A Bargain So Bloody by Vasilisa Drake — A Fantasy Audiobook Full of Vampires, Trauma, and Romance

A Bargain So Bloody by Vasilisa Drake

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Blood, Memory, and Trust: A Layered Fantasy Audiobook Experience

This was my first advanced listener’s copy, and I was beyond excited to get my hands on it. Thank you to Vasilia Drake for the opportunity to be on the ABSB ARC Team! Please note, I am voluntarily writing an honest review.

The book will be published on June 30, 2025! Mark your calendars!

In the past, I was wary of listening to fantasy audiobooks—I worried I wouldn’t be able to picture the story as vividly as I can when reading. Fantasy is a genre I typically read a lot of, so this was stepping out of my comfort zone.

That said, the beginning of this book completely hooked me. I was pulled right into the story. I don’t usually listen to audiobooks in public, but I couldn’t help myself—I needed to know what happened next (and I actually listened to the book twice in a row!).

I really appreciated how the author included Samara’s experience with her first period. It made sense that, after spending years underfed in prison, her body wouldn’t have been able to menstruate. Once she arrived in the vampire land and began receiving proper nutrition, her body finally responded. I also liked how Raphael explained her undernourishment to the healer—those small, thoughtful details added depth and realism to both the worldbuilding and her character arc. Her deep-seated hatred of vampires, rooted in the traumatic memory of witnessing her mother’s brutal death at their hands, added further emotional complexity. I especially enjoyed the use of flashbacks and how they were woven seamlessly into the present timeline, enriching both her backstory and current motivations.

The relationship between Samara and Raphael was a highlight for me. Samara despises vampires, and Raphael, of course, is one. Even as she started to develop feelings for him, she held on to her hatred for his kind. I liked that complexity. His protectiveness helped her feel safer than she had in years, which created a very layered, believable emotional journey.

That said, there were a few parts of the story that didn’t quite connect for me. For one, it felt a bit unrealistic that the Samara could translate an ancient language so well after working in a prison for 12 years. It also seemed odd that her mother’s views still had such a strong impact on her, considering she entered the prison at age eight. Lastly, her social awareness developed a little too quickly. Growing up isolated with minimal interaction wouldn’t usually result in such strong social skills—but here, it felt like she adjusted a bit too easily. This leaned heavily into the "chosen one" trope, which didn’t fully work for me.

Still, I loved the pacing. The audiobook format made it feel a bit faster, but I truly enjoyed every moment. And the ending shocked me—I did not see the necromancer reveal coming! I genuinely was simply vibing with the book.

Rating: 4.25 / 5