Clan Novel Saga, Volume 2: The Eye of Gehenna By Stewart Wieck

Just like its predecessor, The Eye of Gehenna is yet again a compilation of novels published in the Clan Novel Saga for Vampire: the Masquerade earlier. Sharing its structure we are once again dealing with chapters from the original novels re-arranged in chronological order as things surrounding the mysterious Eye of Hazimel and upcoming Final Nights themselves.

Looming against the backdrop of Sabbat's conquest of Atlanta and surrounding cities we get to inhabit plenty of characters observing the crisis while taking refuge elsewhere. From exiled Ventrue Prince, Toreador courtier of legendary renown and information brokers that are clan Nosferatu - all must find a way to strike back as Europe sends its own Jan Pieterzoon to be their chief advisor. Except, all these scheming Camarilla vampires pale in comparison to true monsters that are Sabbat members and their own brutal power plays. Courts on both sides get fleshed out providing the reader with quite the insight into how these sects operate top to bottom.

At a glance unrelated to this crisis, beyond losing his agent in Atlanta, we continue with archeological adventures of Hesha Ruhadze, Setite on a mission to procure the mystical Eye that's been in the background for quite some time. We see in great detail how a vampire elder would actually run an organization of ghouls and wealth that makes travel around the world a breeze even for an undead manipulator. And with the latest addition of Elizabeth Dimitros as his academic we get to explore a warped dynamic. Also, all hell breaks down in India with greater implications for greater World of Darkness lore.

Above are the two biggest arcs in the compilation and I won't go others beyond saying there's a lot of Gangrel stuff as it introduces Ramona, a fledgling vampire, and a lot of psychedelic stuff surrounding the Eye of Hazimel and Tremere sorcery. Some bits featuring characters telling tales got my eyes glazing, but they're not intolerable. Really, biggest credit to The Eye of Gehenna is how seamlessly integrated all the parts are considering we're dealing with four authors and fragmented chapters. You don't need to know much about World of Darkness and it might actually help as more than few POV characters are supposed to be totally lost about what's going on. I think it carries across rather well. Others, like the Tremere esoteric nature of magic and ritual spellcasting, might require a re-read if you don't know anything about them beyond fireball-throwing vampires.

There's lot of seemingly unrelated throwaway stories or characters here, but if The Fall of Atlanta was anything to go by they may return in the forthcoming compilation(s) so keep mental notes. 1588468461 (Review forthcoming) 1588468461 Great writing and excellent cast of characters. 1588468461 Rating: 4,75 Stars

Now that's more like it! Compared to its predecessor, The Eye of Gehenna is a much brisker read, fortunately skipping over much of the bloat that plagued The Fall of Atlanta without losing an iota of the series' trademark gothic style and vivid prose. As the title implies, this time the narrative is more focused on the exploits of those directly involved with the enigmatic Eye of Hazimel, and to quote one of my favourite characters from Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines; That thing seems to get around more than Mae West!

Among those unfortunate enough to cross paths with the dreaded artifact is the Gangrel neonate Ramona, whose chapters are some of the most gripping in the main story arc, not only due to yours truly being a fan of the Clan of the Beast but also because they are quite emotional and relatable; having just been recently turned, the young woman serves as a much more proactive counterpart to Liz Dimitros when it comes to introducing a new reader to this strange universe. Her clan's rather peculiar initiation rite (or complete lack thereof, in fact) is likewise a wonderful in-lore excuse for her to become the eyes of a newcomer to the series who will, alongside her, gradually discover all the effed-up wonders of being an undead bloodsucker with extraordinary powers. In typical WoD fashion, her story also gets nuttier as it goes, culminating in one of the most riveting action segments of the saga so far.

Ventrue fans also get some love with the introduction of signature character Jan Pieterzoon (Childe of legendary Camarilla founder Hardestadt), who is given the Ventrue-est of all tasks: Put an end to the Sabbat onslaught in the US. By himself, of course. Why? Because the Ventrue can get it done, that's why, silly. Compared to his relatively tame clanmates from the previous novel, Jan showcases the immense responsibility that comes with being someone of his ilk, and it's quite frankly fascinating. Intrigue is the name of the game, and the Blue Bloods can throwdown with the best of 'em and then some.

However, despite my rating, I can't say the book is perfect. The chapters concerning the New York Tremere unfortunately nearly surpass Anatole's in Jesus, not this again! energy. As with the Malkavian signature character, perhaps the authors lay it a little too thick with the clan stereotypes. The warlocks are vampire mages, so let's have them endlessly babble about their unfathomable hermetic rituals, rigid hierarchy, Chantry defences, etc. Meanwhile, the Sabbat holds court in their city, having used it as one of their staging grounds to tear-ass through the country. Oh, not to mention something beyond unsettling is festering in the city's underground... and it's not even the Nosferatu! In fact, the thing manages to befuddle even them! Oh dear Caine, if only the Camarilla had in their ranks a clan of highly proficient and painstakingly organized undead wizards to deal with things like these! Oh, wait...

All in all, despite its small shortcomings, this is a clear improvement over the first instalment. A leaner, meaner beast to be sure. 1588468461

Stewart Wieck ↠ 2 Free read

The Vampire Clan Novel epic is re-presented in four beautiful trade-format volumes. The Clan Novel Saga reorganizes the chapters from all 13 novels (and the Clan Novel Anthology) in strict chronological order. Volume Two covers the chaotic month of July 1999. Atlanta and other Southern cities fall to the Sabbat, foreign assassins converge on the scene, and the animalistic Gangrel come face-to-face with the Eye to Hazimel. This volume includes all-new story by Stefan Petrucha (Dark Ages: Assamite). Clan Novel Saga, Volume 2: The Eye of Gehenna