Dust of Bargains

by Elizabeth A. Drysdale

Each night, Grace is pulled into the glittering, vicious realm of the fairies.

A world of cruel beauty and ancient magic, where humans are playthings and blood rules.

Desperate to escape, Grace must navigate twisted bargains, stolen girls, and a court ruled by power and desire.

But the deeper she goes, the more entangled she becomes —in fairy games, in deadly secrets, and in the eyes of a fairy boy who may want to save her …or use her for his own ends.

In Fairyland, love is a trap and blood is the price.

Genres: Fantasy

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2025

About the author

Elizabeth A. Drysdale won her first writing award at the age of seven and has followed it up with more awards, including 1st Honorable Mention in the category of YA First Chapters in the Quills League of Utah Writers Competition. Elizabeth is an active member of the League of Utah Writers and an advocate for NaNoWriMo. She spent much of her childhood roaming through woods and climbing trees creating adventures to be someone else in. These childhood daydreams often find their way into her many novels, although with much more finesse and a lot less hanging upside down. After graduating from Excelsior College, she’s kept her nose in a book, either writing or reading, ever since. Elizabeth has a love of travel which often inspires her heroines to end up in places very different from where they started. Originally from the back woods of Massachusetts, she lives in a small town in Northern Utah with her husband, three sons, one dog, and eight chickens. Each day is filled with noise, more than a little dirt, and enough chaos to fill a hundred pages.

Reviews

[♡ A ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dust of Bargains follows Grace as she’s pulled into the realm of fairies. Danger lurks around every corner as humans are playthings and the fairies are vicious. She must navigate a court ruled by power and desire, bargains, stolen girls, and worse to survive. But as she falls for a fairy boy with secrets, she risks losing everything.

As someone who reads a lot, especially fantasy, I love when I can find unique concepts that I haven’t encountered before. The idea of a dating app mixing with fantasy was new to me and I thought it was so fun and fresh. The plot was so gripping and fast paced and had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the writing style and found the descriptions to be super atmospheric.

I really loved the narration and found Grace to be a great main character. Her arc was really well done and I’m very curious to see what happens to her in the sequel. The ending was SO good. I really loved Galin—he’s a very swoony character and I also can’t wait to see where the romance goes in the next one.

Overall, this is a great start to the duology and if you love fae books, you’ll love this one!

Thank you to the author for the arc!

[Ana Arellano · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining read. Even though it's YA it goes dark in some of the fairy world aspects but overall, it's riveting and keeps you on the edge of your seat through most of the book. There were some moments where I didn't quite connect with the FMC but overall I think she had a pretty good character arc. Definitely recommend for those that enjoy YA romantasy that's got eerie undertones.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dust of Bargains is Book 1 in the Dust of Bargains Series by Elizabeth Drysdale. I felt that this blend of contemporary fantasy was excellent. Grace is an interesting main story. As a teenager in boarding school, her mothet died when she was 4 and her father constantly disappointed her. I think that the author did a wonderful job of making Grace venerable. Meeting Galin changed Grace. Going into Fairy land was a wild ride. I think th book is not to be missed. Excellent! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[T || · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this via booksirens highly recommended read

[Magi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Tbh, at first I was extremely annoyed with the FMC, even as a teenager with dad issues, she came off so absolutely bratty at first, but thankfully she changed and actually fought for herself and the other missing girls, which was great, but the whole book felt too rushed. And What happened to her roommate? Wasn't mentioned again in the end. She was talked about before, but she didn't even mention her at the end and I know they weren't "super close" but still, one of the things that bugged me.
Wish the book was longer, and more world building and Character development.

[aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5✨

Dust of Bargains by Elizabeth A. Drysdale follows Grace, a teen who is tired of the current state of her life, as she learns of a world much different than her own.

Throughout the story, our FMC is full of contradictions. Some of the choices that have been made are questionable, but that’s also to be expected when the character is young. She is vibrant, but at points feels as though she’s lacking some fluidity in her character. Our MMC is dark and mysterious, leaving much to be desired as he keeps his secrets to himself and clouded in the shadows that engulf him. The side characters predominantly feel like they are there to keep the story moving forward as opposed to being their own people. This could be due to lack of mention much of them as the main story surrounds only our two main characters.

The storyline keeps your attention, however, has some moments that are jumpy and don’t flow as well as others. There are definitely some plot holes that exist and get brushed over, however, they can be ignored as the overall plot holds consistent throughout. It is certainly a more leisurely read despite some heavy topics that are sprinkled in. The setting works well for the story, and the descriptions are well written.

Overall, the storyline is there, but feels like it’s missing something that would have really made this a great YA read. The writing is easy to get into, which makes the small things that I didn’t love, more forgiving. The balance is almost there in terms of momentum of the plot and character development. I am a bit hesitant on this book, but the ending really picked up, and I am still looking forward to seeing how this duology continues and how this author develops as a writer.

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and Book Sirens for a copy of this ARC.

[Valeriya Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much, the author Elizabeth Drysdale, for gifting me an e-ARC of "Dust of Bargains".

I was hooked from the second I started reading it!

Never promise anything to a pretty stranger from a dating app, or you end up like Grace, a boarding school student, who decided to find herself a date but ended up in a massive rabbit hole full of trouble. And this is only because Grace felt so lonely, and Galin looked so attractive and inviting to talk to.

She promised him her nights but never asked for the details. Every night, Galin took her to another world of the Fae, full of vicious magical creatures who promised her all forms of torture if he abandoned her. Galin is her only shield of protection, and even so, she cannot trust him as he tricked her into something she never wished. Even worse, using this mysterious dating app created an issue only Galin can help her with, so they are stuck together....

Many things attracted me to this book, and the best part of it was the twisted darkness of the entire situation and how it started. The girl was lured into something she didn't quite agree with at the beginning, and to right the wrongs, the heroine had to go through tremendous challenges.

The author did a great job describing a dark Fae world and presenting vivid characters along with the heroine, who went through an impressive growth.

And Galen. What a mystery! Even after finishing this book, I still have some uncertainty, and I consider this as a confirmation of the author's talent to create a complex character that, I have no doubt, will keep surprising me!

Overall, it was a great read, a wild ride and a successful start to the new series! I look forward to reading the next book!

[Michelle Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dust of Bargains is one of those rare fantasy adventures that slips under your skin before you even realize it. Drysdale builds a world that feels both ancient and crackling with new magic, woven from barter, consequence, and the uneasy truth that every wish has a cost. The setting feels wonderfully lived-in—dusty markets, whispers of old gods, and a society built on trades that blur the line between destiny and debt.

The heart of the story rests on its characters. The protagonist is layered with grit, vulnerability, and a fierce sense of duty, and the supporting cast is a lively mix of tricksters, allies, and morally gray operators who make every interaction feel like a negotiation. Drysdale excels at crafting relationships that evolve through conflict and compromise rather than easy answers.

What impressed me most is the way the author explores the idea of bargains—literal and emotional. Every choice ripples outward, and Drysdale never lets the consequences feel cheap or convenient. The magic system is one of the standout features: intricate, original, and refreshingly grounded in folklore-like logic.

The pacing balances danger, discovery, and character tension without losing the quieter emotional moments. The final chapters ramp up into an ending that is both satisfying and crackling with potential for the rest of the series. It left me genuinely hungry for Book 2.

A captivating, atmospheric start to a promising series—perfect for readers who love magic rooted in myth, moral complexity, and the thrill of stepping into a world where every deal reshapes your fate.

[Erin Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The most important thing to know: we’re as dangerous as we are beautiful.”

These fairies are brutal! I'm usually really picky when it comes to fantasy reads and they aren't my normal preference but this one stood out to me and I wanted to give it a go. So glad I did! Don't let the YA tag make you dismiss the book! It gets pretty eery and absolutely riveting.
This book doesn't waste anytime jumping right in (which I love). My heart broke at the very beginning! Such a strong emotional start. The author does a great job with the detail and wording in order to get you to really get Graces demeanor and her emotions to resonate with you.
I love the faster pace. The mystery, magic, thrill, the path to discover herself hits fast as your quickly taken on Graces journey every night in this different world where she has to unravel truths that are wrapped in riddles. I definitely had a couple questions early on into reading and got hooked quickly anticipating the answers. There were quite a few moments where my jaw was dropping, eyes were popping and I was holding my breath. Who can she trust? Can she really trust Galin? "In fairyland love is a trap and blood is the price." This is such a fun and fresh read! I can't wait for the next one!

