I usually try to get my reviews of ARCs out on the blog around the week they publish, but this one published on Archie’s birthday when we had a full day out planned, then it was Christmas holidays and, well, life happened!
Nevertheless, here I am with the review!
We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark is available to buy now!
This was a fast-paced, epic read. I can’t wait to read more of it!
We Who Will Die will hit hard for fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night (a series I haven’t yet completed!). I feel like it also has Throne of Glass vibes (again, also unfinished series!). You have a girl, Arvelle, from a lower part of society, decidely weaker than the rest, who is thrown into a series of games and trials against competitors who are all fighting for their chance to win a place in the emperor’s guard. But also, half of them are vampires. As is the emperor. Oh, and Arvelle has a made a magically binding vow with another vampire to murder the emperor or risk her brothers’ lives. Yep, it’s a lot!
I expect this to be one of the next big fantasy series in 2026. It’s just got everything you want! Magical creatures, strong female characters, morally grey leading men, vengeful gods, a strong political undercurrent. The world building is very good – there aren’t any particularly new elements if you’ve read a lot of fantasy, but I enjoyed the way this world came together. And did I mention that it’s loosely based on a Roman-inspired world with the military and political set up and the fights to the death?
One scene that I particularly loved was the flooding of the arena for a re-enacted naval battle, exactly what actually happened in the Colesseum – except in this version, vampires and kelpies are part of the game! This book really brings to life the fear that those on the sand must have faced under the emperor’s gaze as they fought for their lives – something that even I, who studied and taught Classics, would otherwise struggle to imagine clearly. It’s written very well.
Read more:
- The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers – Fantasy Book Review
- Romantasy Book Review: Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
- Book Review: Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher
- Knight Romantasy Book Review: The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino
- Book Review: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
The romance was good – you’ve got a second chance thing going on where the love interest comes back in from her past. It’s a little bit hidden at the beginning, but is pretty clear when you realise! But for the ACOTAR girls, no spoilers but I also feel like we might get a kind of Tamlin/Rhysand situation going on with Rorrik and Tiernon, just saying. (At least, I hope we do, I love that kind of a plot!) The chemistry between Arvelle and Tiernon is good but not great at this point – there’s just something about it that’s hitting just a little bit off for me, so I’m expecting to see something happen there.
I’m very excited for book 2, and also for the rest of the world to read this one!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for a copy of this book.
