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The Game at Carousel #2
The Invitation: A Horror Movie LitRPG
Five heroes trapped in a horror movie must find their way out—and avoid dying for good—in the second installment of this imaginative LitRPG series.
Since they were lured to the festival at Carousel, Riley (the Film Buff), Antoine (the Athlete), Camden (the Scholar), Anna (the Final Girl), and Kimberly (the Eye Candy) have lived through entire horror movie plots. So far, Riley’s survival strategy is working. He’s high on his Moxie, Hustle, and Savvy stats. But his Mettle and Grit have dropped dangerously low, leaving him vulnerable. If he gets caught by a killer, he’s done for. Plus, no one seems to understand what use Film Buffs are to begin with. What good is knowing the killer is coming if everyone else does too?
Worse, the stakes are only getting higher. Die in a successful storyline and you’ll be back for the next one. But die in the wrong storyline and you won’t come back at all. Because Riley has learned the secret of that behind them every step of the way is a man with an ax, there to ensure any wrong storylines are immediately culled. And now Riley’s beginning to think Carousel itself may be talking to him . . .
The second volume of the hit LitRPG horror series—with more than three million views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
Since they were lured to the festival at Carousel, Riley (the Film Buff), Antoine (the Athlete), Camden (the Scholar), Anna (the Final Girl), and Kimberly (the Eye Candy) have lived through entire horror movie plots. So far, Riley’s survival strategy is working. He’s high on his Moxie, Hustle, and Savvy stats. But his Mettle and Grit have dropped dangerously low, leaving him vulnerable. If he gets caught by a killer, he’s done for. Plus, no one seems to understand what use Film Buffs are to begin with. What good is knowing the killer is coming if everyone else does too?
Worse, the stakes are only getting higher. Die in a successful storyline and you’ll be back for the next one. But die in the wrong storyline and you won’t come back at all. Because Riley has learned the secret of that behind them every step of the way is a man with an ax, there to ensure any wrong storylines are immediately culled. And now Riley’s beginning to think Carousel itself may be talking to him . . .
The second volume of the hit LitRPG horror series—with more than three million views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2024
68 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 27, 2025
I wasn't a fan of the first book, but a big fan of the concept, and I am happy I decided to keep going.
It immediately starts fleshing out the side characters, making them feel like real people. Even the main character reads as a more fluent individual, and following his actions this time around is much more pleasant for me as a reader.
Excited to see where this will lead, the world building and RPG elements are certainly curious.
It immediately starts fleshing out the side characters, making them feel like real people. Even the main character reads as a more fluent individual, and following his actions this time around is much more pleasant for me as a reader.
Excited to see where this will lead, the world building and RPG elements are certainly curious.
December 9, 2024
More of the same. Now it tuned from horror to acting. Bit weird.
July 16, 2025
This series is causing my stress and anxiety levels sky rocket as much as any horror movie I’ve watched.
It is such a unique concept. And I love it. The individual “horror” storylines in book two gave me the creeps. Genuinely. The Stragglers story was very old school horror creepy, just knowing something was wrong and about to happen at any second. And the end story in the facility was literally a movie in my head. Like it could be a movie. Such an interesting story of its own with twists, sacrifice, emotional drama. Loved it.
And the overarching storyline of the mystery of Carousel is growing even more interesting. I’m desperate to know if the “missing” people are truly gone forever or if they can be rescued again. What are the forces behind it all. Are the NPCs maybe actually victims or just puppets created by whatever entity is controlling Carousel.
Every single character is well made. They’re all likeable. They each have interesting trope abilities, so much so that during every horror situation I’m right along with them trying to think of all they’re capable of and what they can do to survive.
Book two has provided book three with some many potential storylines to happen. I’m excited to unravel more of this mystery. And excited to watch these characters attempt to survive more classic horror stories.
Onto book three!
It is such a unique concept. And I love it. The individual “horror” storylines in book two gave me the creeps. Genuinely. The Stragglers story was very old school horror creepy, just knowing something was wrong and about to happen at any second. And the end story in the facility was literally a movie in my head. Like it could be a movie. Such an interesting story of its own with twists, sacrifice, emotional drama. Loved it.
And the overarching storyline of the mystery of Carousel is growing even more interesting. I’m desperate to know if the “missing” people are truly gone forever or if they can be rescued again. What are the forces behind it all. Are the NPCs maybe actually victims or just puppets created by whatever entity is controlling Carousel.
Every single character is well made. They’re all likeable. They each have interesting trope abilities, so much so that during every horror situation I’m right along with them trying to think of all they’re capable of and what they can do to survive.
Book two has provided book three with some many potential storylines to happen. I’m excited to unravel more of this mystery. And excited to watch these characters attempt to survive more classic horror stories.
Onto book three!
