To Bargain with Mortals

The Reckoning Storm Duology, Book 1

By: R. A. Basu

Narrated by: Nikita Tewani, Fajer Al-Kaisi

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.

©2025 R. A. Basu (P)2025 Podium Audio

Potential but disappointing

Loved the setup and first third of the book, but ultimately, the female main character didn't have much of an arc or personality.

The magic system wasn't developed beyond Christianity/colonial religion=fake, Hindu/native gods and powers=real, and the ending (despite being far-fetched and IMO extremely implausible) was so dull in execution.

And no romance at all. Boo:(