I received an advanced copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you so much to booksirens and the author for the ARC it was incredible!

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dust of Bargains is a novel that feels like opening an old trunk in a dim attic—dust dancing in the light, memories stirring, and a quiet weight settling in your chest. Elizabeth A. Drysdale writes with a tenderness that sneaks up on you, building a world where every choice has a shadow and every promise comes with a cost.

The emotional pull of this book is undeniable. Drysdale’s characters carry their burdens like cracked lanterns—fragile, glowing, and desperately trying to hold onto whatever light they have left. Their mistakes feel painfully human, their hopes bruised but stubborn, and their need for redemption is so raw it makes your heart ache for them. There are moments that hit with unexpected force, the kind that make you stop, reread, and breathe differently for a while.

Drysdale’s prose is rich with atmosphere—dusty roads, whispered deals, and quiet heartbreak woven into every chapter. Though the story sometimes lingers in its melancholy a little too long, those slower breaths are part of its beauty. They give you space to feel the weight of every bargain, every compromise, and every fragile piece of humanity the characters try to protect.

Dust of Bargains is an emotional, immersive journey—haunting, tender, and deeply reflective. It’s a story about what we trade away to survive, and what we fight to reclaim when we remember who we are. A powerful four-star read that clings to you long after the final page.

[Lb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a creepy feel throughout the author did a really great job describing the Fae palace and the individuals inside of it in such a way where you know it's a magical maze where everything/anything inside is potentially dangerous.

It took me a bit to get into this book but I enjoyed the over all concept. This book is lower on the Romance spectrum as there really isn't much in the way of romance other than the inner thoughts of feelings of being cared for/protected by the MMC.

At times during the book I found myself getting frustrated with our FMC, while she's young she didn't seem to have too much sense for self preservation at times openly walking into areas or situations where she was told not to go for her own safety and leaving the protection of Galin on multiple occasions leading to him needing to rescue her. I did enjoy her fighting spirit and that towards the end she was able to do some rescuing of her own.

I do believe this is part of a series and I plan to read the next in the series as I have more questions about the world and want to know what's going to happen next.

book blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...

*Book Sirens *Fae Prince *Young adult *Boarding school *magic *blood magic *fierce FMC

*spooky/eerie vibes *ARC read

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dust of Bargains (book 1 in the dust of Bargains Duology) follows Grace - A 17 year old scholarship boarding school student with little to no relationship to her father and a dead mother. This leaves her feeling like a social outcast - A feeling that is enhanced by being in the orbit of her supposedly perfect roommate Joan. This entices Grace to download an eerie datingapp where she matches with beautiful and mysterious Galin, whom she in fun promises her nights too. This turns out to be a binding contract that thrusts Grace into the land of fairies - Under The Hill. Here she'll have to maneuver through dangerous court parties and the eyes of a malevolent queen while solving the mystery of the missing girls and trying to uncover her own heritage.

This is a contemporary YA fantasy that mixes modern life with ancient folklore and I was pleasently surprised of how well these topics blended. The first half of the book had an eerie and ominous vibe that makes me think this is more of a YA story for the older teens. At first I read this as a standalone, but was glad to learn that it is a duology. Dust of Bargains has a hook at the end of the book but also ties up some of the drama from book 1.

I could definitely see myself reading this story again and it is the perfect YA fantasy read for the spooky season to come.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

I really enjoyed this story; the plot felt genuinely unique and offered a fresh perspective that kept me engaged. However, around the 75% mark, the inner monologue for the FMC started to feel a bit repetitive, and I’ll admit I did a little skimming to get back to the action. I’m glad I pushed through, though, as the ending made the journey worthwhile.

​I’ve settled on 3.5 stars rather than 4, simply because there were a few inconsistencies and contradictions that I really enjoyed this story; the plot felt genuinely unique and offered a fresh perspective that kept me engaged. However, around the 75% mark, the inner monologue for the FMC started to feel a bit repetitive, and I’ll admit I did a little skimming to get back to the action. I’m glad I pushed through, though, as the ending made the journey worthwhile.

