Das Königreich der Vampire 2: Die Gala

Vampire Royals #2

by Leigh Walker

»Sie werden es nicht bereuen, dieses Buch zu kaufen, es ist perfekt. HOL ES DIR JETZT UND WARTE NICHT!« - Amazon-Rezensent

VIER WOCHEN. ZWANZIG TEILNEHMER. EIN PRINZ.
Die Pageant ist fast vorbei, und Gwyneth West weiß, dass sie gewinnen kann - außer der Prinz ist ein Vampir, und einige der anderen Teilnehmer entpuppen sich als ziemlich bestialisch. Was machst du, wenn die Person, die du liebst, dich vielleicht fressen will? Im Kampf um ihre Position im Palast weiß Gwyn, dass ihr Vampirprinz ihr in einem Augenblick durch die Finger gleiten könnte.
Und als menschliche Rebellen erneut drohen, die Vampirroyals zu stürmen, findet sich Gwyn zwischen zwei Welten ihrem Volk und dem Vampir, den sie liebt.

Genres: Vampires, Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Young Adult, Audiobook, Supernatural

294 pages, Paperback

Published June 7, 2022

About the author

Leigh Walker lives on the gorgeous coast of Maine with her awesome husband, their beautiful kids, and her BFF, Choco the chocolate lab. Her smash-hit series Vampire Royals was previously optioned by Netflix. Leigh also writes Billionaire Romance as USA Today and Amazon Top-Ten Bestselling Author Leigh James. Her books have been translated into German, Italian, French, and Portuguese.

Outside of writing and family, her interests include maintaining a sense of humor, reading, sucking at golf, and lifting weights.

www.leighwalkerbooks.com

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series loving every page 🎆

Happy Reading 📚📙📕📓📗📘📒📓📚📙📕📖📚📗📓📘📓📚📙📕📗📔📘📗📖

[angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving this series

I am loving this series, it’s awesome. I didn’t realize there were more than two books, but just found out and am very happy about it. I love these characters and the story. It does remind me of a paranormal version of the Selection series which was also awesome. I’m all over paranormal romance, so I’m a bit partial to this series. I’m off to find book three, I can’t wait to start it.

[⋆☆☽ Kriss ☾☆⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh lord.

So, this is only getting more of a rip-off vibe because we're hitting details and plot points that are definitely too similar to be just coincidence.

Tamara is literally Selene; the way she acts with the prince, what she does, her richness, her being popular with the public, the king liking her. Like she's literally just Selene and the book is way more focused on the inner girl fighting now with Gwyn getting jealous and having fits and the prince kissing another girl because "well, you were mean to me so I had to keep going with the competition and try with another girl!" and that's like... exactly Maxon. The major plot difference, which I'm assuming is to replace the love triangle nonsense more than anything so it doesn't seem like an UTTER rip off, is that Gwyn's brother, Balkyn, is a rebel who's very much anti-vampire and Gwyn is already disliked by the king so this fact will only make marrying the prince harder. Much like how America having opinions made her the enemy of the king in The Selection series.

There's also some vibes I'm getting that I don't like... like... subtle slut-shaming sort of vibes and Gwyn is constantly shown to like get upset and then be put in her place like she's a child and concedes that the prince is always right and I'm just like eeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... and we're always shown ways in which the humans are evil but like we skate over how the ruling vampire family has just been chill with the poverty and destitution people are living in. Like yeah Dallas isn't terrible but the book is making the narrative way too fucking simple. It's not just a matter of "one side has to be totally evil" or like "we gotta be prone monarchy for the prince" like... this is a complex enough narrative that we don't have to love all vampires and the monarchy in order to accept Dallas nor do literally all rebels and humans be evil.

I don't appreciate the more childish, simplistic logic of this book.

At least we're given more time with Gwyn and Dallas talking and interacting and it's not just moody insta-love angst, but I don't really feel invested in their romance and I still don't know hardly anything about the plot with the rebels or the war or ANYTHING it's like the author read that plot in The Selection and was like "I can toss that in too and just sort of mention is as I need to" without putting in much work.

Maybe she'll come around with book #3 but it's like... why isn't there more set up in this book if that's gonna matter in the third book.

Eh. Not a great middle book.

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75🌟

Still very cute and simple, but a lot of time was skipped over.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much. The writing is fun and fast-paced but goodness gracious is Gwyn so annoying. I'm so over her calling other girls 'cows' and being really pathetic and at the worst case dumb as a barrel of rocks.

The Prince had it right when he said, "I'm worried about your judgement."

Despite all this, I will finish the series. I want to see how it all wraps up.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Vale la stessa cosa scritta per The Pageant che è il primo libro*

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

How long are these books exactly? Because I'm flying through them at an alarming rate. The ease of the writing can be a reason or because the first three chapters is just a regurgitation of the whole first book. Either way.

This book, much like the first, has a terribly ignorant protagonist that I cannot get behind. She's a hot mess and doesn't learn from her mistakes, putting herself and others in mortal danger. Maybe that's why I'm still reading, to see if she dies.

I am happy to see that there is some filling to this book that the first one did not have. You know, moments before and after an action that gives a general idea of how people feel and why and a bit more description than just a small paragraph? Yes, there are some, not many, but some.

Walker sets the stage for these books in America but she likes to put a lot of British slang and insults. Is anyone British? Do they have accents? Why don't you use descriptors for this? A minor pet peeve, but still confusing and annoying.

What I can say is that Walker progresses the plot nicely, giving multiple avenues for the reader to choose beyond the contest, the competition, and the prince's parents. She writes action scenes quite well. I'm also enjoying Tamara, who's character makes me laugh and shake my head. That girl's crazy. This book is better but still a quick read.

[Demi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well my ‘no buying books until I’ve read more on my TBR pile’ mission has failed. I brought this book immediately after reading the first book, and the did the same thing with the third book in this series. Apparently I just can’t help myself!!

I enjoyed this book, but much like the first book it didn’t wow me. I think I enjoyed this less than book one.
There’s nothing particularly special or interesting about Gwyn as a main character, and I don’t quite see why or how Dallas and Gwyn had formed an attachment one another. It almost seemed to easy, and very forced. And I have a strong feeling that I know how this series will end, and have known from the beginning.
Nonetheless, I’ve read this far, and I intend to finish the final book.

[Theresa Boydston · Rating 1 out of 5]

How is this rated so well? The book is literally a watered down version of The Selection...with vampires. Who began sparkling in this book, I kid you not. The worst part, though, is not the plot so much as the total lack of any kind of feminist power in a book that’s literally about suppression. Gwyn has been forced into this “dating” situation, supposedly has zero trouble speaking her mind, but never truly stands up for herself against any kind of authority figure or says anything worthwhile. The only times she attempts defend herself against the other contestants, she’s threatening to smack them or calling them 1) an insipid cow, or 2) a douche-nozzle. When she’s not calling names, she is admiring everyone else’s “considerable assets.” The combination of the these things was so frequent in the first half of the novel that I was just sickened by the shallowness of this girl. Just read The Selection series or Twilight (which isn’t even that good) or both, and put this back on the shelf.

[kari ann sebolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It

I loved both books they kept you reading and interested I will lovingly awaiting the third book so excited to read just loved the first great author highly recommend to read.

[Donna Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing definitely lots of ups and downs.
Definitely some catty people in this but it’s worth it especially with how Blake handles things.
I definitely do love Eve she’s so badass.

[Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Light Walker for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!

The Gala is that second novel in Leigh Walker's Vampire Royals series and is another exciting and romantic vampiric adventure readers will once again fall in love with.

Gwyneth West never expected that participating in the Pageant would see her end up with very real feelings for the prince. He makes her feel like no one before....if only he wasn't a vampire and she didn't have to compete against twenty other young ladies for his affections. Falling in love was never the plan but as Gwyn and Dallas spend more time together it becomes clear that what they have is special. Gwyn's time at the palace has seen her eyes opened to a world she never expected but as the rebels remain a very real threat against the royal family will Gwyn find herself torn between her people and her heart?

Picking up where the first novel left off, The Gala is another exciting and romantic instalment. This series is simply such fun to read and if you're a hopeless romantic at all like me you'll be easily swept away and hooked by Gwyn's romance with the swoon worthy vampire Dallas and their relationship.

I haven't read The Selection so I don't have the ability to compare the two but I imagine the novels are somewhat alike even if only due to the fact there's a competition to find the princes bride. Personally I find I enjoy The Bachelor like feeling to the series and that Leigh Walker doesn't shy away from the feelings of jealousy expressed by not only main character Gwyn but all the contestants in the pageant. I imagine it's only natural to feel this way in that kind of situation and appreciate that Walker explores this.

What can I say other than that I love Gwyn and Dallas! They have such an adorable relationship and I'm honestly falling in love with them as they are falling in love with each other. They're both such wonderful characters and the chemistry between them is perfect. Leigh Walker writes them electric together while also been soft and under spoken at times too. The slow burn is magnificent.

