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A Journey of Black and Red #2
The Eternal Game
Ariane has finally adjusted to her new life as a vampire, hidden away from her kin in the Georgian countryside. She can now set her eyes on her next pursuit: her return to society as a rightful, free entity. Regaining her freedom will not be easy, however. Beyond the issues of cutthroat vampire politics, the protection of her territory will also bring surprising challenges. She will have to face them with the help of the friends she gathered around her: Loth the burly smith and scholar, her sassy human vassal Dalton and the Choctaw seer Nashoba. It will take that much, for the world is old and there are many ancient threats waiting to be unearthed.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2020
105 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 14, 2022
Quite a few of my complaints about the first book were quickly addressed at the beginning of this one as if the author was already aware of those shortcomings himself.
I still hoped for a lot more vampire politics and intrigue. Instead, there just was a whole lot of fighting, and despite all that, I still didn't really feel like I had a good idea of her actual strength.
I also talked about the lack of any sort of goal in the first book which has been remedied in this one too. But to be honest the plot is so mediocre that I wouldn't really have missed it either. So I guess it's more about the lack of a good plot than the lack of any plot at all.
There were a few interesting underpinnings of different factions following various goals but the whole setup for the endless fighting for the last third of the book seemed flimsy at best.
I just never reached that point where I felt like I grasped the intentions and moral corruption of different factions. I never really felt like I could make any useful predictions or assumptions of what one faction or another might do in reaction to something else. I never had enough insight to speculate which made reading this a very passive experience.
Apropos endless battles. Those really started to drag towards the end. On one hand, I appreciated how the MC kind of just didn't give a fuck about killing but on the other, this created a horrible dissonance with her compassion and willingness to help and support her own people.
A truly ruthless person helps others only for their own benefit and that is clearly not how the MC thinks.
To the bitter end, I never could connect to any kind of consistent personality trait of the MC.
In some aspects, I enjoyed reading this more than the first book but in others, I enjoyed it less so it kind of stayed the same overall.
I could write in a lot more detail about this book too but one huge essay is probably enough.
I still hoped for a lot more vampire politics and intrigue. Instead, there just was a whole lot of fighting, and despite all that, I still didn't really feel like I had a good idea of her actual strength.
I also talked about the lack of any sort of goal in the first book which has been remedied in this one too. But to be honest the plot is so mediocre that I wouldn't really have missed it either. So I guess it's more about the lack of a good plot than the lack of any plot at all.
There were a few interesting underpinnings of different factions following various goals but the whole setup for the endless fighting for the last third of the book seemed flimsy at best.
I just never reached that point where I felt like I grasped the intentions and moral corruption of different factions. I never really felt like I could make any useful predictions or assumptions of what one faction or another might do in reaction to something else. I never had enough insight to speculate which made reading this a very passive experience.
Apropos endless battles. Those really started to drag towards the end. On one hand, I appreciated how the MC kind of just didn't give a fuck about killing but on the other, this created a horrible dissonance with her compassion and willingness to help and support her own people.
A truly ruthless person helps others only for their own benefit and that is clearly not how the MC thinks.
To the bitter end, I never could connect to any kind of consistent personality trait of the MC.
In some aspects, I enjoyed reading this more than the first book but in others, I enjoyed it less so it kind of stayed the same overall.
I could write in a lot more detail about this book too but one huge essay is probably enough.
November 18, 2021
Books rarely make me cry, I got deeply invested in this one.
July 20, 2025
A somewhat disjunt and unorganized collection of chapters makes up the second volume in Ariane's journey. While my previous criticism regarding the characters was addressed, a new one emerged in the form of a lack of direction and consistency. The story's structure is incoherent, the reader often is confused about an overarching goal or direction. Nevertheless, it is marked the occasional moments of satisfaction, as in the final sequences. Let us hope that the next installment will fix this new deficiency
November 21, 2025
Gilbert keeps up the pace of the story while expanding the world and cast of characters. There was a point when I started to feel like I had a decent grasp of what would happen next, but then Gilbert pleasantly surprised me with a choice that made the overall story better in my opinion. And then it happened again. And again. And again. Well done. I am very invested in this story and the characters, and furthermore, I trust Gilbert to take me on an interesting journey.
February 24, 2024
Excellent
This was an excellent addition to the series, and a highly entertaining read overall. Near the end, the emotions were definitely hitting harder, as well as the action being even more entertaining. If you enjoyed the first book, I definitely think you might enjoy the second book even more.
This was an excellent addition to the series, and a highly entertaining read overall. Near the end, the emotions were definitely hitting harder, as well as the action being even more entertaining. If you enjoyed the first book, I definitely think you might enjoy the second book even more.
January 22, 2021
Worth a read
One of the best vampire series i have read, easy to follow , would really like the next book to follow on so the whole story can be read. I hope the heroine has romance.
Will keep an eye out for further updates
One of the best vampire series i have read, easy to follow , would really like the next book to follow on so the whole story can be read. I hope the heroine has romance.
Will keep an eye out for further updates
March 10, 2021
Excellent book
Story flows easily and characters are well defined and seem real. I couldn't stop reading.
Also, there is a summary of the story so far at the beginning of the book, which is pretty rare but very useful.
Story flows easily and characters are well defined and seem real. I couldn't stop reading.
Also, there is a summary of the story so far at the beginning of the book, which is pretty rare but very useful.
July 23, 2021
This sequel was even better than the first, now that Ariane is coming into her own. The side characters are well drawn and interesting, lightening up some of the heavy darkness that comes with vampire shenanigans. Relationships feel real, antipathies as well. Recommend.
December 29, 2022
The writing gets better or maybe I just got used to it. The main character is still very inconsistent.
The story is more like a collection of short stories with a bit of an overarching plot than an actual story. I like the new characters they are a great addition. There is a lot of fun action.
The story is more like a collection of short stories with a bit of an overarching plot than an actual story. I like the new characters they are a great addition. There is a lot of fun action.
December 4, 2023
Ok so I didn’t realize that I had technically read this book already on the royalroad chapters which is great! Excited to continue forward and see the serialization of book 3. My review for book 1 pretty much applies to this one as well!
March 27, 2024
Fragmented
Suffers from patchy prose and fragmented narration. The author fails to describe what's going on or who's talking often enough to make the story feel like a first draft. Could be fixed by a good editor.
Suffers from patchy prose and fragmented narration. The author fails to describe what's going on or who's talking often enough to make the story feel like a first draft. Could be fixed by a good editor.
April 2, 2025
Vampirates.
Ariane is a wonderful juxtaposition of thoughtful maniac, caring psychopath, and proper lady murderhobo. The author's sometimes quirky writing style really works for me, as it does in his other major series.
Ariane is a wonderful juxtaposition of thoughtful maniac, caring psychopath, and proper lady murderhobo. The author's sometimes quirky writing style really works for me, as it does in his other major series.
November 28, 2020
Author has a enjoyable series going here - looking forward to books 3 and 4 being released!
February 5, 2021
Not your normal vampier
Characters are well developed, plot is original and interesting and the world building is not that of a beginner. Looking forward to book 3.
Characters are well developed, plot is original and interesting and the world building is not that of a beginner. Looking forward to book 3.
March 4, 2022
Rating: 4/5
Cover: 5/5
Narration: 4/5
Favorite Line: NA
Cover: 5/5
Narration: 4/5
Favorite Line: NA
November 10, 2023
Definitely enjoyed but there were some slow moments towards the middle/end. And I cried at the end it’s so sad 😭
May 28, 2024
Dalton 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I do not often feel for characters killed in books, but this one got to me 😥😥😥
I do not often feel for characters killed in books, but this one got to me 😥😥😥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2025
Fun fun!
June 3, 2025
3.25☆
February 22, 2024
Read on Royal road, 9/10
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews