All's Fair in Love and Blood
Jennifer Peel
5.0
We Who Will Die: A Novel
by Stacia Stark
About this book
Survival in the brutal, Roman-inspired Thorn district is a relentless fight for Arvelle and her younger brothers. Her desperate existence is shattered when a powerful vampire forces her into an impossible bargain: infiltrate the Sundering, a lethal arena where death is the only exit, to eventually assassinate the ancient immortal emperor. To succeed, she must survive the sadistic trials and earn a place within the emperor’s elite guard, all while concealing the volatile, forbidden magic awakening within her.
This gripping urban fantasy delivers a high-stakes blend of political intrigue and visceral combat, perfect for fans who crave the intensity of Gladiator mixed with dark, atmospheric vampire lore. The narrative excels through its layered worldbuilding and the tension of a slow-burn romance that simmers beneath the surface of life-or-death stakes.
Arvelle’s journey is complicated by the Primus, a man from her past who once broke her heart, and Rorrik, the emperor’s enigmatic and dangerous son. As she navigates this treacherous court, she must decide who to trust when every ally is a potential threat. If you are looking for a pulse-pounding tale of vengeful gods, twisted romance, and a heroine fighting for those she loves, this is your next obsession.
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2026
- ASIN
- B0F6GLNRJ3
Reader Reviews
January 8, 2026
📖 We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.75/5) Some books whisper their way into your heart, others kick down the door and demand to be felt. We Who Will Die does both, and I'm still recovering from the emotional whiplash. Arvelle Dacien is not your typical fantasy heroine, and thank the gods for that. She's bitter, broken, and beautifully flawed in ways that make her feel devastatingly real. Raised in the shadow of loss, caring for her sick brother while carrying the weight of her...
January 8, 2026
](https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_avp?ie=UTF8&nodeId=G8UYX7LALQC8V9KA) 📖 We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.75/5) Some books whisper their way into your heart, others kick down the door and demand to be felt. We Who Will Die does both, and I'm still recovering from the emotional whiplash. Arvelle Dacien is not your typical fantasy heroine, and thank the gods for that. She's bitter, broken, and beautifully flawed in ways that make her feel...
May 8, 2026
Vampire Diaries meets Gladiator? Immediately yes. That premise alone had me hooked. This one really shines in its worldbuilding. The magic system is layered and intriguing, the bargains feel dangerous, and the trials are genuinely brutal. The arena scenes are intense, bloody, and high stakes, with real gore and consequences. No decorative violence here, it hurts. What I appreciated most was the FMC’s motivation. Her journey is rooted in loss, and you feel how grief shapes her decisions, her...
January 16, 2026
We Who Will Die is my first book by Stacia Stark. I was impressed by the worldbuilding and parallels with the Roman world, except that it’s ruled by an empire of vampires. Arvelle, the protagonist is fiesty and has a huge heart in doing anything she can to protect her twin brothers, Gerith and Evren who is ill with a lung disease. Arvelle is blackmailed by Bran, a powerful vampire by a magical bond to participate in the Sundering and kill the emperor in exchange for her brother’s health and...
January 1, 2026
We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark is a good start to a new series. However, I have conflicting feelings, We Who Will Die had all the elements that I typically love in a book, a unique premise, vampires, political intrigue, mystery, magical creatures, and a romance. But despite that I had a hard time finishing this one. There was just a little bit too much going on and that made the pacing feel off. Just when I was getting into a story point we switched to something else. As a result I never felt...
