Review: We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark
A Romantasy Review of Blood, Betrayal, and the Slowest of Slow Burns
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Some books quietly ease their way into your reading life. Others grab you by the throat, demand your full attention, and leave you blinking at the clock at two in the morning wondering how on earth you are supposed to function the next day.
We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark is firmly in the second category.
This was a book I absolutely devoured. I stayed up far too late reading it, telling myself I would stop after just one more chapter, only to keep going again and again. I finished it over a single weekend, and when I closed the final page, I felt that mix of satisfaction and longing that only a truly great romantasy delivers. The kind where you are already desperate for the next installment, even as you are still unpacking everything that just happened.
Set in a vividly reimagined, ancient Rome inspired world ruled by ruthless vampires, We Who Will Die is epic romantasy at its finest. It blends political intrigue, brutal arena combat, forbidden love, and morally complicated characters into a story that feels both immersive and addictive. If you love slow burn tension, dangerous alliances, and heroines who are far more powerful than they realize, this book deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.
A Roman Inspired World of Blood and Power
One of the most compelling aspects of We Who Will Die is its setting. Stark draws heavily from the aesthetics and hierarchy of ancient Rome, but filters it through a dark fantasy lens where vampires sit at the very top of the power structure.
The empire is ruled by an ancient vampire emperor. Beneath him exists a rigid social order of vampires, sigil powered mortals, and mundanes struggling to survive in districts like Thorn, where life is brutal and unforgiving. This is not a world where safety is guaranteed or mercy is common. Every choice carries weight, and survival often comes at a devastating cost.
The arena, is central to the story. It is a place where only the fastest, strongest, and deadliest fighters survive long enough to be noticed. Combat is public, violent, and deeply political. The arena does not exist merely for entertainment. It is a tool of control, a way for the empire to reinforce power while weeding out weakness.
Stark does an excellent job of making this world feel lived in. The rules are clear, the dangers feel real, and the consequences of failure are always looming. It creates a constant sense of tension that makes the stakes feel personal rather than abstract.
Summary
Arvelle has already survived the arena once, and it cost her everything. She lost her best friend, her sense of safety, and any illusions she may have had about fairness in the empire. Now she lives in the Thorn district with her younger brothers, doing whatever it takes to keep them alive in a system designed to crush people like them.
When a vampire shows up at her door with an impossible demand, Arvelle is forced into an unthinkable choice. To save her brother’s life, she makes a magically binding vow to kill the emperor himself. It is a task so impossible it borders on suicide, but the alternative is unlivable.
To get close enough to the emperor, Arvelle must once again enter the arena and fight for a place in his elite guard. The arena is just as deadly as she remembers, and the political dangers of the emperor’s court may be even worse.
What she does not expect is the man waiting for her there.
The Primus, head of the emperor’s guard, is none other than Tiernon. Once her closest friend. Once her lover. The man who shattered her heart when he disappeared at the moment she needed him most.
Forced to train under him while hiding her true purpose, Arvelle must navigate old wounds, unresolved feelings, and the constant threat of discovery. At the same time, she finds herself drawn into an uneasy alliance with Rorrik, the emperor’s cruel and unpredictable son. Rorrik wants his father dead too, but his motives are unclear, his nature dangerous, and his presence unsettling in ways Arvelle does not fully understand.
As the arena trials intensify and secrets begin to surface, Arvelle starts to question everything she thought she knew about herself, her magic, and the vampires entwined with her fate. Survival will require more than strength. It will demand trust, sacrifice, and a willingness to confront truths that could destroy her if they are revealed.
Arvelle: A Heroine Shaped by Loss and Determination
Arvelle is one of those heroines who immediately commands attention, not because she is flawless, but because she is deeply human. From the very beginning, she is defined by survival and sacrifice. Everything she does is rooted in her love for her brothers and her refusal to let the empire take any more from her than it already has.
What makes Arvelle especially compelling is how layered she is. When we first meet her, her magic is dormant. Or at least she believes it is. As the story unfolds, her power begins to stir, but she does not yet understand what it is or where it comes from. There is a strong sense that even Arvelle herself does not fully know who she is yet.
That mystery adds depth to her character. It feels clear that her backstory holds secrets that will reshape the entire narrative in future installments. Watching her grapple with fear, grief, and growing strength makes her journey feel earned rather than convenient.
She is not reckless for the sake of drama. Every risk she takes is calculated, driven by necessity rather than ego. That makes her easy to root for, even when she is forced into morally gray decisions.
Tiernon: The Warrior with a Gentle Heart
Tiernon is, quite simply, a cinnamon roll wrapped in the body of a deadly warrior.
As the Primus and head of the emperor’s guard, he is powerful, disciplined, and dangerous when crossed. But beneath that armor is a man who never stopped caring for Arvelle, even when circumstances tore them apart.
Their shared history is one of the emotional anchors of the story. The pain between them feels real, grounded in miscommunication, absence, and unresolved grief rather than manufactured drama. Watching them slowly circle each other again, balancing longing with mistrust, is deeply satisfying.
Tiernon’s desire to protect Arvelle is constant, but it never overrides her agency. He does not seek to control her choices, even when he fears for her safety. Instead, he supports her strength, respects her resolve, and struggles with the knowledge that the world he serves is actively harming the person he loves.
Their romance is a true slow burn. The tension builds gradually, making every small moment feel charged and meaningful.
Rorrik: Dangerous, Complicated, and Impossible to Ignore
Then there is Rorrik.
The emperor’s son is cruel, unpredictable, and deeply unsettling. From the moment he enters the story, his presence shifts the tone of every scene he is in. He is not safe. He is not kind. And yet, he is not entirely what he appears to be.
Despite Arvelle’s hatred for him, their goals align in one crucial way. He wants his father dead too.
Rorrik is the embodiment of moral ambiguity. He does terrible things, often without remorse. And yet, he is capable of insight and moments of unexpected honesty that complicate any attempt to label him as purely evil.
One of the most powerful lines in the book comes from Rorrik when he asks Arvelle, “Do you truly believe people are just one thing? Entirely good or entirely evil? Is it really that simple for you?”
That quote stayed with me long after I finished the book. It speaks to one of the central themes of We Who Will Die. Good and evil are not clean categories. People are shaped by circumstance, trauma, and survival. Doing bad things does not automatically erase humanity, just as doing good things does not guarantee moral purity.
Rorrik forces both Arvelle and the reader to sit with that discomfort. There is also undeniable chemistry simmering beneath their interactions, hinting strongly at a future love triangle. And honestly, I cannot wait to see how that unfolds.
Themes of Power, Choice, and Moral Complexity
Beyond the romance and action, We Who Will Die excels in its exploration of power and choice. Characters are constantly forced to decide who they are willing to become in order to survive.
The empire thrives on spectacle and fear. The arena turns violence into entertainment, while the gods manipulate mortals and vampires alike. In this world, free will exists, but it comes at a cost.
Stark does not shy away from asking difficult questions. How much responsibility do people bear for actions taken under coercion? Is rebellion justified if it requires becoming monstrous? Can love exist without complicity in an unjust system?
These questions add weight to the story and elevate it beyond a simple fantasy romance.
Romance and Spice Level
For those wondering about spice, I would rate We Who Will Die around a 3 to 3.5 out of 5.
There are explicit scenes, but they are not constant or overwhelming. The focus remains on emotional connection and tension rather than frequency. The slow burn pacing makes the intimate moments feel earned and impactful rather than gratuitous.
If you enjoy romance that prioritizes yearning, stolen glances, and emotional stakes, this will hit the mark beautifully.
Final Thoughts and Rating
This book was everything I want from a romantasy. Rich worldbuilding, a fierce heroine, morally complex love interests, and a plot that kept me glued to the page long past my bedtime.
I have strong suspicions about where this series is heading, and I am completely here for it. If future installments lean fully into the hinted love triangle and continue to explore the moral grayness of this world, we are in for something truly special.
We Who Will Die earns an easy five stars from me. It is intense, immersive, and emotionally satisfying in all the right ways. If you love vampires, forbidden alliances, and slow burn romance set against brutal political intrigue, do not sleep on this one. Just maybe clear your weekend first.
About the Author: Stacia Stark
Stacia Stark is a bestselling fantasy romance author known for creating immersive worlds filled with dangerous magic, complex characters, and emotionally charged romances. She is best known for her Kingdom of Lies series, which has earned a devoted following among romantasy readers.
Her writing is characterized by strong heroines, slow burn romantic tension, and morally complicated love interests who challenge traditional notions of good and evil. With We Who Will Die, Stark expands her storytelling into a Roman inspired setting that showcases her talent for blending epic fantasy with deeply personal stakes.
When she is not writing, Stacia Stark enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She continues to be a must read author for fans of high stakes romantasy and unforgettable love stories.
Book Club and Discussion Questions
These thought provoking questions are perfect for book clubs, buddy reads or just for fun.
We Who Will Die Discussion Questions
Arvelle is driven almost entirely by her need to protect her brothers. Do you think this strengthens her character or limits her ability to make free choices?
The arena plays a major role in shaping the empire. Do you see it more as entertainment, political control, or religious ritual? Why?
Tiernon and Arvelle’s relationship is built on shared history and heartbreak. Did you sympathize with Tiernon’s choices when their past is revealed?
Rorrik challenges the idea that people are either good or evil. Do you agree with his perspective, or do you think some actions cross a line that cannot be justified?
How does the Roman inspired setting affect the tone of the story compared to more traditional fantasy worlds?
Arvelle’s magic develops slowly and remains mysterious. Do you prefer this gradual reveal, or would you have wanted clearer answers sooner?
The book hints strongly at a future love triangle. Which direction are you hoping the romance takes and why? Are you team Tiernon or team Rorrik?
Power in this world comes from gods, vampires, and bloodlines. Who do you think truly holds the most power and who only appears to?
Several characters commit morally questionable acts in the name of survival. Where do you personally draw the line between survival and cruelty?
What moments or quotes stood out to you the most, and why did they resonate?
Have you read We Who Will Die yet? Are you Team Tiernon, deeply suspicious of Rorrik, or Team Rorrik and bracing yourself for the inevitable emotional chaos? Let’s talk in the comments.
