Black Mana Gambit

The Calamitous Bob #6

by Álex Gilbert

Viv is dying. Her mana, her strongest tool, is turning against her. She only has months left before it finishes devouring her, but not all is lost. The powerful resident archmage of the magical city of Helock promises her salvation. Viv merely needs to gather a few things and run a few errands. Simple, right? Yet the final price might be higher than she expected. Helock is a den of vipers. Forces move on the border while her paramour, Sidjin, is caught by his past. She will have to navigate those dangers if she wants to be reborn part elemental, the only way for her body to contain her magic.

It would be nice if she could graduate as well.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2024

Reviews

[Tony Hinde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool fight. It seems Vis will be OP from here on out. I hope the author navigates this common literary obstacle in the subsequent books.

[Russell Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. I think the author has a knack for incorporating very common tropes into the series well.

This book provides us with a small tournament arc relating to Prince Sidjin and the Glastian succession. Considering all the other issues hanging over Viv, this tournament did seem to end up front and center of the story somewhat suddenly. Maybe it's just me, but I felt like I noticed the hand of the author a little bit more with the choice of teammates and subsequent friction. Everything made sense, but it just felt like the hand of the author at work since Viv and Sidjin's relationship was storybook borderline unbelievably perfect up to that point.

This was one of those cases where I saw what was coming, but I didn't care because the author did it well and did exactly what I would have done. I guess you could say I have a bit of a mean streak regarding how I treat characters when I want to, so it's rare when an author delivers a scene with the same amount of malevolence.

I can't go into detail due to spoilers, but I'll say that one of the scenes in this book provided one of my favorite payoffs in the series. It was fitting for the story, for the character, it fit uniquely within universe, and was just plain enjoyable.

I think there's only 2 more books left in the series, so I can't wait to see how everything wraps up.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun entry where Viv tries to balance learning advanced magic while searching for a cure for her magical health issues. The new setting is fun and it buildings to one of the most brutal and fun betrayals I’ve ever seen. I have never rooted so hard for vengeance from a main character and Viv delivers exquisitely.

[M L Brooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful forced romance

I couldn't read this very far, Sidjin is just such an awful character. To begin with th the romance with Viv and him feels so very shoehorned in. And he's such a "Yes dear, whatever you say dear" spineless, one dimensional husk of a character that he is genuinely boring to read, unlike Viv's previous lover who actually challenged her.

[William Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

always a surprise

I should maybe follow the author on other platforms. But it *is* nice to have a new book just pop up unexpectedly.

The usual: vast power that is dangerous, misunderstandings, some ridiculousness, some fraught moments. Also giant spiders.

Some really cool ‘flex’ scenes.

The oddities that come from the author having French as a first language add a unique flavor.

[Nathaniel Ringholz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok. Previous books were more entertaining.

Lost some of the charm of previous books. Story moved really fast this time, in an episodic fashion that is a little jarring. Plot was a bit too predictable. Series has been really good unto this point however. I'll be interested in checking out the next in the series, in the hope that the next book is improved upon in comparison to this one.

[Sunday Okafor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an ok book, a nice continuation from the previous work.
The only thing I didn't like was the the whole drama conjured by the family of her paramour sidgin. I get that there are some tropes that are fun, but tournaments aren't really my thing. It felt unnecessary and looked to me like something that could have been avoided, but overall, it didn't ruin the whole book experience for me, i still enjoyed it.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written LitRPG!

It is unfortunate when series come from RoyalRoad which are poorly paced, poorly written, and either slightly-to-terribly misogynistic.
But not so with The Calamitous Bob!

An excellent series that follows a female MC, The Calamitous Bob is a tale filled with goodness, inclusivity, and the cutest dragon. (All Hail Arthur!)

The sixth book continues the trend and I continue to highly recommend!

[Christian Jeffress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This was undoubtedly, another really great addition to the series with a highly entertaining quirky cast of characters. I really love the balance between ruthless battle, politics, and hilarious comedy that helps lighten the darker moments of the story. The story also introduced another enemy that I wish horrendous violence upon. Honestly, if you enjoyed the first five books, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually enjoy these books and this one wasn’t an exception until just over halfway through, when it seemed a different author took over the story without any clearidea about what they were doing. It starts with the ridiculously pointless games and continues with the ludicrous ‘Emeric’. Fortunately these abrasions don’t last too long and the story gets back on course quite quickly.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars.

[John H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great series - You F around with Bob, you find out

I have book grief. When is book 7 coming out?
Patreon time! This book is fast paced with a great isekai'd female main character (French too!) - while written by a man there is no breasting boobily in this book. Fun, funny, imaginative and solidly written. Highly recommend!

[William Moses Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent, as I've now come to expect from Gilbert. The mix of comedy, tragedy, world-building, philosophy, and shenanigans was excellent. Furthermore, things moved at a fast pace, but not too fast.

The only minor annoyance was that there were a few grammar issues/typos that weren't caught in the proofreading stage. It's not too bad, but still annoying.

[Amalga Mat1on · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just about hits all the right buttons.

At least, for me. My bias prevents me from giving a more objective review. I'm just really enjoying this series. Love the wit, drama, comedy, characters, and all the action and little romance in-between. It has been all-around enjoyable so far...now on to the next book.

[Murphies_law · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mostly dull filler

The protagonist felt too bossy while her partner was way too submissive. I didn´t care at all about the tournament. The reconquest of the town was the only interesting part of the book..

i am done with the series and the author..

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better and better

Man this author is awesome, every time I read one of his books I love them more and more. This book continues the adventures of Viv with battles, drama and humor at every page, I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read the next one.

[michael d thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

better litrpg

I don’t like lit RPG let me state that upfront. This is one of the better written ones. More story less gaming comedy is great too.

[Jack Jurdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I would recommend this series. I have bought all of the books and can not wait for the next one.

[Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good book

I highly enjoyed reading this book. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I really enjoyed the main characters dramatics.

[Topher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking at summaries, I think I'm up through 8 - maybe more? But 8 sounds about right for having just finished the nemeti arc.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way it started was confusing. I assumed we’d still be in the jungle cave. I had no idea where we were. It made me think I was accidentally reading the series out of order.

[Jonathan Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still loving them

This one had some real tension. For the first time I was really worried about the main character. Can't wait for the next one

[Cody Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series is fantastic. Read it.

[Merlon Crenel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like with the previous book, I would like to give this book 4 stars because it's pretty good but I'm yet again dinging a point for excessive spelling and grammatical mistakes and for the return of the r-word usage. I'm JUST not dinging a point for how the writing/story felt in places like the words were slapdash thrown together without much thought in between, especially the arena arc seemed kind of hastily written. We'll see how it goes from here, I guess.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

2026 Update
Everything about this book bummed me out both times I read it. I still love Abe, though. And all the short jokes at the end. Still, though...real downer.

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I've missed Calamitous Bob (it's been a whole month since I read Book #5). Still fully obsessed with Arthur and Solfis. Newly obsessed with Abe. Still anxious over Sidjin. Newly anxious over Rakan.

[Ta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pitching almost the entire time that I was reading the book, but then a friendly lich appeared and... well... I have a type.

He single-handedly added another star to my 3 stars review.