I just finished listening to "A Bargain So Bloody," and this audiobook has everything I love about the enemies-to-lovers trope—it’s a slow burn that really pays off. The dynamic between the vampire and the human is brilliant. You can really feel the tension as they go from being enemies to allies to lovers, that relationship that started wary then developed into something much deeper.

The male lead is especially captivating. He has that "touch her and die" energy, which adds to his morally grey complexity that hooks you right in. I mean, he’s not your typical hero—he’s got his own dark side that makes you question his intentions. It’s fascinating to see how these two characters, navigate their forced proximity, when one has been raised to fear and despise the other.

There’s some seriously unique card magic woven through the plot, which I adored. It really adds depth to the story along with high stakes and twists that keep you guessing. Betrayal and secret identities only ramp up the intensity, and I love how it all ties back to the main relationship.

The whole vibe of them having to share a bed and a horse while trying to resist their feelings? Chef's kiss! Who doesn't love the Only One Bed trope? It’s hard not to get wrapped up in their struggle. I found myself rooting for them to find a way to overcome their differences and prejudices. If you enjoy a good slow burn with morally grey characters and lots of tension, then give this one a listen!

thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

WOW. this book exceeded my expectations! i was hooked from the very beginning. the narrator went above and beyond.

Samara was wrongly imprisoned from the age of 8 in a witch castle and figures out she is almost finished with her 15 year sentence. She ends up allying with a vampire named Raphael, who she despises purely because of what he is. Despite her better judgment, they form an escape plan after Raphael promises her his protection.

i enjoy their banter and how their relationship forms, plus the side characters stand out in a great way.

if you like these tropes, you’ll need to add this to your TBR quickly:
- slow burn
- vampire romantasy- more on the fantasy side
- magic and supernatural beings
- enemies to allies to lovers
- morally grey mmc
- protective and POSSESSIVE mmc
- touch her and d!e
- forced proximity

not to mention the epilogue is a HUGE plot twist. did not see it coming but it has me ready for book 2!!

Utterly addictive, darkly enchanting, and impossible to put down!

I was absolutely blown away by A Bargain So Bloody! Vasilisa Drake has crafted a lush, brutal, and mesmerizing world filled with dangerous bargains, cunning characters, and the kind of sharp, electric chemistry that makes your heart race. From the very first chapter, I was hooked — and the twists just kept coming.

The heroine is fierce, flawed, and wholly captivating, while the morally gray love interest had me torn between swooning and glaring at my Kindle. Their dynamic was everything I love in a dark fantasy romance: tension-filled, unpredictable, and layered with betrayal, longing, and undeniable connection.

The pacing was perfect, the world-building vivid without feeling overwhelming, and the plot had just the right balance of court intrigue, violence, and forbidden desire. And that ending? I am already counting down the days for book two!

Highly recommend for fans of dark romantasy, morally gray characters, and dangerous bargains with a price.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review, and I already know this will be one of my top reads of the year!

I was disappointed that the book ended so quickly. I feel like the main character had turned too quickly and there was no point into the change. Of course, she changed because she was going to die but I kinda wanted to see what she can do herself, I mean she has magic.

My least favorite thing about this was the ending, cause what do you mean I have to WAIT to find out what our hypocritical queen does next now that she has THAT information!?

Over all this book gave me so many emotions had me giggling and then going 'girl, what?' To being like 'omg really' I loved this Rollercoaster even if we got left right on a cliffhanger

First off, not only did I have the privilege to receive this arc. I was also able to immerse read it with the audio. The narration was so good. I am very picky with my audios & was very pleased with how clean and precise the narration was.
The story was amazing. I absolutely loved the magical system.
The usage of cards filled with magic is fun & intriguing.
Something I have not seen done in a book before. Samara our FMC has been imprisoned her whole life & is considered a void, non magical. She meets Raphael our MMC, who not only is a vampire but turns out to be the king of the vampires. They both escape prison and become reluctant allies. This book gives slow burn & a slight touch of enemies to lovers. Definitely touch her & die vibes. Raphael is very protective lol . You have found family & the unique magical system. Oh did I also mention the cliffhanger. I need book 2 like yesterday.
This was my first time reading anything from this author and I look forward to continuing this series.

Thank you to the author and team for the chance to listen to the audio for this book early. I was accepted for the eARC as well and left my review/feedback for the book separately.
The audio that was done for this book was fairly decent but I have to admit that there was nothing spectacular about it and this rating left is not a reflection of the story or book.
I will say it wasn’t the best audio I’ve listened to but the narrator did the job she was given and I can appreciate that for what it is. I listened to it on 2x speed and was still able to follow along just fine.
Thank you for the chance, again, to view this early.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️

If you’re craving a dark, romantic vampire fantasy that keeps you listening 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 then 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.

In the audiobook, the narrator, Cecily Foster, was incredible! Her different voices for each character were spot on. The pacing was perfect. I felt this book was just a chef’s kiss. 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 can’t wait to read and listen the next book in the series!
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to both read and listen to this ARC!
#ABargainSoBloody

Of the ninth hell. I need to know what happens after THAT epilogue! 😮‍💨

The most beautiful of slow of burns*, buried under grippling tension, vampire-witch-void politics and tortured backstories that help shape the MCs.

“𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘.”

We have our FMC Samara- who is wrongly imprisoned and has been dealt a horrible start to her life.
—Making her conscious of everyone and everything.

RAPHAEL. You’re brooding, hulking, but kinda funny vampire. For all his flaws, he is aware and protective.
I don’t think I will ever, not love a broody vamp. ❤️‍🔥
—His character is my fave out of the two - can you tell?

The story was written in a way that you can come to understand the world with ease and quickly. Nothing felt like it was being overly explained. Good pacing, keeping up with all the action and drama that unfolds. There’s nothing better then enjoying the book and realising how much progress you’ve made into it 😌
—Coiled grittiness, some humour, and a cliffy that will make you want the next one asap.

I am so thankful to have received the ALC from Victory Editing through NetGalley. Cecily Foster did an amazing job narrating the characters! I dont usually pick up audiobooks with a single narrator, but this was just so easy to get through, and highly enjoyable. The VA executed this one so well.


[🌶️1 ] beautiful slow burn*, tension and atmosphere.
[✩ 5 ]

A beautiful dark fantasy filled with love, betrayal, magic and beautiful world building. In a realm of witches being a null is a curse. Nulls are born without magic and must rely on cards created by witches to access magic. Sam grew up in Greymore a prison that makes witches go insane by cutting them off from their power. As a null she can work their without going insane but the 15 year sentence she must serve is slowly killing her, literally and figuratively. When the guards bring in a vampire, Sam makes a deal with the devil. She will help free him if he helps her escape. Now, Sam and Rafael are on a quest to escape the witch kingdom, find a lost grimoire and decode it. Not all is at it seems though, Rafael has lied about his identity, Sam is conflicted both hating the vampires and learning they are not all the monsters she once believed. Can they both overcome their prejudices and learn to trust in the hopes of one day learning love. Rafael isn't the only one hiding secrets though Sam has secrets of her own and they may cost her everything.
I devoured this book! I could not stop listening, a needed to know what happened next! And the cliffhanger at the end had me hating the fact that I don't know when the second book will come out. If you love epic fantasy books then I promise that you will love this book series.

I went in pretty blind on this and sometimes that’s the best way. A Bargain So Bloody is a dark slow burn romantasy – the first book in the Kingdom Of Dark Magic series. It starts with Samara, a void, who's been serving a prison sentence since she was a little kid. After realizing there was no way she was getting out of there, she makes a deal with another prisoner, Raphael, who’s also a vampire. This book follows their journey of escape and beyond. Since Samara has been in prison for over 10 years, there’s a great deal about the world that she doesn’t really know and relies on Raphael to guide her. The magic system is cool and one I’ve never seen before (closest is The Shephard King duology but this one is still different).

It’s hard to go into more detail without giving some key plot points away without flagging for spoilers but I will say that even though a few plot points were obvious for someone that reads a lot of romantasy, I definitely enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to the next book, especially given the way it ended. While I expected the ending, I didn’t expect Samara’s reaction and it sets up book 2 so well.

I still have so many questions that I’m hoping we’ll delve into more with book 2. I have a feeling where some of this is going to go but I ate these two up and I’ll be continuing the series. I would love to have book 2 introduce Raphael’s POV.

I am so glad I listened to the audiobook as the narrator, Cecily Foster, did a great job on this single narration/POV audiobook.

Wow this book was sooo good. I also heard this was her duet novel and hats off to Vasilisa Drake because I ate this book up.

I’m a sucker for vampire books and I really enjoyed how this FMC hated vampires and wants to destroy them. I don’t see that alot so I loved seeing how she planned things.

The twistsssss had me gasping. There was a few times where I was genuinely in shock and a few things I guess but that didn’t deter me from loving this book.

Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

A Bargain So Bloody is a new romantasy featuring vampires, witches, and other gruesome creatures. Our main character, Samara, is a Void—someone without magic—imprisoned in Greymere. One night, she is forced to tend to a vampire named Raphael, who ultimately helps her escape the horrors of Greymere.
The book was relatively fast-paced, and the narrator did a good job bringing the story to life. I have to say, the audiobook was the way to go, because unfortunately, this book just wasn't a good fit for me. From the characters to the plot, it felt like it was meant to be the introduction to a high-stakes fantasy series, but the execution fell flat. There weren’t many compelling situations, and the story passed by without much truly happening.

