Book Review: We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark

We Who Will Die (Empire of Blood #1) by Stacia Stark
Genre: Adult Fiction (Paranormal/Fantasy Romance)
Date Published: December 30, 2025
Publisher: Avon Books

From the bestselling author of the Kingdom of Lies series comes a slow-burn romantasy set in a Roman-inspired world ruled by merciless vampires. Filled with breathtaking combat, vengeful gods, and magical creatures, We Who Will Die is the epic first installment in an enthralling new series perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent, Jasmine Mas, and Rebecca Yarros.

Life in the perilous Thorn district is a constant battle for Arvelle and her younger brothers. And the vampire standing on her doorstep is about to turn their world upside down.

Faced with an unthinkable choice, Arvelle makes a magically binding vow to do the impossible: kill the emperor, an ancient vampire created by the god Umbros. But first, she must enter the Sundering—an arena where only the fastest, strongest, and deadliest survive long enough to be selected for the emperor’s elite guard.

She quickly draws the ire of the Primus, the powerful figure charged with protecting the emperor. But the vampire under the armor is the last person Arvelle expects to encounter in the emperor’s court.

With her brothers’ lives in the balance, Arvelle has no choice but to ally with the man who once shattered her heart… and with the emperor’s sadistic son, Rorrik—two vampires whose motives are impossible to pin down. Rorrik holds the key to understanding the powers Arvelle is developing—abilities that would put a price on her head if discovered by the emperor.

To survive the arena and complete her mission, Arvelle must get to the bottom of a conspiracy that will change everything she thought she knew about herself—and the two vampires who are deeply entwined with her destiny…

We Who Will Die is the first book in the Empire of Blood series by Stacia Stark. This is a gladiator like story with lots of supernatural ans fantasy elements and creatures. I love this mix. Add the fact that there was nonstop action and a touch of romance. I was pretty hooked. I enjoyed Arvelle. She was an excellent character who will do anything to keep her brothers safe. She’s not your typical innocent girl.. this girl has already lived through a lot. The supporting characters are significant and really add to the story. They have meaning. I feel like there may be a love triangle on the horizon, and I think I may be rooting for the wrong guy. Is there such a thing in fiction? 

"He thinks I’m weak. Broken. Easily manipulated. He’s going to learn otherwise."

The ARC of We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark was kindly provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley for review. The opinions are my own.

Check out another book by this author!

Stacia Stark is a fantasy romance author who loves writing about found families, self-reliant heroines, and brooding, grumpy heroes.

Originally from New Zealand, Stacia spent over a decade traveling and living in various countries around the world as a freelance copywriter, and attributes both her wanderlust and creativity to those adventures.

When not traveling or writing, Stacia is usually lost in the pages of a good book.

To learn more about Stacia Stark and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook Group &, Instagram

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Book Review! Live, Ranch, Love by Emma Lucy

Live, Ranch, Love (Willow Ridge #1) by Emma Lucy
Genre: Adult Fiction (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: September 30, 2025
Publisher: Avon

She’s here to sell my ranch, but now I think she might steal my heart.

Rory Jones prided herself on the successful life she’d built as a wellness influencer and author - until she walked in on her boyfriend with another woman after a family funeral. Forced to run away to her late great aunt’s ranch in Colorado, Rory’s hoping that fixing up and selling the place will help her find her confidence and inspiration to write again.

But Wyatt Hensley, the grumpy head rancher, isn’t willing to hand over the reins to the job he gave everything up for. Especially not to a yoga-loving, manifestation guru who doesn’t even know how to ride a horse. Yet, with a past that’s taught him to not bother dreaming anymore, even Wyatt knows he can’t hold on forever.

Until one day they strike a deal that might just save both of their careers – help Rory turn the ranch into a wellness retreat and Wyatt can stay.

With Rory’s shattered self-confidence and Wyatt’s last drop of hope also on the line, staying professional is a must. But can they ignore the sizzling tension growing between them that could jeopardise it all?

Especially when the rocky path ahead seems a lot easier with the other riding beside them.

Live, Ranch, Love is the first book in the Willow Ridge series by Emma Lucy. Rory had her life set until her world got flipped. As a result, when she arrived at her newly inherited ranch, Wyatt's world flipped too. It started off enemies to lovers in the very beginning, but it changed to insta-love pretty quick once the characters plans started changing. Their story was cute. They were cute together. I love this kind of story, especially on a ranch setting. There was some repetition, which I can usually overlook unless it gets ridiculous, And for the most part, I did this time around too, but both characters liked to use the word GD about every other page. I'm definitely not opposed to cussing, but that one is one of my peeves. It makes me cringe internally. Especially, when it pops up every other page or so. The overall story was fun and entertaining, and I'd be curious which character's story gets told. Cherry & Duke?? There's gotta be a story there! 

Live, Ranch, Love by Emma Lucy was kindly provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley for review. The opinions are my own.

Emma Lucy is a romance author based in London who loves writing books that will make you swoon, blush, and hopefully learn to believe in yourself a little more. When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, listening to whatever new country music artist she’s obsessed with, or trying to convince her boyfriend to go to a bookstore with her. Live, Ranch, Love is Emma’s debut novel.

To learn more about Emma Lucy and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads & Pinterest.

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Book Review: Second Rite by Geneva Lee Albin

Second Rite (Filthy Rich Vampires #2) by Geneva Lee Albin
Genre: Adult Fiction (Paranormal Romance)
Date Published: October 4, 2022
Publisher: Estate Books

He wore darkness with such graceful ease…

Thea Melbourne has a broken heart. A month after her world turned upside down, she’s struggling to return to the life she left behind. Her mother is in a coma, she’s selling off designer gowns to pay the bills, and her roommates seem to think she’s made of glass. But when the vampire who broke her heart shows up at the hospital, she learns a devastating secret.

To save the love of his life, Julian pushed her away. Now he has to live with the pain and regret or find someone to put him out of his misery. When it becomes clear that Thea is still in danger, he has a choice to make. He can stay away like the Council demands or risk everything, including their lives, to win her back.

Convincing her means facing his own dark secrets and resisting the temptation to claim her as his mate once and for all. But Thea isn’t going to make that easy for him.

Return to the seductive world of Filthy Rich Vampires with Second Rite, the thrilling, sensual continuation of Julian and Thea's story.

Second Rite is the second book in the Filthy Rich Vampires series by Geneva Lee Albin. I was worried it was going to fall into that Second Book Syndrome at first, but it redeemed itself as the book progressed. Thea and Julian are coming to terms with things in their bond.. sort of. I wish she would have made him fork for forgiveness more than she did. HE needed to grovel more. There are a lot of revelations this time around, lots of action... a surprise or two too. Not sure how I feel about the cliffhanger, but I'll be reading the next book anyway.

Check out the first book in this series!

Geneva Lee Albin is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of over thirty novels. Her bestselling Royals Saga has sold nearly four million copies worldwide. She's shamelessly addicted to recovering alpha males, headstrong heroines, and drop-your-jaw plot twists. People Magazine calls Geneva's books "convincing with fluid writing that's full of drama." When she isn't writing or reading, you might find her on another adventure with her real-life hero and their three kids. 

To learn more about Geneva Lee Albin and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads, Goodreads, Facebook, & Instagram.

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Book Review: The Tearsmith by Erin Doo

The Tearsmith by Erin Doom
Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Dark Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: December 20, 2020
Publisher: Dell

Growing up in a ghastly orphanage run by an abusive matron, Nica coped in the only way she could—by retreating to her imagination, where she lived out fantastical stories, especially about the Tearsmith, the man who makes tears, a terrifying figure who forges all the fears that dwell in people’s hearts.

When she’s finally taken in by an adoptive family at seventeen, Nica thinks she’s leaving the group home, its torments, and her prison of otherworldly tales behind her. That is, until Rigel—a young man raised from birth in the same dreadful orphanage—joins her new family.

Rigel is as mesmerizingly handsome as he is troubled, and he and Nica have a long history of distrust and hostility. But as they come to live together again under one roof, the deep shared trauma of surviving such vicious circumstances sparks something magical, and Nica begins to fall for Rigel’s forbidden love.

Before any relationship can become reality, though, they’ll have to face the darkness of their past . . . and the dangerous stakes of pursuing a future together.

I went into this one thinking there was going to be some kind of supernatural/fantasy aspect to it. Like the Tearsmith was going to jump out at any second, or Rigel was going to be a vampire. And, I thought for sure Nica was something with all of her quirky ways. Nope. It ended up being about mental health and abuse. Both big issues. But, after reading the blurb, I was expecting something Supernatural, so that was one thing that disappointed me.

I actually liked Nica. She was immature for her age, but I loved her love of all things living. 

I keep seeing people saying that it was incestuous… ummm. I have many issues with their relationship, but it’s not incest. They aren’t related. The adoption isn’t official. Sure, they grew up in an orphanage together, but they didn’t hang out. They weren’t even friends. The relationship was extremely cringy and toxic. I wasn’t a fan of the whole dynamic, but it wasn’t even close to incest. Many people grow up together and fall in love when they get older. What makes that ok and this not? So.. no, the love wasn’t incestuous or forbidden. Just toxic. 

 

Erin Doom is an Italian author whose debut novel Fabbricante di lacrime (The Tearsmith) shot to the top of the charts in 2022 and has since sold over half a million copies. Her second and third novels, Nel modo in cui cade la neve (The Way the Snow Falls) and Stigma (2023), are also bestsellers. Doom studied Law and currently resides in Italy.

To learn more about Erin Doom and her books, visit her on Goodreads & Instagram.

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Book Review: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies (Uglies #1) by Scott Westerfeld
Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Dystopian)
Date Published: February 8, 2005
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. In just a few weeks she'll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she'll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world—and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally's choice will change her world forever....

Uglies is the first book in the Uglies series by Scott ssss. I actually saw the movie a while ago on Netflix, and finally read the book. There are differences between the two. I like things about both, but ultimately, the book is better. Of course. I felt like Tally was a believable character given the World she grew up in. I enjoyed watching her grow into herself and form her own opinions. There was a lot to keep my attention and little down time in the action department. We even get the beginnings of a romance… maybe.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld - Excerpt by Simon and Schuster

Scott Westerfeld is a New York Times bestselling author of YA. He is best known for the Uglies and Leviathan series. His current series, IMPOSTORS, returns to the world of Uglies.

To learn more about Scott Westerfeld and his books, visit his website. You can also find him on Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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