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.

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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: Three Queens by Geneva Lee Albin

Three Queens (Filthy Rich Vampires #3) by Geneva Lee Albin
Genre: Adult Fiction (Paranormal Romance)
Date Published: February 7, 2023
Publisher: Estate Books

All magic will die, and with it, all who carry it. Every last one of us...

Thea and Julian have made their choice, but can they survive the fallout? Experience the decadent, magical world of Three Queens, the third book in the Filthy Rich Vampire series from New York Times bestselling author Geneva Lee.

Returning to the world of the vampire elite as Solstice falls, they must navigate new dangers, treacherous allies, and morally grey friendships. When information leads them to Venice, the couple finds themselves at odds. Following the clue isn’t just dangerous, it could be deadly. With the fate of her family on the line, Thea rushes to Venice, and Julian follows despite his haunted history with the city.

The past might hold the key to their future, but to find out, Julian must face the monster he was once, and as forgotten magic stirs in Thea's blood, the search for answers leads to devastating consequences.

With the future of the magical world hanging in the balance, tensions rising in their family, and war looming on the horizon, will their love triumph, or will they pay the ultimate price?

Check out the other books 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: Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Belladonna (Belladonna #1) by Adalyn Grace
Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Paranormal / Fantasy Romance)
Date Published: August 30, 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

The  New York Times  bestselling author of  All the Stars and Teeth  brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal. ​

Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each one more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation, and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.

 

However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.

Belladonna is the first book in the Belladonna series by Adalyn Grace. Signa was a strong, female lead. She stood her ground even through her fear, and she was believable. The supporting characters all played their parts well and flowed in and out of the story nicely. Then there's Death. Am I the only one that pictured the scenes with death in a "Harry Potter/Deathly Hallows movie style"? I have to say... that imagery only made the story more enchanting. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was pretty unique. It took "Death"- something we all fear- and made him human.. well sorta.. not really. But you can understand him within this story. Maybe not right away, but this story line builds in many ways. So, yes, I'm going to read the next book.

Adalyn Grace is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, International, and Indiebound bestselling author of Belladonna and the All the Stars and Teeth duology.

Prior to becoming an author, Adalyn spent several years working in live theatre and studied storytelling as an intern on Nickelodeon Animation’s popular series The Legend of Korra.

Local to San Diego, Adalyn spends her non-writing days by watching too much anime, and by playing video games with her two dorky dogs.

To learn more about Adalyn Grace and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads & Instagram.

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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 other books 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: Filthy Rich Vampire by Geneva Lee Albin

Filthy Rich Vampire (Filthy Rich Vampires #1) by Geneva Lee Albin
Genre: Adult Fiction (Paranormal Romance)
Date Published: May 24, 2022
Publisher: Estate Books

Newly edited, and for the first time in print, discover the smash-hit series.

Julian Rousseaux has a problem. He’s single, and for the world’s wealthiest vampires, the social season is about to begin. Julian would rather stake himself than participate in the marriage market. But as the eldest eligible Rousseaux, he’s expected to find a wife before the season ends―whether he likes it or not.

When cellist Thea literally stumbles into his life at a gala, he knows she's the last person he could ever fall in love with. She's too innocent, too kind, and way too human. But now that she knows about his world, she's also a walking target. She needs protection. He needs a fake girlfriend to discourage overzealous vampire matchmaking.

So, Julian makes Thea an irresistible offer: pretend to be his lover and he’ll change her life. For one year, they’ll attend the season’s social events together in exchange for his protection and a way out of her mother’s crippling medical debt.

She can’t say no. But the vampire world is impossibly decadent and darker than Thea ever imagined, and Julian’s filthy rich vampire family wants her out of the way. But with each moment they share, new dangers emerge: a desire as forbidden as their stolen touches, an awakening of a long-dead heart, and secrets that could tear them both apart.

Sensual, dangerous, provocative ― step into a daring new world of dark magic, primal attraction, and breathtaking romance.

Filthy Rich Vampire is the first book in the Filthy Rich Vampires series by Geneva Lee Albin. This was not what I was expecting in a vampire book, but that’s ok. More than ok. I enjoyed it in a guilty pleasure kind of way, plus I liked the characters and the overall story. Wins all around. Aside from the forbidden, vampire love, I wouldn’t compare it to Twilight as some have, but it was entertaining and quite a bit naughtier than Twilight.

Check out the other books 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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