As book two comes to a close I can't wait to begin the next one. I simply HAVE to have more of Gwyn and Dallas and an excited to see what Leigh Walker has planned next. I know it going to be as brilliant as the first two have been!

[Brittany Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

We pick up right where we left of from book one. In this book we start to learn more and more about the other contestants as the prince continues on with the pageant. We also are getting an idea that everything is not how it seems both in the royal family and the real reason/history of the war.

The characters are all taking their own form and we really get to like/dislike them on real terms. We also start to see the sweet side or the true side of the prince. We also get to see that, though he's next in line for the throne, his knowledge of the territories is lacking severely.

This book still delivers great wit and banter throughout. I did find myself smiling and giggling throughout it. It is a clean and sweet YA story. This series has me hooked and wanting more! Bring on number three!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very generous 2.5/3 out of 5 stars. I don't have a good explanation as to why I'm even going to finish this series. Maybe because I've only got one more book left after this nonsense. The main character is way too immature and just plain dumb. The dialogue was really unnatural and it felt like the I was reading about a bratty twelve year old instead of an 18 year old.

[Anna Lynn Portwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually finished book 1 & 2 in a day. Again this was like reading The Elite. Even the way the book ended. But it still was a good read. The characters are fun and have interesting back grounds. If you are a fan of The Selection, Twilight & Hunger Games series, you will enjoy this series as well.

[Namrata Ganti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is very similar to 'The Selection' series. However, there are some differences including the fact that the Prince and his family are Vampires. The author starts this off as rumors which are later shown as the truth. The concept of vampires and humans living side by side and co-existing is a strong idea that both the Prince and Gwyn, the heroine of the story, share. The story is indeed fun to read, following the very cliched concept of a competition to find the best suitor for the Prince. However, the idea behind this is to find a way to unite all the settlements and to bring peace while trying to keep the rebel groups at bay.

The synopsis of the story promises aggressive competition, but nothing about the story is aggressive. The story centers on the chemistry between the Prince and Gwyn, giving us only minor glimpses of the interactions with the other contestants. To keep in line with the contest, there are some sections of the story devoted to etiquette training and history of the kingdom and the settlements. However, there is not a lot of character development for the other girls in the story and this takes away from the main theme of the contest.

The story then continues into the two other books, focusing on the Prince's interaction with the girls, bringing it down to the top four contestants and his relationship with his parents. Each girl is unique in her own way and it is wonderful to read about their rivalries but also about how they come together in the end. We are also provided some insight into Gwyn's background and her family and her relationship with the King and Queen. The love and understanding that develops between her and the prince is beautiful to read about.

Overall, this series is fun and enjoyable especially for those who love the idea of vampires and human's together, though there is not a lot of focus on the supernatural aspect of the characters. The books are short and easy to read. They can each be read in one sitting and are a good stress free read!

[The Obsidian Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gala Vampire Royals book two

Gwyneth and Dallas go on a date as the cameras follows them so that the audience can feel like they are on the journey with them. Dallas takes Gwyneth on a picnic date and on a horse ride. On the date Dallas mentions that he has a brother to Gwyneth who is up north where the werewolf’s are and that he has a place to himself.

The final twenty contestants are left they are followed around by cameras to film their dates with Dallas for the tv show. Gwyneth’s sister Winne gets sick with the flu but her fever doesn’t break. Dallas reads Gwyneth letter that her mother sent to the place. He has organized a doctor from his own medical team and with this he takes Gwyneth down to settlement four to meet and visit her family. Winne makes a full recovery from the flu.
On the way back to the place Gwyneth talks and asks a lot of questions to Dallas about the rebels, vampires and how for vampires it takes century’s to age as humans takes decades to age. Tamara who is a another contents is very jealous of Gwyneth and toys with her emotions.
Gwyneth gets mad at Dallas and storms off the places grounds and takes a horse. She heads back to where they had their first date. But she gets kidnapped by the rebels. Dallas comes to rescue her but he then gets kidnapped himself. He is chained in sliver where it hurts his skin. Gwyneth’s brother finds her then unties her. Gwyneth find out that her father is alive but is seriously ill. Eve kills most of the rebels and cleans up the scene once she is done. They had back to the place where Gwyneth’s brother is to be locked up.
Gwyneth makes it into the final four contestants.
When you have, eternity, you have until the end of time to regret

[Karen Voitik · Rating 5 out of 5]

