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The Game
Not yet published
Expected 15 Jan 26Trapped by a man who said he loved her.
Trapped by a man who said he would never do it again.
Trapped in a marriage that had long lost its love.
There was a darker secret that Sigmund never told.
He was trapped in a game, that once you play…
There was no escape.
No other way out.
With each pawn in place.
The Game Master can begin.
One was Innocent.
One was Tarnished.
One was Guilty.
Another was a stalker.
Another was a killer.
Death.
Obsession.
When the Game Master has their hands on you.
There’s no escape.
Trapped by a man who said he would never do it again.
Trapped in a marriage that had long lost its love.
There was a darker secret that Sigmund never told.
He was trapped in a game, that once you play…
There was no escape.
No other way out.
With each pawn in place.
The Game Master can begin.
One was Innocent.
One was Tarnished.
One was Guilty.
Another was a stalker.
Another was a killer.
Death.
Obsession.
When the Game Master has their hands on you.
There’s no escape.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 15, 2026
4 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Vivian VanDam
56 books27 followersVivian has been professionally writing since 2017, but has always been writing since she was very young. She lives in Maryland with her husband fellow author, James Lefay Bishop.
She can be found at any coffee shop working on her next book, or at a bookstore looking through the horror section.
Stephen King has always been her hero.
She can be found at any coffee shop working on her next book, or at a bookstore looking through the horror section.
Stephen King has always been her hero.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 2, 2025
Dark Novella with a sprinkle of spice.
(ARC Review)
While this chronicled the game with some other worldly forces holding a man accountable for his sins; I do wish there was much more about the game.
The story is a very quick read and honestly I could have used so much more detail of the game and some more suspense. As soon as I got really into it - it was over.
I want to know more about Death and the Game makers methods, and process, why did they chose Sigmund of all the sinners in the world, I want to hear about Emmy and how she was magically able to be pregnant with a reaper - did that baby really not alert her to anything at the doctor if she had all the medical issue? She was really able to keep that quiet.
Sigmund was shocked and almost elated but then his true colors and feelings seeped out even more as the game made him put down his own mask.
I do really wish there was much more of the story and deeper into the world. It's a very heavy concept for a novella style. Theres so much room for mind-blowing details and world building.
Now being said that it is a very quick read there is horror- there is gore and violence and some graphic descriptive set from a 3rd person view that describes the injuries and deaths involved in the game.
(ARC Review)
While this chronicled the game with some other worldly forces holding a man accountable for his sins; I do wish there was much more about the game.
The story is a very quick read and honestly I could have used so much more detail of the game and some more suspense. As soon as I got really into it - it was over.
I want to know more about Death and the Game makers methods, and process, why did they chose Sigmund of all the sinners in the world, I want to hear about Emmy and how she was magically able to be pregnant with a reaper - did that baby really not alert her to anything at the doctor if she had all the medical issue? She was really able to keep that quiet.
Sigmund was shocked and almost elated but then his true colors and feelings seeped out even more as the game made him put down his own mask.
I do really wish there was much more of the story and deeper into the world. It's a very heavy concept for a novella style. Theres so much room for mind-blowing details and world building.
Now being said that it is a very quick read there is horror- there is gore and violence and some graphic descriptive set from a 3rd person view that describes the injuries and deaths involved in the game.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2025
The Game by Vivian VanDam follows Sigmund, a chronic cheater whose life quickly unravels when he is forced to confront the fallout of his choices. The opening is sharp and engaging, and his early arc sets the hook right away.
The story then shifts to his wife, Ember, whose loneliness and emotional neglect take center stage. She is carrying a secret of her own, and the growing fixation of a watching presence adds a tense, eerie tone to her chapters.
It is a fast read, and I enjoyed the premise and pacing. My one critique, and the reason I settled on four stars instead of five, is that the novella tries to fit a lot of world-building into a small space. I found myself wanting more room for the concept of The Game itself and a bit less focus on the broader lore surrounding the Game Master. Even so, the story holds together well, and the heat supports the narrative rather than distracting from it.
Thank you to Vivian VanDam for the ARC. This review is voluntary.
The story then shifts to his wife, Ember, whose loneliness and emotional neglect take center stage. She is carrying a secret of her own, and the growing fixation of a watching presence adds a tense, eerie tone to her chapters.
It is a fast read, and I enjoyed the premise and pacing. My one critique, and the reason I settled on four stars instead of five, is that the novella tries to fit a lot of world-building into a small space. I found myself wanting more room for the concept of The Game itself and a bit less focus on the broader lore surrounding the Game Master. Even so, the story holds together well, and the heat supports the narrative rather than distracting from it.
Thank you to Vivian VanDam for the ARC. This review is voluntary.
December 5, 2025
Sigmund is a terrible person, and an even worse husband. While he’s out cheating on his grieving wife, his night takes a sharp turn when he’s pulled into The Game, a twisted setup controlled by a mysterious gamemaster. With rules, instructions, and consequences he can’t escape, the real question becomes: will Sigmund follow them… or fall deeper into the chaos?
This was honestly such a fun read! It’s violent, dark, and spicy in all the best ways. The pacing keeps you hooked, and the gamemaster adds such an intriguing layer to the story. I’d love to see even more of that character explored. Out of the entire R'nan series, this might just be my new favorite!
This was honestly such a fun read! It’s violent, dark, and spicy in all the best ways. The pacing keeps you hooked, and the gamemaster adds such an intriguing layer to the story. I’d love to see even more of that character explored. Out of the entire R'nan series, this might just be my new favorite!
December 5, 2025
wow the reaper coming to advance a woman scorned and being cheated on by her husband right after the miscarriage. torturing and killing all his mistresses just to then become the wife's lover and stalker. so fucking amazing. I loved this so much. Hopefully then will be more in store
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2026
Sigmund is a horrible husband. Ember is a devoted wife waiting at home for a husband who cares nothing about her. Sigmund’s cheating ways lands him in the path of the Game Master. This was a great book that held my attention the whole way.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews