Vampire Game, Vol. 8

Vampire Game #8

by JUDAL

When the news of Prince Yuujel's return reaches everyone in Zi Alda, all hell breaks loose, leaving Ishtar, Duzell and Darres speechless. Lady Leene's resentment becomes more apparent - although married to Captain Ashley, she still holds a flame for the prince. As her fury grows, so does the plot to destory Ishtar and all those close to her.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Vampires, Romance, Shojo, Humor

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 6, 2000

Reviews

[K.S. Trenten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duzell confronts a mysterious woman from his past who has become his greatest enemy. Diaage, whether she is the vampire countess who once opposed the vampire king’s plans of war against humanity does her best to wreak havoc in Zi Alda. The lady’s tool in her vampire game is hot-tempered, selfish, and passionately possessive, but not quite as evil as her puppet master might like. Leene’s schemes lead to Ishtar taking a wild ride, ending in Yujinn revealing his secret both to his princess and Darres. Ishtar and Duzell expose a secret of their own when Vord confronts them. The heartbroken prince realizes that half of the woman he’s in love with in fact an ancient vampire king wearing Ishtar’s face.

This volume continues another intense storyline rich with character development. Yujinn got some of the most sensually charged scenes in the entire series with Darres, not that Duzell and Ishtar didn’t also share some gorgeous moments. Diaage and Leene generated plenty of steam of their own while plotting another woman’s demise (Ishtar’s). Some of the sweetest moments punctuated the often comic rivalry between Ishtar and Leene where the two ladies revealed they’re way too alike. Only Ishtar is continuing on her journey to maturity with Duzell at her side while Leene is only just beginning to find her footing in getting attached to an animal she planned to use as a tool in her revenge. Darres shows a kindness and patience toward the same animal, a horse everyone else has decided is beyond hope, letting the reader see some of the qualities which led both Ishtar and Yujinn to fall in love with him.

For keeping up another intriguing plot peppered with revelations and deepening character development, plus some of the most stunningly suggestive panels yet we’ve seen yet, this book gets five stars.

[Kaylie W · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, Ishtar (the main character) made a decision when she heard that her aunt was really sick. I think going to go see her aunt was a really bad decision because not only was not true, but now a woman there is trying to kill her in the worst way possible. She was going to make Ishtar's closest friends take some pills that would harm them but not kill them. 1 would be unable to walk for the rest of their life, another would become blind, and the last one would be put in a coma for a really long time. My two favorite characters is Ishtar and her pet Duzzel. Ishtar is a troublesome princess who is descended from the famous Phelios who was killed by the vampire king. Ishtar is a living problem, she causes chaos wherever she goes. Duzzel is the vampire king, in order to kill Phelios, he had to give up his own life. But since he is a vampire, he can reincarnate himself and never die. He is currently reincarnated as a Kywhal, a creature similar to a cat, and is pretending to be the inosent pet of Ishtar to hide his true identity.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good volume.

[Kiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharlen or Diaage, who are you??

[Sophia F · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's never really explained, but it seems that Duzell is remaining in his own body for now because being in Ishtar's made him confused about his sexuality. XD
Some of the crazy things that Ishtar does to get herself in trouble I've been able to predict (like riding BackBreaker even after being saved by Lucy). Although people might look at it as being a cliche character, Ishtar is definitely not a cliche character. It almost comforts me that I'm able to tell what she'll do, since apparently no one else can.
I thought it so hilarious on page 35 that Yuujel/Yujinn's face was shaded to look like a mysterious hero, but his braid gave him away. So dramatic. XD
So now everyone seems to be fighting for Ishtar's hand, and everyone who's not is trying to kill her. Yes, I would consider Duzell to be falling for Ishtar. *evil smirk*
The whole false alarm with making Ishtar think her Aunt Sonia was on death row (but actually has like another decade) was actually very funny in my opinion.
Darres is slacking on his duties to break Back Breaker, and yet Ishtar didn't get into too much trouble. Strange. Well Darres always seems to be too late to prevent trouble, but is there to rescue her in the end.
Although Ishtar treats Duzell like her cat still, for me it would be so WEIRD. Just like when I found out that this guy I thought was a freshman (same age as me) was actually a year older. It bothered me so much. This would be a completely different situation, finding out your pet Kyawl is the reincarnation of a vampire King. And then seeing him as another human? That would have just freaked me out. Especially since he was hovering over Ishtar. Likely about to bite her.
While I'm impressed with Ishtar's ability to act good under pressure, I'm also surprised at Vord's same capability. Once finding out Duzell was really Ishtar's Kyawl, and also a vampire king seeking to kill someone in their family, he wasn't worried. At least not about the future death. He was worried about who he really fell in love with: Ishtar or the vampire King Duzell. Not sure what to think about that, except that Vord's mind will be preoccupied for a while. The picture for Act 9 was so cute. I SHIP IT SOO MUCH!! I also realized how much taller Duzell is than Ishtar. I wonder how he feels when he transforms into Ishtar. Very very short likely. :/

[Leila Anani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love triangles and confusions abound in the continuation of the Zi-Alda arc - Yujinn reveals that he is really prince Yuujel - he set up the pretence to see if he could make Ishtar fall for him, but failed and is now in love with a man! (Darres????)

Vord turns up and learns about Duzell and is now confused over which Ishtar he's actually fallen for.

Leene thinks Yuujel is in love with Ishtar and tries her best to make her suffer - have volume 9 on hand because her bitchy plans are only beginning in this one!

This series is great fun - not much happens in this volume, but it's rather nice to get a change of pace. Love the artwork and the story. Definitely keeps you guessing.

[Sara]

The series as a whole was good in the beginning. Very funny and intriguing. I love romances where the characters have loved each other forever but have never told each other or something like that. lol The series declines in quality, I think towards the end. There are too many characters in too many places and things get a little confusing.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read these in a while, so I had to read the last half of the seventh one to catch back up and remember what was happening, but I'm looking forward to seeing where this is going! :)

[hunger games and K POP LAVA!!!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

getting interesting