September 23, 2024
for the audiobook:
As I wrote in my last review: " Really interesting premise. I was hooked the first 3 hours, then it got a little repetitive and started spinning it's wheels. Some decent horror storylines, but pretty mediocre character building. I think the biggest disappointment is the potential of this idea and how many of the horror story lines just seem mediocre, this might be a case of where the "litrpg" method really takes away from the overall story."
there was some movement in this book, some better character building, but again, the horror storylines just fall kind of flat - like a Vincent Price anthology from the 60s. I will still check out the 3rd book, but I still can't help but feel that this idea was squandered in the litrpg format, which is a shame.
As I wrote in my last review: " Really interesting premise. I was hooked the first 3 hours, then it got a little repetitive and started spinning it's wheels. Some decent horror storylines, but pretty mediocre character building. I think the biggest disappointment is the potential of this idea and how many of the horror story lines just seem mediocre, this might be a case of where the "litrpg" method really takes away from the overall story."
there was some movement in this book, some better character building, but again, the horror storylines just fall kind of flat - like a Vincent Price anthology from the 60s. I will still check out the 3rd book, but I still can't help but feel that this idea was squandered in the litrpg format, which is a shame.
July 16, 2024
5/5.
The Invitation might be just as good as its predecessor, the Bystander, if not better. Riley and his friends have gotten stronger, more experienced, and better at navigating Carousel, but there are still many secrets they don't know. I loved the growing, complex layer of mysteries that Riley and gang slowly uncover, the storylines that only grow in danger, and the tropes and aspects and powers they gain that are vital for their survival. And that ending... Perfection. So good! Can't wait for the next one.
The Invitation might be just as good as its predecessor, the Bystander, if not better. Riley and his friends have gotten stronger, more experienced, and better at navigating Carousel, but there are still many secrets they don't know. I loved the growing, complex layer of mysteries that Riley and gang slowly uncover, the storylines that only grow in danger, and the tropes and aspects and powers they gain that are vital for their survival. And that ending... Perfection. So good! Can't wait for the next one.
February 28, 2025
Do I enjoy a good horror and mystery story? Yes. Was this book nicely paced? Yes. Did I enjoy the whole ride? Absolutely.
If you enjoy horror, mystery and thrillers then this is a fun book. I very much enjoyed the author dipping into other genres for the games while keeping a horror undertones.
If you enjoy horror, mystery and thrillers then this is a fun book. I very much enjoyed the author dipping into other genres for the games while keeping a horror undertones.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2025
This book was really enjoyable and probably my favourite book of the series so far. The beginning starts out weak but it gets so much better and improves upon the characters and lore that we weren’t privy too in the first book. I really enjoyed the characters however I do wish we could see what the characters think of Riley.
February 1, 2025
This sequel addressed the issues I had with book 1! Added nice background details and overarching lore, let you see some of the characters in smaller and more applied instances, and showed new powers being used in context rather than infodumping.
June 12, 2025
Alright this is maybe building to something! The little breadcrumbs are a great dopamine snack to the larger plot arc and the individual set piece stories are often fun in their own right. This is pretty good!
October 16, 2025
Great Horror LitRPG
Fantastic LitRPG built partially around a TvTropes-like system of horror elements. Fascinating world building and very satisfying "level up" system. Highly recommend!
Fantastic LitRPG built partially around a TvTropes-like system of horror elements. Fascinating world building and very satisfying "level up" system. Highly recommend!
August 7, 2024
This happened to me once. Messed up my whole week.
August 8, 2024
fantastic
I love this series! Wish there were more litrpg like this. Character focused with an amazing terrifying world! Go Torros!
I love this series! Wish there were more litrpg like this. Character focused with an amazing terrifying world! Go Torros!
September 2, 2024
Just as amazing as the first one! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator does an amazing job presenting all the characters. Such a unique story. I love it! Can’t wait for book 3.
September 4, 2024
Excellent!
Even better than the first one! If you liked book #1, you'll love this one. Too bad it's already finished and that the next one isn't out, yet!
Even better than the first one! If you liked book #1, you'll love this one. Too bad it's already finished and that the next one isn't out, yet!
February 11, 2025
Continues to be a very fun take on the LitRPG genre. Some fun surprises, especially towards the end. I mean I don't really have much to say about this other than it was fun.
February 22, 2025
I absolutly love The Game at Carousel series! Horror movie tropes in a LitRPG space. What's not to love? It's a don't miss if you're a horror or movie geek!
November 16, 2025
Still fun. Slightly held back from the annoyingly long bits about everyone’s stats and tropes lol. But if you are into that sort of thing you will love it.
July 13, 2024
I love this whole series. I wish I could play it as an RPG.
September 10, 2025
More interesting than the first.
August 31, 2024
Loved it just as much as the first one!!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews