really good slow burn, a story full of magic and vampires with a unique plot, magic system and characters; ABSB is the perfect pic! 

I'll be sitting here patiently (very impatiently) waiting for the next book. 
So, brb I need to order the gorgeous hardcover edition of this book now!

This book was an easy 4-star read for me!
I was hooked right from the start—and that almost never happens.

Samara has been locked away in Castle Greymere prison for 12 years. When she’s forced to care for a wounded prisoner named Raphael, she quickly realizes he’s nothing like the others. Mysterious, dangerous, and magnetic, Raphael sets off a chain of events that will change Samara’s life forever.

Determined to finally escape Greymere, Samara finds herself pushed to unthinkable limits—even making a deal with pure evil. Along her path to freedom, you’ll encounter monsters, magic, truly wicked beings… and a villainous hero you won’t be able to stop thinking about.

Through it all, Raphael remains the one constant. But darkness lives in him too, and Samara is caught in a heart-wrenching choice: chase freedom without him—or surrender herself to the fire and fall with him.

How did I get here?
I started this book on audio and was immediately pulled in. Then I got the chance to co-host a book club with Vasilisa Drake in the Bookmark Baddies Facebook group—and it made the experience a whole lot better !

Samara Is stuck in Castle Greymere, trying her best to stay alive while keeping out of sight of the guards. Then one night they bring in a new prisoner. As a punishment she is ordered to tend to this prisoner. Only when she gets to his cell does she realize that he is a vampire. He orders her to release him but she just runs away. Then one night she had enough and complied to break the vampire , Raphael out. Though put their journey she realized that he is different from the vampires that killed her mother. And she agrees to go with him after her plan to join the convent doesn’t go as planned. Only to find out in the worst way that she is what the vampires fear.

This book keep you engaged in reading and wanting more. Book left off on a cliffhanger so I hope that there is a second book to find out what Samara will do either this new knowledge that she has.

This was so much fun. I don’t read about vampires often but I love it. I’m can’t wait for the next one. The narration was good and awesome listen.

I was really pleased to have had the opportunity to read A Bargain So Bloody early, and it did not disappoint. The character development was very satisfying. The main characters felt vivid and distinct, with descriptions that made them come alive.

The pacing was spot-on, with the story moving along steadily without dragging. As someone who can lose interest in overly drawn-out dialogue, I really appreciated how tight and engaging the narrative was.

The narrator also did a brilliant job, adding another layer of richness to the experience. I’m absolutely hooked and will be reading the next book in this series for sure.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the advanced access!