Sick Bargain (Vile House #1)

Another day, another dark romance. Here's Nordika Night's "Sick Bargain." It's the first novel in the Vile House series.

["Am I running from death… or racing towards it?

Remiel Sauder has reached his breaking point. With no other choice, he leads his lifelong tormentor to Vile House, hoping to scare him off and increase his chances of survival. Vile House is well known, but he’s about to learn how deep their secrets and mysteries are rooted in the town’s history. No one enters Vile House without making a bargain, and Remiel is about to hand his life over to the devil he’s forced upon.

The Vile Boy in the purple mask.

Kyrpt never intended to take the bargain. He’s never taken one before. But when Remiel steps foot in the hall, he claims it immediately. Drawn to Remiel’s fear, Krypt agrees to the terms of the bargain and takes the local boy as his own, liking the way the tainted man brings his deepest monsters to life, rattling their chains. Little does he know that the curse haunting Remiel is about to haunt him, too, tying their lives together in a way neither of them bargained for.

Remiel thrives in fear. Krypt relishes in creating it.

They’re a match made in Moros and their downfall is their uprising. Because in sickness, these two find their health."]

I wasn't sure about this book. I kept waffling on it, especially when I saw the trigger warnings. But, honestly, it was worth it. And the characters were honest about the triggers while they were happening, they didn't shy away from it or call it something else. Be warned, this is a near-pitch-black dark romance.

This town fascinated me. It was dark and dangerous and filled with cults and corruption and crime. There was a hint of supernatural and magic that elevated the darkness and twisty-ness. Because of this town and it's general aura, the science feels mad and almost like a fantasy. It's a hell on earth, with more demons than "normals." 

And Remiel + Krypt? Fuck. There's something about dark romances that's so beautifully twisted and gloriously triggering. It's somehow comforting? That makes sense (it does). And these two? They're somehow made for each other, and it's somehow romantic (it is).

And here I am, wanting the rest of the Vile Boys to get their HEA...however sick it is.

Trigger Warnings: non-con, dub-con, SA, lack of consent, rape, knife play, blood play, stalking, violence, murder, brainwashing, mind-control, drugging, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and more.

#sickbargain #fragilefacade #vilehouse #vilehouseseries #nordikanight #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks