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…
The series
In a world where blood dictates power and every choice carries a deadly consequence, Empire of Blood immerses readers in a civilization ruled by ruthless vampires and bound by ancient, unforgiving laws. The Sundering, a gladiatorial arena where the strong survive and the weak are forgotten, sets the stage for a story where ambition, loyalty, and desire intertwine with lethal precision.
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At the center of the story is Arvelle, a young woman driven by love for her brothers and a vow that propels her into the emperor’s inner circle. To honor her pledge, she must navigate political intrigue, treacherous alliances, and battles that test both her body and spirit. As she learns the cost of power in a society shaped by vampires and divine influence, every interaction, every whispered secret, and every fleeting connection becomes a thread in the larger web of survival.
The series blends dark fantasy with slow-burn romance, creating a world that is as visceral as it is emotionally charged. Magic is dangerous, alliances are fragile, and trust is a luxury few can afford. From blood-stained arenas to shadowed palaces, the story balances high-stakes action with deep character exploration, giving readers a sense of tension and intimacy in equal measure.
Created by Stacia Stark, Empire of Blood speaks to fans of dark, atmospheric fantasy romance who crave morally complex characters, immersive world-building, and narratives where desire and danger are inseparable. It is a saga of sacrifice, strategy, and survival, where the lines between love and power are never clear, and the price of either can be fatal.
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