Vampire Game, Volume 4 Book

This book brings an exciting conclusion to the La Naan arc and move into the Ci Xeneth storyline.
Laphiji battles the mysterious vampire foe, while Duzzell shows he's developing a softer side. Ishtar confronts Seliez in the arena, using her mightiest weapon against him…the truth.

For once, she alievates confusion rather than causing more of it, growing as a character.

Vord makes a startling decision which changes the lives of La Naan princes and Ishtar's, which results in him becoming part of Ishtar's entourage, and getting a measure of sympathy for Darres's frequent headaches.

Headaches or not, no one at Ishtar's castle can keep a spirited princess down, something Yujinn understands better than anyone else. Trying to understand her magical ruelles (devices) results in the princess teleporting out of the castle with Duzzell.

Unfortunately, they end up in Ci Xeneth. It's not too out of the way for Duzzell. Descendants of Phelios, whom might be his reincarnation dwell here, too.

Unfortunately, one of them is Ishtar's uncle, Lord Jened, who wants the princess dead. He's a ruthless man obsessed with crafting ruelles (items imbued with holy magic), using his powerful young knight, Illsaide, to collect the living (or deceased) materials needed to make them. Jared also has a mysterious dark sorcerer, Diaage, and a menagerie of monsters to help him with the task.

Ci Xeneth is a dangerous place for Ishtar (and Duzzell, who can only shapeshift into Ishtar) to show their faces. Ishtar comes up with the idea of the two of them pretending to be holy knights, passing through. This plot gets a lot more complicated when the beautiful young Illsaide casts an amorous eye on Duzzell, Illsaide, who is so very like, yet unlike Phelios.

This volume was a bit darker and more dramatic than those previous, introducing a more hardcore villain than any in La Naan in Lord Jened. It also brings in a more serious and unhappy character than even Seliez, Illsaide. Their goals and conflict take the story into heavier territory involving more loss of life than we've seen previously.

Ishtar continues to lighten things up with her antics, but she's developing a more serious side. She's beginning to understand the consequences of her actions, deepening as a character.

Yujinn seems to be ten steps ahead of everyone, understanding that Ishtar's missteps are necessary in her journey as a woman and a queen.

Duzzell is starting to care about people who aren't of immediate use or interest to him when he tries to save someone's life, showing that Ishtar's impulsive kindness is rubbing off on him.

Once more, Vampire Game delivers a great story with great characters, winning another five stars from me.