​I’ve settled on 3.5 stars rather than 4, simply because there were a few inconsistencies and contradictions that tripped me up occasionally. Despite those minor niggles, it was still a thoroughly enjoyable read overall. occasionally. Despite those minor niggles, it was still a thoroughly enjoyable read overall.

[Chaos · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the premise of the story was unique, I found the execution to be lacking. Certain aspects were repetitive(mostly the first few chapters) and didn't find a lot of the characters compelling except for Cillian. With what happened with him, I hate him like Grace did, but at least he was interesting. At first glance, grace is not a FMC I love. Eventually she does get better especially when helping Sarah and the other girls. Her past and her family were pretty obvious to me as I've read many fantasy stories with this same plot point. What I found truly unique was the dating app and technology with fantastical fairy elements. I thought that was clever and well executed. Its so easy to get teenagers to do things when accessed through apps and technology. Its actually sort of terrifying how easy Grace fell into Galin and the fairies trap. Im curious on whats going to happen, especially with that ending, and I will be looking into the second book when it releases. While not the most perfect book, there were some elements I loved and will come back for.

[Amanda Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! This is a great YA fantasy/romance filled with dark fairies, magical creatures, and a vividly imagined realm. At the same time, it feels relatable, with Grace—the female main character—navigating life at a boarding school while feeling average and overlooked.

The characters were intriguing, each with motives that kept me guessing throughout. Drysdale’s descriptive writing transported me right into the magical world alongside Grace, making the setting come alive. The story was well paced, balancing adventure, mystery, and emotion in a way that kept me hooked. I found myself wondering until the very end how the characters’ fates would unfold.

This was an engaging start to the series, and I’m already excited to see what comes next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. When Grace meets Galin through a dating app, she is thrust into a dark and enchanting world she never knew existed. Resistant to Galin at first, she agrees to spend time with him nightly and is drawn into the fairy court with its beautiful and bizarre culture. Many young girls in Grace's area of the world have gone missing, and she finds them held captive in the fairy palace as sacrificial blood offerings. This book is so riveting, I had trouble putting it down. It is a clean read with light magical violence and no sex or cursing, so is appropriate for teens as well as adults. I was glad to see that the second book in the series is due out in 2026. I'll be waiting for it! I recieved a complimentary copy of the book from the author through Voracious Readers Only.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a strong start to the Dust of Bargains series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed in a dark fantasy world. The characters were everything that was promised and I was invested in what was happening during this. It uses the fairy element that I was wanting and enjoyed getting to know the characters and their world. Elizabeth A. Drysdale wrote this so well and was able to create something that worked well and left the reader wanting to read more in the world. This had that element that I enjoyed from the Neopolis series and was glad I got to read this.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[KJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always say YA fantasy is underrated and this book just solidifies that fact. 🙌🏼✨

The premise is unique, I love the characters, their banter, just everything. Grace is such an emotionally compelling character, Joan drives me nuts, and I just kinda wanna smack Galin upside the head sometimes haha!!!….👀👀

I loved the twists at the end, and the fact that the cliffhanger wasn’t super brutal or anything! ❤️‍🩹

It was also cool to see the fairies of old folklore. I enjoyed the descriptions of various characters. It was really neat. It reminded me a bit of The Cruel Prince in that regard! 😍

This was such a fun ARC read and I can’t wait to read more by this author! 🙌🏼👏🏼

[NightReadsRomantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars but it does not allow that. Dust Of Bargains was a fun read, I truly enjoyed watching Grace find herself in the home of the Fae. She had a backbone of steel and the need to help others at her own expense which always makes for the most badass of women. If you love the “human is sent to fae realm” trope, then Dust Of Bargains is for you. While I would have liked to see a bit more structural balance between the plot and characters, the overall quality of writing itself was incredibly well done. While I won’t go raving to friends about this one, I will be keeping up with this duology to see what Galin, Cellian, and Grace get up to now that they’ve pissed off half the fae in existence (Side note: I really do love that for them). I’ll be back in 2026 for the second book!

[Liana Van Doren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love Dust of Bargains — the premise sounded so unique and full of potential. It was definitely an easy read, but for me it fell flat in execution. The story just wasn’t as exciting as I was expecting, and I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with the FMC’s constant inner monologues, which started to grate on me after a while.

The idea was cool, but unfortunately it just didn’t click for me. I won’t be continuing the series, as this one simply wasn’t my cup of tea.

[Megan Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was amazing! I’ve never seen such a modern take on fairies! It made me feel like the really could be there lurking and ready to trap you on dating apps! I mean those are atrocious! I just felt like this world was so fleshed out and enthralling I was so shocked at so many points and definitely a little too in love with the morally gray leading man. Anyone that hot has to be forgiven right? I feel like this is the best book Elizabeth Drysdale has ever written and it is definitely the best book I’ve read since The Cruel Prince.

[Eljesa Ahm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dust of Bargains pulled me in right away. Grace’s journey into the world of fairies is full of danger, secrets, and a touch of romance. I really liked the creative idea of mixing a dating app with a fantasy setting—it felt fresh and different. The story moves quickly and kept me interested from start to finish.

Grace is a strong and relatable main character, and I loved the chemistry between her and Galin. The ending left me excited for the sequel. If you enjoy fae stories with adventure and emotion, this one’s worth reading!

[Shawn Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I really enjoyed it. Couldn’t put it down. This book follows Grace the FMC as she's pulled into the realm of fairies. Danger lurks around every corner as humans are considered playthings and the fairies are vicious. She must navigate a court ruled by power and desire, bargains, stolen girls, and worse to survive. But as she falls for a fairy boy with secrets, she risks losing everything. I think that the author did a wonderful job of making Grace venerable. This book is a must read. I was given the opportunity to read this arc and the opinion is mine.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and I enjoyed this one it was a new take on the world of the fae where modern day girl meets magical fae. This was a YA romantasy filled with dark fae, magical creatures and mixed with modern day world and vivid imagined realm of the fairies. Full of adventure, mystery and emotion this was an intriguing and fun read definitely something I think a lot of romantasy fans will love.
Thank you to Elizabeth A. Drysdale for this amazing opportunity ❤️

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very rarely (if ever) do we see fae using human technology. That is what makes Dust of Bargains unique. Fae’s magic extends to phones- apps specifically. Usually technology like this is not used at all but in this case it’s the best way for fae to get something they need from humans, blood. Dust of Bargains was enjoyable and still had normal themes we’d expect from fae.

The author was generous to provide an ARC of Dust of Bargains in exchange for an honest review.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace ends up in the realm of fairies. She’s nothing more than a plaything to them. She’s got to survive this place but ends up falling for a fairy boy whilst trying to stay alive.

This book was filled with action, chaos, twists and turns. Even though this book was written for a YA - audience, I absolutely enjoyed reading it. It I loved the world building ands the characters. The story key me turning the pages. A really good book overall.

[Yam Recht · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the story starts when we are meeting Grace- a girl who’s mother died and her father didn’t give her enough attention.
I think that the turning point here was her Meeting Galin -Going into Fairy land was a wild ride. I think the book need a bit more world building but other than that- Excellent!
*Disclaimer* I received an arc for free and i am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Fyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
The first chapter was repetitive and I was rolling my eyes and almost put it in my DNF pile.
The story improved drastically once we got through the first couple of chapters and the teen moodiness, the story improved dramatically!
The story idea is interesting and could definitely be developed more.

[Mappy BookGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to be completely honest, this was a book I don't even remember signing up for but let me tell you - what a ride! This book was very unique and I loved the authors writing style. The plot kept my interest long into the night, later than I probably should have stayed up lol. Definitely recommend if you're thinking about giving this book a go, add to your TBR!

[T.Z. Krasner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoo boy. I've rarely seen writing this good. Descriptive, imaginative. Grace's isolation in the midst of her school. Her stubborness in the face of Gallen's control. The decaying decadence of the world Beneath The Hill.

My only issue was one scene, and it's because I can't handle certain things, not because of how Elizabeth wrote it. This author is simply incredible, and I have to have more.