A Bargain So Bloody

By Vasilisa Drake

Book Overview

For the first printing only This hardcover features gorgeous sprayed edges while the special edition supply lasts.

A young woman confined in a magical prison must make a deal with the most dangerous prisoner inside if she hopes to escape in this first book in a spellbinding new vampire romantasy series perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and Shield of Sparrows.

Imprisoned for a crime she didn't commit, Samara is bullied by guards and tormented by the screams of her fellow prisoners. She's resigned herself to enduring her fifteen-year term...until she learns the freedom she's been promised is nothing but a cruel lie.

Now Samara is faced with a brutal choice: die within the cold walls of Castle Greymere or do the unthinkable and escape. But no one leaves Greymere alive. So to break out, she'll need help from one of the undead.

Raphael is the worst kind of monster: a vampire with a thirst for blood--and the same breed that killed her mother. He's also unspeakably powerful, his supernatural strength tamed only by the enchanted cuffs forced on him. Most importantly, he is Samara's only chance at a life outside the prison walls.

The deal is simple: Samara unlocks his shackles, and Raphael helps her escape. But he never promised to let her go once they flee the castle...

This dangerously alluring fantasy romance is perfect for readers who love: a searing slow burn, morally gray heroes who fall first and hard, the touch her and die trope, the only one horse trope, and heroines who find their own strength.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FWZXYZLK
• ISBN13: 9798347117048
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Scarlett Press
• Length: 464 Pages
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Slow start but so worth it

Warning.. cliffhanger ending. The story is about a young woman who has seen the worst of worst in people. Forced to live in a prison as slave labor struggling to survive when a new prisoner gives her hope of a way out. The story starts of almost painfully slow with a lot of buildup that does not make sense initially. Later it helps to understand how our main character thinks. So don’t give up too early. Our secondary character is truly intriguing. He’s not the typical vampire character. He might seem so in description, but he’s more than that. He’s cautious and careful but also gives in to his instincts when needed. Raphael intrigues me and would love to learn more of him in future books. Watching/reading as these two characters develop and surprise one another was enjoyable. The last few chapters go way too fast. I want the next book now. Hopefully won’t be too long before it’s available. I often am a bit jaded with books and story developement as they can be a bit repetitive and redundant. But I truly enjoyed the world building. But I do have to lean into my love of Raphael and how he would burn it all if Samara just asked him. Arc read