Samara, despite spending her formative years in prison, came across as extremely naive. She made questionable decisions and trusted others far too easily—often within the span of just a few pages. I found her annoying and she couldn’t stand by her decision for more than a chapter. I have to admit, the epilogue drove this book to the 3 stars rating I am giving it.

That said, I do think this book will find its audience. I’d recommend it for beginner fantasy readers, as the writing is accessible and the story flows smoothly.

Overall, not the right book for me, but it could be perfect for someone else.
Goodreads Rating: 3 ⭐️

We all know my love for vampire romance is high, and this book hits all the marks. It’s the kind of book where it ends and you’re screaming at your car audio “No! It can’t end yet!” While wildly gesticulating. So much so that the person in the car next to you looks over and gives you a weird look. Okay maybe that’s just what happened to me but you get my drift. The book did a great job of making you feel the FMC’s bewilderment and wonder and pain and hate. And the MMC is everything. He’s brutal but soft in the way only a a good shadow daddy (or vampire daddy) can be. And ohhhh that slow burn 🔥 is there!

Just read the book. Love it. And then come back here with me and so you can also damn Ms Drake for making a book so good that you now have to sit and wait for next one. Join me in my love/hate for a bit, won’t you?

Thanks NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“This book sank its fangs into me and did. not. let. go.”
A Bargain So Bloody is easily one of my favorite reads of the year. I knew from the first page I was in for something brutal, magical, and completely unhinged—in the best way.
Samara is the kind of fierce, wounded heroine I’ll root for every single time. And Raphael? Ohhh, Raphael. The shackled vampire who practically radiates “I hate everyone but her” energy?? I am feral. 😮‍💨🖤
The tension is so thick it practically drips off the page. You want:
* Enemies to lovers? ✔️
* Forced proximity in a magical prison? ✔️
* Bargains that blur the line between power and obsession? ✔️
* A morally gray vampire falling hard for the one girl who terrifies him? ✔️✔️✔️
The writing is dark, cinematic, and full of emotional gut-punches. There were moments I had to stop and just breathe.And then there were the quotes I highlighted like they were gospel. ("As long as you're here with me, Dove, you're mine. And I protect what's mine, Dove. Ruthlessly." I almost threw my phone.)
If you like your fantasy bloody, broody, and a little bit bitey—this is your next obsession. Vasilisa Drake, you’ve ruined me. I need book two yesterday.

Enemies to lovers
Touch her and die
Slow Burn

Only true negative is FMC’s internal monologue was a bit incessant and repetitive.

Books I think you'd like based on this one
✨Blood Slaves
✨The Secret World of Maggie Grey
✨The First Family
✨Restore Me

Whenever you're in the mood for a relatively refreshing vampire story I would recommend.

3.5⭐️

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. The narrator is great and paces the story well with her reading. This was easy to keep listening to and get lost in.

So thankful to have received a alc for this book! I read the description and knew I needed to read this! For me the middle was a little bit slower but it did really pick up at the end!

Samara has been forced to work in Castle Greymere prison since she was eight. She was given a fifteen-year sentence, but realizes no one will ever set her free. She is afraid of vampires, but makes a deal with Raphael to escape. She hopes to join a sanctuary and live a quiet life, but agrees to help Raphael find what he is searching for first.

I really loved this book. The world-building was excellent, and the magic system was unique and interesting. I was immediately invested in the story and the characters. I listened to the audiobook, and the narration is perfect.

Samara and Raphael’s relationship is a slow burn. I loved their interactions and banter. He falls first, and it is funny to see how she misinterprets his protectiveness towards her. My favourite scene between them was the night she tried drinking wine for the first time.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I am dying to read the next one. I can’t recommend the book enough and will be going back to read the author’s previous books.

Thank you so much for the ARC audiobook!

The atmosphere of this book was amazing! Lots of tension, magic, surprises and the gothic setting was perfect. The narrative was also so easy to listen to and they switched between characters effortlessly! I hope they continue with the series as I really enjoyed their performance.

Obsessed with the “touch her and you die” energy from our brooding MMC. He’s so unapologetic and does exactly what he wants without hesitation, especially when it comes to Samara. I do think it was leaning towards an “but I can’t change him” narrative from Samara but we will have to see in the next instalment. I want to know more about her backstory and life before the prison. She has such a clear opinion on her dislike for vampires from her but you can see the lines start to get foggy…

The ending has me begging for book 2!! The combination of the cliffhanger and the epilogue had me on the edge of my seat. I had a suspicion certain parts would happen but I was still shocked!