>Book Review – Vampire Royals: The Gala
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 2nd in the Vampire Royals series and ends in a cliffhanger. This book deals with the rebels in Gwyn’s family and how the King will react to knowing she has rebels in her family. I am pretty sure all the humans had rebels in their families, though. Dallas showed his feelings for Gwyn when he went to her house to help her sick sister. Dallas also sees firsthand how poverty stricken the realm is. Gwyn’s ideas on the rebels and the vampire rulers are changing. She sees how Dallas really wants to live in harmony and help the humans.
>I really loved the jealousy Gwyn had over watching the video footage of Dallas’ other dates. I had a hard time believing Dallas’ feelings toward Gwyn if he is willing to make out with another woman. The final 4 women are revealed. Gwyn realizes that more than just Dallas’ choice will determine who will be a Princess. She is not the favorite with the King.
>This book is appropriate for a young adult (16+) audience. I am giving this book 5 stars. There are just kissing scenes, pretty tame.

[Angela Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Heart is so Full!

I am thoroughly convinced that Leigh Walker is inside my head! She has kept me completely engrossed in this story! The excitement continues and the connection between Gwyn and Dallas is unmistakable. I feel like I am right there within the palace watching all of these amazing things happen right before my very eyes! Of course I am cheering Gwyn on for both trying to remain true to who she is but also being open to new things. It's eye opening for her to realize that while she had been raised to despise vampires, but to truly believe that peace is possible between them. To have made it this far in the contest has given Gwyn the chance to find real friendships in both Dallas and some of the other girls in the contest. Let me just say that the scene in the car had me fanning myself right along with the lucky lady herself. The intrigue, the excitement and the romance has me hungry for more. What's going to happen but more importantly will my heart survive?!

[Vida · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I rate the books (the review below):
5 stars - "oh my gosh... Can't stop reading. Just one more chapter. Don't want this to end." I am going to buy another book even if I am frugal.
4 stars - I am going to read another book but there was something missing in it. Still really good.
3 stars - it's okay. I maybe consider to read another book of the series or from this author.
2 stars - the only reason I didn't stop reading is because of OCD I diagnosed to myself. It was hard to finish it. It was not good.
1 star - even my OCD didn't help me to finish the book (that's rear)

I am not a big fan of bachelor. Actually, I hate it. So this part of the book just makes me mad. But this is a story and past that it's not that bad. It is easy to read and I am happy the way plotline goes. I am a bit annoyed with the main character and her foolishness but she is a teenager so I forgive her for that.
It is actually refreshing to read about the main heroine who is not wise beyond her years, full combat-trained warrior. She is a kid who gets out of her protected bubble of her family and has to deal with the royal manipulation while handing her feelings which she is not good at because she never had to do that. The learning process is hard. Don't get me wrong, I love to read about good female ass-kicker. I would love to be like good ass-kicker but I am not. I am the one who will need to be saved at the end of the day. So sometimes, stories like this give me another perspective (and a reminder) about the regular girls who are not trained to be someone big from the start.

[Latisha's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy book two as much as the first - not even close. There were undertones in the first book that I noticed and hoped they’d be reeled in and spun into a positive, but that didn’t happen. I found myself a bit annoyed by the main character Gwyn, her foolishness and desperation to be noticed by the prince at every turn, when he’s already reassured her of her importance to him, time and time again. I get it - this is a pageant to become the Vampire Prince’s wife, but the desperation is over done and I often find myself forgetting that the characters are teenagers. This book is definitely Vampire-lite in terms of overall discussion, action and understanding of them, which is rather enjoyable! The writing has a way of keeping the reader engaged and is likely why I will continue on with the series, the plot and setting are truly the most interesting aspects of this book. In terms of characters, I adore Eve, Dallas and Gwyn’s Maids, they are fantastic, fun and supportive characters. The story can be a little cliche and a tad cheesy at times but the storytelling skills of the author make up for it, I’ll be picking up the third book in the series for sure!

[Destiny Bridwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This one had me on the edge of my seat the whole way. I was so worried for Gwyn and all that she went through. There were times that I just wanted to pull all of Tamara's hair out and kick her in the ankle, but it is just a book right. It is a tale of love, anger, betrayal and hunger for more than the heart can take. As for Dallas he has been through a lot as well. He has to play the game just like everyone else, but I know that his eyes always go to her first. That to me is sweet and I am so ready for the next one. I have to see how the final four handle what is to come. I have to see if Gwyn listens to that little voice in her head that always seems to get her in to a little bit of trouble. 

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

These books are by no means perfect, but god I love them so far. This was as enjoyable as the previous book, so I only hope the finale is as well! Something about the way the characters interact with each other and the relationship between Gwyn & Dallas just make me feel that it's believable. I love how the girls can be really snarky, jealous, and kind to one another. It definitely feels like what I feel like to be reminiscent of the Big Brother reality show. Add vampires into the mix and I have my dream read-for-fun novel. Really enjoyed this one, but I did have a few problems with some of the side characters, but most just nitpicks. Definitely recommend this to someone wanting a fun read.

[Sarah Cleaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautifully written story by leigh walker, this is book 2 to the pageant. Its a dating contest that has started to heat up with the girls now starting to fight for what they want each one is hoping tbe prince chooses them but when he chooses gwen as his first one on one date there is jealousy lingering. Gwen is torn she knows dallas is a vampire and hates his kind however her heart doesnt see it that way everytime shes near him or even thinks about him her heart stutters shes falling in love with the thing she hates most.. alot happens in this book it has the pageant an attempted raid on the castle which gwen witnesses confusing her even more. Will love win out or will gwen deny her heart and escape the palace..

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The competition continues with some of the girls being returned to their homes. Gwyn comes up with a few good ideas and the prince likes them and puts them into effect (such as those eliminated will get a stipend for participating.)

The entire situation gets more complex as it seems there may be other forces at work against the vampires. Bianca also has to deal with one particular nasty girl, learning all sorts of things related to royal behavior, her sister getting ill and possibly dying, the King's dislike of her, more problems with rebels (at least one of them personal), learning her friend that was turned now likes to be a vampire and the competition itself which will result in only 4 of the girls moving on to the final selection.

I think the second book is rather good.

[Anna Saval · Rating 4 out of 5]

He asks her to trust him. She doesn’t .
He asks her not to speak to one man. She doesn’t.
He asks, nearly begs, her to follow the rules. She doesn’t.

Very convenient if you want your main character to constantly put themselves in danger and have to be rescued again and again and again and again and again. At this point she is not headstrong, she is just plain stupid, a jealous little girl, driven by emotions fit for a 3-year old.

And really, going alone in a camp full of enemy rebels, not slaughtering them first because you have to save your damsel in distress? Did all his blood leave his brain to rush to one specific spot?

It should all be very annoying (and sometimes is) but I still quite like the book (like a true fangirl) and will definitely hop on straight to the next.

[Kimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 is even better! I was super excited to read this continuation of Gwyn’s Story. It’s getting to be sooo GOOD! The suspense keeps killing me. I loved every moment of it honestly. This story is just so interesting so many things happening it really is addicting!. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Anxiously waiting for next book 😉 Can’t get enough it’s that awesome. The contest keeps getting more interesting and I love how Prince Dallas’s feelings for Gwyn keeps getting stronger. I’m definitely still rooting for these two! What an emotional roller coaster ride! Highly recommend this series!

[theresa coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look it can't end like this!

This sevond book is so good! I finished it in only an hour. I was so scared for the Prince and Gywen when the rebels got them. I was surprised that it was Eve that saves them. I was just getting to enjoy the gala when the book ended. I want to read the best book really soon. I need to know what happens to the prisoner and how their father is doing. This book takes you to places that makes you want to be instantly transported there. I can taste the good food, and enjoy the scenery and wonder how much beauty a person can stand in a day. I know you will enjoy this series as much as I have so far.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Four Finalists...

In typical middle book fashion its a tad predictable in ways and the direction of bigger scenes easier to guess, but not so much as to be boring. I was pleasantly caught off guard a few times because I'd underestimated the cleverness, kindness, stubbornness and loyalty of our heroine, especially towards her friends who are also her competition in the race to steal the prince's heart, but Prince Dallas does some heart stealing of his own when he does something big for Gwyn's family and she falls even harder for him. It's easy to guess who the 4 finalists will be at the end, though.

[Miss Judith Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought!!!!!!

I am not a " young adult" ,well in my head I am, but I love escaping into wonderful fantasy worlds and this does just that for me. Well written, wonderful plot line, amazing new worlds for me to enter and share. Any book that I just can't put down does it for me, especially after the awful year we have all had it is so important to escape into my fantasy world and have some " me" time. The first episode I found for free on Amazon, loved it and quickly bought the second, now moving onto number 3, can't wait. So glad I can see more on the horizon. Can't recommend highly enough.