To Bargain with Mortals

by R.A. Basu

An outcast heiress. A notorious gang leader. A country on the brink of revolution. 


In the colonized nation of Viryana, Poppy Sutherland lives between cultures. As the brown-skinned adopted daughter of the Viceroy, she is both rejected by white high society and alienated from the people of her native island. When she discovers her opportunistic fiancé’s plot to exile her, Poppy flees—straight into the clutches of the Jackal. 


Hasan Devar, the ruthless criminal known as the Jackal, has long been targeted for his family’s divine magic, a gift the colonizers have tried to stamp out. When his brother is arrested, he seizes Poppy as leverage. But Poppy has powerful secrets—and political ambitions—of her own. As allies, they could do more than just free Hasan’s brother and keep Poppy safe. They could topple the very power structures that hold them all back. 


The first book in the Reckoning Storm duology, To Bargain with Mortals is a stunning reflection on politics and purpose, blood and allegiance—and what we do with the histories we inherit. 

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adult, Audiobook

Unknown Binding

First published October 28, 2025

Reviews

[EmmaSkies · Rating 5 out of 5]

16 months ago this manuscript hit my inbox, and today it is officially out in the world.

I am, of course, slightly biased in my review here, but for what it's worth there is no higher level of recommendation that I could ever give to a work than believing in it so much that I acquired it myself for publication.

To Bargain With Mortals is South Asian fantasy novel about colonialism and all of its evils, two people with deeply held convictions to help their people and wildly different ideas on how to do so, whether change can meaningfully happen from within or if the entire system needs to burn, and the pain of wanting to love a world that is inherently designed to never love you back.

You might also enjoy it if you're interested in stories about:
- Flawed characters
- Forbidden magic
- Contentious sibling relationships
- Complicated family dynamics
- Car chases and shootouts
- Political bargaining
- and fantasy books with No Romance

I hope you love this story and these characters as much as I do.

[R.A. Basu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi! I’m R.A. Basu, author of To Bargain with Mortals. As the book finds its way into the world, I wanted to leave a note about content warnings and the worldbuilding so that readers know what they’re in for:
 
CWs: Gun violence, police violence, kidnapping, parent death, suggestion of self harm, off page/implied child abuse, drugs, murder, colonization, physical abuse, colorism, sexism, classism/casteism
 
A note regarding worldbuilding: The world of To Bargain with Mortals is loosely (and I mean loosely) inspired by colonial India (particularly the British Raj), however it is set in a second world of its own and therefore is a terrible resource if you’re looking to learn more about it. Additionally, the religions in this book share similarities with real-world religions, however, they in no way represent those religions, their gods, or traditions. All this to say: TBWM is a work of fiction, and should be read as such.
 
If you’d like to learn more about colonial India, Hinduism, or Christianity, please consider picking up non-fiction works or speaking to subject matter experts :)
 
Lastly, if you enjoyed this book – please let me know! If you did not, thank you anyways for giving it a chance.
 
Cheers,
R.A.

[Samantha (ladybug.books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A delightful debut that has me incredibly excited for book two!

[Azanta (azantareads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

a truly stunning debut that deeply wrestles with the histories and rebellion against colonialism and its effects, learning to trust yourself and reconnecting with the stories that created you, and reclaiming the narrative. had chills multiple times reading this. all of the characters in this book were so interesting and dynamic and i’m really looking forward to how things ramp up in book 2!

[Zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

sometimes violence IS the answer and personally i think richard should die a terrible death

[Abhilasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time connecting with Poppy, the main female lead. Despite her power, I found her somewhat weak. The idea of the story is exceptional, but the execution felt kinda flat. Hassan, the MMC, was interesting, to say the least. I loved reading about his journey more than Poppy's. Some side characters were amazing. If only I had been able to connect with Poppy, this would have been a great read. But considering it's a debut novel, the author did a great job.

I did appreciate the fast pacing, which kept me engaged and eager to find out what happened next. The world-building was intriguing, and I appreciated the author's creativity. Perhaps with more development of Poppy's character, this could really shine. Overall, it's a promising start, and I'm curious to see where the story goes from here.

(I think I didn't like Poppy's character that much because I was watching 'The tale of the Nine Tailed' during my breaks from reading this book. The strong female lead in the show might have influenced my expectations, making it hard for me to connect with Poppy. So, I guess it's a me problem?!?!)

Thanks to Bindery Books for the digital arc.

***************

I decided to request the ARC because I don't have the patience to wait. And, you guys, I just saw the email informing me that my request got approved! OMG!!!! So, I'm dropping every book to read this 💃💃

***************

I'm debating with myself whether to request an ARC or wait and read it in physical form.

[zahra · Rating 4 out of 5]

happy release day to one of my favorite fantasy books of the year !! (rtc)

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Addicting, politically poignant, gangs, and power loosely inspired by colonial India.

Poppy is the adopted daughter of the Duke of Cloudcliff, the viceroy of Viryana. She is Virian - dark-haired and brown-skinned, backward. She had to be the perfect Welkish daughter, or she would be no one at all.

Hasan is an oddly idealistic leader of a a gang, alongside his brothers, a daivyakt able to control fire due to divine power counted as heresy by the Welkish.

He reminded her of the tigers that noblemen were fond of hunting: handsome at a distance, but lethal in close quarters.

This tackles prejudice and self-hatred - the feeling of being an imposter everywhere. How we define being civilised. How to tackle ingrained bias and perceptions.

The over-simplified moral convictions did grate on me at times as it felt like a mouthpiece to get across an agenda. However, knowing this is probably the purpose of the book, I accepted this angle.

My main issue was our heroine, Poppy. She was very wishy-washy and she was not a character I found myself automatically rooting for.

The world-building was immense but also light in the sense that not much was explained. This made it easy to fly through, but the more I think on it, the more I realise there was so much potential - from the elemental magic, to the gods, to the technology.

This felt like a Dickinson-type setting, yet there are instances where there is a modern technology which throws the reading experience off.

The ending felt very rushed, as well as the setting up for the next book. The prose was simple and easy to tear through.

I think I have guessed the reveal of the series - I clocked it at 57%. I look forward to seeing if I am right in latter books.

Arc gifted by Bindery Books.

Bookstagram
Tiktok

[Jos · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

"There are more of us than them, and they know it. Every tyrant needs his subjects, but no people need a tyrant.”

To Bargain With Mortals is the first book in The Reckoning Storm duology by debut author R.A. Basu, it follows the story of Poppy Sutherland, the adopted daughter of the viceroy, and Hasan, a criminal leader known as the Jackal.

Overall, I really liked the story. I enjoy other world fantasies or alternate universe fantasies in which we have a situation heavily inspired by actual historical events (no surprise there since I'm a huge R.F. Kuang fan), when I heard this was inspired in colonized India, I knew I had to pick it up.

I don't know if it's because my own country was colonized as well, but I really enjoy reading stories about colonialism, resistance and how people fight to keep their culture, while also critiquing the flaws in their previous system, and this book delivered that.

We had many discussions about privilege and intersectionalism, which are always welcome. Poppy is a character that needed to have that reality check.

"But just because you didn’t have it easy doesn’t mean that you didn’t have it easier than the vast majority.”

“So you can tell me how lucky I had it in a Welkish-run organization that dehumanized me, but I can’t tell you the same? What makes us different, Poppy? What makes your struggles more important than mine?”

“You know what I think? I think you’re so used to being the most marginalized person in the room, you don’t know how to recognize that other people have it far worse than you. Maybe you were an outcast— but being an outcast in a Welkish school for fine ladies is still a hell of a lot more privileged than being an orphan in a shoddy human-trafficking sham.”

Now, what's this story actually about? What does Poppy have to do with Hasan? When do they meet?

As explained before, Poppy Sutherland is the adopted daughter of the viceroy of Viryana, the problem is that Poppy is Virian, not Welkish, so she's stuck in the middle, not belonging to the Welkish aristocracy but not belonging to her fellow Virians either.

However, Poppy is determined to make a place for herself in the world, so she decides to marry the best prospect so the society has to accept her. And everything is turning alright... until Poppy discovers her fiancé planned to betray her all along and just wanted to marry her to become the next viceroy.

Yeah, no, thank you. Poppy decides to run away in her own engagement party but when she realizes she doesn't have anywhere else to go, it's too late, she's kidnapped by the Jackal.

And this is the character that conflicts me the most and one of the main reasons of why I rated this book 3.75 stars and not higher. He feels too unrealistic to be a criminal, more specifically the criminal that has control in the whole city, the country even.

Hasan is not a morally gray character, he's almost completely white, his faults are so minimal to his overall character that every reflection he made about the damage he jad caused felt forced, we didn't have much ambiguity. He did have morals and followed them, even when he had to recover money he had lent.

He felt more like a hero trapped in a criminal family, which doesn't make sense since he's the most feared criminal lord. Also, he and Zeyar had tons of communication issues. With that I mean they barely communicated with each other. It felt really unrealistic that they could hold a whole city together with that lack of communication.

Regardless, I really enjoyed the book and I cannot wait for it to be released and for the sequel to be written, I hope I get approved for an arc on NetGalley when the time eventually comes because I really want to know what happens next. And I'm also really interested in what's going on between Zeyar and Harithi, there was one particular scene that had me kicking my feet and giggling.

Zeyar reached for her slowly, giving her enough time to move back if she wished. She didn’t. He laughed, placing one hand at the small of her back, pulling her toward him. The tip of her dagger pierced his skin, crimson staining his shirt, but he barely felt the sting as he leaned down and kissed her.

I'm sorry, but this had me screaming like a total fangirl, I really hope R.A. Basu gives us more content about them in the next book.

“If you take anything away from his story, let it be this: Neither gods nor blood decide who rules. The people do. Understood?”

Some of my favorite quotes that I didn't know where to place in the review:

"Our culture and traditions are not rude. Our way of life is no less valid or civil just because it hasn’t gotten the imperial stamp of approval.”

“The cost of revolution is always blood.” He spread his arms. “Did you really think you wouldn’t have to give anything up to win? Or were you expecting me and my family to make all the sacrifices?”

"She’s so damned sheltered. The only injustices she’s seen are the ones committed against her.”

There was enough food to go around, but the distribution had been intentionally clogged in one place.

“They’re already slaughtering us!” Hasan seized her by the shoulders, forcing her to meet his eyes again. “Don’t you see, Harithi? They starve us, brutalize us, force us to labor in their prison camps. If they tag us like livestock, it’s only a matter of time before they round us up and put us in a pen like cattle. We are all going to die. Will you die on your feet, with a gun in your hands? Or behind an electric fence, shackles around your ankles?”

"When you bargain with mortals, the terms can change at any time. Today, you have the faith of the people. But tomorrow? You may have nothing at all."

Thanks to NetGalley, Bindery Books and Skies Press for the e-arc in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are my own. Quotes were taken from the advanced copy and can be modified at the time of publication.

Pre-review:

I watched this video and was immediately sold: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMBRskpAy/

March 18th:
OMG OMG OMG, I WAS CHECKING MY EMAIL AND FOUND OUT I WAS APPROVED FOR AN ARC!!! Will definitely be reading as soon as I finish La danza de los cisnes

[Poetry.Shaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read To Bargain with Mortals by R.A. Basu and here is what I thought about it.

Talk about a tried-and-true concept done very well. To Bargain with Mortals (TBWM) is the debut publication from Skies Press and if this is what we get for a first book I cannot wait for what is to come.

The story takes place in a fantasy analogue for early 20th century India that is the under the thumb of colonial rule. One of the POV characters, Poppy Sutherland, is the native adopted daughter of the colonizing viceroy that seeks to breed her culture out of her in boarding school in which she is to forget her magical heritage in order to becomes a “good” and “civilized” member of his family. Our other POV character is Hasan Devar, the leader of a Peaky Blinders-like gang that kidnaps Poppy in order to leverage her in a hostage exchange. As they cross paths, they come to understand each other’s ambitions in a society that has been shaped to oppress them.

Like many of TBWM fantasy peers and predecessors, the book plays with a familiar and beloved fantasy trope—girl with powers in the middle of political unrest and revolution. It promised to deliver on conventions of that story and did so exceedingly well. I have come to realize that while reading this book, I shouldn’t underestimate a well explored fantasy concept just because it is a story we have seen in other iterations before. I crave familiarity in story telling when the story is well constructed, when the author is able to lend their own voice to the unfolding of events, and especially when the characters are layered.

Poppy Sutherland is a frustrating character. She is a character you often want to sit down and tell thst she must break free of the mindset that the people that colonized her people will love her if only she acts white enough. She is a character that learns the hard way, that is burned by people she believes love her, and despite it all never gives up in trying to find a better way.

Hasan is a man who loves is family above all else. He will protect them at any cost even if it means breaking their trust and manipulating the pieces on the board to his own ends. Both of the POV characters in this story are complicated. They make good and bad decisions and best of all I am convinced in their conviction, I never doubt that they believe what they believe even if I disagree with their point of view.

I think the construction of this story is mostly good. The pacing was really well balanced, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. At times, I was left thinking moving from problem to problem or scene to scene was a bit convenient or easy, though I don’t mind much if it means the book didn't lag. I enjoyed the full cast of character even though I wanted more from them at times and hope to see them continue to develop in book 2.

Mostly, I am excited for book 2. Without spoilers, Poppy is left in a position I seriously doubt her effectiveness in, not because I believe she is incapable as a character, but I believe the systems she seeks to command are by their very existence built to work against her. I leave this book feeling like this whirlwind was the easy part and book 2 is the story where the real conflict, the deeper complexity will unfold.

-
4.5/5 – closer to a 5 than a 4

[Maeghan 🦋 HIATUS on & off · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!

Sadly, this is a DNF at 26%. This isn’t a bad book. The main reason this didn’t work for me was that it’s categorized as Adult Fantasy but reads like a very, very young YA Fantasy. The characters didn’t have distinguishable traits and weren’t likeable. Despite the various struggles Poppy was facing, I found it extremely hard to read about her. She faced a lot of racism, which was tough to read but she responded to that racism in the same way she was being treated just to fit in…

I think the characters just didn’t feel authentic or congruent to me. The world building was lacking and not linear, the writing was juvenile, the pacing of this book was extremely slow (which isn’t an issue for me, usually) and some aspects of the world building were repeated multiple times.

Despite all of this, I think the plot was interesting but the miscategorization ruined my enjoyment. The characters were in their 20s but were presented like 14-15yo. There were a few instances where I thought : well… just what exactly did you expect?

Overall, I think the publisher/author would win to recategorize this one as YA.

[h i n d · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sat the second I heard heiress x gang leader, but really this is such a nuanced book. POC fantasy is always so powerful but I still get impressed every time. I read the first half in one sitting.

I loved the complex family dynamics and the exploration of colonialism. My favourite part was the two brothers' conflict. The major question of take down the system or burn it? Is it better to have a seat at the table or to turn it over? I never get bored of turning it in my mind

I understand what Poppy's arc was trying to do but at points I found it a bit too on the nose? But like I get that she had to start out like that and think in a certain way to grow later

Super strong debut

I received an e-arc from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Zana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I liked this as much as my fellow reviewers, but the tone and prose were too older YA for me. I was expecting something a lot more mature with more nuance.

And maybe it was very unfair that I was also reading Ten Incarnations of Rebellion at the same time. It has similar themes, but I enjoyed that novel a lot more than this.

As a side note, this was exactly how I felt reading Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn. So, if you're a fan of technically adult fantasy novels written for a broader audience that includes both adults and older YA, then this might be for you.

While I liked the anti-colonial themes, the way that Poppy learned about Welkland's harmful colonial rule over Viryana was very YA. It was all told to her like she was a politician playing journalist doing person-on-the-street interviews. This might work if this was a film, but for a book, it wasn't all that exciting. And the revelations she had about how the world worked and about her place in society were pretty obvious (wealth inequity, racism, her privileged status, etc.), hence why this felt very YA.

I wanted to like Hasan's POV, but similar to Poppy's story, the whole rebel criminal storyline also felt like something out of a YA fantasy. I did like how the importance of family was emphasized though.

But I think what disappointed me more than the YA tone was that the magic was severely underutilized. The way that magic was used in this book felt more like a teaser for book two.

Actually, this entire book felt like a prequel for book two. Unfortunately, I'm not interested enough to continue on, especially after the ending was—and I know I'm beating a dead horse—giving YA.

Thank you to Skies Press and NetGalley for this arc.

[Alessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might have potentially been my favorite book of the year, and it is mind-blowing to me that this was a debut novel.
There is so much complexity to every single aspect of this book, from the characters to the relationships, but especially in the world-building.

What stood out to me the most is how racism was explored, not only the "classic" white people viewing people of color as lesser, but also how colonialism shapes the view of the colonized themselves, as well as exploring classism, sexism and privilege.
The main character was raised by the oppressors in a position of privilege as the adopted daughter of the ruling family, though that position came with its own struggles.
Yet when she is confronted with the living reality for most of her people, her eyes are opened to a whole new perception of just how messed up it all is.

Beyond the social commentary, the story and characters were also excellent. The plot was very well-paced and there were big moments of suspense early on. It was also pretty high stakes from the beginning, so it didn't take long until I was emotionally very invested.
Little betrayals and plot twists throughout the story kept me on the edge of my seat, and I never felt like I was able to predict what would happen next.

I really loved the characters as well. Poppy is a great FMC, and her character arc was so well done.
There was also quite the polarity between her and the male main character, which added an interesting dynamic.
I also think the relationships with and between the other characters were well-developed, nothing felt flat or one-dimensional.

POVs were also used in a very clever way that perfectly fit with the story. For the most part, we alternated between Poppy and Hasan, but there was a different POV thrown in here and there. It was a great way to keep suspense high throughout the whole story, as it usually became clear in these POVs that trouble was on the way.

Overall, this was a fantastic novel and I'm very excited for the sequel already. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

[thebookishbec · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She would not be the page on which they wrote their legacy.”

I haven’t read a book that so seamlessly blended reality and fiction since 1984.

The beautiful and developed world that explores colonialism, discrimination, and political intrigue is met with a story of identity, divine magic, and family. The commentary on the complexity of our society was so in-depth and what I appreciated most about the book. Let’s break down a couple points:

1. The world building- Prejudices:
The problems facing the world within this book (and ours) can be summed up in a single phrase, “it’s more complicated than that.” Most books that make commentary on prejudices built into societies so often stop at a single prejudice. X-Group of people (the bad guys) hate Y-group of people (the good guys) because of Z. However, there is never a single prejudice to blame. A society is filled with multiple discriminations against multiple groups of people for a multitude of reasons. What this book is so great at exploring is why it is so difficult to move past and eliminate prejudice built within a political structure. It explores that there are layers of hate through every class of people, and how that can prevent individual marginalized groups from coming together to breakdown and change a political regime. Certainly a problem we face today.

This in-depth world building is one of the primary reasons that I was able to feel connected to this story and feel as emotionally driven as the characters within it. While I was reading, I often found myself thinking “yes, that’s exactly how I feel and think,” but also “that’s a great point” and “oh, I never considered that.” I felt connected, recognizing situations I have been in while also learning new perspectives on what others have been experiencing, and that is one of the reasons why this book was so incredible to read. Especially considering that I’ve recently read an arc of a book that tried to make a social commentary, but ended up feeling preachy and out of touch.

2. FMC:
The characters within the story are all so intriguing but let’s talk about Poppy, our FMC. I’ve got a huge problem in the fantasy world lately with reading books with female main characters that are written to be weak. I’ve read quite a few with FMCs that feel like stereotypical caricatures of women. Poppy is certainly not the strongest or most powerful character in this story when it starts, but she certainly not weak. Poppy’s lack of power comes from her inexperience. She is out of touch with the plight of her people and has been raised under an umbrella of discrimination against them. Her growth throughout the story is inspiring and relatable.

If it’s not already clear, I highly recommend To Bargain with Mortals. Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

[vanshikha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐

Thank you to R. A. Basu, Emma Skies, Skies Press and Bindery Books for the ARC.

𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 is the first instalment in the Reckoning Storm duology, a stunning reflection on politics and purpose, blood and allegiance and what we do with histories we inherit, in a world loosely inspired by India during the colonial rule of British Raj, following an outcast heiress and a notorious gang leader, in a country in a brink of revolution or destruction.

I was hooked to the plot from the very first page. There were so many perspectives and views of the happenings shown throughout the narrative which made it so much easier to understand both sides of the story.

This is a sharp, evocative and brilliantly explored fantasy of a colonized nation where everything is not what it seems.

To Bargain With Mortals is a set in the colonized nation of Viryana, which was once a flourishing Kingdom with culture, magic and identity. This tale isn't just an enemies to allies dynamic exploration where they become lovers, it's a tale of power, injustice, identity, erasure of culture, and existence. This book is a strong political statement — with a powerful message.

Viryana was conquered and colonised by the Welkish people, who seem to be loosely inspired by the British Raj and the Virians as the Indians during the colonial rule of the British Raj. Basu explores the journey, from how the Welkish slowly invaded Viryana internally and eventually stripped the people of their country and turned into a colony of the Welkland Empire. The Welkish entered in the guise of helping to bring change in the Virirans caste system but it turned out to be a plot to strip down their right, tear down their culture and religion, destroy their lands and make them into the 'lowest' type of people to exist in their own lands.

Hasan and Poppy are two equally flawed protagonists, who are both driven to silence in a system that doesn't consider their voices. They both want change to their worlds, albeit with different goals but they want to spark the change. They are compelling protagonists who are complex yet flawed, which makes their mindset and actions relatable most times.

Basu didn't write this tale with any bias. The author does not favour the Welkish or the Viriyans with any plot armour. The flaws in the Viriyan's caste system which created a divide between the non-gifted Vasudhakt, who were considered inferior and the Daivyakt, the magically-gifted people of the gods who were considered superior. This system unintentionally was a trigger to what led to the colonization of Viryana. After becoming a colony, the Welkish treated Viriyans equally alike with disdain and treated them like lowest class of people.

𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 is the brown-skinned orphan who was adopted by the Viceroy of Viryana. She's rejected by the white high society and the people from her native island. Poppy is a resentation of how the Welkish tried to colonised the natives of the nation. She wasn't allowed to learn about her native culture and was punished for it while at the same time, wasn't trusted and treated the same way as the other high society members because of the colour of her skin. She was just a woman wanted to secure a place in society when neither sides wanted her. She started off as an entitled and privileged character and her character development towards the end which made her see that she didn't want to be comfortable, she wanted everyone to feel safe. She wanted to bring that change in the capitalistic government she lived in and become the change that the Virians and Welkish needed.

𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐫 is the ruthless criminal known as the Jackal, who has been a long time target because of his family's gift in divine magic — the same magic that the colonizers tried to wipe out. He is an extremely complex and morally grey character, who would do anything to achieve his goals. He is very protective of his family, culture, religion and people and wants his nation to change because he lived in a world that judged him by the colour of his skin which meant that his voice wouldn't matter. He would do anything to bring the change, even if it meant that he had to kill people and burn the colonizers to the ground.

Is this a love story? It isn't, at least not yet. In the heart of this novel is a girl who wants to be accepted and have security of her life, a lonely girl who is conflicted about her identity throughout the book, in a tale of power, vengeance, change, colonialism and culture.

For fans of political fantasy which deals with a colonised nation in a brink of revolution or destruction, a tale brimmed with politics, identity and vengeance.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thanks to Bindery and Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this! It's got everything that a great fantasy needs: an interesting magic system, an underestimated but powerful female main character, a hot-headed but just male main character, and a people ready to rise and stand up to those who have colonized and exploited them for centuries.

I think what I appreciated the most with this book is that nothing is black and white. No side is perfect here, because even the Virians have had issues with discrimination and exploitation among themselves, long before the white oppressors arrived. So, to work together and cause actual change, they have to better themselves and admit their faults on various levels.

Another excellent part of the reading experience was watching the characters grow and develop. In the beginning, Poppy is ruled by fear and self pity so much that she doesn't recognize her privilege and only sees her own victimhood as important. But she learns, and meets new people, and listens to their stories, and learns about her own powerss and where they come from—and she changes her ways. The same goes for Hasan: by the end, the hot headed gangster whose only idea and response to everything is violence tries his hand at diplomacy and working for the good of his people without any personal gain. It was lovely to see!

I'm very excited to read the sequel and see where these characters end up. There were a lot of loose ends here that also intrigue me. And let's face it: we're all waiting for the Hasan & Poppy romance!

I'm so happy I got the chance to read this before release, what an honor! Please add it to your TBRs if you love fast-paced fantasy books with realistic characters, great world-building, and important commentary on colonization, racism, and oppression. It's impressive that it's only a debut novel!

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for allowing me a chance at this stunning read.

Now this is a book about colonization, identity, magic, and romance all wrapped up into one.

I loved reading a story about a girl who was adopted by a white colonizer family who basically figures out that she was trying to be something she shouldn't be. When she realizes her mistake in trying to blend in / adapt / hide her powers is when things get real.

Her love interest and his valiant attempts on fighting for his people, and getting her to understand who she is while simultaneously falling in love with her was a slow process, but one that was worth it in the end.

The book is ramping up for the next one, and I am seated and ready to watch this girl and her group set up their attack on the family of her once intended and the rest of those who stand in their way.

[CJ Alberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for work, we love an underestimated princess moment!

[Lochi's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feeling conflicted and I need to gather my thoughts.

I admit I rarely pick up fantasy books because the issues of the world sit heavy on my mind. It’s hard to escape. So when I do pick one up, I know my notes will be long because my thoughts just pick up on many things. What do I want from a fantasy book? In a fantastical world showcase the arduous fight it takes for characters to make change for equality, visibility, and the truth.

To Bargain with Mortals had good intentions but struggled with execution. I really appreciated the commentary on classism, race, cultural erasure, genocide, poverty, colonization and so much more. But it lacked bite. I didn’t find Poppy to be a lead that I could cheer on, Hasan was intriguing, and the number of side characters were good but this could’ve been left out to strengthen the clear leads. I really struggled with Poppy, truly I tried but felt the side female characters to be stronger despite limited page time.

Don’t get me wrong I liked this book but certain things for me need to be reworked. I would move around certain narratives, character arcs, and emotional intensity. Giving this 3.5 stars.

My thanks to Bindery Books for the digital arc.

[always reading ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be highly entertaining and a strong debut novel full of political intrigue, colonial oppression, and rebellion. I can't wait to see what the last book in the duology will bring and how the story will conclude. For a debut novel, the writing was of quality, and I really enjoyed her writing style. The story hooked me from the first chapter and never failed to hold my attention. Overall the plot was excellent. I really enjoyed all the protagonists and side characters. I would have liked a little more depth and development to Poppy's character (all the characters, really), but hopefully we will get that in the next book. I also wish the magic system and world-building were a little more fleshed out.

[⊹ ✧ Beyond_the_Bookmarks ✧ ⊹ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very intelligent and satisfying read. Such a well written political fantasy with some creature comforts of an underdog turn fierce FMC. It was gripping and emotional, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I found it to be quite original with the balance of a few good tropes. Overall a great read! Thank you for the opportunity to review!

[Marianne Sveum · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars.

I was lucky enough to get to read the arc on netgalley and I'm so glad I did. This book truly has everything I love in a fantasy and I really recommend everyone who's intrigued by the synopsis to pick it up. You won't regret it. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel!

[Rebekah McCallie Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You don’t have to have the same experience as someone to feel for them, only the desire to understand.”

I absolutely ate this up. It was one of those “I stayed up all night reading this story” for me. Poppy is character arc goals, and I honestly just want to be her when I grow up. I absolutely loved watching her experiences and the experiences of others change her from page to page. I, too, was chanting “Poppy! Poppy! Poppy!” alongside the Virians. Right now we need empathy more than ever, and this really gave me hope. “Poppy already had power-and with it, a responsibility to care for those without.” WE ESPECIALLY NEED EMPATHY IN PLACES OF POWER.

And when we don’t see the change we want in the world, we should recognize we’re the majority and do something about it. “ Will you risk mutiny? Those are your workers, your servants, your farmers. No amount of formal education or leadership experience can make up for the loyalty of the people. You are in the minority, and you would do well to remember it.”

I’ll probably think of more coherent things to say soon, but just add it to the TBR. If you liked Jade City, Babel or Blood Over Bright Haven, you will love To Bargain with Mortals. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. Fingered crossed for a little Hasan & Poppy situationship. I REALLY hope the Savana and Altan story was beautiful foreshadowing.

[K.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nail-biting adventure full of heart and rage, set against a grounded and sweeping fantasy world. With satisfying pay-offs, flawed characters and divine magic, Basu sets alight a fiery start to a bold new SFF series.

(poppy and hasan supremacy !!! i cant wait for book two 😭🫶)

[Christopher J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this debut. It is action packed, fast moving, and crammed full of politics

The characters are flawed and complicated. We have the makings of a "found family" towards the end that I am very excited to see play out in book two. A FMC that was an orphan girl and adopted into one of the highest ruling colonizing families on this island. And we have a contentious relationship between three mafia style brothers, all wanting to do whats best for the family, but all stuck in their own ways and opinions.

The biggest flex of this book is definitely the magic system. The idea of sacrific being integral is so intriguing and I really hope we get to delve into it more in book 2.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book but I do wish the author would have gone more in depth with some of the plot points and explored more of the themes throughout. I will definitely be picking up book two of this duology to see how this story ends and am very excited to read more by Base in the future.

[Salomé · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars RTC

[Tas · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

To Bargain with Mortals was a book that entirely took me by surprise. From the start, the premise had drawn me into the story but from the very first page, I was hooked. This novel is a fast-paced and easy to consume fantasy that still manages to touch on many important topics throughout the story. We follow our heroine, the viceroy's adopted Virian (i.e ethnic) daughter, Poppy, who gets caught up with Viryana's most notorious criminal, The Jackal and the story blossoms into one about growth, reclaiming/finding culture and what it means to live in a world that looks at you like an other. This story is set in a setting reminiscent of post-colonial India and touches heavily on topics of racism and gender roles. There is a bit of a mix of modern elements in the novel and we do get to see not only the struggles of colourism but also the ability to use magic and how that affects all sides in this story.

As a fan of a fast moving story, I really enjoyed how the story threw the reader into the thick of it from day one. Basu also has a great talent for being able to paint a picture with her effortless dialogue and descriptions that feels almost like watching a movie. Although every character in the novel had their flaws, I found myself rooting for our FMC the entire time. Poppy is the epitome of growing up with privilege and being blinded to struggles surrounding her, but the author allows her to be confronted with the harsh reality of her situation again and again, even through confrontations with other characters. I think that's what made me enjoy Poppy's story so much more that she was forced to face her faults and we got to watch her develop through that.

When it came to our MMC, the Jackal, I genuinely found myself sometimes wanting the story to focus more on him and his family dynamics. I love the way Basu portrayed his brothers and his mother, and while I anticipated more bloodthirsty viciousness from a criminal of his caliber, I appreciated seeing the flip side. I do hope however that we do get to see this, the reason he's so feared, in the second book since he played a much more optimistic and calmer role in this one.

There are a few small reasons this book was a five star for me. One being the ending. I will say that I feel as though the ending didn't pack the punch I wanted for such a build up and seemed to lose the momentum the story had been building. Spoiler for the ending: Especially when it came to the viceroy's death and his decision, it all seemed to happen a little too quick. Secondly, while we're introduced to the magic system and world building we don't really dive into it too much. However, I am hoping this is something more explored in the second novel and I am excited for that. Lastly, while the book is marketed as adult fantasy I do think it should be upper YA or NA fantasy. I feel as though a lot of the world building and sensitive topics like racism and prejudice were shown to the reader through some hand holding. While this didn't hinder my enjoyment of the novel, it gave it a bit more of a YA tone.

Overall, I really did enjoy this story and did find I wasn't able to put it down! I am excited to see where the second novel takes us and I think this was a brilliant debut for R.A Basu. Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for providing me with an eARC of this book!

[Sara Ratliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Bargain With Mortals is a South Asian fantasy that centers on Poppy Sutherland, a young woman adopted by a colonial viceroy, who struggles to find her place between the Welkish colonizer society she's been brought into and the colonized Virian community she's been pulled away from. This story explores the different layers of power and oppression, and how to tear them down.

Poppy and Hasan, the oddly idealistic crime lord Poppy crosses paths with, are both deeply flawed characters whose prejudices and over-simplified moral convictions are continually challenged throughout the story. Poppy, having been raised within Welkish noble society, has sympathy for the suffering of the Virian community, but still has a tendency to view herself as the ultimate victim of Welkish racism. Hasan believes firmly in fighting Welkish rule and returning power to the previous rulers of Viryana—his own caste. Like Poppy, he fails to recognize the suffering of those below him in status and the ways he participates in that harm. Both of them are challenged repeatedly, and those call-outs were some of the most satisfying moments in the book.

It's realistic that neither Poppy nor Hasan suddenly unlearn their prejudices from a few lectures, and both have moments that it feels they backslide into their more aggravating habits. As realistic as it may be, I was frustrated by Poppy's continued fixation on her "birthright" to hold colonial power. I have no doubt that this will be challenged in the second installation of this duology, but I was surprised how much the arc of this book relied upon electoral politics to challenge colonial oppression.

The resolution felt like it came together a bit too smoothly to me. It portrayed a willingness by Welkish colonizers to compromise with or concede to the people they've colonized, even for a moment, that felt a bit unrealistic. Ultimately, I appreciate the themes of this story and what it was trying to do, even if the narrative didn't come together perfectly for me. Many of my criticisms may be a product of not having seen the full story arc, and I'm curious to see where it goes in book 2.

[Margian Ghadimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

To Bargain with Mortals is a sharp, evocative, and beautifully layered fantasy that grabbed me from the very first page and refused to let go.

Set in the colonized nation of Viryana, this story offers so much more than the enemies-to-allies dynamic between a disgraced heiress and a feared gang leader. It's a story about power, identity, and the fractures left by empire. Poppy and Hasan are two magnetic leads, equally flawed and driven, both caught in a system that wants them silent. And yet, together, they spark change.

What I loved most was how this book blends intimate character growth with big political stakes. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, but never gets in the way of the emotional core. Poppy’s internal conflict—caught between the world that raised her and the one she longs to fight for—feels achingly real. Hasan, with his fury, grief, and reluctant hope, is equally unforgettable.

The writing is clear, powerful, and full of purpose. The tension (emotional, political, romantic) is perfectly paced, and the magic system tied to divine inheritance is both elegant and thematically meaningful. Every element—colonial critique, rebellion, romance—feels essential.

This book made me feel angry, inspired, and breathless in the best way. It’s about what we owe to ourselves and each other. About how survival, in the face of oppression, is both resistance and reclamation.

A must-read for fans of political fantasy, slow-burn romance, and stories that challenge the systems they’re set in.