Synopsis
To survive the arena, she must trust her enemies…
An intoxicating romantasy of trials, vampires and slow-burn desire - perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros and Carissa Broadbent
‘I'm calling it right now, We Who Will Die will become the next big romantasy obsession’ 5 ⭐ Reader Review
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Life in the perilous Thorn district is a constant battle for Arvelle and her younger brothers.
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.
As stakes rise and secrets emerge, she quickly draws the ire of the Primus, the powerful figure charged with protecting the emperor — while also finding herself depending on the enemy to hone her power… the emperor’s vampiric son.
To survive the arena and complete her mission, Arvelle must uncover a deadly conspiracy that will change everything she thought she knew about herself — and the two vampires who are deeply entwined with her destiny.
Tropes/Themes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Forbidden love
- Forced Proximity
- Magic
- Tournament
- Slow Burn
- Love triangle
–
Readers are OBSESSED with We Who Will Die
‘INCREDIBLE. One of my favorite reads of the year!’ 5 ⭐ Reader Review
‘I absolutely ate this up’ 5 ⭐ Reader Review
‘OH MY GOSHHHH THAT WAS AMAZING I AM IN LOVE’ 5 ⭐ Reader Review
‘Gladiators. Vampires. Political games. A love triangle that is actually impossible to choose sides on. I mean… HELLO??’ 5 ⭐ Reader Review
Publisher information
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9780241740026
- Number of pages: 432
- Dimensions: 241 x 166 x 38 mm
- Weight: 642g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View all
Nope
Unfortunately this book was not for me.
I didn't feel connected to any of the characters at all, which was a shame as I enjoyed the start of the book b... READ MORE
A Magnificent read with Romans, Vampires and Different Challenges
This book is a masterpiece from start to finish. It's like the Hunger Games but with Romans and vampires. Never thought that whole combo would work, but it... READ MORE
God tier read
Spoiler free!
This book was recommended on Booktok so I thought I’d give it a go. There is very little build up, the action starts straight away. Not only... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
A brilliant start to the series!
This was such an easy five star! We Who Will Die captured my interest right from the beginning and gave me that five star feeling from the first few chapte... READ MORE
The next big fantasy book!
Cool magic system
Tyrant leader
Rebel vampires
Gladiators
Characters with flaws and depth
Thick with plot! Scheming, magic, politics, betrayals, r... READ MORE
This Book Is Going To Be HUGE!
Thank you so much to Michael J Books & Netgalley for allowing me to read an e-ARC of We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark in exchange for honest feedback.
O... READ MORE
Unique
The beginning of this book drew me in instantly and I thought it would be one of my favorite reads of the year. While I think this is a good book, for me t... READ MORE
Vampires and Trials galore
This was my first experience reading a Stacia Stark novel, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The story unfolds in an ancient Roman i... READ MORE
Loved it
Tells the story of Arvelle, who looks after her 2 brothers in a small village. One day a vampire Bram tells Arvelle that she must infiltrate a games tourna... READ MORE
Can’t wait for more
This is such a fantastically good read. I loved the romantasy of it and the world building was great . I really liked how the story developed and it had me... READ MORE
Vampire diaries meets Gladiator in this fantastic Romantasy.
I love this! We have the gladiator style games where people have to fight, all for the emperor's amusement and for them to win a place within the emperor's... READ MORE
The next big romantasy book!
It was my first ever book from Stacia Stark and oh my god did she not disappoint! This is going to become the next big romantasy book, make my words.
Thi... READ MORE
I could NOT put it down!! This book revived my love for reading!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - Freya, arc & monthly book box pick reviewer (athenaf... READ MORE
Gripping story in a memorable setting...
I was hoping for a vividly depicted Rome with powerful vampires in charge and our plucky heroine somehow hoping to upset the status quo. And I got it. Star... READ MORE
Raw, dark and compelling
4.5⭐️
This is one of those stories that feels alive,
raw, atmospheric, and brimming with tension. I absolutely devoured it, even when I occasionally f... READ MORE
What a read! Excited for the rest of this series!
I loved the Kingdom of Lies series so when I saw Stacia had a new series coming out I knew I had to read it. Set in a roman empire/ gladiator world with va... READ MORE
A warrior who fights for family...and love
Think Vampiric Ancient Rome with magic and you'd get pretty close to the setting of this new fantasy romance.
Arvelle is a bada$$. A victor in the game... READ MORE
loved this!
Reaaally enjoyed this book!
Surprisingly good
3.75
The vampire x gladiator theme didn't do much for me, if anything at all. Same with all the challenges, fights and the whole tournament, which thankful... READ MORE
Slow-Burn Romantasy with Deadly Tournaments
“There’s no worse feeling than watching someone you love die. The helplessness slices you into pieces. And grief sets those pieces on fire. Until you’re no... READ MORE
Great start to the series!
Dedication:
For the eldest daughters. You are seen, you are loved, and you are enough.
I love that dedication. As an eldest daughter it definitely spok... READ MORE
ADORED IT. Gladiator, deathly games romantasy
I bloomin adored this!!! I KNEW who the primmus was gonna be but I was shooketh anyway. Devoured this and didnt wanna put this down. I loved all of it.
T... READ MORE
Reimagined Rome with vampires
I'm didn't think I'd be fan of fantasy set in fictionalised Roman times (and there do seem to be a few out there) but i really enjoyed this!
I will adm... READ MORE
Where Gladiators Meet Vampires
Life in the Thorn district is brutal, and Arvelle will do anything to keep her younger brothers safe. When a vampire offers her an impossible bargain, she ... READ MORE
Viciously immersive (audiobook review)
?Blood, battles, and bonds that bite back?⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️From the first heartbeat, We Who Will Die is all sharp edges and held breath. Stacia Stark throws us into... READ MORE
MORE PLEASE
⋆｡°✩ ᴀʀᴄ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ✩°｡⋆
ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ : We Who Will Die
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : Stacia Stark
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ ʀᴇᴀᴅ: E-Book
Tropes:
⚬ Roman Mythology
⚬ Vampire x Humans
⚬ Magi... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Easy 5 Stars!
EASIEST 5 STARS. This book has everything I want form a romantasy. A well constructed and delivered world, unique magic, an amazing FMC, a protective MMC, ... READ MORE
Genuinely could not put this book down!
‘Aut neca aut necare. Either kill or be killed.’
• Enemies to Lovers
• Deadly Tournament
• Ruthless Vampire
• Political Intrigue
• Mythical Creat... READ MORE
Perfect for fans of trials, vampires and morally grey characters
I saw this book described as The Vampire Diaries mixed with Gladiator and it intrigued me. It is also the perfect description for the plot…slight spoilers ... READ MORE
Could not put it down!!!
Set in Roman times with Magic, Vampires and a few humans for good measure. There’s trials, politics and a forbidden love.
When I started and it was hea... READ MORE
A razor‑sharp romantasy that sinks its claws into your heart and refuses to let go.
This has officially become my favourite book of 2025 - what an unbelievable way to end the year on such a high. I've adored Stacia Stark's previous novels,... READ MORE
One of my top of the year!
Living in the Thorn is barely surviving. I have two brothers to protect, though one is sick, and my work as a sword for hire barely keeps us alive, let alo... READ MORE
A solid, interesting start to a new series
3.5 ✨ A solid, interesting start to a new series. I really liked the Roman Empire–inspired setting with a paranormal twist, and having an older main charac... READ MORE
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